Hawaiian and Alaska Compete Head-On: 10-40% off Paradise
Paradise Now or Paradise Later?
If this all sounds like Monopoly, it is. And if you think the names of these promotions are just a coincidence, I think not.
It’s no secret that Alaska is one player in the Hawaii market who’s coming on strong. Flying from previously Hawaiian Air dominated and profitable markets of Portland and Seattle, Alaska is working its way down the west coast.
Alaska Airlines’ Oakland to Hawaii up to 40% off.
Service to Kona and Maui from Oakland begins in November. Flights are currently available on both routes at a base price of $169.
Bay Area residents can save even more by enrolling in their Fly Now, Paradise Later program. You’ll get 10 percent off on the new Oakland-Hawaii routes just for registering.
- Each time you fly Alaska or Horizon through September 30, from the Bay Area to any city they serve, you can earn additional discounts, up to 40 percent for two passengers, on the nonstop between Oakland and Hawaii.
- Percent-off redemption travel must be ticketed by December 31 for travel from November 9 through March 1.
Check the link for more details including blackout dates.
Hawaiian’s 10-20% off Paradise Now retaliation deal with Seattle and Portland added.
- Simply sign up using the above link, and get 10% off roundtrip flights to Hawaii originating from San Francisco, San Jose, Sacramento, Oakland, Seattle or Portland. Hawaii residents are out of luck. This offer only works from the mainland.
- Hawaiian Airlines Visa® Credit Cardholders receive a 20% savings.
- Register by August 31 and book by December 31 for travel from August 15 to March 1. There are blackout dates and discount certificates are limited.
Note: I still expect to see Alaska make a go at Hawaii from the now vacant, previously Aloha Airlines haunts of Orange County and San Diego.
First To Report the Web's Best Hawaii Deals Plus Industry News and More. We Are All Travel, No Ads, Hawaii Based. 
Hi Jeff,
New to your site, Thank you for the great tips! I was too late to take advantage of the earlier promotions, I need to purchase 2 tickets from either LAX, SFO or SJC to HNL from Sept. 28 returning on Oct 6, 2009. Any good deals?
Thanks!
Hi Nancie,
Given your flexibility on origination cities, and your Fall travel dates, I suggest you wait to buy. We’ll see much better pricing appear within the next month or so, so stay tuned.
Aloha, Jeff
Just a note, the 10% off is only good for 2 travelers, so if you hold a reservation for more travelers (or have kids) to use the discount and prices change you are out of luck. Still a great fare, especially for Feb travel, but it would have been nice to get the additional 10% off. If I would have know I could have held 2 purchases and used the discount.
The availability also changes frequently since you can hold a reservation for 24 hours with a guaranteed fare. Rates went up when I was buying my hold and then dropped the next day when some holds were released.
Jeff, what is going on with the prices?? Seems like they have taken a jump the last couple of days. Do you think that we will see lower rates the end of this month for late November, early December flights??? Thanks for all your info…..
Hi Cynthia,
It’s peak summer season and prices are remaining high and fluctuating somewhat. Today there were some drops, but nothing especially noteworthy. Fall sales typically start by Labor Day, but sometimes its sooner and sometimes later. This is shaping up to be an excellent Fall airfare season, and I doubt you will be disappointed. Do stay tuned.
Aloha, Jeff
Thanks so much for all your info. Do you think we will see any sales on airfare for San Diego to Maui in the near future? I am trying to plan a trip at the end of September and I’m not sure how long I should wait it out. The sales seem to be from Northern/west coast areas. Thank you so much!
Hi Monika,
A couple of thoughts. Unfortunately the San Diego market hasn’t been great for Hawaii sales for some time. New players in that market (which isn’t likely) would help. I’m sure we’ll see some better pricing from L.A. in the near future however. Probably that will happen in the next month or so.
Aloha, Jeff
hi jeff,
what a great site! there is a bunch of useful info here, so thanks for taking the time to help others.
my family of 5 would like to visit oahu this christmas flying from sacramento. our dates are very flexible (a month on either side) and we can fly out of anywhere in northern california. i’m nervous about waiting until the last minute for great fares. any suggestions?
Hi Kristina,
Thanks for your very nice comment!
When you say your dates are flexible by a month either side, what dates you you specifically mean. If for example you can come and go by mid-December, then waiting until the last minute and finding a good deal from No. California should be no problem. If you’ll be here from mid-December through the first week of January, however, let’s figure out plan B (which is more finding a good deal now).
Let me know.
Aloha, Jeff
I’ve just discovered your site and already love it! My husband and I would like to visit Oahu Nov 4-Nov 9. The airfares are hovering around $434 RT but I’m not sure if I should wait a while to see if they come down any further. I have a little bit of flexibility on dates, but definitely need to return before Nov 10 (daughter turns 2 and can no longer fly free
) I would love to save more $$ to spend while there, but am getting nervous about waiting. Am I jumping the gun?
Narah
You didn’t mention where you’re flying from Narah, but based on the $434, I’ll say California.
For November travel, I would suggest waiting at least another month to buy. We should see deals by then. In any event, I don’t expect it to get worse.
Aloha, Jeff