Core Insights - Alaska Airlines is entering the high-end credit card market with the launch of the Atmos Rewards Summit Visa Infinite card, co-branded with Bank of America, which costs $395 annually and offers various travel perks [1] - The Atmos program will allow travelers to earn points through different methods, and changes to elite frequent flyer tiers will require more points for top levels [2] Group 1: Atmos Program Details - The Atmos Platinum loyalty tier will require customers to earn 80,000 points next year, while the Atmos Titanium tier will require 135,000 points, an increase from 75,000 and 100,000 points respectively [3] - The Atmos program includes silver and gold tiers, with all levels offering potential upgrades to premium class seats on Alaska and American Airlines [3] Group 2: Brand Strategy and Market Position - Alaska Airlines will maintain its brand separately from Hawaiian Airlines despite the combined frequent flyer program and plans to launch international routes from Seattle [4] - The airline industry is increasingly focused on attracting high-spending customers, with even budget airlines adopting more premium strategies to enhance profitability [5] Group 3: Points Earning Structure - Customers can earn points based on distance flown, with one point for each mile, which benefits international and cross-country travelers [6] - Travelers can earn five points for every $1 spent on flights, targeting those who frequently fly in premium cabins [6] - Customers will earn 500 points for each flight segment, appealing to short-haul travelers [6]