One of the most anticipated changes in Alaska’s purchase of Hawaiian Airlines just became a real travel win for Hawaii visitors. Starting now, travelers can book Hawaiian Airlines flights between the mainland and Hawaii using Alaska’s popular $99 Companion Fare deal. Until now, this was only valid on Alaska-operated flights.
The benefit allows you to book a second economy seat for just $99 plus taxes and fees one-way or round-trip when flying on either Hawaiian or Alaska between the mainland and Hawaii. It applies to Alaska Visa Signature and Alaska Visa Business cardholders. The fare must be booked through alaskaair.com and only applies to flights operated by either airline, not codeshare partners. The annual Companion Fare is issued at your card anniversary after meeting a $6,000 spending requirement on the personal Visa Signature card, or automatically for the business version.
Beat of Hawaii readers have asked repeatedly about this exact benefit. Back in April, Daniel A. commented, “Is Alaska planning on extending the Companion Fare to cover ‘Hawaiian’ branded flights? If so, when?” Another reader, Corbs, pointed out that direct West Coast-to-Hawaii routes had already shifted from Alaska to Hawaiian, which made it harder to use the Companion Fare. “I’d have to fly through Seattle just to use my certificate,” they wrote.
What readers are saying about the change.
That kind of frustration may now be over.
Reader Peter F. shared, “Used my Alaska credit card Companion Fare last year, and it was solid. If I can use it on Hawaiian this year, that’s a real improvement.” Others echoed similar feelings, with Steve noting, “We use Alaska’s Companion Fare and booked our upcoming Seattle–Honolulu trip using it. The total for both of us was about $812. It still feels like a good deal.”
Some were already using it creatively before this full rollout. Caren W. said, “I booked a Companion Fare Alaska flight from San Diego to Honolulu last fall. I was recently told the flight is now on Hawaiian Airlines. They switched it and gave me a code to book a seat on the Hawaiian Airlines website.”
Not everyone has been optimistic. Don posted back in April, “Moving the Companion Fare from Alaska to Hawaiian Airlines flights is one way to remove this benefit from Alaska’s table.” Others worried it might get carved back in future versions. One user asked, “What if the Companion Fare changes and is only valid to travel in the 48 states, excluding Alaska and Hawaii?”
Another reader, Cathy, shared that she lost her Companion Fare entirely this year. “I couldn’t use my Companion Fare at all this year because suddenly all the routes had moved to Hawaiian or gone away entirely. Super unhappy.”
What this means for loyalty members.
This update is part of a broader loyalty overhaul as Alaska and Hawaiian move toward a single program. As we previously reported, Hawaiian and Alaska Airlines just rewrote the rules of airline benefits, setting the stage for changes like this. Alaska cardholders now receive free checked bags when flying on Hawaiian. Status matches are in place between Mileage Plan and HawaiianMiles, and you can earn or redeem Mileage Plan miles on Hawaiian-operated flights. Alaska MVP elites also receive select upgrades and preferred seats.
To check if you’re eligible, log into your Mileage Plan account at alaskaair.com and look for your Companion Fare details. If you already have one, you can apply it starting now.
If you’ve used this new benefit, let us know—did it save you money? Were fares competitive? And how does it compare to using the Companion Fare on Alaska flights?
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I used to fly once a year to Kona from San Diego to visit family. I am disabled and Alaska Airlines always had direct nonstops… now I have to pay double for the same direct nonstop flights or spend anywhere from an additional two hours to 10 hours to get inter island connecting flights instead.. higher prices and more inconvenience… guess I won’t be visiting my family anymore or find a different airline
Sound like a great price…
That’s great! Thanks for the reporting BOH! My wife and I have used our two annual companion fares for great value for travel from HI to the West Coast for years. With Alaska moving almost all the HI flights over to Hawaiian we had them both expire unused for the first time this year. This is overdue but glad Alaska finally did it so we can once again get value from our companion fares. *Correction/addition to the article – those with older Alaska CCs automatically get the companion fare, no spend required.
I just booked a flight -Hilo-Maui – LasVegas and back Las Vegas – Hnl – Hilo. Any discounts for this trip???
First time commenting
Google:
Flexible dates search low fare calendar – Alaska Airlines.
Main is 17500 miles one way. 1st class 96000 miles one way to Kona. Varies.
Europe tickets I always look one way. Condor to Frankfurt. British Air to London and American Airlines. They don’t go to every city. Not always available. Pop up from 331 days out. Come and go. Gotta check everyday. Award tickets. Gotta work for it or pay $7000 RT instead of $250 and 140,000 per person. The search is on.
We have used companion fare PDX to Kona for years. Knocks down price to $400 @ or less RT and a good comfortable airline plus get free check per person. 2 if got MVP.
Penny pincher lesson:
Saved money once to about $400 on economy saver on Delta United or someone. Got the rock hard seats, no free bag. Then borrowed neices vehicle, instead of rental. Hassle, fill empty tank, worry about dinging even more.
Then rented “cheap” AirBnB down at water level in Captain Cook. AC was a spitter, hot no breeze, no lani, no view.
One way to learn is the hard way. You don’t go on vacation to save money. Aka don’t be too cheap.
If I understand the way Alaska’s companion pass works it’s only for cash paid flights, not flights booked with points. Is that correct or has there been any changes?
Compainion fare not available with miles. Not available for 1st class to Hawaii. Save miles for business class to Europe.
Business class to Europe for a 11 hr fight 70,000 miles. 1st class 5.5 hrs to Hawaii 80,000 miles one way each destination.
We have used the companion fare on Alaska Airlines to travel to Hawaii for years. It is a major savings and the main reason my wife and I have several Alaska visa cards. The benefit now can also be used for flights on Hawaiian Airlines. The article above is misleading however as it says the companion fare is available for a one way flight. One companion fare certificate is actually usable to book either a one way or a round trip ticket for two people with the second ticket costing $99 plus taxes and fees.
I just used my Alaska companion fare to book HNL-SFO on HA metal and SFO-EWR on Alaska metal. 😁