American Express Membership Rewards points give you access to dozens of airline and hotel partners, but Alaska Airlines’ loyalty program, now called Atmos™ Rewards, isn’t one of them. You can’t transfer Amex points to Atmos directly. What you can do is move your points to a partner program that books Alaska-operated flights, most commonly The British Airways Club (Avios). This guide walks you through every working pathway, the fees involved, and the tactics that stretch your points furthest.
What’s in This Article
- Before You Begin: Why There’s No Direct Link
- Step-by-Step: How to Transfer Amex Points for Alaska Flights
- Transfer Ratios and Fees: What You’ll Actually Pay
- How to Maximize Value When Booking Alaska Flights With Amex Points
- How to Use Atmos Rewards for Award Flights and Upgrades
- Pitfalls to Avoid Before You Transfer
- Other Ways to Reach Alaska Flights With Amex Points
- Frequently Asked Questions
Quick Answer
You can’t transfer Amex Membership Rewards points directly to Alaska’s Atmos Rewards program. The most practical workaround is a 1:1 transfer to The British Airways Club (Avios), then booking Alaska-operated flights through British Airways’ website. A slower, less valuable route goes through Marriott Bonvoy at a 3:1 ratio into Atmos.
Key Takeaways
- American Express does not offer direct transfers to Alaska’s Atmos Rewards program. The old HawaiianMiles backdoor closed permanently on June 30, 2025.
- The best workaround is a 1:1 Amex-to-Avios transfer (The British Airways Club), then booking Alaska-operated flights on ba.com at distance-based pricing.
- Marriott Bonvoy offers a second path at a 3:1 ratio, plus a 5,000-point bonus for every 60,000 Marriott points transferred, but this route usually yields weaker value than Avios.
- Always confirm award seat availability before transferring — Amex transfers are final and cannot be reversed.
- Amex charges an excise tax offset fee of $0.0006 per point (capped at $99) only for US-based airline programs; transfers to British Airways (a UK program) don’t trigger this fee.
Before You Begin: Why There’s No Direct Link
Alaska Airlines rebranded its loyalty program from Mileage Plan to Atmos™ Rewards on August 20, 2025. HawaiianMiles merged into Atmos on October 1, 2025, completing the loyalty integration that followed the Alaska–Hawaiian Airlines merger. The combined program runs under the Atmos Rewards name, with points that never expire.
Despite the rebrand, American Express has not added Atmos Rewards as a direct transfer partner. As of May 2026, Amex lists no path to Atmos on its Membership Rewards transfer menu. This matters because a popular workaround used to exist: transferring Amex points to HawaiianMiles first, then moving them to Alaska Mileage Plan. That route closed on June 30, 2025, when Amex dropped Hawaiian Airlines from its partner list entirely.
Warning: The Amex → HawaiianMiles → Alaska backdoor route closed permanently on June 30, 2025. Do not count on it. Any guide suggesting this path is outdated.
What remains viable is the Avios route. Alaska is a oneworld alliance member, and Avios programs (The British Airways Club and Iberia Plus) let you book Alaska-operated flights at distance-based pricing. Amex transfers to both at 1:1.
What You’ll Need Before Transferring
- An active American Express card with a Membership Rewards balance
- A verified British Airways Club account (or Iberia Plus account) with the exact same name as your Amex account
- Confirmed award seat availability for your target Alaska-operated route — check on ba.com or iberia.com first
- About 15 minutes for the full transfer and booking process
Pro tip: Check for an Amex–British Airways transfer bonus before you move points — these promotions can add 25–40% more Avios at no extra cost.
Step-by-Step: How to Transfer Amex Points for Alaska Flights
Estimated time: About 15 minutes (plus however long it takes to find available award seats beforehand)
- Step 1: Log In to Amex and Choose Your Transfer Partner
Log in to your American Express account and navigate to Membership Rewards. Select “Transfer Points” and look for The British Airways Club (Avios). Alaska/Atmos won’t appear on the list because Amex doesn’t partner with them. British Airways Avios lets you book Alaska-operated flights through the oneworld partnership. - Step 2: Select British Airways Avios (Not Alaska) as Your Partner
Choose The British Airways Club from the partner list. Enter your British Airways Club membership number. The name on your Amex account must match your BA account exactly — a mismatch will block the transfer. Amex also allows transfers to accounts belonging to eligible Additional Card Members linked to your Membership Rewards account. - Step 3: Verify Account Details and Transfer
Double-check the recipient account number and the point amount. Confirm you’ve already found available award space on ba.com for your Alaska-operated flight. Click “Transfer” — the transaction is final. BA Avios typically arrive within minutes of confirming the transfer. Once your Avios land, book your Alaska flight directly through the British Airways website.
Note: Atmos Rewards points never expire, so there’s no urgency to transfer out of Atmos — but there’s also no reason to transfer Amex points until you have a confirmed seat to book.
Transfer Ratios and Fees: What You’ll Actually Pay
No direct Amex-to-Atmos ratio exists. The two working pathways each have their own math.
| Pathway | Ratio | Fee | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amex → The British Airways Club (Avios) → Alaska flight | 1:1 (Amex to Avios) | None (BA is a UK program) | Most Alaska routes; best overall value |
| Amex → Iberia Plus (Avios) → Alaska flight | 1:1 (Amex to Avios) | None (Iberia is a Spanish program) | Routes where Iberia availability differs from BA |
| Amex → Marriott Bonvoy → Atmos Rewards | 3 Marriott points → 1 Atmos point; +5,000 Atmos bonus per 60,000 Marriott points transferred | None (Marriott is a hotel program) | Topping up an existing Atmos balance only |
The Avios route wins on value in most cases. Avios pricing is distance-based and per segment, so shorter Alaska routes often cost fewer Avios than you’d expect. Iberia Plus uses the same Avios chart as British Airways for Alaska and other Americas partner flights, giving you a second tool to check availability if BA seats are scarce.
The Marriott path is typically a last resort. Transferring 60,000 Amex points to Marriott nets you 60,000 Bonvoy points, which converts to 20,000 Atmos points plus the 5,000-point bonus — just 25,000 Atmos points for 60,000 Amex points. That’s a steep efficiency loss compared to the 1:1 Avios pathway.
About the excise tax fee: Amex charges $0.0006 per point, capped at $99, when you transfer to US-based airline programs. Transfers to British Airways (UK) and Iberia (Spain) don’t trigger this fee. If you ever transfer to a US carrier like Delta or JetBlue, pay the fee with your Amex card — using Membership Rewards points to cover it delivers terrible value.
How to Maximize Value When Booking Alaska Flights With Amex Points
| # | Tip | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Transfer Amex points to Avios during a transfer bonus, then book Alaska-operated flights via BA. | Bonuses of 25–40% more Avios can significantly cut your per-point cost. |
| 2 | Target premium cabins or high-cash-fare routes. | A $1,500 business-class seat at 30,000 Avios delivers about 5 cents per point, far above average. |
| 3 | Use both ba.com and iberia.com to search Alaska award space. | Availability sometimes differs between the two booking tools for the same oneworld partner inventory. |
| 4 | Stay flexible on dates and routes. | Avios pricing is segment-based and distance-banded, so off-peak and short-haul routes can cost very few points. |
| 5 | Use the Marriott route only to top up an existing Atmos balance near an award threshold. | The 3:1 conversion ratio makes it inefficient as a primary transfer strategy. |
Products Worth Considering
How to Use Atmos Rewards for Award Flights and Upgrades
Once you hold points in Atmos Rewards, search for award flights on Alaska and its 30+ airline partners through the Alaska Airlines website. Award availability varies by route, partner, and time of year. Premium partner routes — Japan Airlines, Qatar Airways, Cathay Pacific — carry some of the program’s best sweet spots.
On upgrades: as of mid-2026, Atmos points don’t let you upgrade a paid economy ticket on demand. Your best option for a premium cabin is booking it as an award directly. Alaska announced space-available complimentary premium upgrades for Atmos Titanium elite members, with a rollout planned for spring 2026. Verify the current status of this benefit directly with Alaska before booking, as this benefit is status-based rather than points-purchasable.
Pitfalls to Avoid Before You Transfer
- Don’t transfer before you find seats. Confirm award availability on ba.com or iberia.com first. Amex transfers are irreversible — once points leave your account, you can’t get them back.
- Don’t forget the name-match requirement. Your Amex account name must match your British Airways Club or Iberia Plus account exactly. Discrepancies block the transfer.
- Don’t use the HawaiianMiles backdoor. Amex removed Hawaiian Airlines as a partner on June 30, 2025. That route no longer exists.
- Don’t pay the excise tax fee with points. For any US-program transfers, pay the $0.0006/point fee (capped at $99) with your Amex card, not with Membership Rewards points.
- Don’t assume Atmos points expire. Unlike the old Mileage Plan (which deactivated miles after 24 months of inactivity), Atmos points carry no expiration. You can accumulate at your own pace.
Other Ways to Reach Alaska Flights With Amex Points
Beyond the Avios pathway, a few other Amex partners open doors to Alaska and oneworld partner flights. American Airlines AAdvantage and Cathay Pacific Asia Miles (both Amex transfer partners) can book Alaska-operated flights under different award charts — worth comparing if Avios availability is thin. Note that the Amex-to-Cathay transfer ratio reportedly dropped to 5:4 effective March 1, 2026, which reduced its competitiveness — verify the current ratio on the Amex Membership Rewards transfer page before moving points.
If you want direct Atmos Rewards accumulation from a credit card, the Bilt Mastercard transfers 1:1 to Atmos Rewards with instant transfer times. As of May 2026, Bilt is the only major US credit card program with a direct transfer link to Atmos. It’s worth considering if Alaska flights represent a core part of your travel strategy.
The Marriott Bonvoy path from Amex remains available but delivers weaker point value than Avios for most Alaska redemptions. Consider it only when you need to top up a small Atmos shortfall and already hold a Marriott balance.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Amex Membership Rewards points?
Membership Rewards are the rewards currency earned on eligible American Express cards. You can transfer them to dozens of airline and hotel partners. Transfers are one-way and final — always verify award space before you move points.
What is Alaska Airlines’ Atmos Rewards program?
Atmos Rewards (formerly Mileage Plan) launched on August 20, 2025, as the combined loyalty program of Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines. Alaska automatically enrolled HawaiianMiles members at a 1:1 conversion on October 1, 2025. Atmos points don’t expire, and members can earn and redeem across Alaska, Hawaiian, and a network of 30+ airline partners including all oneworld carriers.
Can I transfer Amex points to Atmos Rewards directly?
No. American Express does not list Atmos Rewards as a transfer partner. The old workaround — transferring to HawaiianMiles and then to Alaska — closed when Amex removed Hawaiian Airlines from its partner list on June 30, 2025.
How do I use Amex points to book Alaska flights?
Transfer Amex points to The British Airways Club at a 1:1 ratio, then search Alaska-operated flights on ba.com and book with Avios. Confirm available award seats before you transfer, since transfers can’t be reversed. Iberia Plus is a second option using the same Avios currency.
Does Amex charge a fee to transfer points?
Transfers to US-based airline programs (Delta, JetBlue, etc.) carry an excise tax offset fee of $0.0006 per point, capped at $99. Transfers to The British Airways Club and Iberia Plus (both non-US programs) are exempt from this fee. Always pay the fee with your Amex card, not with Membership Rewards points.
Is the Bilt Mastercard useful for earning Atmos Rewards?
Yes. As of May 2026, Bilt Mastercard is the only major US credit card that transfers directly to Atmos Rewards at 1:1 with instant transfer speed. If Alaska flights are a priority destination for your points, Bilt is worth comparing against Amex for accumulation strategy.
Financial Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional financial advice. Loyalty program rules, transfer ratios, fees, and partner availability change frequently. Always verify current terms with American Express, Alaska Airlines, and your chosen transfer partner before moving points or booking travel.
The Clearest Path Forward
The direct route doesn’t exist, but the indirect one works well. Transfer Amex points to The British Airways Club at 1:1, confirm Alaska award seats on ba.com, and book there. That single pathway covers most Alaska routes at competitive Avios pricing, especially in premium cabins on longer routes. Check for an Amex–BA transfer bonus before you move points — they appear a few times per year and can add 25–40% more Avios at no extra cost. Plan ahead, confirm seats first, and your Amex balance can land you on Alaska metal without a direct transfer ever existing.
References
- Alaska Airlines — Atmos Rewards Overview — Alaska Airlines (2025)
- Introducing Atmos Rewards — Alaska Airlines Press Release — Alaska Airlines News (August 20, 2025)
- Atmos Rewards Terms and Conditions — Alaska Airlines (2025)
- American Express — Membership Rewards Airline Transfer Partners — American Express (2026)
- American Express — Membership Rewards Terms (Excise Tax Offset Fee) — American Express (2026)
- American Express FAQ — How to Transfer Membership Rewards Points — American Express (2026)
- Marriott Bonvoy — Transfer Points to Miles — Marriott (2026)
- British Airways — oneworld Partner Airlines — British Airways (2026)
- British Airways — Reward Flights (Book Alaska via Avios) — British Airways (2026)
- About The British Airways Club — British Airways (2026)
- Using Amex Points for Alaska Flights: What Actually Works Now — CardCurator (March 2026)
- Amex Transfer Partners: Best Uses for Each Partner — AwardWallet (2026)