How to reach Atmos Rewards elite status with the Atmos Summit Visa
Editor's Note
Airline elite status is something most frequent flyers covet. Whether it's due to insufficient flying experience or the inability to meet strict requirements, elite status may not be attainable for everyone.
However, even if you don't fly often, it's still possible to earn elite status and take advantage of the benefits and perks that come with it. For instance, Atmos Rewards offers one of the easiest paths to elite status, and it doesn't require much flying on either Alaska or Hawaiian Airlines.
If you hold the Atmos™ Rewards Summit Visa Infinite® Credit Card, you can enjoy Atmos Rewards elite status without ever setting foot on a plane.
Here's how you can reach status with just one cobranded credit card in your wallet.
Why you should want Atmos Rewards elite status
Atmos Rewards' elite status perks are on par with those offered by most airlines, such as priority boarding and complimentary upgrades when available on select routes. There are four tiers of status: Silver, Gold, Platinum and Titanium.
With any tier of Atmos Rewards elite status, you enjoy benefits such as:
- Access to complimentary preferred seating on Alaska, Hawaiian, American and Oneworld partners
- Bonus points
- Complimentary first-class upgrades when flying on Alaska, Hawaiian or American Airlines
- Complimentary premium class upgrades on Alaska, extra comfort upgrades on Hawaiian and main cabin extra upgrades on American Airlines
- Priority service
- Oneworld equivalent status
Silver elite status is the entry-level tier and the most attainable. It corresponds to Oneworld Ruby, which provides minimal benefits like access to business-class check-in lines, preferred or pre-reserved seating and priority waitlisting.
However, Gold is the elite tier sweet spot. At that level, you'll unlock Oneworld Sapphire status, which allows you to enter Oneworld lounges when traveling internationally on an Oneworld airline, regardless of what cabin class you're flying.
If you plan to spend a lot on your Atmos Rewards Summit card, you can potentially earn Platinum or Titanium status, both of which correspond to Oneworld Emerald status.
Elite status holders will also receive some reciprocal benefits when flying on American Airlines, such as extra legroom seating (subject to availability) and complimentary upgrades.
Related: Which credit card should you use for Alaska Airlines flights?
How to reach Atmos Rewards elite status with the Atmos Rewards Summit card
The notable difference between Atmos Rewards and other airline loyalty programs is that you will be allowed to choose how you earn elite status in 2026.
You can choose from one of the following models:
- Distance-based: Earn 1 status point for every 1 mile flown
- Segment-based: Earn 500 status points for each award segment flown
- Spending-based: Earn 5 status points per dollar spent purchasing flights
Atmos Rewards Summit cardholders can jump-start their pursuit of elite status, as the card earns 1 status point for every $2 spent (with no cap). Plus, cardholders receive 10,000 status points on their account anniversary, which puts them halfway to Silver status.
Here is a breakdown of the Atmos Rewards status tiers and the spending requirements to earn status on your Atmos Summit.
| Status tier | Atmos elite status point thresholds | Spending required on the Summit card |
|---|---|---|
Silver status (Oneworld Ruby equivalent) | 20,000 | $20,000 (earn 10,000 status points) |
Gold status (Oneworld Sapphire equivalent) | 40,000 | $60,000 (earn 30,000 status points) |
Platinum (Oneworld Emerald equivalent) | 80,000 | $140,000 (earn 70,000 status points) |
Titanium (Oneworld Emerald equivalent) | 135,000 | $250,000 (earn 125,000 status points) |
Related: Why this is the most rewarding airline card for international travelers
Is it worth spending on the Atmos Summit to earn elite status?
Since reaching Platinum or Titanium elite status would require spending over $100,000, I'd only recommend going for Silver or Gold status through this spend-based method.
For most people, reaching Platinum or Titanium through card spending isn't realistic. You'd be better off earning status organically by flying with Alaska and its partners.
Related: Last-minute strategies for earning Alaska Airlines Atmos Rewards elite status
Who should use the Atmos Summit to earn status?
Using the Atmos Rewards Summit to earn status is an especially helpful option for travelers who may not fly long distances or take Alaska Airlines flights enough to earn status through traditional means.
Since the Atmos Summit earns 1 status point for every $2 spent on the card, this method is best for high spenders who may not fly enough to qualify otherwise.
Related: How to book American Airlines flights with Atmos Rewards points
Other Atmos Rewards Summit card benefits that complement status
The Atmos Rewards Summit is the top-tier card offering from Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines. It offers perks like:
- Eight Alaska lounge passes (two per calendar quarter)
- A free checked bag
- Priority boarding
- The ability to earn Global Companion Certificates
- 3 points per dollar spent on all foreign transactions
Plus, there are numerous other perks that can benefit both frequent and infrequent Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines flyers. The perks alone are enough reason to consider adding the card to your wallet, but the ability to earn elite status without having to fly is a huge benefit.
Related: Who's eligible for the Atmos Rewards Summit Visa Infinite Credit Card?
Bottom line
If you can't earn Atmos Rewards elite status organically, the Atmos Rewards Summit card can help fast-track your way there through spending.
And even if you're not pursuing status but enjoy flying Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines, this could still be a worthy addition to your wallet, thanks to benefits like eight annual lounge passes and the ability to earn 3 points per dollar spent on foreign transactions.
To learn more, read our full review of the Atmos Summit card.
Apply here: Atmos Rewards Summit Visa Infinite Credit Card