In this podcast episode, we’ll talk about Frontier’s Million Mile Match, we’ll get tripped up by The Seattle Seahawks 12s, and we’ll debate which loyalty program is better: American Airlines’ AAdvantage program or Alaska’s Atmos program.
AAdvantage vs Alaska Atmos
Watch here:
Or listen here (or click “Follow” on the player below to select your preferred podcast app instead):
Giant Mailbag
(01:26) – Lisa gives us an update about the question of whether or not she had a no-show fee when she cancelled her 2 LifeMiles flights.
Mattress Running the Numbers
(05:05) – Frontier Match your Miles
Read more about Frontier Match your Miles here.
Bonvoyed
(13:13) – Wyndham/Vacasa
Awards, Points, and More
(17:02) – Delta 12Status is back: Washington state residents earn 1 SkyMile for every Seahawks passing yard
(19:06) – Delta not changing elite requirements in 2026
(22:25) – Condor flights now bookable with JetBlue points (54K biz class from east coast to FRA; ~100K from west coast)
Read more about Condor flights with JetBlue points here.
Main Event: American Airlines AAdvantage vs Alaska Atmos
(25:15) – Similar programs
(31:25) – Earning Redeemable Miles
(38:27) – Elite Status
(54:29) – Using Miles
(1:05:53) – Final Word?
Question of the Week
(1:13:23) – Questions about rebooking options with Hawaiian Airlines with a route termination.
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Music Credit – “Ocean Deep” by Annie Yoder
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“If you’re earning just based on credit card spend, [Alaska] is not easier…”
I think in certain circumstances, it might be?
Let’s say you hold each airline’s high end card (Atmos Summit, Citi Executive).
To get mid-tier oneworld sapphire *exclusively* with credit card spend, you’d need…
Alaska Gold, 40k points:
Requires 60k spend (1 point per 2 dollars = 30k + 10k “boost” by having Summit.)
American Platinum, 75k points:
Requires 65k spend (1 point per 1 dollar = 65k + 10k bonus by having Citi Exec).
In that scenario, Alaska requires $5,000 less spend on a card with a $200 lower annual fee. (Sure, there are other benefits w/ Citi’s higher fee and the Summit has a big reward for hitting that 60k spend – but this is purely status based.)
When it’s not easier:
If you’re using both airline’s “regular” card. (AA still gets 1:1, AS gets 1:3)
If you’re chasing top tier status with a top tier card. (Citi Exec kicks in an extra 10k bonus for going over 90k points, meaning you’d need to spend $180k for top tier. To get to Alaska’s top tier using the Summit, you’d need to spend $250k!)
Anything I’m missing?
It’s not 1-2 it’s 12.
12s are the Seattle Seahawks fans who are know to be so loud during games it’s like having a 12th man on the field.
just watched on the Telly, not my cup of tea
Great podcast as always. What is the best game plan let’s say you have P1 (AA plat Pro) and p2 (with a bucket of Alaska miles) with a few kids. If I’m booking AA with Alaska miles add the AA number for P1 and everyone else uses their Alaska number to take advantage of status?