Atmos Rewards Ends Lap Infant Award Fees
Atmos Rewards, the joint loyalty program of Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines, has eliminated all charges except taxes for adding a lap infant to international
Atmos Rewards has introduced a new policy that charges nothing for lap infants on international award tickets beyond mandatory government taxes and fees. The loyalty program of Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines now offers the most generous infant travel terms in the airline industry.
For international award bookings, whether on Alaska, Hawaiian, or any partner airline, the only cost for a lap infant is the applicable international taxes. A spokesperson for Alaska Airlines confirmed the policy applies to all award tickets issued on 027 ticket stock, which covers all Atmos Rewards redemptions. This represents a significant shift from the standard industry practice.
Standard Industry Policy vs. Atmos
Typically, airlines charge 10% of the adult revenue fare plus taxes and fees for a lap infant on an international award ticket. This cost applies even when miles are used for the adult ticket. Some programs offer slightly better deals. Air Canada Aeroplan, for example, charges 2,500 points or 25 Canadian dollars per one-way segment in addition to taxes.
Atmos Rewards has removed this charge entirely. The source notes that paying 10% of a cash business class fare for an infant can sometimes approach $1,000 or even $1,400, making the new policy a substantial financial benefit for families.
| Program | Lap Infant Cost on International Awards |
|---|---|
| Typical Industry Policy | 10% of adult revenue fare + taxes & fees |
| Air Canada Aeroplan | 2,500 points or 25 CAD + taxes & fees per one-way |
| Atmos Rewards | Taxes & fees only |
How the Revenue Works
The source explains the unusual financial mechanics behind lap infant fees on award tickets. When a passenger adds an infant through a frequent flyer program, the revenue from that fee, aside from the tax portion, is typically retained by the loyalty program itself, not passed to the operating airline.
This makes such fees "really lucrative" for the program. By eliminating them, Atmos Rewards is consciously forgoing a potential revenue stream. The move is framed as a strategic decision to make the program more attractive to travelers with young children.
A Major Differentiator
The policy is a clear competitive advantage for Atmos Rewards. It applies universally across the program's network, provided the ticket is issued through Atmos on 027 stock. The source author shared a personal anecdote, stating they once canceled an American Airlines first class award booking after learning the lap infant fee would exceed $1,400.
With this change, such a fee would no longer be a concern when booking through Atmos. The report concludes that for anyone traveling with a lap infant, this policy is a compelling reason to choose Atmos Rewards for award redemptions.
