How to Redeem Atmos Rewards Points (Formerly Alaska Airlines Miles)

Alaska Airlines recently rebranded its loyalty program as Atmos Rewards. But what hasn't changed is that it's still one of the best travel loyalty programs around, with plenty of ways to earn points. But what about when it comes to redeeming them?

We currently value Atmos points at 1.2 cents each.

If you've banked a significant number of points, then it pays to know how to make the most of them. Here's how to redeem points for maximum value:

» Learn more: Your complete guide to Alaska Airlines mileage plan

Book an award trip with Alaska or its travel partners

The first and most obvious choice for squeezing value out of your Alaska points is redeeming them for flights. Award flights start at just 5,000 points for a one-way ticket.

Here's the full list of airlines Alaska partners with:

The key to stretching your points is to get familiar with the award charts to see the airlines with flights to the destinations you want to visit. From there, you can compare which one will offer the most value.

Alaska's award charts are distance-based with award rates for flights on Alaska starting at 5,000 points in economy for the shortest distance band.

Distances less than 700 miles

• Economy starting at 5,000 points.

• First class starting at 15,000 points.

Distances of 701 - 1,400 miles

• Economy starting at 7,500 points.

• First class starting at 25,000 points.

Distances of 1,401 - 2,100 miles

• Economy starting at 10,000 points.

• First class starting at 25,000 points.

Distances of over 2,101 miles

• Economy starting at 12,500 points.

• First class starting at 30,000 points.

Use points to book hotels

Another way to put Atmos points to work is by booking hotels. You can redeem points at more than 400,000 properties worldwide. You also have the option of booking with a combination of cash and points.

The best way to maximize your points is to use the Atmos™ Rewards Ascent Visa Signature® credit card to pay for your stay. Doing so allows you to take advantage of discounted redemption levels, meaning you can book hotel stays with fewer points, leaving more points to use elsewhere.

Request a free stopover

Another way to extend the value of your Alaska points is by booking a free stopover. You can get a free stopover per one-way ticket, which is basically a way to visit two cities for the price of one. You can do this online or you can get help from an Alaska Airlines agent at 1-800-252-7522.

Technically, you could use the stopover option for any destination where it's available, but it's typically most valuable on international flights. Just watch out for variations in taxes and fees, especially when booking with partner airlines.

Other ways to use your Atmos points

You can also redeem your Atmos points for:

• Charitable donations.

• Gifts to friends and family (for a fee).

While these options are nice if you want more flexibility, overall, your best bet for making points count is using them for flights, hotels, first-class upgrades or stopovers.