Alaska Airlines ATMOS Rewards Transfer Partners

Most points-and-miles travelers assume Alaska Airlines ATMOS Rewards Transfer Partners works like Delta SkyMiles or United MileagePlus—with multiple credit card transfer partners ready to top up their account. That assumption leads to frustration when they discover Alaska’s transfer landscape looks completely different from other U.S. carriers.

Understanding Alaska Airlines ATMOS Rewards transfer partners matters because Alaska offers some of the most valuable award redemptions in the industry, particularly for premium cabin travel on partner airlines. But if you’re holding Chase Ultimate Rewards, Amex Membership Rewards, or Capital One miles and expecting to transfer them directly to Alaska, you’re in for a surprise.

This guide explains which transferable points currencies Alaska ATMOS Rewards accepts, what to do if your preferred points don’t transfer directly, and how to avoid irreversible transfer mistakes that waste your hard-earned rewards.

Key Takeaways

• Bilt Rewards is the only direct transfer partner for Alaska Airlines ATMOS Rewards as of 2026, transferring at 1:1 ratio
• Amex, Chase, Capital One, Citi, and Wells Fargo do not transfer directly to Alaska ATMOS Rewards
• Alaska co-branded credit cards remain the primary earning method for most travelers
• Transfers are irreversible—verify award availability before moving points
• Alaska miles don’t expire as long as you maintain account activity every 24 months

What Makes Alaska ATMOS Rewards Valuable

Alaska Airlines ATMOS Rewards consistently ranks among the most valuable frequent flyer programs for award travel, despite Alaska’s relatively small route network. The program’s strength lies in its extensive partner airline roster and distance-based award charts, which often price premium cabin awards well below competitors’.

Key advantages:

• Partner airline access to Oneworld carriers (American, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Japan Airlines, Qatar Airways) plus non-alliance partners like Emirates, Fiji Airways, and Singapore Airlines
• Fixed award charts on most partners (not dynamic pricing)
• Generous stopover rules on certain partner awards
• No fuel surcharges on most partner awards (notable exceptions: British Airways, Icelandair)
• Low redemption rates for premium cabins, especially to Asia and the Middle East

Alaska ATMOS Rewards excels for travelers who want to book premium cabin awards on partner airlines without paying the inflated rates common in revenue-based programs. A Business Class award to Asia might cost 50,000-60,000 Alaska miles versus 100,000+ miles in competing programs.

The program’s independence from major alliances (Alaska joined Oneworld in 2021 but maintains non-alliance partnerships) creates unique redemption opportunities unavailable through Star Alliance or SkyTeam programs.

Alaska Airlines ATMOS Rewards Transfer Partners: The Complete List

✅ Direct Transfer Partner: Bilt Rewards

Bilt Rewards is currently the only transferable points currency that can be transferred directly to Alaska Airlines ATMOS Rewards.

Transfer details:

• Ratio: 1 Bilt point = 1 Alaska mile
• Speed: Transfers typically complete within 1-2 business days, though Bilt states up to 5 business days
• Minimum: 1,000 Bilt points (transfers in 1,000-point increments)
• Bonuses: Bilt occasionally offers transfer bonuses to Alaska (historically 50-100% bonuses during promotions)
• Irreversibility: Transfers cannot be reversed once initiated

Bilt Rewards points are earned primarily through the Bilt Mastercard, which allows renters to pay rent without transaction fees while earning points. Cardholders earn 1x points on rent payments (up to 100,000 points per calendar year), plus bonus points in bonus categories for travel, dining, and other purchases.

For travelers who rent and can strategically use the Bilt card, this represents a meaningful path to Alaska miles. A renter paying $2,000 monthly could earn 24,000 Alaska miles annually just from rent payments, enough for a domestic roundtrip award or meaningful progress toward international premium cabin awards.

Learn more about Bilt Rewards transfer partners and earning strategies.

❌ No Direct Transfer: Major Credit Card Programs

The following major transferable points currencies do not transfer directly to Alaska Airlines ATMOS Rewards, despite what some outdated sources claim:

Amex Membership Rewards

Status: No direct transfer to Alaska ATMOS Rewards

American Express Membership Rewards offers 21+ airline transfer partners, but Alaska Airlines is not among them. This surprises many travelers since Amex partners with most other major U.S. carriers (Delta as an exclusive partner, plus JetBlue).

What to do instead:

• Transfer to other Amex airline partners and book similar routes
• Use Amex points for Alaska flights through the Amex Travel portal (typically poor value at 0.7-1.0 cents per point)
• Focus Amex transfers on programs where they excel (ANA, Air Canada Aeroplan, Virgin Atlantic)

Chase Ultimate Rewards

Status: No direct transfer to Alaska ATMOS Rewards

Chase Ultimate Rewards transfers to United MileagePlus, Southwest Rapid Rewards, and other programs, but not Alaska. This gap is particularly notable since Chase offers an Alaska co-branded credit card but doesn’t enable transfers from Ultimate Rewards.

What to do instead:

• Transfer to United for Star Alliance awards (different partner network than Alaska)
• Transfer to other Chase airline partners for overlapping routes
• Apply for Alaska co-branded Chase cards to earn Alaska miles directly
• Book Alaska flights through the Chase travel portal (typically 1.25-1.5 cents per point value with premium cards)

Capital One Miles

Status: No direct transfer to Alaska ATMOS Rewards

Capital One offers transfers to 15+ airline partners, including all major U.S. carriers except Alaska. Capital One miles can transfer to Turkish Airlines, Emirates, and other Alaska partners, but not to Alaska directly.

What to do instead:

• Transfer to Alaska’s partner airlines (Emirates, Air France/KLM) and book Alaska-operated flights as partner awards
• Use Capital One miles to book Alaska flights through the Capital One travel portal
• Transfer to competing programs for similar routes

Citi ThankYou Rewards

Status: No direct transfer to Alaska ATMOS Rewards

Citi ThankYou points transfer to 18 airline partners, including several Alaska partners (Cathay Pacific, Emirates, Etihad, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines), but not Alaska itself.

What to do instead:

• Transfer to Alaska’s partner airlines and book Alaska flights as partner awards
• Focus Citi ThankYou points on programs where they offer unique value
• Book through the Citi travel portal (limited value for Alaska flights)

Wells Fargo Rewards & Rove Miles

Status: No direct transfer to Alaska ATMOS Rewards

Neither Wells Fargo Rewards nor the newer Rove Miles program offers transfers to Alaska ATMOS Rewards. These programs offer fewer airline transfer options than major transferable currencies.

What to do instead:

• Redeem for travel statement credits or book through their respective portals
• Consider alternative earning strategies for Alaska miles

Alternative Ways to Earn Alaska Miles

Since most major transferable points currencies don’t transfer to Alaska, travelers need alternative strategies to accumulate ATMOS Rewards miles:

🏆 Alaska Co-Branded Credit Cards

Primary earning method for most travelers

Alaska Airlines partners with Bank of America for co-branded credit cards that earn Alaska miles directly:

• Alaska Airlines Visa Signature Card: Earns 3 miles per dollar on Alaska purchases, 2 miles per dollar on gas/EV charging stations, local transit, cable/streaming services, and 1 mile per dollar on all other purchases
• Welcome bonuses: Typically 40,000-60,000 miles after meeting minimum spend requirements
• Annual companion fare: $121 (+taxes/fees) companion ticket annually on Alaska flights (covers base fare)

Best for: Travelers who fly Alaska regularly or want guaranteed Alaska miles earning without relying on transfers

💳 Shopping Portals & Dining Programs

Alaska operates an online shopping portal where members earn bonus miles for purchases through partner retailers:

• Rates: Typically 1-5 miles per dollar (varies by merchant, promotional periods can reach 10+ miles per dollar)
• Access: Through Alaska’s ATMOS Rewards Shopping portal
• Stacking: Can combine with credit card earnings

Alaska also participates in dining rewards programs where registered cards earn bonus miles at participating restaurants.

✈️ Flying Alaska & Partner Airlines

Earning miles through actual flights remains a core accumulation method:

• Alaska-operated flights: Earn miles based on distance and fare class
• Partner airline flights: Earn Alaska miles when flying Oneworld carriers and Alaska’s non-alliance partners (credit varies by partner and fare class)
• Elite status bonuses: MVP, MVP Gold, and MVP Gold 75K members earn 50-125% bonus miles

🎁 Promotions & Targeted Offers

Alaska regularly offers mileage promotions:

• Transfer bonuses from Bilt Rewards (historically 50-100% bonuses)
• Buy miles promotions (typically 40-50% bonus when purchasing, though buying miles rarely offers good value)
• Status challenges that award bonus miles
• Partner promotions for hotel stays, car rentals, and other activities

🔄 Verified Purchase Options

Alaska allows members to purchase miles directly:

• Standard rate: Approximately 2.75 cents per mile (poor value)
• Promotional rates: Sometimes discounted to ~1.8-2.0 cents per mile with bonuses
• Maximum: 60,000 miles per calendar year (plus bonus miles don’t count toward cap)

Recommendation: Only purchase miles during promotions and when you’re close to an award threshold. Buying miles at standard rates almost never provides better value than paying cash for flights.

Compare all credit card transfer partners across programs to understand your full range of options.

Best Uses of Alaska ATMOS Rewards Miles

Alaska miles deliver exceptional value when used strategically. Here are the program’s strongest redemption opportunities:

🌏 Premium Cabin to Asia

Sweet spot: Japan Airlines business class to Tokyo

• Rate: 60,000 miles one-way (West Coast), 70,000 miles (East Coast)
• Value: Business class cash fares often $3,000-5,000+
• CPP: 5-8+ cents per point
• Availability: Generally good, especially if booking 11+ months out

Sweet spot: Cathay Pacific business/first class to Hong Kong

• Rate: 50,000 miles one-way business class, 70,000 first class (West Coast)
• Value: First class cash fares regularly $8,000-12,000+
• CPP: 10+ cents per point in first class
• Availability: Limited but bookable with advance planning

🌍 Middle East & India

Sweet spot: Emirates business class to Dubai

• Rate: 90,000 miles one-way (West Coast via Europe)
• Value: Business class fares typically $4,000-6,000+
• CPP: 4-6+ cents per point
• Note: Fuel surcharges apply (~$200-400)

Sweet spot: Qatar Airways Qsuites business class

• Rate: 70,000 miles one-way (East Coast to Doha)
• Value: Qsuites fares often $3,500-5,000+
• CPP: 5-7+ cents per point
• Availability: Challenging but possible with flexibility

🇺🇸 Domestic & Short-Haul

Sweet spot: West Coast to Hawaii

• Rate: 15,000-20,000 miles one-way economy, 30,000-40,000 business
• Value: Moderate (1.5-3 cents per point)
• Best for: Last-minute bookings when cash fares spike

Sweet spot: Transcontinental first class

• Rate: 30,000 miles one-way (coast-to-coast on Alaska)
• Value: Good when cash fares exceed $600-800
• CPP: 2-3 cents per point

💡 Underrated Redemptions

Fiji Airways business class to Fiji:

• 55,000 miles one-way from the West Coast
• Limited competition on the route makes award availability decent
• Business class cash fares often $2,500-3,500+

Singapore Airlines business class (limited availability):

• 80,000-90,000 miles to Asia
• When available, offers access to one of the world’s best business class products

Transfer Decision Framework: When to Move Points

Before transferring Bilt points to Alaska ATMOS Rewards, work through this decision framework:

Step 1: Confirm Award Availability

Critical: Always search for award availability before transferring points. Transfers are irreversible.

1. Search on Alaska’s website: Log in to your ATMOS Rewards account and search for award flights
2. Verify partner availability: For partner awards, check the partner airline’s website to confirm space
3. Note the exact flights: Record flight numbers, dates, and award pricing
4. Check alternatives: Compare award costs across multiple dates and routes

Common mistake: Transferring points before confirming availability, only to discover there’s no award space for your desired dates.

Step 2: Calculate Value (CPP Math)

Use the Award Travel Hub calculator to determine if the redemption offers good value.

Example calculation:

Suppose you find Japan Airlines business class from Los Angeles to Tokyo for 60,000 Alaska miles + $87 in taxes/fees. The cash fare for the same flight is $4,200.

Formula:

CPP = (Cash Price - Award Taxes/Fees) ÷ Miles Required
CPP = ($4,200 - $87) ÷ 60,000
CPP = $4,113 ÷ 60,000
CPP = 6.86 cents per point

Interpretation:

• 6+ CPP: Excellent value—strongly consider booking
• 3-5 CPP: Good value—reasonable redemption
• 2-3 CPP: Fair value—acceptable for premium cabins
• Under 2 CPP: Poor value—usually better to pay cash or find alternatives

Reality check: This 6.86 CPP redemption represents excellent value. Transferring Bilt points for this award makes sense.

Step 3: Consider Alternatives

Before committing to Alaska, evaluate whether other programs offer better value for the same route:

• Check competing programs: Could you book the same flight using American AAdvantage, British Airways Avios, or another partner program?
• Compare costs: Which program requires fewer miles?
• Factor in earning: Which program is easier for you to accumulate miles in?
• Consider flexibility: Which program offers better change/cancellation policies?

Step 4: Verify Transfer Timeline

Bilt to Alaska transfer time: 1-2 business days (up to 5 days stated)

Planning guidance:

• Ideal: Transfer 3-5 days before you need to book
• Risky: Transferring same-day when award space is limited
• Dangerous: Transferring during peak booking periods (holidays) when space disappears quickly

Best practice: If you’ve found award availability, transfer immediately and book as soon as the miles post. Award space can vanish while points are in transit.

How to Transfer Bilt Points to Alaska ATMOS Rewards

Follow these steps to transfer Bilt Rewards points to your Alaska ATMOS Rewards account:

Prerequisites

✅ Active Bilt Rewards account with transferable points balance
✅ Alaska Airlines ATMOS Rewards account (free to create)
✅ Confirmed award availability for your desired redemption
✅ Matching names on both accounts (required for transfer)

Transfer Process

Step 1: Log into Bilt Rewards

• Access your account at biltrewards.com or through the Bilt mobile app
• Navigate to the “Transfer Points” or “Use Points” section

Step 2: Select Alaska Airlines

• Choose “Alaska Airlines ATMOS Rewards” from the list of airline partners
• Review the transfer ratio (1:1) and transfer time estimate

Step 3: Enter Transfer Details

• Input your Alaska ATMOS Rewards number (9-digit account number)
• Verify the name on your Alaska account matches your Bilt account exactly
• Enter the number of points to transfer (minimum 1,000, in 1,000-point increments)

Step 4: Confirm Transfer

• Review all details carefully (transfers are irreversible)
• Confirm the transfer
• Save the confirmation number for your records

Step 5: Monitor Transfer

• Check your Alaska ATMOS Rewards account after 24-48 hours
• Miles typically post within 1-2 business days
• Contact Bilt customer service if miles don’t appear within 5 business days

Step 6: Book Award Immediately

• Once miles post, book your confirmed award flight immediately
• Award space can disappear quickly, especially on popular routes
• Complete booking before award space releases to other members

Troubleshooting Common Transfer Issues

Transfer delayed beyond 5 days:

• Contact Bilt Rewards customer service with your confirmation number
• Verify your Alaska account number was entered correctly
• Check that both accounts have matching names

Miles posted to the wrong account:

• Contact Bilt immediately (transfers cannot be reversed, but they may help resolve)
• Verify you entered the correct ATMOS Rewards number

Transfer rejected:

• Confirm name match between accounts
• Verify the Alaska account is active and in good standing
• Check that you met the minimum transfer amount (1,000 points)

Alaska ATMOS Rewards Fees, Expiration & Key Rules

Understanding program rules helps avoid costly mistakes and lost miles.

💰 Award Booking & Change Fees

Booking fees:

• Online booking: Free for most awards
• Phone booking: $25 fee (waived for MVP Gold and MVP Gold 75K members)
• Partner awards: Some require phone booking (fee applies)

Change fees:

• Alaska-operated flights: $125 per person for changes or cancellations
• Partner awards: Varies by partner (often $125, but some partners charge more)
• Within 60 days of departure: Some awards become non-refundable

Cancellation refunds:

• Miles refunded to your account (minus change fee if applicable)
• Taxes and fees refunded to the original payment method
• Best practice: Book refundable awards when possible to maintain flexibility

⏰ Mileage Expiration Policy

Good news: Alaska miles don’t expire based on time alone.

Expiration rule: Miles remain valid as long as you have qualifying account activity within 24 months.

Qualifying activity includes:

• Earning miles (flights, credit card spending, shopping portal, etc.)
• Redeeming miles (award bookings)
• Purchasing miles
• Transferring miles from Bilt Rewards

Maintaining active status:

• Make at least one small purchase on an Alaska co-branded credit card every 24 months
• Complete one Alaska or partner flight every 24 months
• Make one shopping portal purchase every 24 months
• Transfer even 1,000 Bilt points every 24 months

Reactivation: If miles do expire due to inactivity, Alaska may reinstate them for a fee (~$50-100, depending on balance).

⚠️ Critical Rules & Restrictions

Transfer irreversibility:

• Once Bilt points transfer to Alaska, they cannot be transferred back
• Cannot move Alaska miles to another member’s account (except through paid mileage pooling)
• Verify award availability before transferring

Award holds:

• Alaska allows 3-day holds on some awards (not all partners)
• Holds require payment information, but don’t charge until you confirm
• Use holds to secure space while transferring points

Partner award quirks:

• British Airways awards: Incur high fuel surcharges ($400-800+ on long-haul)
• Cathay Pacific: Limited award availability to Alaska members
• Japan Airlines: Excellent availability, but must book 11+ months out for best selection
• Emirates: Requires phone booking, incurs fuel surcharges

Married segment logic:

• Some partner awards require booking specific flight combinations
• Cannot always mix and match segments that appear separately
• May need to book roundtrip even if you only want one-way

Common Mistakes to Avoid

❌ Transferring Before Confirming Availability

The mistake: Transferring points to Alaska before verifying that award space exists.

Why it happens: Travelers assume availability exists or misunderstand how to search for partner awards.

The consequence: Points stuck in Alaska with no way to book your desired flight.

The fix: Always search Alaska’s website for award availability first. For partner awards, cross-reference the partner airline’s website to confirm space.

❌ Assuming All Transferable Points Work

The mistake: Believing Chase, Amex, or Capital One points transfer to Alaska.

Why it happens: These programs transfer to most other major airlines, creating the expectation that they work with Alaska, too.

The consequence: Wasted time planning redemptions that aren’t possible, or disappointment when learning your points don’t transfer.

The fix: Verify transfer partners before planning award bookings. Focus Alaska redemptions on Bilt points or direct earnings through Alaska co-branded cards.

❌ Ignoring Fuel Surcharges

The mistake: Booking partner awards without checking fuel surcharge costs.

Why it happens: Alaska’s own flights don’t have fuel surcharges, and many partners don’t either.

The consequence: A “free” business class award that costs $600 in surcharges, destroying the value proposition.

The fix: Before booking British Airways, Icelandair, or other carriers known for surcharges, check the total cost including fees. Sometimes, paying cash or using a different program offers better value.

❌ Waiting Too Long to Book

The mistake: Finding perfect award availability but delaying the transfer and booking.

Why it happens: Indecision, waiting for transfer bonuses, or hoping for better availability.

The consequence: Award space disappears while you wait.

The fix: When you find excellent award availability at a good value (4+ CPP), transfer points and book immediately. Award space on popular routes and premium cabins releases quickly.

❌ Not Calculating Cents Per Point

The mistake: Booking awards without calculating whether they offer good value.

Why it happens: Assumming all award bookings are automatically better than paying cash.

The consequence: Using 50,000 miles for a flight that costs $400 cash (0.8 CPP—terrible value).

The fix: Use the CPP calculator before every redemption. Compare the cash fare to the miles required. Aim for 2+ CPP minimum, 4+ CPP for premium cabins.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I transfer Chase points to Alaska Airlines?

No. Chase Ultimate Rewards does not transfer to Alaska Airlines ATMOS Rewards. Chase offers transfers to United, Southwest, and other airlines, but Alaska is not a transfer partner. To earn Alaska miles, consider Alaska co-branded Chase credit cards or transfer Bilt Rewards points if you have that account.

Can I transfer Amex points to Alaska?

No. American Express Membership Rewards does not transfer to Alaska Airlines ATMOS Rewards. Amex transfers to 21+ airline partners, including Delta (exclusive), but Alaska is not among them. Focus on Amex transfers to other programs or use Alaska co-branded cards to earn Alaska miles directly.

How long does it take to transfer Bilt points to Alaska?

Bilt points typically transfer to Alaska ATMOS Rewards within 1-2 business days, though Bilt states transfers may take up to 5 business days. Most transfers complete faster than the maximum timeframe. Transfer at least 3-5 days before you need the miles to ensure they post in time for booking.

Do Alaska miles expire?

Alaska miles do not expire solely based on time. Miles remain valid as long as you have qualifying account activity (earning or redeeming miles) within 24 months. Any small activity—even a purchase on a shopping portal or the transfer of 1,000 Bilt points—resets the 24-month clock.

What are the best uses of Alaska miles?

The best uses of Alaska miles are premium cabin awards on partner airlines: Japan Airlines business class to Tokyo (60,000-70,000 miles one-way), Cathay Pacific first class to Hong Kong (70,000 miles), Qatar Airways Qsuites (70,000 miles), and Emirates business class to Dubai (90,000 miles). These redemptions often deliver 5-10+ cents per point value.

Can I transfer Alaska miles to another person?

No. Alaska miles cannot be transferred between accounts except through Alaska’s paid mileage pooling feature (limited to specific family/household members) or by purchasing miles as a gift. Unlike some programs, Alaska doesn’t allow free transfers or combining accounts.

Does Alaska charge fuel surcharges on award tickets?

Alaska does not charge fuel surcharges on its own flights or most partner awards. Notable exceptions include British Airways (high surcharges of $400-800+ on long-haul), Icelandair, and some other European carriers. Always check the total cost, including taxes and fees, before booking.

Can I hold an award before transferring points?

Yes, Alaska allows 3-day holds on some awards (not all partners). This lets you secure an award space while transferring Bilt points. The hold requires payment information, but doesn’t charge until you confirm. Not all partner awards are eligible for holds—check during the booking process.

Is buying Alaska miles worth it?

Buying Alaska miles rarely offers good value at standard rates (~2.75 cents per mile). Only consider purchasing during promotional bonuses (40-50% extra miles) and when you’re close to an award threshold. Even then, calculate whether buying miles plus award fees costs less than the cash fare. Usually it doesn’t.

What happens if I transfer points and can’t book the award?

Transfers are irreversible. If you transfer Bilt points to Alaska and cannot book your desired award, the points remain in your Alaska account permanently. You cannot transfer them back to Bilt or to another airline program. This is why confirming award availability before transferring is critical.

Conclusion: Making Smart Transfer Decisions

Alaska Airlines ATMOS Rewards transfer partners present a unique landscape in 2026. Unlike most major U.S. airline programs with multiple credit card transfer options, Alaska offers just one: Bilt Rewards. This limited transfer access means most travelers earn Alaska miles through co-branded credit cards, flying, or shopping portals rather than transferring from major currencies like Chase or Amex.

For the minority of travelers who hold Bilt Rewards points, the 1:1 transfer to Alaska opens access to some of the industry’s best premium cabin redemptions—particularly to Asia and the Middle East on partner airlines. These sweet spots can deliver 5-10+ cents per point value when booked strategically.

Your next steps:

1. Verify your points currency: If you hold Bilt points, Alaska transfers are available. If you hold Chase, Amex, Capital One, or Citi points, focus on those programs’ airline partners instead.
2. Search for award availability: Before transferring any points, confirm that award space is available for your desired flights on Alaska’s website.
3. Calculate value: Use the Award Travel Hub calculator to verify your redemption offers at least 2+ CPP (4+ for premium cabins).
4. Transfer and book immediately: Once you’ve confirmed availability and value, transfer points and book as soon as possible. Award space disappears quickly.
5. Consider co-branded cards: If you frequently book Alaska awards, Alaska co-branded credit cards offer the most reliable earning path without transfer limitations.

The limited transfer options to Alaska ATMOS Rewards aren’t necessarily a weakness—Alaska’s program delivers exceptional value through direct earning and strategic redemptions. Focus on the earning methods available to you, understand the program’s sweet spots, and book awards that deliver meaningful value per point.

For travelers comparing transfer options across multiple airline programs, review the complete credit card transfer partners guide to understand which programs align best with your points portfolio and travel goals.

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