Alaska Airlines is sticking with Bilt — but don't expect more Atmos transfer partners anytime soon
Editor's Note
Despite an all-new loyalty program that launched last week, one of the best ways to quickly earn points with Alaska Airlines is remaining exactly the same.
The airline’s partnership with Bilt Rewards isn’t going anywhere, which means renters can still turn their monthly payments into award flights aboard Alaska and its vast network of partners.
Don’t mistake that, though, as a sign that the airline is throwing the door open to more transfer partnerships with other major bank programs.
“Those are ultimately competitors,” Brett Catlin, Alaska Air Group’s vice president of loyalty, alliances and sales, told TPG.
Read more: Atmos Rewards reveal: 5 under-the-radar perks, from upgrades to lounge access
Alaska, Atmos and Bilt
Bilt and Alaska launched their tie-up in 2024, offering renters an attractive option to cash in on what is, for many, their largest monthly expense.
As part of the arrangement, Bilt Mastercard® members can earn 1 point per dollar spent on rent payments* and then transfer those points to the company's airline and hotel partners, Alaska among them.
That means $2,000 on your monthly rent can quickly turn into 2,000 airline points — a valuable proposition with Alaska, where just a few thousand points are good for an award flight, including aboard top domestic partner American Airlines.
*Up to 100,000 points each calendar year; must use the card five times each statement period to earn points
The information for the Bilt Mastercard has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
That Bilt-to-Alaska transfer option remained in place despite Alaska's rebranding of Mileage Plan as Atmos Rewards, launched this month with Hawaiian Airlines.
So did the ability for Atmos credit card holders to, alternatively, charge rent to their airline card via Bilt’s network and earn 3 Atmos points per dollar spent — albeit with a 3% fee tacked on.
“We’re excited to support Atmos Rewards’ launch and deepen our partnership with Alaska Airlines, including our industry-leading benefits that let Atmos members earn rewards simply by paying their rent or spending in their neighborhood with Bilt,” Bilt said in a statement to TPG.
A more cautious approach with transfer partners
Generally speaking, though, Alaska is a little less bullish on the broader idea of customers transferring flexible bank points into its loyalty program — a setup that, in Catlin's eyes, may push customers to spend outside the Atmos Rewards ecosystem.
“I think that’s a debate that’s going on throughout the industry is, ‘how much do you want to incubate a competitor,’” Catlin said.
1 transfer partnership already ended
Keep in mind, Alaska’s 2024 acquisition of Hawaiian already spawned the end of one major credit card transfer partnership.
Earlier this summer, American Express cardholders lost their ability to move Membership Rewards points to HawaiianMiles, the outgoing Hawaiian loyalty program that’s set to end Oct. 1.
And based on Catlin’s comments, it sounds like Alaska and Hawaiian are unlikely to strike up a new deal with any other bank partners anytime soon.
Part of the reason: In launching Atmos Rewards, Alaska hoped to create an ecosystem that incentivized customers to spend, either on Alaska and Hawaiian, with Atmos partners (like Lyft) or on Atmos cobranded credit cards, Catlin said.
Not to mention, the new premium Atmos™ Rewards Summit Visa Infinite® Credit Card actually comes with a sort of transferable currency of its own; cardholders can transfer Atmos Rewards points to a handful of hotel programs, including Marriott Bonvoy and IHG One Rewards.
“When we think about our portfolio and what we’re aiming to build with Atmos Rewards, a lot of the value is our members engaging with our partners,” Catlin said. “In some respects it can make sense to work with a competitor. And others it may not.”
Read more: Atmos Rewards Summit Visa Infinite Credit Card review: The best card for purchases abroad
So, what about Bilt?
Bilt, of course, is one “competitor” Alaska continues to work with.
And Catlin, at this point, is striking a collegial tone about the airline’s ties to Bilt.
“We’re happy with the Bilt relationship. We did something that was innovative,” Catlin told TPG. “It’s working with where we’re at today.”
I asked how he views that partnership, long-term. Catlin again referenced the airline's overall view of transfer partnerships:
“Philosophically — not specific to Bilt,” he replied, “Whether it’s the airline, our rewards program, we're not in the business of incubating competitors.”
Related reading:
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
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Annual Fee
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Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
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- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
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- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
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- Annual Fee is $325.
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Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.