Last Chance: Amex-to-Alaska via Hawaiian Transfer Loophole Ending Today [June 30]

Updated: June 30, 2025, 8:49am CDT

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Last Day To Transfer Amex Points to Alaska via Hawaiian Airlines
Final Thoughts

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One of the more obscure yet powerful workarounds in the points and miles world is officially ending.

As of today, June 30, 2025, travelers will no longer be able to transfer Amex Membership Rewards points to Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan via HawaiianMiles — a method that, while clunky, opened the door to one of the most valuable airline loyalty programs around.

Here’s what you need to know about the upcoming end of one of the most popular travel rewards loopholes.

Last Day To Transfer Amex Points to Alaska via Hawaiian Airlines

Ever since the Alaska–Hawaiian merger was announced in 2023, this loophole has felt like borrowed time. And now, the clock has officially run out. As confirmed by both parties, the ability to convert Amex points into Hawaiian miles will end on June 30.

Alaska Hawaiian Airlines — Image Credit: Nick Ellis

For the past few months, ever since Alaska and Hawaiian enabled transfers, the process has worked like this: Transfer American Express Membership Rewards points to Hawaiian Airlines (a direct Amex transfer partner), then convert those HawaiianMiles to Alaska miles at a 1:1 ratio.

Why does this matter? Alaska Mileage Plan is a highly attractive frequent flyer program, offering exceptional value for international redemptions, especially in premium cabins. A few standout sweet spots include:

Japan Airlines Business Class for just 60,000 miles one-way between the U.S. and Tokyo.
Qatar Airways Qsuite for 70,000 miles one-way between the U.S. and Doha.
4,500 Alaska miles one-way for short-haul flights of 700 miles or less.
Generous stopover rules, even on one-way award tickets — a rare perk in today’s points landscape.

Until today, savvy points and miles enthusiasts have taken advantage of this loophole by moving points from American Express to Alaska via Hawaiian, resulting in stellar redemptions at cheaper rates than most other programs. And now, this loophole is set to end on June 30.

The silver lining? We got advance notice — a rarity in today’s loyalty program landscape. Since we know these transfers are ending, today is your last chance to use them before they’re gone.

Hot Tip:

While Amex cardholders will no longer have a backdoor into Alaska’s program, there are still alternatives. Bilt Rewards remains a transfer partner, and Marriott Bonvoy points can be moved to Alaska at a 3:1 ratio. Plus, for every 60,000 Marriott points you transfer to Alaska, you receive a 5,000-mile bonus, resulting in 25,000 Alaska miles.

Final Thoughts

If you have Amex points and want to convert them to Alaska Airlines miles while the door is still open, now’s the time to act.

That door is closing today, June 30, and it’s a good reminder that even niche opportunities in the points and miles world don’t last forever. Thankfully, we’ve been given time to act — and that’s not something we see often.

If Alaska redemptions are on your radar and you have Amex points or Hawaiian miles to spare, consider moving points soon before the window shuts. After that, it’s back to earning Alaska miles the traditional way — or getting creative with other flexible point currencies.