We have been sharing free trips to Hawaii contests for years. These are legitimate offers and we have verified all of them before posting.
Last week we learned about a scam, however, via an unusual comment from Christine who is one of our readers. We’ve since heard of this from multiple sources. Have you?
Reader Christine wrote: “I just did a survey and was promised two free tickets when I sent 15 friends the info. And also thanking Hawaiian Airlines for my tickets. When will I receive them.”
Christine thought she would be getting free Hawaiian Airlines tickets for completing an online survey and sharing it. Usually when it sounds too good to be true, there’s something fishy going on. Our understanding is that this offer, which was promoted on Facebook, was in fact a complete scam.
We aren’t sure exactly what would happen as a result of completing the survey, but it is safe to say it would not be a good outcome. If personal information was requested, it could subsequently be used in ways you would not want. These types of fraud can even result in corrupting computers and gaining access to email accounts and more.
Tip: Be sure when you decide to enter a promotion that you are actually going to the website that you think you are, as similar URL’s are very often used.
In terms of the free trips to Hawaii we post monthly, keep entering them. There have been three Beat of Hawaii entrants we know of who have already won. These never guarantee to provide a trip via free Hawaiian Airlines tickets or otherwise. Instead they are sweepstakes where you are only offered a chance to win. And we hope you do.
The new 8th edition of “Hawaii Big Island Revealed” is now available; the link on your website is for the older 7th edition.
I would like to add another scam to your list. I have a vacation rental right on the tide pools in Kapoho on the Big Island. I rent the house for $275.00 a night. I found my house with all the wordage and photos copied from VRBO on Craigs list for $100 a night. There was a telephone number and my daughter called it and they had vacancy for the dates she asked for but on my calendar those dates were all ready rented. So again if it is too good to be true then there is something fishy going on. I just hope that some family does not show up at our door step expecting to have a place to stay for their vacation. We found the ad about 2 days after it was published (at least I think it was only up there for 2 days.
Hawaiian Airlines Mobile app:
Has anyone told you about the quality of this app? I have been trying to open it on my phone
for 3 days. I finally saw some reviews from others and none were complimentary. I was planning
to use it for my boarding pass but it seems too risky.
I don’t have any problems on the website.
Just fyi.
Mahalo
Will be in Maui from September 6th through the 27th and would really like your input as far as longer term rental cars. Need dependable with room for 3. Lovery your suggestions and look forward to your articles. Could you please also suggest your favorite laua.Thanks for your time and informatio.
Hi Betsy.
We wouldn’t consider that a long term rental. Suggest the same sources that we provided here. https://beatofhawaii.com/ten-ways-to-save-money-on-hawaii-car-rentals/.
You can go rogue and rent on Craigslist. We don’t recommend that based on many stories we have heard.
ALoha.
Good Morning I was wondering if you could help me.We are heading to Hawaii in January my youngest is 8 , what would be some great things to her. My eldest and I have been before. We are staying at the Hyatt regency. Thanks
Hi Cassie.
If you’re heading to Oahu, we’d highly suggest you start with the acclaimed online or print guidebook Oahu Revealed.
Aloha.
If you will have a car, the best beach for kids is Kailua beach park. Gentle waves and nice white sand. It’s consistently the best beach, when others may have jellyfish or large waves. If your kids are really good swimmers, we found a groupon (in Feb of this year) for snorkeling at Turtle Canyon right off of Waikiki. It was an amazing snorkeling trip and we swam right near 4-5 large turtles. They will pick you up at your hotel too.