How to Book Alaska (Atmos™ Rewards) Flights With Amex Points

American Express Membership Rewards are incredibly flexible—but there’s still no direct way to transfer Amex points to Alaska Airlines’ loyalty program, now Atmos™ Rewards, as of 2025-10-03.⁴ The good news: you can book Alaska-operated flights by moving points to oneworld partners—most commonly The British Airways Club (Avios)—and redeeming there.^{8, 9, 10} This guide explains those partner pathways, when to transfer (including bonuses), and simple tactics to stretch your stash without wasting a single point.

Step-by-step Guide to Linking Amex and Alaska Airlines Accounts

Quick note: Alaska’s program is now branded Atmos™ Rewards (formerly Mileage Plan™). HawaiianMiles completed its transition into Atmos on October 1, 2025.^{1, 2, 11}

Logging in and Navigating to Membership Rewards

Log in to your American Express account and navigate to the Membership Rewards section. There you’ll find options to transfer points to airline and hotel partners. Important: Alaska/Atmos is not an Amex transfer partner. Consider partners like The British Airways Club (Avios) to book Alaska-operated flights via oneworld.^{4, 9}

Selecting Alaska Airlines and Linking Accounts

There is no “link Amex to Alaska/Atmos” transfer flow. Instead, select an eligible partner (e.g., The British Airways Club) and ensure your Avios account details match your Amex profile. BA rebranded its program to The British Airways Club (formerly Executive Club); functionality for earning and spending Avios on oneworld partners remains.^{10, 9}

Verifying Details and Transferring Points

Make sure the name on your Amex account matches the partner account you’re transferring to. Amex requires transfers only to your own partner account or that of an eligible Additional Card Member linked to your Membership Rewards account; all transfers are final. Transfer speed varies by partner; BA Avios are typically near-instant.⁶ After your Avios arrive, search partner availability for Alaska-operated flights on BA’s site and complete booking there.⁹

Understanding the Transfer Ratio and Fees for Amex Points to Alaska Airlines Miles

Important correction: There is no direct Amex→Alaska/Atmos transfer. The often-cited 1:1 Amex→Alaska ratio does not exist. Instead, common pathways include:

• Amex → The British Airways Club (Avios) (generally 1:1), then book Alaska-operated flights with Avios via BA. From BA’s perspective, Alaska is a oneworld partner, so Avios can be redeemed for Alaska flights on ba.com.^{4, 8, 9, 12}
• Amex → Marriott Bonvoy → Alaska/Atmos (typically 1:1 from Amex to Marriott, then 3:1 from Marriott to Alaska, with a 5,000-mile bonus for every 60,000 Marriott points transferred when applicable). This route usually yields lower value than Avios for Alaska flights.⁷

Fees: Amex charges an excise tax offset fee of $0.0006 per point (capped at $99) only when transferring to U.S. airline programs. This fee does not apply to transfers to BA (a U.K. program).⁵

Amex periodically offers transfer bonuses to partners like British Airways. Check current terms and offers in Membership Rewards before moving points.⁴

Tips for Maximizing the Value of Transferred Amex Points with Alaska Airlines

Tips to maximize Amex points when booking Alaska-operated flights via partners

Tip	Description
1	Transfer Amex points to Avios during a transfer bonus (when available); then book Alaska-operated flights via BA.
2	Target premium cabins or high-cash-fare routes for stronger value per point; compare partners before moving points.
3	Leverage oneworld partner booking options (e.g., BA) to broaden award availability across Alaska’s network.
4	Use partner award tools on ba.com to compare mileage prices. Remember Avios pricing is per segment and distance-based.
5	Consider hotel transfer routes only when they align with your goals; ratios are usually less favorable than Avios.

To get the most out of your Amex points when booking with Alaska Airlines partners, plan travel during off-peak times and stay flexible with dates and destinations to access lower mileage pricing. Utilize oneworld and partner networks (e.g., BA) for award redemptions.⁹

How to Use Transferred Alaska Airlines Miles for Award Flights and Upgrades

Once you have points in Atmos Rewards, use your account to search for award flights on Alaska and partners. Availability fluctuates by route and partner. Upgrade note: As of today, Atmos points cannot be used to purchase upgrades on paid tickets; instead, book First Class as an award if you want a premium seat. Complimentary or paid upgrades may be available based on status or fare rules.¹³

Potential Pitfalls and Common Mistakes to Avoid When Transferring Amex Points to Alaska Airlines

• Don’t transfer before you find seats. Confirm partner award availability first—Amex transfers are irreversible.⁶
• Match your names. The partner account must belong to you (or an eligible Additional Card Member linked to your MR account).⁶
• Know the fees. Amex charges an excise tax offset fee for transfers to U.S. airline programs; transfers to BA (U.K.) are not subject to this fee.⁵
• Understand Atmos basics. Atmos points never expire, but program terms still govern account activity and policies.¹

Alternative Options for Using Amex Points with Alaska Airlines (Partners & Hotels)

Beyond booking Alaska-operated flights via Avios partners, explore other Amex airline partners for itineraries on oneworld carriers (e.g., American, Iberia, Cathay Pacific). If needed, Amex points can be moved to hotel programs (e.g., Marriott Bonvoy) and then to Alaska/Atmos at generally weaker ratios. Choose the path that fits route availability and your value targets.^{4, 7}

Conclusion and Final Thoughts on Transferring Amex Points to Alaska Airlines

Direct Amex→Alaska/Atmos transfers aren’t available, but with strategic use of Amex partners—especially Avios programs via The British Airways Club—you can still access Alaska-operated and partner flights. Flexibility and careful planning remain the keys to converting Membership Rewards into great trips with Alaska and oneworld partners.^{4, 8, 9}

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FAQs

What are Amex points?

Amex points (Membership Rewards) are rewards earned on eligible American Express cards and can be transferred to many airline and hotel partners. Transfers are one-way and final—always verify space before you move points.⁶

What is Alaska Airlines’ loyalty program?

Alaska’s loyalty program has rebranded to Atmos™ Rewards (formerly Mileage Plan™). HawaiianMiles members were automatically enrolled into Atmos on October 1, 2025. Atmos points do not expire and can be earned/redeemed across Alaska, Hawaiian, and a global partner network (including oneworld).^{1, 2, 3}

Can Amex points be transferred to Alaska/Atmos directly?

No. As of 2025-10-03, Amex does not offer direct transfers to Alaska/Atmos. Consider transferring to partners like The British Airways Club (Avios)</strong) and booking Alaska-operated flights via partners.^{4, 9}

How do I transfer Amex points to book Alaska flights?

Transfer Amex points to an eligible partner (e.g., The British Airways Club/Avios). After the Avios arrive, search and book Alaska-operated award flights through BA’s site. Ensure your account names match; all transfers are final.^{6, 9}

Are there any fees or restrictions when transferring Amex points?

Amex does not charge a fee for most international airline transfers (e.g., BA). For transfers to U.S. airline programs, Amex charges an excise tax offset fee of $0.0006 per point (maximum $99). Always confirm award space before transferring, since transfers cannot be reversed.^{5, 6}

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References

1. Alaska Airlines — Atmos™ Rewards overview (points never expire; program brand)
2. Alaska Airlines — Atmos™ Rewards Terms (auto-enrollment; HawaiianMiles transition on 2025-10-01)
3. Alaska Airlines News — Introducing Atmos™ Rewards (program launch; Starlink timeline)
4. American Express — Membership Rewards airline transfer partners (no Alaska/Atmos direct transfer)
5. American Express — Membership Rewards Terms (excise tax offset fee details)
6. American Express FAQ — How to transfer Membership Rewards points (final/irreversible transfers; account eligibility)
7. Marriott Bonvoy — Transfer points to miles (3:1 ratio; 5k bonus per 60k, where applicable)
8. British Airways — oneworld page (Alaska Airlines is a oneworld member)
9. British Airways — Reward Flights (use Avios on oneworld & partner airlines)
10. British Airways — The British Airways Club (program name; formerly Executive Club)
11. Maui Now — HawaiianMiles transition to Atmos Rewards (2025-10-02 coverage)
12. One Mile at a Time — Booking Alaska flights with Avios online