Alaska & Hawaiian Airlines Merge - What Atmos Rewards Means for Hawaii Travelers— Ep 33

Introducing Atmos Rewards: A Game-Changer for Hawaiian Family TravelIn this episode of 'Hawaii: Travel Made Easy,' hosted by Marcie Cheung, we dive into the significant changes affecting family travel to Hawaii due to the Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines merger. Marcie discusses the newly launched Atmos Rewards, a combined loyalty program, and how it redefines earning points and status with innovative features. The episode covers key dates, including the transition phases of loyalty accounts, detailed benefits of the new Summit Visa Infinite Card, and the introduction of travel communities. Listeners will learn strategies to maximize their rewards, making Hawaii travel more affordable and enjoyable. Marcie emphasizes the importance of setting up loyalty accounts for every family member, including kids, to leverage future travel benefits.00:00 Welcome to Hawaii Travel News00:29 Introducing Atmos Rewards01:45 Earning Points and Elite Tiers02:55 Exciting Benefits for Families03:25 Summit Visa Infinite Card04:15 Setting Up Family Accounts05:15 Strategies for Maximizing Rewards06:12 Communities and One World Alliance07:26 Important Dates and Actions08:36 Final Thoughts and RecommendationsWho this episode is for: Hawaii travelers who fly Alaska or Hawaiian Airlines and want to understand how the merger and new Atmos Rewards program affects their points, status, and travel planning.What you'll learn: What Atmos Rewards is, how earning points and elite tiers work under the new combined program, Summit Visa Infinite Card benefits, and key dates and actions to take before the transition.Activities discussed:Setting up Atmos Rewards loyalty accounts (including for kids)Applying for the Summit Visa Infinite CardEarning and maximizing points/elite statusJoining travel communities within the programMarcie's recommendations:Set up an Atmos Rewards account now, even before you're ready to book, to start capturing benefitsSet up loyalty accounts for every family member, including kids, to build future travel benefitsUnderstand the transition timeline so you don't lose points or status during the changeoverEvaluate the Summit Visa Infinite Card if you fly Alaska/Hawaiian regularly, given its specific benefitsLook into the new travel communities and One World Alliance connections for added valueAct on key transition dates promptly rather than waitingRelated Hawaii Travel Made Easy episodes: Hawaii Booking Mistakes to Avoid: What a Travel Agent Wants You to Know— Ep 100Hawaii 101: 2026 Edition— Ep 110Related articles:Atmos Rewards Guide (hawaiitravelwithkids.com)Official program information:Atmos Rewards websiteProgram benefits FAQPress coverage & independent analysis:Fodor's comprehensive reviewNerdWallet's Summit Card reviewAlaska Airlines official video explanationCommunity discussion:Reddit megathread: Atmos Rewards and new BofA cardsAdditional resources:Hawaii Travel GuidesFree Email Planning CoursesEtsy ShopAbout Your Host: Marcie Cheung is a Certified Hawaii Destination Expert who has visited Hawaii 40+ times and spent 20+ years as a professional hula dancer. Through Hawaii Travel with Kids, she helps families plan authentic, affordable Hawaii vacations that respect local culture while creating unforgettable memories.Learn more at hawaiitravelwithkids.comConnect: @hawaiitravelwithkids on Instagram | Book a Consultation🌺 Join 11,000+ families receiving free Hawaii travel tips, island guides, and insider advice - subscribe now!https://hawaiitravelwithkids.com/free-5-day-email-course-how-to-travel-to-hawaii-like-a-pro/