Hawaiian Airlines HawaiianMiles rewards program guide

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The Hawaiian Airlines rewards program, HawaiianMiles, allows those who travel frequently throughout Hawaii — and to other select destinations in the U.S., Japan, Australia, New Zealand and more — to earn rewards, free flights and elite status perks. Continue reading to learn more about this program and all it offers.
What is the HawaiianMiles program?
Hawaiian Airlines’ frequent flyer program, HawaiianMiles, allows members to earn and redeem flexible miles, qualify for elite status benefits, receive limited-time promotions and more.
HawaiianMiles is free to join and it only takes a few minutes to sign up. All you need to do is create an account and add in some basic information about yourself, like your name and address. You’ll then be able to start earning rewards immediately.
How to earn Hawaiian Airlines miles
Consumers can earn Hawaiian Airlines miles in several different ways:
Earn HawaiianMiles when you fly with Hawaiian Airlines
The most common way to earn miles is by flying with Hawaiian Airlines. Unlike some rewards programs, miles are awarded based on distance, not how much the ticket costs. This means that if you’re able to score a great deal on a flight, you won’t be penalized when it comes to earning miles.
Hawaiian Airlines also provides a mileage chart to help you get a better idea of how many miles you’ll earn on your next trip. For example, a one-way coach flight from Honolulu to Kahului would earn 101 miles, and a one-way coach flight from New York to Honolulu would earn 4,981 miles.
Earn HawaiianMiles with a credit or debit card
Hawaiian Airlines offers one consumer credit card, one business card and one debit card, all of which allow you to earn HawaiianMiles:
- The Hawaiian Airlines® World Elite Mastercard®. With this credit card, you’ll earn 3X miles on eligible Hawaiian Airlines purchases, 2X miles on gas, dining and eligible grocery store purchases and 1X miles on all other purchases. You’ll also be able to earn a welcome bonus of 50,000 miles after spending $2,000 within the first 90 days — that’s worth about $450 when redeemed for travel.
- Hawaiian Airlines® World Elite Business Mastercard®. This business credit card comes with a similar rewards structure to its consumer counterpart. You’ll earn 3X miles on eligible Hawaiian Airlines purchases, 2X miles on gas, dining and office supply store purchases and 1X miles on all other purchases. This card also includes a welcome offer of 80,000 bonus miles and a $99 statement credit after spending $2,000 within the first 90 days of account opening, along with the chance to earn up to 40,000 bonus HawaiianMiles each account anniversary year if you spend $100,000 or more in annual purchases.
- The Bankoh Hawaiian Airlines® Visa® Debit Card. This debit card allows cardholders to earn 1X miles for every $2 spent on qualifying net purchases (up to 1,000 HawaiianMiles per month). You can also earn unlimited bonus miles with select partner merchants through the HawaiianMiles Marketplace.
Earn HawaiianMiles with Hawaiian Airlines partners
The Hawaiian Airlines rewards program has an expansive partner network of airlines, hotels, rental cars, shops, restaurants and services that allow you to earn additional HawaiianMiles. Some partners include JetBlue, Marriott Bonvoy, Avis, Foodland, Teleflora, Vinesse Wines and more. In addition to these partners, you can earn bonus miles by shopping at the HawaiianMiles Marketplace, which includes partners in over 20 categories.
How to redeem Hawaiian Airlines miles
HawaiianMiles are incredibly flexible and can be redeemed in many ways, such as for:
Flights with Hawaiian Airlines or partner airlines
The most common way to redeem HawaiianMiles is for flights with Hawaiian Airlines. You can redeem miles for main cabin flights or upgrades to business or first class. For travel within Hawaii, flight awards start at 7,500 miles one-way, which will help you to rack up free travel in no time.
Hawaiian Airlines also allows you to redeem HawaiianMiles with a number of partner airlines, including Japan Airlines, JetBlue, Virgin Atlantic and more. Note that awards on partner airlines must be redeemed as round-trip awards and depend on availability.
Hawaiian Airlines award charts
The HawaiianMiles award chart is a convenient and streamlined way to see exactly how many miles you’ll need to book a free Hawaiian Airlines flight. Redemption amounts are separated by geographical location and the level of ticket you’re interested in. The chart also shows the points needed to upgrade a ticket to a higher class or business class. These upgrade amounts vary based on where the flight is going to or coming from. For example, a first-class upgrade (the highest level) on a flight from Hawaii to the west coast of North America is 80,000 miles. For the same level upgrade to the east coast of North America, you’ll need 130,000 miles.
Hawaiian Airlines also provides an award chart for redeeming with partner airlines. Note that each partner has its own terms and conditions. For example, the award chart for JetBlue is based on estimated mileage and ticket values, which means redemption may vary from what’s listed in the chart. Additionally, you won’t be able to book first class flights on most partner airlines, and business class flights will typically be subject to availability.
Hotel stays or car rentals
HawaiianMiles can also be redeemed for hotel stays or car rentals. For hotel stays, you can book discounted stays at more than 300,000 hotels worldwide, and you may be able to book a stay for only 1,000 HawaiianMiles.
For car rentals, you can redeem HawaiianMiles for gift certificates with Avis and Budget. Redemption starts at 10,000 miles for a $50 gift certificate with either rental partner.
Gift cards or magazines
Another way to redeem HawaiianMiles is for gift cards with select partners. For example, you can redeem 5,000 miles for a $25 gift card to Foodland, Hele Gas, The Alley Restaurant or 76 Gas. Note that gift cards will take at least four to six weeks to arrive.
Alternatively, you could redeem your miles for magazines through the MagsforMiles program. However, this redemption method is usually not recommended since you’ll get far less value out of your miles this way, not to mention a few magazine subscription options.
Boyd Rewards points
Boyd Rewards is the loyalty program for Boyd Gaming. You can redeem HawaiianMiles for Boyd Rewards, which can be used at any Boyd Gaming property, including nine Las Vegas casinos.
Sharing, gifts or donations
You can also share your miles with friends and family, donate your miles to select charities — including the American Red Cross of Hawaii or Big Brothers Big Sisters Hawaii — or gift miles to other members for a special occasion.
HawaiianMiles elite status
HawaiianMiles members who frequently fly with the airline can earn Pualani elite status, which comes with even more travel benefits. To reach the first level, Pualani Gold, you’ll need to earn 20,000 miles or fly 30 segments, and to reach Pualani Platinum, you’ll need to earn 40,000 miles or fly 60 segments.
Some of the benefits you’ll receive for each status level are:
Benefits | Pualani Gold | Pualani Platinum |
---|---|---|
More seat availability when booking | Yes | Yes |
Complimentary access to preferred seats for primary member and up to 6 travel companions | Yes | Yes |
Discounted awards on HawaiianAirlines.com bookings | Yes | Yes |
One complimentary Fare-Hold | Yes | Yes |
Neighbor Island economy seat guaranteed up to 72 hours before departure for revenue e-ticket bookings | No | Yes |
Premier Club/first class check-in line for primary member and up to 2 guests | Yes | Yes |
Premier Club access in select locations for primary member and up to 2 guests | Yes | Yes |
Priority security and baggage (when available) | Yes | Yes |
Plumeria Lounge access in select locations for primary member and 1 guest | No | Yes |
International partner lounge access in select locations for primary member and 1 guest | No | Yes |
Free checked bags on Hawaiian Airlines | 2 bags | 3 bags |
Earn 500 HawaiianMiles on Neighbor Island flights | Yes | Yes |
Bonus miles for revenue tickets | 50% | 100% |
Priority boarding for primary member and up to 2 guests | Zone 2 | Zone 1 |
Complimentary upgrades | Yes | Yes |
Discounted first class upgrades on day of departure | Yes | Yes |
Neighbor Island same-day standby for an earlier flight with no fee | Yes | Yes |
How much are HawaiianMiles worth?
According to our latest points and miles valuations, HawaiianMiles are estimated to be worth 1 cent each, which is much less than valuations for other airlines’ rewards programs:
Airline loyalty program | Value* |
---|---|
*Valuations provided by Bankrate | |
HawaiianMiles | 1 cent |
Asia Miles | 3 cents |
American AAdvantage | 1 cent |
Delta SkyMiles | 1.3 cents |
JetBlue TrueBlue | 1.4 cents |
Southwest Rapid Rewards | 1.5 cents |
Virgin Atlantic Flying Club | 2.6 cents |
HawaiianMiles partners
As mentioned, Hawaiian Airlines has an incredible list of partners, including airlines, hotels, rental cars, shops, restaurants, services and more. You can earn HawaiianMiles with all of the following partners:
HawaiianMiles general partners
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- China Airlines
- Japan Airlines
- JetBlue
- Korean Air
- Virgin Atlantic
- Virgin Australia
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- Alohilani Resort Waikiki Beach
- Aston Waikiki Beach
- Ambassador Hotel Waikiki
- Boyd Rewards
- Marriott Bonvoy
- Outrigger Hotels & Resorts
- Park Shore Waikiki
- Pearl Hotel Waikiki
- Shell Vacations Club
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- Avis
- Budget
- Payless
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- Foodland and Foodland Farms
- Sack n Save
- Koa Pancake House
- Kono’s Restaurants
- Andy’s Sandwiches & Smoothies
- Zippy’s
- Leonard’s Bakery
- Hawaiian Chip Company
- La Tour Café
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- Teleflora
- 1-800-Flowers
- Alii Kula Lavender
- Indich Collection
- Island Princess
- Kona Natural Soap
- Pacifica Island Art
- Sea Salts of Hawaii
- Sky Dreams
- Vinesse Wines
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- Lex Brodie’s
- Rocket Mortgage
- 21st Century Insurance
- Farmers Hawaii
- Kapili Roofing and Painting
- Murakami Roofing
- Star Advertiser
- SunPower
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HawaiianMiles transfer partners
In addition to the above partners, you can also transfer rewards from select loyalty programs to HawaiianMiles. Transfer partners and their conversion rates are as follows:
Loyalty program | Points: Miles | Notable terms |
---|---|---|
American Express Membership Rewards | 1:1 | Transfers must be made in increments of 1,000 |
Marriott Bonvoy | 3:1 | You can transfer 3,000 to 240,000 points per day |
Diners Club Rewards | N/A | Log in to your Club Rewards account for details on current conversation rates |
Shell Vacations Club | 1:8 | |
Boyd Rewards points | 1:5 | Maximum transfer of 25,000 Boyd Rewards points per month |
Top credit cards that earn HawaiianMiles
While some airlines have several co-branded credit cards to choose from, Hawaiian Airlines offers just one consumer credit card and one business credit card.
Hawaiian Airlines World Elite Mastercard
The Hawaiian Airlines World Elite Mastercard, issued by Barclays, offers a number of cardholder perks for a $99 annual fee. To reiterate, you can earn a welcome bonus of 50,000 bonus miles (worth $450 in travel) after spending $2,000 within the first 90 days. You’ll also earn 3X miles on eligible Hawaiian Airlines purchases, 2X miles on gas, dining and grocery store purchases (excluding Target and Walmart) and 1X miles on all other purchases.
Other travel benefits include one free checked bag for the primary cardholder, a one-time 50 percent off companion discount for a round-trip flight between Hawaii and North America, up to a $100 companion discount each account anniversary year for a round-trip flight between Hawaii and North America, the ability to share miles with friends and family at no cost, discounted award flights and no foreign transaction fees.
Hawaiian Airlines World Elite Business Mastercard
The Hawaiian Airlines World Elite Business Mastercard, which also comes with a $99 annual fee, is one of the best business cards issued by Barclays. It currently includes a welcome offer of 80,000 bonus miles and a $99 statement credit after spending $2,000 within the first 90 days of account opening. On top of that, you can earn up to 40,000 bonus HawaiianMiles each year if you spend $100,000 or more in annual purchases.
In terms of earning rewards on purchases, you’ll earn 3X miles on eligible Hawaiian Airlines purchases, 2X miles on gas, dining and office supply store purchases and 1X miles on all other purchases. Other benefits include a one-time 50 percent off companion discount for a round-trip flight between Hawaii and North America, the ability to share miles with friends and family at no cost, no foreign transaction fees, complimentary employee cards, travel assistance services and consolidated expense statements.
Frequently asked questions about HawaiianMiles
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As of April 12, 2021, Hawaiian Airlines miles no longer expire. Previously, miles expired after 18 months of inactivity.
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Yes, you can share HawaiianMiles with other HawaiianMiles members. If you have an eligible Hawaiian Airlines credit or debit card, you can share miles for free, with no limits on how many miles you can transfer. However, it should be noted that Hawaiian Airlines cardholders can only receive 10 transactions during a calendar year. If you don’t have a Hawaiian Airlines credit or debit card, you’ll need to pay a service fee of $25 and a mile-transfer fee of $0.01 per mile. Additionally, you must share a minimum of 2,000 miles for each transaction.
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HawaiianMiles are currently not available to purchase. However, Hawaiian Airlines is likely to bring back this feature in the future. In that case, you’ll be able to buy HawaiianMiles for yourself or another HawaiianMiles member in 500-mile increments, and you’ll be able to purchase a maximum of 30,000 miles.
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