Last Chance: Amex-to-Alaska via Hawaiian Transfer Loophole Ending on June 30

Updated: May 16, 2025, 1:45pm CDT

Edited by:

Jump to Section

Table of Contents

Final Days for Transferring Amex Points to Alaska via Hawaiian Airlines
Final Thoughts

We may be compensated when you click on product links, such as credit cards, from one or more of our advertising partners. Terms apply to the offers below. See our Advertising Policy for more about our partners, how we make money, and our rating methodology. Opinions and recommendations are ours alone.

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

As of 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.

Final Days for Transferring 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 airlines, the ability to convert Hawaiian miles into Alaska miles will end on June 30.

Alaska Hawaiian Airlines — Image Credit: Nick Ellis

For years, the process 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.

For years, 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 have advanced notice — a rarity in today’s loyalty program landscape. This gives you a little over a month to strategize and move points if it suits your travel plans.

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 HawaiianMiles or Amex points and are willing to convert them while the door is still open, now’s the time to act.

With that door closing on June 30, 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 plan — 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.