Alaska just dropped a loyalty bombshell

😊 Good morning and welcome back to Daily Drop — the newsletter that puts the fun in “refundable fare”… and the cry in “nonrefundable fare.”

Today is very exciting… here’s why:

• 😮 Alaska just dropped a loyalty bombshell

• 📣 Last Chance: 100k points + $500 travel credit

• 🏨 A new way to get a 4th night free

😮 Alaska just dropped a loyalty bombshell

Alaska Airlines has always punched above its weight when it comes to loyalty.

In my opinion, Mileage Plan is the program for points nerds — it’s the only U.S. program that still rewards you based on miles flown, with sweet spots galore on partner redemptions.

Now, Alaska is taking that winning formula and blowing it wide open.

Meet Atmos^TM Rewards — a new, combined program with Hawaiian Airlines that brings Mileage Plan and HawaiianMiles under one roof.

At first glance, it looks pretty cool – new branding and elite tiers, and a “points” currency instead of the old “miles.”

But this isn’t just a rebrand. Atmos keeps the generosity Alaska is famous for while adding more flexibility and perks:

• Three ways to earn points: Pick what works best for you — distance flown, dollars spent, or segments flown (this won’t be live until 2026, however).

• Milestone rewards: Unlock perks earlier, starting at 10,000 status points

• Complimentary global upgrades: Atmos Titanium elites get free day-of-departure upgrades into business class — a first for a U.S. airline.

• Atmos Communities: Later in 2026, members can join themed groups (like families, wellness, or regional clubs) with tailored perks.

• Free Starlink Wi-Fi: Yep, Alaska (and Hawaiian) are rolling out ultra-fast Starlink internet across their fleet, and Atmos Rewards members will get it for free starting in 2026.

That alone would’ve been headline news. But Alaska didn’t stop there.

Alaska also dropped a brand-new premium credit card: the Atmos^TM Rewards Summit Visa Infinite® card, with a not-too-crazy annual fee of $395.

And honestly? It might be the most compelling new airline card we’ve seen in a while.

Here’s why:

• Limited-time welcome offer: Earn 100,000 bonus points after spending $6,000 within the first 90 days of account opening.

• Global Companion Award: Depending on your spend, you can knock up to 100,000 points off a companion ticket — even in business and first class, and with partners.

• Eight Alaska Lounge passes every year — plus, through 2026, Atmos Rewards Summit cardholders get an exclusive premium bar menu inside lounges.

• 3x points on dining and foreign purchases — perfect for travelers who spend big overseas (like this guy).

• Fast-track to status: Earn 1 status point for every $2 spent, plus a 10,000-point anniversary bonus.

• Instant $50 delay credits: If your Alaska flight is delayed by more than two hours, you automatically get a $50 voucher linked to your card (an industry first!)

• Free checked bags + preferred boarding for you and up to six companions.

Between Atmos Rewards and its new premium card, Alaska is doubling down on what already made Mileage Plan special: generosity, flexibility, and outsized value.

📣 Last Chance: 100k points + $500 travel credit

Haven’t grabbed the Chase Sapphire Reserve® yet?

This is your last chance to earn its most valuable welcome offer ever becuase this elevated offer is officially ending TOMORROW, August 21, 2025, at 9am EST.

As a refresher, you can earn 100,000 bonus points plus a $500 travel credit after you spend $5,000 in the first three months from account opening.

With a bit of strategy, that can translate to well over $2,000 in value for (nearly) free flights, hotels, and other travel perks!

🚨 Why we’re sounding the alarm

In addition to the sizzling welcome offer, this card is loaded with a ton of new perks that are calling your name.

This includes things like:

• Statement credits (dining, Apple TV, and more)

• Crazy good earning rates (think up to 8x UR points per dollar on travel)

• Elite status with partner programs

• And more

👀 Why you should act now

We don’t know when (or if) we’ll ever see a welcome offer this epic again. Once it’s gone, your shot at a six-figure points boost + a $500 travel credit is gone too.

So if you’re ready to take off — literally, for your next trip, but also to apply for the Sapphire Reserve — then don’t wait. The offer will end tomorrow at 9am EST, so this is your last chance!

✨ Check out this offer before it’s gone ✨

🏨 A new way to get a 4th night free

If you’ve got a miles-earning Capital One card, you might already know about the Lifestyle Collection — a lineup of boutique and premium hotels with built-in extras.

Now Capital One has added something new: at select Lifestyle Collection properties, your 4th night is complimentary when you book at least four nights.

This isn’t one of those “free night” perks that gets watered down by inflated rates (though that does happen sometimes).

To show you how real the savings can be, let’s look at a recent search for the Sentinel Hotel in Portland, Oregon.

When booked through Capital One Travel, a four-night stay later this month comes to just $622 total (with taxes and fees) thanks to the 4th night free pricing. 👇

Compare that to the cheapest competing price I could find for the exact same hotel on the same nights: $818 total on Priceline. 👇

That’s almost $200 of savings, which is about as close to a true “stay three, get one free” as it gets.

But even in cases where Capital One’s price is the same as another site, you’re still coming out ahead. Why? Because Lifestyle Collection bookings also unlock:

• A $50 property experience credit (perfect for rooftop drinks or room service)

• Complimentary Wi-Fi

• Room upgrades

• Early check-in and late checkout when available

And let’s not forget the miles. With Capital One cards, you’ll earn bonus rewards on these bookings.

With premium cards like the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card (or its the Capital One Venture X Business), you’ll earn 10x miles on stays booked through the portal.

Personally, I have the lower-tier Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card, which earns 5x miles (and has a lower annual fee).

Bottom line: Whether you’re saving nearly 25% like in this Portland example or just breaking even against another OTA, you’re still stacking property credits, upgrades, and a flight’s worth of miles.

If you don’t already have one, this is a perfect time to consider a Capital One card that unlocks these perks:

• Venture X — Best for premium travelers (10x miles, lounge access, travel credits)

• Venture X Business — For business spenders who want all the same perks as personal Venture X

• Venture Card — Lower annual fee and still earns 5x on these bookings

That’s all for today, folks. It’s not often we get big news like today (let alone new travel portal perks and a crazy card offer like the Sapphire Reserve).

Take care, have a great day, and see you first thing tomorrow. 🫡

3.3869° S, 36.6830° E

With contributions by Tiffany Eastham, McKay Moffitt, and Benji Stawski