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.
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We are currently booked on Alaska 3/22/25 to Maui using miles. If the merger is completed by then. Would it be possible to change to a Hawaiian flight using those miles.
Thanks, Bill
Will there still be in-flight meals served on the flights to and from Hawaii?
I just purchased 4 tickets for August 2025 from Melbourne/Sydney to Honolulu and Honolulu to Austin TX. Will this take over have any effect on tickets purchased on Hawaiian airlines?
Can I still have my hawaiian miles And?
Be able to take flights withhawaiian airlines to vegas
Beat of Hawaii, here’s confirmation. They are getting rid of the Hawaiian Card
upgradedpoints.com/news/barclays-hawaiian-airlines-cards-end-alaska-merger/
I guess I’m going to have to cancel my card at some point, because like I said in an earlier company Bank of America sucks and I refuse to do business with them.
HI. destination is an exciting flight. The beautiful islands with the fragrant smells brings exciting emotions 💕
Maybe on the island flights have the attendants wear HI. Clothing.
HI. Is paradise, so make the atmosphere feel the same 🙏
I have mileage plans with both Hawaiian & Alaskan. Not worried about the xfer of miles between the two. However, I have a Hawaiian Premier Club membership; renewal is due in March 2025. I love the perks. I get to check in quicker, 2 free bags, TSA pre check, and use of the Plumeria Lounge in at all Hawaii airports.
Can I expect this perk to disappear or will Alaskan do something similar without getting/ paying for a credit card just to score mileage? I don’t believe in paying a financial institution just to use their credit card.
It’s Alaska not Alaskan.
I have been a frequent flyer on two airlines during their mergers: Merger#1-Pacific Northern Airlines (PNA) to Western in 1967. Major effect: Allowed Western access to Alaska. (Remember, these were the days of iron-fisted CAB regluations.) Merger#2-Western to Delta in 1987- Major effect: combination of both airlines route systems. The 1987 Western/Delta merger faced some issues common to the Hawaiian/Alaska merger, notably a nearly bankrupt Western Airlines with Delta as the “White Knight”! Jim E
We currently have the Hawaiian Airlines credit card. We booked our flights with it for next August. Any idea what is to happen to our 2 free baggage allowance we have by using the credit card?
They should leave the Hawaiian Airlines credit card. If Alaska really plans on leaving each company individual as they say, this would be a big help to people who don’t want another credit card.
Not sure what I’ll personally do about my credit card, was open to receiving an Alaska one, until I read their issued by Bank of America. They absolutely suck and I want nothing to do with them.
My wife and I have both had Alaska cards for about 15 years. Only other account I have with BofA is an account with $500 just sitting there so I get bonus miles for having an associated account. Need to do that for my wife. Never have had a problem.
I’ve had only one bad experience w/ Alaska’s BofA card over the 11 years I’ve used it. They were trying to confirm a purchase I attempted via text. I didn’t see the text until later. I don’t bank with BofA, just use the Alaska card (love the companion fare).
I used to be a loyal Alaska Airlines traveler for 10 years. In 2019 they stopped flying out of San Francisco or Oakland to Lihue and we had to fly out of San Jose. After 2021 they no longer flew directly to Kauai and we had a stop over in San Diego. I started looking at direct flights and decided to cancel my Alaska credit card and got a Hawaiian credit card. I hope they will go back to directs flights to Kauai. I did enjoy the savings not having to pay for luggage with my Alaska card. After reading this article I realized we might be able to add my Amex points to my Hawaiian credit card before they end it? This was a very informative article. I hope they keep the Hawaiian airline planes. The minute you get on the plane you feel like you are almost there. The music is Hawaiian and the flight attendants are wearing Hawaiian print uniforms. It’s wonderful!!!!
Will Hawaiian adopt Alaska’s baggage policies or will they retain their own? There are significant differences. Last time I looked Alask had much more consumer-friendly sporting goods transport rules and pricing.
While the SEA Alaska lounge is nothing to write home about, the HNL Hawaiian lounge is a joke. Why they even have the nerve to call it a lounge is beyond me. Haven’t been in the Intl. Plumeria lounge so can’t comment.
I’m sure if ASA does add a lounge, it will be highly restrictive. Like allot of lounges now days, they are highly over crowded.
Actually, AS has 3 lounges at SEA. To me, the best one is the newest one, on the N concourse. It’s quite nice, with a fire pit, a coffee bar, etc. I would agree that most lounges can be overcrowded but that’s not specifically a problem of SEA or AS. The N concourse AS lounge compares favorably with the Delta Sky Club and the Amex Centurion Lounge at SEA.
We just utilized the new Alaska lounge at SFO yesterday. We purchased full price First Class tickets, but the flight to SEA was too short to be allowed in without a $30 per person charge. It was absolutely worth it to us. The space was quiet, beautifully designed and very relaxing. There is a full bar with decent wine and some food available. We had already eaten, so were not interested in a full meal. I was impressed.
I think that if they only keep the Bank of America card they will loose a lot of cardholders.
I’ll definitely be one, Bank of America sucks. I want nothing to do with them!
I am currently a card holder of both Barclay’s, Hawaiian Airlines & Bank of America’s, Alaskan Airlines and in my opinion Barclay’s credit card is so much better in protection than B of A’s…
I seriously think that they should look at Barclay’s credit card more closely.
We all need to thank BOH for their coverage of the Alaska-Hawaiian merger as they are doing a better job of keeping Hawaiian customers updated on what is happening than either Hawaiian or Alaska. I don’t know about Alaska but updating their devoted fliers is not something which Hawaiian was inclined to do anyway.. THere is one thing that concerns me about the cessation of the Hawaiian Credit Card by Alaska which has not been previously mentioned, this will affect most cardholders credit scores, Fico or otherwise. Same too if Alaska does not transition the Hawaiian Credit Card to their own branded card and forces former Hawaiian card owners to make a new application to Alaska.
Hi Jim.
Thanks! That’s on our list of issues. Many people also already have both the Alaska and Hawaiian cards, and in that case how will it work?
Aloha.
I truly don’t get the appeal of lounges. I’ve used the Polaris one in SFO several times. It’s supposed to be one of the nicest around. But it’s just a bunch of crowds fighting over crappy food and drinks. If you can afford a few thousand on a ticket take yourself to a good meal. The Elways at DIA (pre covid) was far superior and cost maybe $100 for shrimp cocktail, steak and a drink.
If stuck at an airport, as I recently was in Germany, for several hours, then maybe the Lufthansa lounge is better than nothing, but then again maybe not. Once again, it’s just crowds all eyeballing each other for cheap food and drinks the the occasional full recliner chair. I used the shower and went and setup in an isolated part of the terminal and enjoyed it much more.
Hi Brendon.
We concur with you on both the Polaris SFO lounge and some of the Lufthansa lounges. There are really nice lounges, however, both in the US and elsewhere.
Aloha.
I have never flown Lufthansa so can’t comment on their lounges. However, I disagree about the Polaris lounge at SFO. I thought the food was very good but you are correct that it can get crowded. The last time I was there was in the morning and the issue was no plates or silverware for a while. However, that was on December 24th, a very busy day. My only other time there was excellent. I view lounge access as a nice perk but not a good enough reason by itself to fly business class.
We would very much appreciate continuing with our Hawaiian miles, not losing any accumulated miles, etc. This will be extremely disappointing, cause major inconvenience & may prevent us from flying Hawaiian Air, which we’ve done for 20 years, in the future.
Good day~ Trying to understand your claim that Amex points will not transfer. Just checked and Alaska has been in that program for many years and have transferred points in the past. If the AS program is the final resting point of our HA miles, then it is logical that those miles will be transfer eligible. What am I missing? Cheers
Hi Mark. Alaska is not a mileage transfer partner with American Express. Hawaiian is.
https://global.americanexpress.com/rewards/transfer.
Aloha.
Thanks Greg~ we have the Bonvoy AX card and they are a transfer member. Did not realize this was not available for a native AX card. So that is one solution! Cheers
I am a Hawaiian Airlines credit card holder as is my husband. We have accumlated many miles. We don’t want to lose those miles but there may not be enough time to use them before Alaska doesnʻt allow us to continue with the program. Please be fair, Alaska Airlines.
You won’t lose the miles. They will be transfered 1:1 into the new combined Alaska/Hawaiian program. That was one of the conditions the DOT imposed on the merger. What is a little murky right now is what the redemption levels will be. A good place to get an idea of the redemption rates would be the awards charts under the mileage plan section of the Alaska airlines website.
I have miles on alaska and hawaiian, do I need to anything or will it happen automatically? I too am confused on the process.
Aloha….help. I do not understand what you are saying. I have over 100,000 (on 2 credit cards) Hawaiian miles (covid no travel). should I move them to alaska because we will not be able to use them when the full transition starts. I much prefer flying on Hawaiian. will these miles automatically transfer to alaska or stay on Hawaiian for use? confused by your article – tho I is probably clear to everyone else – HA.
Thanks Ane T
Hi Ane.
The transfers that are going to stop first are undoubtedly those from Amex., which can be ported via Hawaiian to Alaska. Alaska has said that your Hawaiian miles themselves will end up in the final program, so that isn’t likely to change.
Aloha.
Are transfers of American Express points to Hawaiian Air already shut down? Or should I transfer my AMEX points now for a fall 2025 trip to Hawaii?
Hi Linda.
It was working as of this morning.
Aloha.
I’m interested in Hawaii airlines and airfare also Vacations travel information to Hawaii!
I have a significant amount of points with AMEX that I use to transfer for flights on Hawaiian Airlines. Since you have mentioned that in the future, Alaska Airlines does not intend to allow transfer of points from flexible currency programs, would it be prudent to proactively transfer miles now or near future into my Hawaiian Airlines account for future flights? Also, after the merger between airlines, the miles that are in my Hawaiian Airline account will continue to be able to be used on Hawaiian Airlines flights correct?
Hi Dan,
That sure seems to be the case, so you might want to do the Amex transfer now if you plan to do it at all.
Aloha.
Better go book your Tahiti tickets now, while the point awards are super generous. I just did.
Booked the Cook Islands for myself, using miles, back in August!