Hawaiian Airlines has officially discontinued its Premier Club membership program, marking another significant step in Alaska Airlines’ acquisition. This change comes as the two airlines continue aligning their offerings, leaving Premier Club members with questions submitted to Beat of Hawaii about what this means for their travel experience.
What is the Premier Club membership?
The Premier Club membership allowed travelers who did not have enough miles to qualify as Pualani Platinum or Gold to buy their way into the lounge and other benefits with a yearly membership. Unlike other airline lounge programs some other airlines have, the Premier Club membership went beyond access to a lounge. It also came with priority check-in and boarding, two complimentary checked bags, and more.
These memberships were priced affordably compared to traditional airline lounge programs, making them a popular option for Hawaii flyers. They were offered at $299 the first year and $249 the second year. You could also buy the first year for 40K miles and the subsequent years for 35K miles.
With Premier Club memberships no longer offered, the Hawaiian lounges are reserved for Pualani Platinum, Gold or First Class passengers.
For more context on how lounge access has become a hot topic in Hawaii travel, see our related analysis: Battle of Hawaii Lounge Wars: Airlines Redefine Island Travel Competition.
What happens to current Premier Club membership holders?
Travelers who have purchased Premier Club memberships will be offered Pualani Gold status through 2025. That way, they will continue to enjoy benefits throughout this year. However, renewal options and new memberships are no longer available. That means starting in 2026, prior Premier Club members must actually meet Platinum or Gold status. Currently, that is 20,000 miles or flying 30 segments yearly for Gold or 40,000 miles or 60 flight segments to be Platinum.
As one reader humorously noted in emailing us yesterday, this upgrade feels like a step up from standing on the wing during the flight. While the comment is lighthearted, it nonetheless reflects the sentiment of travelers losing a budget-friendly option for lounge access and other Hawaii travel benefits.
Transitioning to Alaska Airlines’ lounge program.
Alaska Airlines lounge membership will likely become the recommended alternative for travelers seeking continued lounge access. While it offers a more extensive network of lounges across the U.S., the cost is significantly higher at $550 for nonelites and $750 for the expanded offerings at 90 partner lounges (these rates are increasing on February 1, 2025). Alaska lounges provide enhanced amenities, aligning more closely with today’s premium Hawaii travel expectations, but do not come with priority check-in and boarding.
Recent developments hint at a potential rebranding of Alaska Airlines’ lounges. The carrier recently filed a trademark for the name Atmos, which could represent a unified branding for its lounge network, including Hawaiian Airlines’ legacy travelers. With plans to double its lounge network by 2027, including new locations in Honolulu and San Diego, the Atmos concept could redefine premium airport experiences for Hawaii travelers. For more insights, see: Battle of Hawaii Lounge Wars: Airlines Redefine Island Travel Competition.
The bigger picture: Hawaiian’s integration into Alaska.
This move underscores the ongoing integration between Hawaiian and Alaska Airlines as the two carriers streamline operations systemwide. Lounge memberships are just one of many changes expected as the process continues. Aligning benefits and perks across both airlines aims to simplify services but may leave some travelers nostalgic for Hawaiian’s more affordable and straightforward offerings.
As noted in our coverage of the lounge wars among airlines, these changes reflect a broader battle for traveler loyalty and are redefining competition in Hawaii travel. To understand the full scope of these competitive dynamics, see our feature: Battle of Hawaii Lounge Wars: Airlines Redefine Island Travel Competition.
How does this impact you?
Photo Credit: Beat of Hawaii at Honolulu Premier Club
Hat tip to BOH friend Steven H. who first shared this with us.
Get Breaking Hawaii Travel News
What happens to my Hawaiian airlines miles? Are they going to be transferred to Alaska or only usable on Hawaiian airlines flights. I’ve contacted both airlines but have gotten no response.
I was notified by email on Monday that Premier Club membership was over and done. I automatically got the enrollment to Pualani Gold for one year, however I’m already in that status because of miles I have racked up. Can’t wait til the shoe drops for all of us that have the Hawaiian Air Credit card….
It appears there are more takeaways than benefits of airline or hotel loyalty programs. Just retiring & planning on traveling more so living in the Seattle area I thought about getting an Alaska lounge membership. In late October we traveled to Maui first class on Alaska which allowed us to use the new north satellite lounge. I was not impressed. Although it was large there was limited open seating, the food offered was average at best and “premium” liquor (Tito’s) was an added cost but what bothered me the most was how dirty the seats were. Lots of spilled drinks or food stains and there are areas that say no laying down or feet on the couches but there were several people doing just that. This was the 2nd time using this lounge and the 1st time it was much cleaner, however less than a year has gone by since the 2nd visit. I think I’ll pass on the lounge membership. Hopefully they will start flying to Maui out of Paine Field where the whole airport feels like a lounge
Not surprised at this development. Did not renew my Premier Club membership a couple of months ago. Sensed that that the AUS-HNL nonstop was on the chopping block. Have transitioned back to United Airlines where I have lifetime million miler status and a United Club membership. Sorry to see this Hawaiian Airlines Premier Club membership program go for non elite status customers. It was a very good deal.
I live Tacoma area and travel to Hawaii at least once a year because I’m from there. My Premier Club membership was due for renewal in March but new this perk was going away. I loved it for the 2 free bags, early boarding but did/do not use the lounges in Hawaii. Heard it was all that great. Anyway I have the Credit card(for both airlines) and will just use that until Alaska decides what they’re going to due. This whole merger deal sucks.