Alaska Airlines has updated its Atmos Rewards loyalty program to eliminate a common fee for families traveling with infants on international award flights. The change applies to long-haul redemptions issued on Alaska or Hawaiian stock, including many partner-operated services. Parents can now bring children under age two on their lap for only the required government taxes and fees rather than an additional percentage of the adult fare.
The Details of the Update
Under the revised policy, lap infants on qualifying international award tickets pay solely the mandatory taxes and fees when the ticket is issued by Alaska or Hawaiian Airlines. This covers both the carrier’s own long-haul flights and those operated by partners such as British Airways, Japan Airlines, American Airlines, Icelandair, and Starlux. The update does not extend to revenue tickets, which continue to follow the standard 10 percent of the adult cash fare plus taxes. Lap infants remain defined as children under two years old on the date of travel who do not occupy their own seat. On domestic award flights, including those operated by Hawaiian Airlines, infants continue to fly without charge when accompanied by an adult. The new international benefit requires families to add the infant by phone through Atmos Rewards.
Practical Impact for Traveling Families
Many loyalty programs charge lap infants 10 percent of the revenue fare on international routes, even when the adult ticket is paid with points. On a long-haul business-class award valued at several thousand dollars one way, that charge can reach several hundred dollars. The Alaska policy removes that variable cost, leaving only the typically modest taxes and fees associated with the itinerary. The adjustment affects a wide range of routes now served by Alaska and its partners, giving families more flexibility when planning award travel to Europe, Asia, and other distant destinations. Because the benefit applies across partner metal, travelers gain additional routing options without incurring the previous surcharge.
How the Policy Compares
| Airline Program | Lap Infant Charge on Long-Haul International Awards |
|---|---|
| Atmos Rewards (Alaska) | Only government taxes and fees |
| Many other major programs | 10 percent of adult revenue fare plus taxes |
The table illustrates the distinction between Alaska’s approach and the industry norm. While short-haul international cash fares often keep infant costs modest, the savings become more noticeable on premium long-haul redemptions.
Key points for families: ([1])
- Applies to long-haul international award tickets on Alaska, Hawaiian, and select partners.
- Infants added by phone through Atmos Rewards.
- Revenue tickets remain subject to the standard 10 percent charge.
Next Steps for Travelers
Families planning international trips can contact Atmos Rewards to confirm eligibility and add lap infants to existing or new award bookings. The policy applies only when the ticket is issued on the appropriate stock, so confirming the ticketing carrier remains important. This update provides a clear, measurable reduction in out-of-pocket costs for parents who redeem points for long-distance travel with young children.
AI Disclaimer: This article was created with the assistance of AI tools and reviewed by a human editor.