Alaska Airlines Opens Oct. 1 Rewards Choice for DEN Flyers; New Rates Start in 2027

Alaska Airlines will let Atmos Rewards members choose how their flights earn points beginning October 1. The airline’s September 29 announcement sets January 1, 2027, as the first departure date covered by a member’s selection. Denver International Airport lists Alaska among its airlines, making the change relevant to members who fly the carrier through DEN.

The choice adds spending-based and segment-based earning alongside the existing distance formula. Selecting a method in October does not change the method used for an October departure; the new choice applies to flights departing January 1 or later.

Three ways to earn on flights

Alaska’s earning-method fact sheet sets out the rates:

• Distance: One point per mile flown.
• Spending: Five points per $1 of eligible flight spending, excluding taxes and fees.
• Segments: 500 points per flight segment.

Alaska says the selection also governs status points earned from flights. Credit-card earning does not change under this choice.

Members who already belong to Atmos Rewards and make no selection keep distance-based earning. People joining on or after January 1, 2027, instead default to spending-based earning unless they choose another method. Alaska says members can change their selection once per calendar year for future travel.

For a planned trip, the useful comparison is its flown distance, eligible spending and number of flight segments. No single method will earn the most points on every itinerary.