Alaska Downgrades Philippine Airlines: What This Means for Hawaii Travelers Using Atmos Rewards

If you’re a Hawaiʻi-based traveler who flies to the Philippines, or earns Atmos Rewards with that goal in mind, this is an important update.

Alaska Airlines has quietly downgraded Philippine Airlines as a redemption partner, removing the ability to book Philippine Airlines flights using Atmos Rewards points.

For Hawaii travelers, this change has an outsized impact. Let’s break down what changed, how Alaska’s partner tiers work (quickly), and what you should do next.

What Changed with Philippine Airlines?

In 2025, Alaska announced a new partnership with Philippine Airlines, creating real excitement among Hawaiʻi residents who travel frequently to Manila and beyond.

As of January 2026, Philippine Airlines has been moved into Alaska’s lowest partner tier, which means:

• ❌ No award redemptions using Atmos Rewards

• ❌ No practical value for points travelers

• ✅ Partnership exists largely in name only

If you were earning or holding Atmos points specifically to book Philippine Airlines flights, that strategy no longer works.

Alaska’s Partner Tiers (Short & Simple)

Alaska groups airline partners into three tiers, and only one truly matters for points users:

• Tier 1 (Best): Earn + Redeem
  Full award access. This is where real value lives.

• Tier 2: Earn Only
  You can earn points flying the airline, but cannot use points to book it.

• Tier 3 (Lowest): No Redemption Value
  No award bookings. This is where Philippine Airlines now sits.

Bottom line: If an airline isn’t Tier 1, it’s not a reliable redemption strategy.

What This Says About Atmos Rewards

Atmos Rewards still has strengths, but this move highlights an important reality:

• Airline “partners” can change overnight

• Announcements don’t guarantee long-term value

• Redemption access matters more than branding

If the Philippines is a core destination for you, Atmos Rewards should no longer be your primary points strategy unless Philippine Airlines returns to Tier 1 status.

Scottie’s Take

Philippine Airlines made sense for Hawaiʻi. Strong cultural ties, consistent demand, and logical routes across the Pacific. Quietly removing redemption access without warning breaks trust, especially for families who plan trips far in advance.

This is exactly why at Hawaii Reward Travel we teach diversification. Don’t rely on a single program. And always ask one question first:

Can I actually redeem these points for the flights I need?

If the Philippines is part of your regular travel life, now is the time to rethink where you’re earning points, before you’re stuck with miles that don’t get you home.