Summary

  • HawaiianMiles program retains distance-based miles earning, which is beneficial for low-priced tickets and premium fares.
  • Hawaiian Airlines partnerships offer strong options for earning miles in North America and Asia. These will change for the better if the merger with Alaska Airlines goes ahead.
  • Elite status with HawaiianMiles is earned based on flying, providing valuable upgrades without minimum spending or ticket price consideration.

HawaiianMiles is the frequent flyer and mileage program of Hawaiian Airlines. It differs from the loyalty programs of the main US legacy airlines in several ways – setting it apart and bringing out different benefits. Most importantly, it mostly retains distance-based earning and redeeming rather than spending-based. Its lack of alliance membership certainly limits benefits, but this may change with the upcoming proposed merger with Alaska Airlines.

This guide looks at some of the best value within the HawaiianMiles program, arranged as a series of tips around earning miles, redeeming miles, and holding elite status.

Earn HawaiianMiles miles

Earn miles based on the distance flown. Most US-based loyalty programs have switched to a revenue-based earning system. HawaiianMiles has not, and retains traditional distance-based earnings. Miles are earned based on the flight distance and the cabin flown. This is generally regarded as more lucrative for earning – especially for lower priced tickets, and premium cabin promotion fares. Hawaii residents and frequent travelers can build up miles quickly.

Hawaiian Airlines Boeing 787-9 departing LAS shutterstock_2443955163

Photo: christopheronglv | Shutterstock

Earn from low-priced economy Hawaiian Airlines tickets. Even the lowest-priced flights with Hawaiian Airlines will earn the full distance flown in miles. There are no reductions down to 25% or 50% as often seen with lower fares in distance-based programs.

Earn miles on partner flights. Although Hawaiian Airlines is not a member of any of the main airline alliances, there are partnerships in place to earn (and spend) miles with other airlines. This lacks the global coverage of an alliance, but offers particularly strong options for flights in North America and Asia. This will change post-merger as the airline will join oneworld – opening up all member airlines for earning and spending miles.

Current partner airlines include

Airbus A 330-300 plane from Virgin Atlantic landing at the Miami International Airport.

Photo: Calos Yudica | Shutterstck

Earn through both credit and debit card spending. Hawaiian Airlines is unusual in offering a co-branded debit card and a credit card. For those that use both, this can be a useful additional earning source.

Earn when in Hawaii. HawaiianMiles offers many ways to earn miles for those living in or frequently visiting Hawaii. This includes not just domestic and national flights with the airline but local hotels and a very wide range of shopping options.

Related

The Different Ways To Earn Hawaiian Airlines HawaiianMiles

Whilst flying is likely to be the main earning method, there are plenty of other ways to earn HawaiianMiles.

Redeem HawaiianMiles miles

Stay flexible to find the lowest mileage rates. With Hawaiian Airlines flights pricing at different levels depending on availability, there is plenty of scope to get better value redemption by being flexible. Check for different dates, times, and even route options to find the lowest rates.

Use miles with international partners. Some of the best value of HawaiianMiles is found in long-haul premium cabin flights with partner airlines. These are “traditional” fixed rate awards with availability not linked to demand. Airlines such as Japan Airlines, Korean Air, and Virgin Atlantic offer excellent long-haul premium cabins.

Japan Airlines widebody aircraft against blue sky

Photo: Getty Images

Look for the “sweet spots” in redemption. Among the possible partner awards, several stand out as having particularly good value. These include:

  • Virgin Atlantic long-haul flights to/from London. There are some great value options flying in Virgin Atlantic’s excellent Upper Class. Rates to/from the US are 125,000 miles or 160,000 miles return. You can also book from London to South Africa for 125,000 miles or India for 160,000 miles.
  • Japan Airlines long-haul routes. There are many options here offering good value. Japan Airlines from Japan to anywhere in Europe or North America is 180,000 miles round trip in business class (90,000 miles one-way is also possible). Returns in premium economy are also excellent value at 120,000 miles – and it may be easier to find availability here.
  • Japan Airlines regional routes. From Japan to other Asian destinations is possible for 34,000 miles or 60,000 miles in economy class (or less good value 80,000 or 120,000 miles in business class). These can be very expensive routes for cash tickets.
Airbus A350-900 Japan Airlines (JA02XJ)

Photo: viper-zero | Shutterstock

There are no surcharges for award tickets. HawaiianMiles will add taxes and government surcharges, but no large additional surcharges for Hawaiian Airlines or any partner flights, a big win for those looking to maximize value from their points.

Read more about spending miles with HawaiinMies

Status with HawaiianMiles

Earn status without a minimum spend. Elite status is awarded based just on the amount of flying, no matter the booking class or ticket price. This is unusual now among US airline loyalty programs, where the main legacy airlines have all now introduced a minimum spending component of some type.

Quickly earn valuable upgrades. HawaiianMiles only has two levels of status, with the highest of these offering complimentary first class upgrades on flights in Hawaii and even more valuable certificates for long-haul flights. These are harder to earn in other legacy airline programs.

Hawaiian A330 cabin

Photo: Hawaiian Airlines

More to come if the airline joins oneworld. If the planned merger with Alaska Airlines goes ahead, there will be significant changes to elite status benefits. The airline will join the oneworld alliance. As such, elite status will bring an equivalent status in oneworld, with guaranteed benefits. At higher levels, this included global lounge access when flying any member airline, additional luggage allowances, and priority airport handling.

Related

How Would A Potential Merger Between Alaska And Hawaiian Airlines Impact Frequent Flyers?

A merger will bring together two great loyalty programs – as part of oneworld.

Do you fly Hawaiian Airlines and use the HawaiianMiles program? Where do you find the best value? How do you think it compares with other US airline loyalty programs? Feel free to discuss this in the comments section.


  • HawaiianMiles Tall

    HawaiianMiles

    Participating Airlines:
    Hawaiian Airlines

    Owner:
    Hawaiian Airlines

    Region:
    North America

    Countries:
    United States

    Established Date:
    1983-00-00

  • Hawaiian Airlines Airbus A330-243 N389HA

    Hawaiian Airlines

    IATA/ICAO Code:
    HA/HAL

    Airline Type:
    Full Service Carrier

    Hub(s):
    Honolulu International Airport, Kahului Airport

    Year Founded:
    1929

    CEO:
    Peter Ingram

    Country:
    United States

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