Alaska Airlines Atmos Rewards is making two negative changes: Saver (basic economy) fares will soon stop earning points, and partner award booking fees are going up. Neither change is catastrophic, but together they make the program a little less generous.
First, Alaska’s basic economy-style Saver fares, booked into X class, will soon stop earning Atmos Rewards points and status points. Second, the partner award booking fee is increasing from $12.50 to $20 per person, each way, for tickets issued on or after July 1, 2026.
Neither change destroys the value of Atmos Rewards. But both represent a continued shift away from what made Alaska’s loyalty program so compelling for so long: generous earning, reasonable fees, and a sense that members were not being nickel-and-dimed at every turn.
A great solo travel tip spotted this week on Live and Let's Fly.
