Updated with changes as of 11am, 5/9/20. See new waivers added by American and United. Interesting signs of the times, as airlines have begun to posture for your future trips to Hawaii. While these offers are not overly broad and generous “yet” for many of us, there is definitely a pro-consumer trend afoot that is just getting started. Sadly, this portends travel being slower to rebound than the airlines would like.
The offers below are related to both fee waivers on changes, and to extending premium status and companion certificates to airlines’ most loyal customers. Even if you don’t think these apply to you, they are definitely noteworthy.
Airlines flying to Hawaii are recognizing that in light of the current unknowns in relation to both health and finances, they will need to help people who wish to move Hawaii vacations into a time period further afield, that is through 2021. We expect to be hearing a lot more about this in the days ahead and believe even more flexibility is on the horizon when changing Hawaii vacations from 2020 until 2021.
It is for these reasons that we continue to suggest waiting on changing vacation plans if you have the flexibility to do so. Two suggested reads about that are DOT: Hawaii Airlines – Refunds Mandatory – But Read This First and DOT Responds to Beat of Hawaii on Cancellations + How to Negotiate.
1. Alaska will be extending elite status through December 31, 2021. Also, if you have an Alaska companion certificate due to expire in 2020, it will be valid for travel through November 26, 2021 when purchased by December 31, 2020. Thus far, in terms of their fee waivers, if you have travel scheduled through May, Alaska indicates new travel must be completed by February 28, 2021.
2. American Airlines has updated their waivers. “American has extended its offer to waive change fees for customers who have summer travel through Sept. 30, 2020. The offer is available for any of American’s fares, and customers will have until Dec. 31, 2021, for future travel.”
2. Hawaiian is now offering an extension of ticket validity through December 31, 2021, under certain circumstances. See their website for the details of travel booked through May. Tickets must be changed by December 31, 2020 or one year from the original ticket purchase date (whichever is later), and, “If the ticket expiration date occurs prior to December 31, 2020, a one-time exchange (without charge) can be applied to extend the ticket validity another 12 months,” through December 31, 2021.
3. Delta is extending ticket validity and change fee waivers. “Tickets normally expire one year after purchase, but we’re providing waived change fees and greater flexibility to travel through May 31, 2022.” Delta is also extending elite status through January 31, 2022. There are no flight requirements in 2020 to keep your status.
4. Southwest has extended validity of customers’ funds set to expire by June 30, 2020 or those for flights from March 1 through June 30 until June 30, 2021.
4. United has just updated their fee waivers. “customers now have until April 30 to make changes to, or cancel, any travel they have booked through the end of the year without fees. This is in addition to existing waivers already in place which allow customers to change or cancel plans for travel through May 31. United is also extending premier status through January 31, 2022. That is an additional full year. They have also cut the premier qualification requirements in half.
We expect to see this trend continue. Any comments? Mahalo.
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Hello-
Like others who had plans to vacation in Hawaii (& celebrate our anniversary), this robbed us of such happiness. Now I’m left feeling robbed again. All I ask for is a refund on a trip that is no longer possible and some economic relief. My husband and I were to stay in Hawaii May 23-31 but because of this, Hawaii has extended its “stay at home” order until the end of May, and travelers are required to quar antine for 14 days anyways. Can someone please issue us a refund on what is obviously a ruined anniversary & vacation to boot & perhaps show us sone empathy 🙁
Thank you
Sabrina
Hi Sabrina.
Have you contacted the airline or other providers and/or your credit card company for help?
Aloha.
Yes- BECU said to talk with Visa, Visa said to call BECU. I contacted Hawaiian Air and they offered credit on the flight as long as I fly this year… and since thats unlikely I wont get a flight but they keep my money 🙁 Not cool. I really feel I should get a full refund & book my vacation “package” when the world has decided our travel fate, whenever that may be. It seems only fair since who knows when travel will be deemed safe again. Hawaiian should be doing right by their customers.
What are the chances for traveling to Hawaii on June 11, 2020?
Hawaii Air Update – I just texted back and forth with Hawaii Air. We have two round trip, nonstop HA tickets to / from LAX to Lihue (flights HA63 and HA64) on May 9 and May 23. I was told our flights are still “on schedule”. We have already cancelled our hotel reservations at the Sheraton Kauai (Poipu) and Princeville Westin (both are closed). I guess we just have to wait until Hawaii Air decides to cancel our flights. Can you find anything out? Aloha.
Hi Tom.
Concur you’ll have to wait unfortunately. This is an industry-wide issue in which many billions in refunds are being held up, that has been written about extensively. Thank you for your comments over the past year.
Aloha.
Hi, we have purchased tickets through Expedia TD to travel between islands from KOA to OGG for April 24 2020.These tickets were cancelled with Expedia but they tell me my credit is only good until the end of Dec 2020. Is there anyway we can get that credit for longer please. We so want to come to Hawaii just not sure when travel will be possible.
Thank you
Patricia
Hi Patricia.
It would be up to Expedia since they are your vendor. Not sure, but somewhat doubtful unfortunately.
Aloha.
Expedia tells me that it’s up to the airlines themselves. Other airlines are giving at least a year from the time of the booking.
Thanks
Hi Patricia.
It is definitely tricky with OTA reservations. Sorry to hear you’re having this problem.
Aloha.
Hello,
Any input from you would be very welcome. I am supposed to fly to Hawaii in HA June first. And am getting very nervous. I would like to schedule for June 2021 and am not asking HA for a refund but a waiver. I have spoken to them via chat/text and a call and they will not budge on extending their waiver one day. Do you have any insights as to if travel will even be allowed in June? Thank you for your response.
Hi Jennifer.
We do not have insight but we sense that early in May we will know more. Since HA isn’t dealing with June yet, it isn’t surprising that they aren’t offering flexibility. That could change, so stand by for more.
Aloha.
Aloha! We are following the situation in Hawaii thru a variety of digital sources, however Beat of Hawaii is our go-to for travel information. The latest update on our travels plans is American dropping our DFW-HNL flight with their lastest schedule changes on 4/5. I was able to connect rather easily with reservations, had our tickets canceled, and submitted for refund. They utilized the full seven day processing period they said it may take. I received email confirmation this morning the refund has been processed, approved, and going back to my credit card. We are still hopeful that June might be possible thou we would just spend the month on Oahu, with no island hopping. Mahalo for all fact gathering!
Hi Al.
Thanks for the nice words and the update! Glad things worked out to your satisfaction.
Aloha.
Aloha
As airlines adjust to market safe traveling to potential passengers will the middle seat be removed or unsold to provide personal/ social distancing. During flights?
Hi Judy.
That’s certainly being discussed. It doesn’t help with closeness of rows however. Hope to know more soon.
Aloha.
Good morning,
I have airline tics for September using both American and United. If I have to cancel it looks like I am ok with American but would have to cancel before April 30th for United? Have I interpreted this correctly? Do you anticipate this to change again possibly? We really want to come, just trying to cover our bases. Mahalo ☺
Hi Jo.
The airline policies are still in a state of flux, and are subject to interpretation by them on a case by case basis. That is clear from all of the recent comments. Also, it depends on when you bought your tickets. Hope that helps.
Aloha.
Aloha,
I received texts from Southwest last week Friday that my flights for tomorrow were cancelled. I contacted them on Monday about a refund and they accommodated without any issue. The customer service representative was awesome and helpful. The refund was posted yesterday on my credit card.
Mahalo for all the news and great info you provide always. Looking forward to visiting Kauai soon … hopefully.
Stay safe!
Hi Hanna.
Thank you!
Aloha.
Aloha,
Just wanted to give you and update on getting my Hawaiian Airlines refund. I had a trip which I booked on 2/12/19 for travel from LAX to OGG 5/19 -6/13. I used Hawaiian Miles for departure and Dollars for my return trip. I tried many times to get a refund but each time was told I can rebook for travel uses before 2/21 with no fare difference or rebook travel thru 2021 with fare difference. They told me only my 5/19 trip was cancelled not my return trip so they would not refund me. I am worried if I rebook for a later date there is a chance the airlines could claim bankrupt / restructure and I’m out the money. Today I contacted HA via text message and told them I have contacted DOT and wanted a full refund with my dollars refunded and my miles put back into my account. They immediately completed a full refund. Mahalo for all your advise.
A loyal follower.
Hi Adam.
Great job! Thanks for letting us and others know too, and your nice words.
Aloha.
Aloha, I just received a text from HA and they indicated my May 8 flight is not canceled. I decided to wait and see since I am willing to accept a fee voucher with expiration date 12/30/2021 instead of a refund. We will see what happens.
Mahalo
Hi Marilyn.
We have asked US DOT for clarification on this related to all the airlines. Will update as soon as we know more.
As always, thank you. Soon we’ll be celebrating ten years of comments from you on Beat of Hawaii.
Aloha.
Since the majority of us who visit these wonderful islands are idled in this terrible moment in world history, a simple suggestion, please: Would you caption the location of the great photos in your posts?
Many mahalos-
Hi Nick.
Yes, we’ll try to get back to that. Sorry.
Thank you for all of your comments over the past 8 years!
Aloha.
Thanks as always for your info. have checked American for weeks now. We have already cancelled our May trip going to Kauai on Southwest and Rapid Rewards miles were immediately returned. waited to cancel American return from Oahu to see if American would clarify Aadvantage miles reinstatement.
Please add to your story that American has also included the following statement in their update of “Travel Flexibility” in website section for tickets: “bought…before April 7, 2020, for travel through September 30, 2020.”
Also: “Includes all AAdvantage® award tickets.”
This means that we can cancel our return, get our miles reinstated, and rebook our trip to Kauai for anytime between now and December 2021. However, they have not changed charges for any difference in ticket price. This is unfortunate but at least we’ll get our miles back. Looking forward to returning to Kauai!
Hi Diane.
Thanks for this and all of your comments.
Aloha.
Aloha, Mahalo for your ongoing updates! We’ve rescheduled our Kauai trip to August and are hoping the island will be ready for visitors by then. Praying for a quick recovery for Hawaii and the rest of the world 🙏💞
Hi Donna.
Thank you.
Aloha.
Hello. I was wondering if you expect Southwest to extend Companion Pass into 2021?
Thank you.
Susan
Hi Susan.
That seems likely at this point. Hope to know more soon.
Aloha.
Hi. My travel dates to HNL from SE Georgia on Delta 4/28-5/16 hasn’t been cancelled, yet. I’m waiting for it to be cancelled by Delta. What should I do if the BQK – ATL is cancelled but not the ATL to LAX? Or if the LAX -HNL is cancelled? Can I ask for a refund? My flight is to HNL not LAX. Thank you for keeping us informed. Keep up the great work. Stay safe & healthy. AJ
Hi Juanita.
Thanks for sharing this. If it is all one ticket, it would seem that any leg not operating would let you cancel and refund the entire itinerary. Frustating to not have clarity from Delta on this. As other have suggested, try reaching out to them via social media messaging and see if you can get anywhere.
Aloha.
Been keeping up and enjoying your updates as well as the newspaper on Kauai.. We have been visiting Kauai every year for many years and love the island very much ! We are scheduled to visit again this year at the end of May…
My question to you is , in your opinion, will the 14 day quar antine for arriving visitors still be in effect ?
Maholo
Hi Lori.
We’d suggest waiting at least a few more weeks so that we’ll know more. If you want a gut opinion, it would be that end of May is not likely to to see flights other than essential operating in any event.
Aloha.
Well, I’ve said Inhave been waiting on HA to contact about whether they were going to cancel my May 15 flight from San Diego to Maui. This is the response I received via Facebook messenger today. It’s very misleading as if they may or may not be flying.
Aloha Stephanie, in reviewing, it appears that your flights are operating as scheduled . We continue to monitor the situation closely and will make adjustments on our policy as deemed necessary. Please check our website regularly for our latest travel advisory. Mahalo.
Hi Steph.
We’d concur that makes no sense and there seems no chance that flight will be operating. As other people have suggested in comments, you might just try reaching out again soon and see if you get a different response.
Aloha.
Stephanie: Contact your credit card company customer service department. They work for you, the airline does not. My flight was in early May. I had to send them proof, which I printed out from my flight information on the Hawaiian web site . I got a complete refund for the tickets and seat upgrades.
Mike
Aloha Steph I received the same message. I sent them a response but have not heard anything. Hang in there – love Kauai and will return next year. Mahalo
Thanks for Updating the Airlines, I have NOT heard a squeak from DELTA, but, then again our Flight is not till Early December!.
Hi Frank and Deb.
Thanks.
Aloha.
It’s really nice to the airlines rising to the occasion and having their customer’s backs during this time. My faith in Hawaiian has been completely restored. Ultimately, when this mess all blows over, the airlines that have accommodated their customers will find them to be more fiercely loyal than ever.
Hi, Just wonder why you have no info on American Airlines since they fly from Kona as well as other cities on the islands. /we are scheduled to return from the mainland early June…think they will be flying PHX to KOA? Thank you so much for your updates.
Hi Dee.
That was an oversight and has been corrected – thanks for pointing it out. As for what will be happening in June, it is too early to know. Please check back soon as we will have updates as soon as possible.
Aloha.
Hi my question is what about those of us flying to the mainland In June what does it look like for us? Mahalo
Hi Lori.
Please check back in a few weeks, when we hope to know more. We’ll keep publishing everything we learn.
Aloha.
Mahalo nui for your timely updates! Have you received any updates from American? I have a trip planned 5/18 – 6/7 to help my mother who has eye surgery planned (dr hasn’t cancelled as of yet). Yesterday I got an email from AA saying a leg was cancelled. When I checked my rez, AA just rerouted me thru PHX to LAX. However, my arrival in LAX is 2 hrs after my connecting flight to HNL takes off. A useless reroute. Since I have time, I thought I’d just wait. But does it seem odd to reroute someone such they would miss their connecting flight? Thank you again–
Hi Linda.
We did update American when another commentor also pointed out that omission. Yes that does seem strange about your re-routing. For essential travel, you’ll be able to get there one way or another. Getting back, we’ll see where Hawaii is at, and we hope to know more soon in that regard.
Aloha.
Curious, currently have a trip scheduled for end of July. Thinking of maybe going during Christmas if all is not quite well yet. Should I proceed to ask for a reschedule during that time? Or possibly to next year during the same time?
Thank you very much and you have a wonderful day
I have a trip planned in September the beginning of September of this year and I’ve already bought my airline tickets should I cancel or just keep keep the reservations and see what happens thank you very much and have a great day because we’re celebrating their retirement over there
Hi Donna.
At this point it would be best to wait, and see what happens in the next month or two.
Aloha.