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10 Best Ways To Redeem Hawaiian Airlines Miles for Max Value

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Stephen Au
Edited by: Kellie Jez
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Key Takeaways

  • Hawaiian Airlines was recently acquired by Alaska Airlines and plans to join the Oneworld Alliance by 2026.
  • HawaiianMiles can be redeemed for flights on Hawaiian Airlines, Alaska Airlines, or its partners.
  • Some great redemptions include the continental U.S. to Hawaii in Hawaiian Airlines first class and Hawaii to Australia or New Zealand in Hawaiian Airlines business class.

Hawaiian Airlines is the Aloha State’s largest carrier and the tenth-largest commercial airline in the U.S. Although it’s not in any major alliance, Hawaiian has codeshare agreements with a dozen airlines in various alliances and serves many destinations, including Asia and Oceania.

HawaiianMiles is the airline’s frequent flyer program. Though many flagship carriers now award redeemable miles based on the cost of a ticket, HawaiianMiles still lets flyers earn miles based on the distance of their flight.

This helps program members earn miles more quickly! For example, Los Angeles to Honolulu would earn 2,556 redeemable HawaiianMiles, and New York to Honolulu would earn 4,981 redeemable HawaiianMiles.

If you’ve collected enough points for an award flight — either through credit card spending, by flying the airline and its partners, or by shopping and dining with its partners — keep on reading for some of the best ways to use HawaiianMiles.

Boost Your Hawaiian Airlines HawaiianMiles With Partners

Hawaiian Airlines Credit Cards

The following cards also collect HawaiianMiles directly, but this is not our preferred method because the points are not transferable or flexible like Amex points are.

Marriott Credit Cards

You can earn Marriott Bonvoy points and transfer those to Hawaiian at a 3:1 raiot. Plus, for every 60,000 Marriott points that you transfer, you’ll receive an extra 5,000 HawaiianMiles bonus. See our list of the best Marriott credit cards in our guide.

As mentioned above, Hawaiian Airlines is not yet part of an alliance, but it does partner with Alaska Mileage Plan. For a limited time, you can transfer miles between your Alaska Mileage Plan account and HawaiianMiles at a 1:1 ratio. Doing so opens up the ability to book award flights with the following airlines:

List of Airline Partners You Can Book with Alaska Mileage Plan

  • Aer Lingus
  • Air Tahiti Niu
  • Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan
  • American Airlines
  • British Airways
  • Cathay Pacific
  • Condor
  • Fiji Airways
  • Finnair
  • Hainan Airlines
  • Iberia
  • Icelandair
  • Japan Airlines (JAL)
  • Korean Air
  • LATAM Airlines
  • Malaysia Airlines
  • Oman Air
  • Philippine Airlines
  • Porter Airlines
  • Qantas
  • Qatar Airways
  • RoyalA Air Maroc
  • Royal Jordanian
  • Singapore Airlines
  • SriLankan Airlines
  • Starlux Airlines

Boost Your Hawaiian Airlines HawaiianMiles With Partners

Passengers who hold a Hawaiian Airlines World Elite card (or have HawaiianMiles elite status) are eligible for discounted flight awards.

The credit card typically offers a welcome bonus, but the annual fee of $89 is not waived in the first year.

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The 10 Best Ways to Use Your Hawaiian Airlines HawaiianMiles

1. Fly to the Neighboring Hawaiian Islands on Hawaiian Airlines (From 7,500 Miles One-Way)

Hawaiian Airlines A321 with ramp
Easily fly between the Hawaiian Islands on Hawaiian Airlines for a crazy low number of miles! Image Credit: Ryan Smith

If you’re already in Hawaii and want to take advantage of an opportunity to island-hop, one-way flights in coach are 7,500 to 20,000 miles.

Hawaiian Airlines also offers premium cabin awards for 15,000 to 30,000 miles.

Do you enjoy flying in style on short flights? Economy flights booked with cash can be upgraded to first class for 7,500 to 15,000 miles.

All award upgrades must be processed through reservations and ticketed at least 26 hours before departure.

Here are a few great example redemptions you can make:

  • Hilo (ITO) – Kahului (OGG) one-way in Hawaiian Airlines economy from 7,500 HawaiianMiles + taxes and fees
  • Honolulu (HNL) – Lanai (LNY) one-way in Hawaiian Airlines economy from 7,500 HawaiianMiles + taxes and fees
  • Kauai (LIH) – Kailua-Kona (KOA) one-way in Hawaiian Airlines economy for 7,500 HawaiianMiles + taxes and fees

2. Fly From the Continental U.S. to Hawaii in Hawaiian Airlines First Class (From 40,000 Miles One-Way)

Hawaiian Airlines First Class seats
Hawaiian Airlines first class seats. Image Credit: Chris Hassan

Most travelers looking to fly to Hawaii on points are likely located in the continental U.S. and will benefit from this redemption opportunity.

First class awards are as low as 80,000 miles round-trip, with a maximum of 160,000 miles round-trip from the West Coast and 260,000 miles round-trip from the East Coast.

Here are a few great example redemptions you can make:

  • Boston (BOS) – Honolulu (HNL) one-way in Hawaiian Airlines first class from 40,000 HawaiianMiles + taxes and fees
  • Las Vegas (LAS) – Kahului (OGG) one-way in Hawaiian Airlines first class from 40,000 HawaiianMiles + taxes and fees
  • New York City (JFK) – Honolulu (HNL) one-way in Hawaiian Airlines first class from 40,000 HawaiianMiles + taxes and fees
  • Salt Lake City (SLC) – Honolulu (HNL) one-way in Hawaiian Airlines first class from 40,000 HawaiianMiles + taxes and fees

3. Fly From Hawaii to Australia or New Zealand in Hawaiian Airlines Business Class (From 65,000 Miles One-Way)

Hawaiian Airlines A330 Business Class Blanket and Amenities
Fly to Australia and New Zealand in style with Hawaiian Airlines. Image Credit: James Larounis

Hawaiian Airlines also connects the mainland with the land down under and presents some interesting redemption opportunities.

A round-trip flight from Hawaii to either Sydney or Auckland in first class ranges from 130,000 to 260,000 miles.

In comparison, you’ll need 180,000 Delta SkyMiles to book a flight from Honolulu to either Sydney or Auckland at the lowest redemption level.

We’ve found availability for a round-trip ticket from Honolulu to Auckland at the Saver level on United for 140,000 MileagePlus miles. American Airlines requires 150,000 AAdvantage miles.

Here are a few great example redemptions you can make:

  • Honolulu (HNL) – Auckland (AKL) one-way in Hawaiian Airlines business class from 65,000 HawaiianMiles + taxes and fees
  • Honolulu (HNL) – Brisbane (BNE) one-way in Hawaiian Airlines business class from 65,000 HawaiianMiles + taxes and fees
  • Honolulu (HNL) – Sydney (SYD) one-way in Hawaiian Airlines business class from 65,000 HawaiianMiles + taxes and fees

4. Fly From Hawaii to Japan in Hawaiian Airlines Business Class (65,000 Miles One-Way)

Hawaiian Airlines Business Class Seat Close Up
Enjoy Hawaiian’s long-haul business class from Hawaii to Japan. Image Credit: James Larounis

Hawaii and Japan are two of the most intimately connected regions. In fact, the first known arrival of Japanese came in 1806, and the Japanese have since become the second largest ethnic group in Hawaii.

For this reason, Hawaiian Airlines, among other airlines, offers some of the most unique routes to/from Japan. And by booking these tickets on Hawaiian Airlines, you’ll get to experience its long-haul business class product on point-to-point routes.

For one-way flights between Hawaii and Japan on Hawaiian Airlines, you’ll pay as little as 35,000 miles in economy and 65,000 miles in business.

Here are some great example routes you can take:

  • Honolulu (HNL) – Fukuoka (FUK) one-way in Hawaiian Airlines business class for 65,000 HawaiianMiles + taxes and fees
  • Honolulu (HNL) – Osaka (KIX) one-way in Hawaiian Airlines business class for 65,000 HawaiianMiles + taxes and fees
  • Honolulu (HNL) – Sapporo (CTS) one-way in Hawaiian Airlines business class for 65,000 HawaiianMiles + taxes and fees
  • Honolulu (HNL) – Tokyo (TYO) one-way in Hawaiian Airlines business class for 65,000 HawaiianMiles + taxes and fees
  • Kona (KOA) – Tokyo (HND) one-way in Hawaiian Airlines business class for 65,000 HawaiianMiles + taxes and fees

5. Fly From Hawaii to the South Pacific in Hawaiian Airlines Business Class (From 47,500 Miles One-Way)

Lalomanu on Upolu on Samoa
Visit stunning Samoa by using your HawaiianMiles with Hawaiian Airlines. Image Credit: Samoa Tourism Authority

The South Pacific region includes far-flung tropical destinations such as Pago Pago in American Samoa and Papeete in Tahiti.

Many travelers put Tahiti and its gorgeous islands high on their bucket list and using HawaiianMiles to get there isn’t a bad redemption if you depart from the Hawaiian Islands.

A round-trip flight from Hawaii to Papeete in first class is 95,000 to 190,000 miles round-trip.

Here are a few great example redemptions you can make:

  • Honolulu (HNL) – Pago Pago (PPG) one-way in Hawaiian Airlines business class from 47,500 HawaiianMiles + taxes and fees
  • Honolulu (HNL) – Tahiti (PPT) one-way in Hawaiian Airlines business class from 47,500 HawaiianMiles + taxes and fees

6. Fly Alaska Airlines Partner Japan Airlines (From 30,000 Miles Round-Trip)

Japan Airlines Business Class 777
The Japan Airlines business class seat is spacious and comfortable! Image Credit: Stephen Au

Alaska Airlines has several partnerships with other airlines, including Japan Airlines. Japan Airlines is a Oneworld Alliance member and the second-largest airline in Japan after ANA.

You can book either one-way or round-trip flights on Japan Airlines by transferring your Hawaiian miles to Alaska. Alaska Mileage Plan has a distance-based award chart, so the number of miles needed for a ticket to Japan depends on where you’re departing from.

Flying round-trip on Japan Airlines between Seattle (SEA) and Tokyo (NRT) will cost 60,000 miles in economy, 80,000 in premium economy, and 120,000 in business class.

Flying round-trip on Japan Airlines between Tokyo (HND) and New York (JFK) will cost 75,000 miles in economy, 100,000 in premium economy, and 150,000 miles in business class.

For shorter hops, travelers will spend 30,000 miles on a round-trip flight within Japan in economy. One thing to remember is that each flight is priced by sector, meaning this price is only valid for nonstop flights. If you want to book a connecting flight, the price will increase for adding that extra segment.

Here are a few great example redemptions you can make:

  • Boston (BOS) – Tokyo (NRT) one-way in Japan Airlines business class for 75,000 Alaska miles + taxes and fees.
  • Honolulu (HNL) – Osaka (KIX) one-way in Japan Airlines business class for 60,000 Alaska miles + taxes and fees.
  • Komatsu (KMQ) – Okinawa (OKA) round-trip in Japan Airlines economy for 15,000 Alaska miles + taxes and fees.
  • New York City (JFK) – Tokyo (HND) one-way in Japan Airlines business class for 75,000 Alaska miles + taxes and fees.
  • Tokyo (HND) – Amami (ASJ) one-way in Japan Airlines economy for 15,000 Alaska miles + taxes and fees.
  • Tokyo (HND) – Ishigaki (ISG) round-trip in Japan Airlines economy class for 15,000 Alaska miles + taxes and fees.

Hot Tip: Looking to fly to Japan using points and miles? We’ve got you covered in our guide!

7. Fly Korean Air Business Class Within Asia (From 30,000 Miles Round-Trip)

Korean Air Business Class
With direct aisle access and a lie-flat bed, you can rest peacefully when flying business class on Korean Air. Image Credit: Stella Shon

It’s possible to redeem HawaiianMiles for flights operated by Korean Air by transferring your miles to Alaska Mileage Plan. Alaska has a distance-based award chart for flights within Asia.

Passengers can book a round-trip flight within Korea for 15,000 Alaska in economy and 30,000 miles in business class.

A round-trip flight between Korea and the U.S. can be booked for 50,000 Alaska in economy and 100,000 in business class.

All the redemptions above can actually be booked with Korean Air SKYPASS miles for a bit cheaper: 10,000 miles for flights within Korea, 30,000 miles within Asia (China and Japan, for example), and 70,000 miles from Seoul to Honolulu — all in economy class.

Here are some great example redemptions you can make:

  • Seoul (ICN) – Kuala Lumpur (KUL) round-trip in Korean Air business class for 100,000 Alaska miles + taxes and fees.
  • Seoul (ICN) – Singapore (SIN) round-trip in Korean Air business class for 100,000 Alaska miles + taxes and fees.
  • Seoul (ICN) – Ulaanbaatar (ULN) round-trip in Korean Air business class for 30,000 Alaska miles + taxes and fees.

Hot Tip: Need help booking? Check out our step-by-step guide to booking Korean Air business class.

8. Short-Haul American Airlines flights within the Americas (From 9,000 Miles Round-Trip)

American Airlines Oneworld Livery at Miami MIA
Image Credit: Daniel Ross

Once again, transferring HawaiianMiles to Alaska Mileage Plan can offer tremendous value. Alaska Airlines has a designated distance-based award chart for partner flights within the Americas.

American Airlines flights within the Americas can be booked for as little as 4,500 miles one-way in economy if they’re less than 700 miles in distance, and 9,000 miles in business class.

These rates increase to 7,500 miles for awards booked in economy and 15,000 miles for business class flights that are up to 1,400 miles in distance.

Here are some great example routes you can take:

  • Seattle (SEA) – San Francisco (SFO) one-way for 4,500 Alaska miles + taxes and fees..
  • Miami (MIA) – Cancun (CUN) one-way for 4,500 Alaska miles + taxes and fees.
  • Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) – Mexico City (MEX) one-way for 7,500 Alaska miles + taxes and fees..
  • Miami (MIA) – Cartagena (CTG) one-way for 7,500 Alaska miles + taxes and fees.

9. Fly Starlux Business Class (From 75,000 Miles)

Starlux A359 Business Class cabin from middle of middle
Image Credit: Daniel Ross

It is possible to transfer HawaiianMiles to Alaska Mileage Plan for a flight on Starlux. As its name suggests, Starlux is a luxury airline offering a fantastic business class product.

You can fly non-stop to Taiwan from the West Coast for just 75,000 miles each way. Considering these seats cost thousands of dollars, redeeming miles is an excellent value.

Here are examples of routes you can take:

  • San Francisco (SFO) – Taipei (TPE) one-way for 75,000 Alaska miles + taxes and fees.
  • Los Angeles (LAX) – Taipei (TPE) one-way for 75,000 Alaska miles + taxes and fees.

10. Fly Business Class to Europe on Iberia (From 90,000 Miles Round-Trip)

Iberia A350 business class seat 3L 2
Iberia business class. Image Credit: Daniel Ross

Iberia offers direct flights between several U.S. cities and Madrid, with a solid business class product to boot. By transferring your HawaiianMiles to Alaska at a 1:1 ratio, you can redeem as few as 45,000 miles for a one-way business class ticket to Spain.

Flying round-trip from the U.S. to Spain will also cost you as few as 45,000 miles in economy.

Here are some great example redemptions you can make:

  • Boston (BOS) – Madrid (MAD) one-way in Iberia business class for 45,000 Alaska miles + taxes and fees.
  • New York (JFK) – Madrid (MAD) one-way in Iberia business class for 55,000 Alaska miles + taxes and fees.
  • San Francisco (SFO) – Madrid (MAD) one-way in Iberia business class for 70,000 Alaska miles + taxes and fees.

Final Thoughts

We hope you’ve enjoyed learning about what we feel are some of the best ways to use HawaiianMiles.

Hawaiian Airlines does not always present the most lucrative options for booking award flights, but there are a few sweet spots travelers can leverage if they’ve amassed a healthy balance of HawaiianMiles.

Hawaiian Airlines is also a Marriott transfer partner, if you need to top off a balance before booking one of these awards.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are HawaiianMiles?

HawaiianMiles are the miles associated with Hawaiian Airlines’ frequent flyer program.

What are HawaiianMiles worth?

The value of HawaiianMiles depends on how you redeem your points. It is easily possible to get at least 1 cent per point in value for your miles, but the value can be much higher depending on what exact ticket you’re booking.

Is it possible to transfer HawaiianMiles to other airlines?

Yes, you can transfer HawaiianMiles to Alaska Mileage Plan.

How can you earn more HawaiianMiles?

You can earn more Hawaiian miles with the co-branded Hawaiian Airlines World Elite card or by transferring Alaska miles at a 1:1 ratio.

When do HawaiianMiles expire?

As of February 12, 2021, HawaiianMiles no longer expire.

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About Stephen Au

Stephen is an established voice in the credit card space, with over 70 to his name. His work has been in publications like The Washington Post, and his Au Points and Awards Consulting Services is used by hundreds of clients.

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