With the recent changes to loyalty earnings under “Choose How to Earn,” if I select distance traveled as my earning method and fly on partner airlines (booked on partner airlines) in discounted economy, will I still earn 100% of the miles flown? If so, will this apply immediately or starting in 2027? I see there is no mention of lower percentages like before which is only 25%.
If you select 'distance traveled' you should earn 100% of the miles flown (1 point/status per 1 mile flown) on partners, even on discounted economy tickets (but not on some basic/saver fares, supposedly).
Unlike before, this option won't include either the lower 25% or 50% or the class-bonuses (so, business or first won't give you 150% or more like it used to on some fares). You should be able to select/change your 'choice' now, but it takes effect starting January 1, 2027, and only one change per year.
Personally, I intend to fly more international business class on partner points redemptions, so I'll go with distance-based and Global Locals community selection (however, if I were paying mostly cash for those tickets, instead of points, price-paid option is probably better.)
( https://www.alaskaair.com/atmosrewards/content/earn-points/choose-how-you-earn)
@1990_ I thought this was another example of the immutable rule of queue dynamics, that if there is more than one queue, the one you choose will be the slowest. Looking more closely, this choice seems less unclear, for me at least.
Looking at my recent AS/AA travel, almost always at the pointy end (all credited to Qantas) the AS $ method mostly seems the better choice, and most of my overall travel being in premium cabins on partner airlines helps confirm the deal. Global communities adds more weight. My latest trip, PSP-SEA-JFK in AS 'F' for $AU1,060 ($US750) before taxes, 3,408 status points. So, distance 3408 elite miles, price 3750. That helps confirm the $ method, although close enough not to matter if other trips pointed decisively the other way.
Crediting it to Qantas gives me 160 status credits, of the 1200 needed to requalify for Platinum, so I need to compare the two Atmos methods alongside whether crediting there is the best decision (noting that I have QF Lifetime Gold, so unless I can reach Platinum in any given year, crediting elsewhere, AS in this calculation, can be the right choice).
(SYD-HKG-JFK in CX J, 12651 miles one way at 250% at the cash fare rate, 31,600 status points is insanely good.)
@mike-c Good analysis. Like I said, if I (or my employer) were paying cash for those tickets, especially in premium cabins, price-paid option is likely better. In your case, it is exceptionally better. (Also, Sydney to New York via Hong Kong is a 'fun' way to get there. Looking forward to Project Sunrise for the eventual nonstop.) As with queue dynamics, we'll only get to 'change lines' once per calendar year (however, usually changing mid-queue is both uncouth and usually backfires as well.)
@1990_ I'm looking forward to Sunrise as well, although perhaps not with the projected price premium on top of QF's normal fares. SYD-AKL-JFK is not much slower, and operating already. Bucket list flights both, to some extent. Recently CX has been my choice for the US, better fares than QF, and better hard and soft product than AA. Last trip was in to SFO, and out from JFK, east-about, an interesting route. Close to 24 hours by the time I got to SYD, and no jet-lag for the first time in ages.
The AS long haul status multiples on partner flights are compelling, and a relatively fast path to OWE. Not as useful as QF Platinum for domestic travel in the US, but otherwise the same. I'm probably on board.
@mike-c Very impressive to not have jet-lag on anything N. America to Asia or Down Under. Oof, returning to NYC from SYD always gets me. (Like, often it takes me 2 weeks of adjustment, afterwards.) Could it be the adrenaline on the outbound? The great coffee culture in Australia? Haven't figured that out yet.
I'm yet to take SYD-AKL-JFK, but I am finally booked on it later this year! QF4! (Also looking forward to trying out QF11, SYD-LAX, on their a380.) All J. Couldn't find the deals for F (on a380), which would've been nice, but lie-flat for the long-haul is what I really care about. Can still go to the better lounges thanks to OWE (through AA for me, currently).
Huge fan of CX as well. Didn't get to try their new Aria Suites yet, but I hear really good things. Earlier this year, I did very much enjoy their a350 on JFK-HKG, as well as F on the 773 for a regional flight, which granted access to the newly renovated The Wing, First lounge at T1 HKG (15-minutes massage, speak-easy, and all!) I am eager to experience their new CX lounge at JFK's new T6... though, I wouldn't expect it until at least 2027 (delays...)
Yes, these updates to the Atmos program definitely have been reconsidering which programs to prioritize and to credit to. I do like that American sorta, kinda gives us more time in that qualifying goes through to late February, as opposed to December. I think it's gonna depend on the person, their travel methods, whether its for work or leisure, premium or distance, paid or awards, etc. I'm looking forward to more reviews and feedback from Ben and the community at large to see what works well and what doesn't.
As 1990 notes, basic and saver fares are excluded.
I think the intention is for any fare not listed here to be zero-earn, but that list looks a little out-of-date in terms of which partner fares are basic or saver.