As reported by Loyalty Lobby, Atmos Rewards yesterday changed its award chart for flying Alaska Airlines & Hawaiian Airlines. The lowest economy awards dropped from 5,000 points to 4,500 points (presumably to match prices for flying AA short-distance). Additionally, they’ve added a new distance band of 3,501 miles or more, and they’ve removed rows that were specific to flying to/from Hawaii, Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean.
New chart
Previous chart
My Take
I’m disappointed in Atmos for making this change without notice. That said, there are some aspects of the new chart that I like. Whether the changes are good or bad will depend on the circumstances and how often Atmos prices awards at the lowest rate (since Atmos lists its award prices as “Starting At”, it has the flexibility to price awards however it wants).
One great thing about this change is that flights within Hawaii now start at only 4,500 points one-way. Previously, the same flights cost 15,000 points one way. Also, even though the chart shows that the cheapest first-class flights start at 15,000 points, they’re actually priced as low as 12,500 points:
Regarding flights between the US West Coast and Hawaii, it appears that Atmos has not yet updated its pricing. I’m still seeing the old 15K / 40K pricing. Once the new pricing kicks in, these shorter flights between Hawaii and the mainland US should drop to as low as 12,500 points in economy and 30,000 points in first.
Not everyone will benefit from these changes. With the new chart, the lowest prices for flights over 3,500 miles will cost more than before.
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It’s a deval, but I think it’s somewhat fair – folks flying international pay more than those taking transcon flights. The old 2100 miles+ pricing was just too good.
How many flights do they even have over 3500 miles? Seems like this is mostly equal to before in price or even a small decrease. Plus a new category for the new Europe/Asia flights. No need to be upset
Didn’t they promise not to devalue their combined reward program as a condition of the merger? This makes little sense.
This was my question as well.
I believe that this is therefore no worse than before, but haven’t figured it all out yet- Hoping so!
Correction – Hawaii interisland flights were not subject to the 15K level. They started at 6.5K (which was a typically a bad deal!).
Hopefully we see some pricing at 4.5K, but that’s still a bad deal compared to HA that priced as low as 3.4K.
“Death by 1000 cuts” for us long-time Hawaiian elites
I think SAN-HNL is 2108 so just over the next tier for me.
sorry George
Maybe fly SAN – OGG or KOA then? Maui and BI are better than Oahu anyway.