Hawaiian Airlines’ Exit: Here’s What’s Next As Alaska Takes Over

As Alaska Airlines integrates Hawaiian Airlines into its operations, significant changes are impending for Hawaii travelers, including an endpoint for mileage transfers, changes to credit cards, potential new lounges, and more. Here’s what these next shifts mean for loyal Hawaiian Air travelers and what else to expect moving forward.

Alaska moves in, Hawaiian moves out.

Big changes are on the horizon for Hawaii frequent flyers and branded credit cardholders as Alaska Airlines continues to integrate Hawaiian Airlines into its operations. With Alaska Airlines’ acquisition of Hawaiian Airlines, travelers are starting to see the first ripple effects.

Perhaps the most significant of these is the consolidation of disparate loyalty programs and the shift in credit card offerings. Let’s take a closer look at what we are learning so far, what’s disappearing, and what the future may hold for both Hawaiian and Alaska Airlines customers.

The end of Hawaiian Airlines credit cards.

Hawaiian Airlines has long offered its branded credit cards through Barclays, which many Hawaii travelers use to earn miles, transfer points between members, and enjoy upgrades and mileage tickets, among other things.

However, these cards are set to disappear in the next year when the merger between the Alaska and Hawaiian loyalty programs is expected to be complete. We would not rely on any date certain as there are too many variables. We suggest doing everything possible to use the different “currencies” while you still can.

It is unclear if current Hawaiian Airlines credit cardholders will be transitioned to Alaska Airlines credit cards, which Bank of America issues, or if they must apply for the card.

Once this transition occurs, the ability to transfer HawaiianMiles will also come to a close. We’ve written previously about American Express Membership Rewards transfers to HawaiianMiles, which has for years been a popular option that will soon no longer be possible. This marks the closing of what is referred to as the “transfer door.” However, Alaska may reintroduce a version of current MileagePlan sharing, potentially allowing primary cardholders to transfer miles between accounts, though that is not guaranteed.

What does this mean for Hawaiian cardholders? With the Alaska Airlines card, you’ll have new earning structures, benefits, and requirements for elite status and award redemptions. Travelers like us who have used their Hawaiian card to consolidate miles between accounts should prepare for upcoming changes now, as we indicated, since Alaska may or may not offer the same flexibility.

Two legacy Loyalty Programs evolve into one.

One of the most significant changes will be merging HawaiianMiles with Alaska’s Mileage Plan, which is also set to occur next year. Currently, Alaska Airlines’ Mileage Plan is well-regarded in multiple ways, including a diverse array of partner airlines on whom you can fly, earn miles, and redeem. In contrast, HawaiianMiles has had few partner opportunities while offering flexibility for travelers looking to earn and redeem miles for Hawaiian flights.

As the two programs merge, Alaska has stated from the outset that it aims to maintain a fair and transparent joint loyalty system. Alaska has suggested that change are a foot do have a combination of fixed and variable mile award pricing, while hinting at options to make last-minute, low-occupancy flights more affordable with miles.

What does this mean for Hawaii frequent flyers? Today, travelers can continue earning and redeeming miles through both loyalty programs. Once the merge is complete, with an exact date not set, HawaiianMiles appear set to transfer into Alaska’s new program, automatically giving Hawaii-based travelers access to a broader range of international partners and award options.

However, travelers should expect potential changes in the value of miles, especially as dynamic awards become a more standard feature. We also expect the new program to have a new name instead of MileagePlan.

The “transfer door” closes.

A significant aspect of this transition will be the loss of flexible credit card transfers. Previously, Hawaiian Airlines cardholders could transfer points between HawaiianMiles accounts and from American Express Membership Rewards to HawaiianMiles. Since the “merger,” that has also allowed the transfer of any and all of those points subsequently to the Alaska Mileage Plan. As we previously suggested, Alaska Airlines has made it clear that it does not intend to allow these flexible currency transfers to continue moving forward.

While current Hawaiian cardholders may have several months to take advantage of these transfer opportunities, this flexibility could soon disappear. This is one of the merger’s first major impacts on travelers who rely on mile pooling or point consolidation across multiple accounts.

What does this mean for cardholders? If you have been transferring miles between Hawaiian Airlines accounts or through Amex Rewards programs, it’s time to plan accordingly. Some option to transfer points between accounts may return, but travelers should now prepare for that “transfer door” to close at any time.

Potential Alaska Lounge in Honolulu.

As Alaska continues its integration of Hawaiian, one exciting possibility for premium travelers is the addition of an Alaska Lounge at Honolulu Airport. Alaska currently operates nine lounges at its West Coast hubs, but has none in Hawaii. With its significant new hub in Honolulu, Alaska Airlines is exploring adding a lounge in the islands to reflect its commitment here.

It’s worth noting that Hawaiian provides lounge access as a feature of its first-class tickets. At the same time, Alaska Airlines has different rules and does not, for example, allow passengers upgraded to first class to have lounge access.

Future of credit cards and premium perks.

As this unfolds, Alaska Airlines may also introduce more premium credit cards, similar to the offerings from major U.S. airlines like Delta and United. Higher-end credit cards typically have a higher annual fee and more benefits, including lounge access and other travel perks.

What does this mean for Hawaii travelers? If Alaska launches a more premium card, it could offer even greater value for frequent travelers between the mainland and Hawaii.

The final flight for Hawaiian’s independent benefits.

As Alaska continues to take over operations and loyalty programs from Hawaiian, Hawaii travelers will need to adapt to significant changes. From the end of Hawaiian credit cards to the closing of the transfer door and more, this transition represents both a loss of familiar features and the possibilities associated with change.

The full integration won’t be complete until next year, giving travelers some time to plan, but we continue to say that those who want to take advantage of all of the unique HawaiianMiles benefits should act very soon. As Alaska Airlines moves in, new perks and possibilities will emerge — but with change inevitably will come plusses and minuses.

We’d love to hear your thoughts. What do you think about the changes as Alaska takes over Hawaiian’s loyalty programs? Share your comments below.