Source: The Points Guy
Summary
Alaska Airlines plans to launch a debit card in 2027 that will allow Atmos Rewards members to earn points and status toward elite status. Cardholders will earn points on purchases, with higher rates on eligible Alaska, Hawaiian, and dining transactions. The card is intended for travelers who may not qualify for credit cards. Alaska also announced plans to allow Bank of America cardholders to transfer points to Atmos Rewards in 2027. The airline is refreshing its business credit card with new perks, including lounge access.
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The escape is carefully planned.
Alaska Airlines is offering a debit card for Atmos Rewards members in 2027. Points can be earned on everyday spending. Elite status is attainable through spending. Partners like American Airlines accept the points. The card is aimed at younger travelers and those without credit cards.
Author: Evan Null
Alaska’s future debit card: What we know
The new Atmos debit card is slated to launch in 2027. Details are limited, but Alaska is promising a "feature-rich" offering.
Cardholders will be able to earn points and status points in Atmos, which is the joint loyalty program of Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines.
You can use those points to book Alaska and Hawaiian flights, as well as trips on partner carriers, such as American Airlines.
Alaska debit card earning and benefits
While credit cards tend to offer more lucrative perks and mileage earning, they’re not necessarily right for every consumer.
An Atmos debit card should offer an "in" for frequent flyers who might not have the credit score to qualify for a higher-tier card but who want to earn points they can redeem on future flights.
Here’s how the earning rate stacks up for debit cardholders:
- Earn 0.5 points per $1 spent on most purchases
- 1 point per dollar on eligible Alaska, Hawaiian, dining and rideshare purchases
Cardholders will earn 1 status point for every $3 spent.
Bank of America-Atmos Rewards transfers on the horizon
Meanwhile, Alaska also broke some big news on the credit card front this week.
Starting in 2027, consumers with certain Bank of America credit cards will be able to transfer their points into Atmos Rewards.
Details are sparse so far: Alaska did not reveal exactly which Bank of America credit card holders would be able to transfer their rewards in the future, or whether the transfers would be at the ideal 1:1 ratio.
Atmos business card refresh expected
Finally, get ready for a refresh to Alaska’s business credit card.
Later this year, the carrier plans to overhaul the Atmos™ Rewards Visa Signature® Business Card.
Alaska offered a sneak peek of a few incoming perks, including:
- 10 points per dollar on eligible purchases through the carrier’s business platform, Atmos Rewards for Business
- Lounge passes
- Same-day confirmed flight changes for cardholders
There’s no word yet on whether Alaska plans to continue one of the most valuable perks on the Atmos business card: the annual companion fare.
Bottom line
All of this credit (and debit) card news involving Alaska, Hawaiian and Atmos Rewards comes on the same day the carrier revealed big plans for the future of its planes, lounges and loyalty program.
The glow-up includes spiffy new business-class and premium economy seats on its planes, as well as a luxe new "Aurora Lounge" in Seattle.
Plus, one of the most interesting features of Atmos Rewards — promised since last year — finally begins this week.
