Flying to or within Hawaii has just become cheaper, but only if you act quickly. Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines are jointly offering a one-time 15% discount to customers who sign up to receive their promotional text alerts. While these kinds of offers have circulated online in the past few days, we just confirmed it directly through the airlines’ own SMS program. It is a genuine promotion, and for those with any Hawaii trips coming up, this is an easy win.
How the discount works.
By Wednesday, August 27, at 11:59 p.m. PT, you must text the word FLY to 252752. Once you do that, you will receive an immediate confirmation text from Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines asking you to reply YES. After subscribing, you will receive a thank-you message for joining their promotional list.
On Thursday, August 28, subscribers will receive a one-time code for 15% off a flight. That code will be valid for booking at alaskaair.com.
Here are the routes that you can fly with the code.
The deal is valid on published coach base fares for flights operated by Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines “within North America.” This includes flights to and from Hawaii to the mainland, interisland flights operated by Hawaiian, and routes between Alaska, Canada, and the continental U.S. (North America). It also does not apply to international flights beyond North America or to Prudhoe Bay flights.
In other words, this is not just for Hawaii; it’s for everyone. But for those of us who live in Hawaii or travel here often, it covers the routes we care about most. Whether you are looking at Honolulu to Seattle, Kauai to Los Angeles, Kona to Portland, or even interisland hops like Maui to Kauai, these should all qualify, subject to the normal availability restrictions.
The fine print details.
The 15% discount only applies to the base fare in coach. It does not cover taxes, fees, or surcharges. First-class fares are excluded, along with certain economy fare types. The deal is also limited to flights operated directly by Alaska or Hawaiian. If you book a codeshare flight operated by another carrier, the discount will not apply.
The airlines also note that the discount is limited to published fare routings and is subject to market availability. That means not every origin-destination pair may qualify, depending on the market. Flight schedules also vary and are not guaranteed on all days of the week. Still, for the majority of Hawaii-related routes, this should be a straightforward discount.
How long will the code’s validity last?
That is the one piece of information the airlines have not disclosed. It could be good for a limited booking window. Our advice is simple: once you receive the code, check it for validity dates. Alternatively, test it immediately on a flight search. Even if you do not plan to book right away, you will know whether it is valid for your routing and for how long.
Why Alaska is doing this now.
Atmos Rewards is the combined loyalty program for Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines. Since its launch earlier this year, both airlines have been using different carrots to drive sign-ups and keep members engaged. Offering a one-time discount for joining text alerts is the latest way to grow that base. It is low-cost for them, and it encourages passengers to book directly through alaskaair.com. For the airlines, this means better margins and the opportunity to manage their customer relationships. For travelers, it is one of the moments when that alignment works in our favor.
Is it worth signing up?
Yes. Even if you are not a fan of getting promotional texts from airlines, unsubscribing is easy. You can reply STOP at any time. In the meantime, getting a 15% discount on an interisland or mainland flight is about as simple as it gets. A discount code like this could save you money on a mainland-Hawaii or other itinerary. With fares often running higher than before, that can make a helpful difference.
The deadline to sign up for text messages is Wednesday.
We will update if more details on the expiration window come out once the codes are released on August 28. For now, Hawaii travelers who want a discount would be savvy to lock it in before the deadline passes tomorrow night.
Get Breaking Hawaii Travel News
As an Alaska card holder, I got the text and email announcement for this. I really think they should have disclosed if there are any “book by” dates and expiration dates.
Also, I’m planning to use their companion fare in January and would like to know if this promotion is eligible to be combined with the companion fare.