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You open your Chase or Amex account, scan the list of airline transfer partners, and Alaska Airlines is nowhere to be found. So where do your points need to come from instead, and is there even a direct way to move rewards into your Alaska balance?
If you have been searching for what credit cards transfer to Alaska Airlines, the honest answer is short. The list is smaller than most transferable point programs. The airline’s loyalty program was also recently renamed to Atmos Rewards after Alaska merged with Hawaiian Airlines. That adds another layer of confusion for anyone planning a redemption. Knowing exactly which cards work and which ones do not saves you from wasted effort and missed award seats.
In this article, we break down every credit card that actually transfers to Alaska Airlines. You’ll also learn why Chase and Amex sit outside this list, and how to decide which route fits your travel goals.
TL;DR
- When it comes to what credit cards transfer to Alaska Airlines, only Bilt Rewards and Marriott Bonvoy currently transfer points directly (Atmos Rewards).
- Chase Ultimate Rewards and Amex Membership Rewards do not transfer to Alaska, and no reliable workaround exists.
- Co-branded Atmos/Alaska credit cards remain the most direct way to build a mileage balance for frequent Alaska or Hawaiian flyers.
- Your best path depends on whether you value flexibility across airlines or a steady, dedicated stream of Alaska miles.
- Comparing transfer ratios and redemption value before you move any points avoids locking in a bad decision.
What “Transferring to Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan” Actually Means
Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan combined with Hawaiian Airlines’ loyalty program in late 2025 and now operates under the name Atmos Rewards. Miles are called points, and the underlying account still works the way it always did for most practical purposes.
Transferring means moving points from a separate rewards currency, like a hotel program, into your Atmos Rewards balance at a set ratio. This is different from earning points directly by flying Alaska or Hawaiian, or by spending on a co-branded card. Both paths get you to the same place, but they involve different tradeoffs in speed, flexibility, and control.
What Credit Cards Transfer to Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan
As of 2026, only two major rewards programs answer the question of what credit cards transfer to Alaska Airlines. Both come with cards attached to them, so the real decision is which underlying currency fits your spending habits.
| Program | Transfer Ratio | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Bilt Rewards | 1:1 | Renters who want to earn on rent without a transaction fee |
| Marriott Bonvoy | 3:1 (plus a 5,000 point bonus per 60,000 transferred) | Frequent hotel spenders sitting on a large Bonvoy balance |
Bilt Rewards to Alaska Airlines
Bilt Rewards transfers to Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan at a full 1:1 ratio, which makes it the most efficient transfer option available today. You can earn Bilt points through eligible rent payments, dining, and travel, even without holding the Bilt Mastercard.
This matters most for renters, since rent is usually the largest fixed expense most people have. Turning that spend into transferable points, at no added cost, is hard to replicate anywhere else in the rewards world.
Marriott Bonvoy to Alaska Airlines
Marriott Bonvoy transfers to Alaska Airlines at a 3:1 ratio, meaning 60,000 Bonvoy points become 20,000 Atmos Rewards points. Transferring in blocks of 60,000 also earns a 5,000-point bonus, which softens the otherwise weak exchange rate.
This route makes sense if you already hold a large Bonvoy balance from hotel stays or a co-branded Marriott card and have no immediate hotel redemption planned. It rarely makes sense to earn Bonvoy points specifically for this purpose, since the ratio erodes a large share of their value.
Why Chase and Amex Points Don’t Transfer to Alaska
Chase Ultimate Rewards and Amex Membership Rewards are two of the most flexible currencies in the industry, yet neither connects to Alaska Airlines. This surprises many cardholders who assume a major program like Alaska would be included by default.
The reason comes down to airline partnership agreements, not any technical limitation. Alaska has chosen a smaller, more selective group of transfer partners instead of joining the wider network Chase and Amex maintain with airlines like United or British Airways.
There is currently no legitimate indirect workaround either. Some forums mention converting Chase or Amex points through a third program, but that path either costs a poor exchange rate or violates a program’s terms. If Alaska miles are your goal, your points need to originate from Bilt, Marriott Bonvoy, or a co-branded card.
The Alternative Path: Co-Branded Atmos/Alaska Cards
If your actual goal is building an Alaska Airlines mileage balance, rather than transferring from an existing currency, a co-branded card is often the more direct route. These cards earn Atmos Rewards points on every purchase, without needing a transfer step at all.
Common benefits across these cards include:
- A welcome bonus large enough to book a meaningful award flight
- A companion fare offer usable once per account year
- A free checked bag for the cardholder and travel companions
- Earning rates that reward everyday spending, not just travel purchases
When a Co-Branded Card Beats Transferring
A co-branded Atmos or Alaska card tends to make more sense when you fly Alaska or Hawaiian regularly and want elite status alongside your miles. Transferring points does not typically count toward status, so frequent flyers lose that benefit entirely.
Transferring still wins when you want flexibility to redeem across several airline programs rather than committing spend to one loyalty ecosystem. The right choice depends on how attached you already are to Alaska as your primary airline.
How to Decide Which Route Fits Your Travel Goals
Choosing between transferring and earning directly comes down to three questions. How often do you fly Alaska or Hawaiian, how much flexibility do you want, and how quickly do you need the miles?
| Your Situation | Better Route |
|---|---|
| You already hold a large Bilt or Bonvoy balance | Transfer, since the points are otherwise idle |
| You fly Alaska or Hawaiian several times a year | Co-branded card, for status and direct earning |
| You want flexibility across multiple airline programs | Keep points in Bilt or a flexible currency instead |
| You need miles fast for a specific redemption | Bilt transfer, due to the 1:1 ratio and speed |
Common mistakes include transferring Bonvoy points speculatively with no redemption in mind, or assuming Chase or Amex points can reach Alaska through an unofficial route. Both cost real value or waste time chasing a workaround that does not exist.
How Flightpoints Simplifies This Decision
Comparing transfer ratios, card perks, and redemption value across programs takes real time, especially when Alaska’s rules differ from what you are used to. Many travelers end up guessing whether a transfer is worth it, or manually checking award availability before committing points they cannot easily move back.
Flightpoints was built to remove that guesswork. It helps you compare redemption paths across your existing points and miles, so you can see whether transferring to Atmos Rewards actually beats your other options before you commit.
Depending on what you are planning, FlightPoints can help with:
- Routes: comparing how far your Bilt or Bonvoy points stretch through Alaska versus other transfer partners
- Alerts: tracking award availability so you transfer only when seats are actually bookable
- Explore: browsing flexible destinations if you are still deciding how to use your mileage balance
Conclusion
What credit cards transfer to Alaska Airlines? Just two: Bilt Rewards and Marriott Bonvoy, since neither Chase nor Amex offers a direct or reliable indirect path. Knowing this upfront prevents wasted time chasing options that do not exist.
The better long-term decision usually depends on how often you fly Alaska or Hawaiian and whether you value flexibility over dedicated earning. Frequent flyers tend to benefit more from a co-branded card, while occasional flyers with existing Bilt or Bonvoy balances can transfer when a strong redemption appears.
If you want a clearer picture of whether transferring makes sense for your specific points balance, Flightpoints can help you compare the decision side by side before you move a single point.
FAQs
Q: What credit cards are partnered with Alaska Airlines?
A: Alaska Airlines partners with Bank of America on co-branded Atmos Rewards cards that earn points directly. Beyond that, only Bilt Rewards and Marriott Bonvoy connect through point transfers. No other bank card is directly partnered with the program today.
Q: What credit cards transfer to Alaska Airlines (Atmos Rewards)?
A: Only Bilt Rewards and Marriott Bonvoy currently transfer into the program. Bilt transfers at a 1:1 ratio, while Bonvoy transfers at 3:1. No other transferable currency connects directly today.
Q: Can Amex points transfer to Alaska Airlines?
A: No, Amex Membership Rewards does not transfer to Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan or Atmos Rewards. Amex has never included Alaska among its airline transfer partners. Your best options remain Bilt Rewards or Marriott Bonvoy instead.
Q: Is it worth transferring Marriott Bonvoy points to Alaska Airlines?
A: It depends on whether you have a specific award redemption in mind. The 3:1 ratio reduces value significantly, so it typically makes more sense if your Bonvoy points are otherwise sitting unused.
Q: What happened to Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan?
A: It merged with Hawaiian Airlines’ loyalty program in late 2025 and now operates as Atmos Rewards. Existing miles converted to points automatically. The transfer partner rules in this article apply to the current program.
Q: Will Bank of America ever transfer to Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan?
A: Bank of America does not currently transfer points into Atmos Rewards. Alaska’s leadership has mentioned interest in a future partnership, but nothing has been launched. Treat this as speculation rather than a usable option today.
