Frequent travelers to Hawaii will see immediate changes as Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines just merged key aspects of their frequent flyer programs, and a lot more. A groundbreaking initiative lets members link their Mileage Plan and HawaiianMiles accounts, unlocking new benefits while paving the way for a unified operation in 2025.
Here’s how these latest bold move redefines the rules for frequent Hawaii travelers and why it matters now.
How this latest offer works.
The Alaska-Hawaiian Airlines status match, just being unveiled, is designed to reward frequent travelers across both programs. By linking accounts, members can already have their elite status matched and achieve the highest possible tier based on combined elite-qualifying miles (EQMs).
For example, Alaska’s MVP Gold members are matched to Hawaiian’s Pualani Platinum, and vice versa. Alaska MVP will match to Hawaiian Pualani Gold and visa versa.
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This mutual recognition unlocks desired and accessible perks like priority boarding, free checked bags, and upgraded seating, ensuring seamless benefits for frequent flyers.
While the integration is still evolving, as are Alaska’s 2025 plan updates, MileagePlan is still regarded as one of the best in the industry. Its earnings and benefits collaboration with Hawaiian signals a nother glimpse into what’s coming for Hawaii travelers.
Why this matters for many Hawaii travelers.
For those traveling to Hawaii—and for residents—loyalty programs go beyond points and upgrades. They’re a gateway to a better travel experience. This latest move bridges gaps between Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines, now the two most significant players in Hawaii air travel, making it easier to maintain or achieve elite status. That said, how benefits will evolve with more members vying for perks remains to be seen.
This status match marks a key step as the two airlines prepare to merge their programs into one. While separate branding remains for now, likely until the merger is finalized in late 2025, the lines are already blurring. This is a glimpse into the future of Hawaii air travel loyalty, one where seamless integration reshapes how travelers benefit from elite programs.
Alaska MileagePlan revamp starts January 2025.
Starting next month, Alaska Airlines is introducing significant changes to its MileagePlan, including new milestone rewards and requirements, udated elite benefits. Milestones begin at 10,000 EQMs and extend to 250,000 EQMs, while allowing participants to choose personalized perks like bonus miles, Wi-Fi passes, lounge access, onboard food, and upgrade certificates at various intervals.
For Hawaii travelers, these updates offered some good news. Combined with the Alaska-Hawaiian status match, this new structure reflects a more competitive and complex loyalty environment, making it essential for travelers to plan strategically to maximize benefits in 2025.
What’s missing? Limitations of the program.
While the status match offers significant perks, there are some clear limitations. Combined elite-qualifying miles (EQMs) apparently won’t count toward Mileage Plan milestones. Additionally, certain benefits, like bonus miles for MVP Gold 75K members, may be excluded for those who achieve status through this offer.
The program also highlights the challenges of integrating two very different loyalty systems. Although this is a promising step forward, questions remain about how the future fully unified program will work with regards to benefits, accrual rates, and redemption options. But the changes coming to MileagePlan should provide a first look into how that may look. For now, travelers may need to manage expectations as these details are worked out.
What this says about the Alaska-Hawaiian merger.
The status match is one of several moves highlighting the deepening collaboration between Alaska Airlines and its newly acquired Hawaiian Airlines. From route realignments to fleet strategies, the merger is significantly reshaping Hawaii travel.
This program underscores the airlines’ focus on prioritizing customer loyalty marketing as they navigate the complexities of integration. While major changes—like the long-awaited unified passenger systems—won’t arrive until 2026, initiatives like this dual elite status offer are already updating the travel experience. These early moves also help build crucial goodwill ahead of what is expected to be a complex transition.
For frequent Hawaii travelers, this is the first opportunity to maximize value while the two programs remain separate. Linking your accounts now ensures access to elite benefits ahead of the final iteration of a unified loyalty program.
The bigger picture: Hawaii travel in major transition.
As Alaska Airlines strengthens its presence in Hawaii, the way airlines approach the islands is shifting. This latest move reflects a broader trend of airlines doubling down on loyalty programs to secure market share. However, the true measure of success will depend on how accessible these benefits remain for travelers.
For now, this program highlights the rapidly changing landscape of Hawaii travel. As Alaska, Hawaiian, and other airlines increase their focus on loyalty, travelers will need to stay informed and adapt their strategies to maximize these evolving benefits.
What’s your take on this new offer and the 2025 updated MileagePlan?
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I used 80,000 of my miles in Oct for a RT first class ticket Sacramento to Maui. Will I be able to do this again in April 2025?
I’d like to know how these changes compare to what Delta and United are doing with their loyalty programs. This is going to be catch up game between them.
The milestone rewards sound nice, but how often will those perks actually be useful, like upgrade certificates being available to use? These were already becoming impossible.
Does this mean fewer upgrade opportunities now that more people will qualify for elite status through the match?
I wonder if the new changes will influence how other airlines approach loyalty programs. Alaska might be setting a trend here but I’m not sure it is a good one for consumers.
These changes make sense for very frequent flyers, but more occasional travelers like me feel left out of these loyalty updates.
Finally, Alaska is addressing Wi-Fi costs with more passes and other complimentary perks. That’s a plus, although clearly free is where Wi-Fi needs to go.
As someone who flies between the islands often, I’m worried these changes might not be as beneficial for short-haul travelers. And right now it seems too complicated to even figure it out.
No good news for local resident interisland commuters.
It seems that many airlines are on the verge of bankruptcy. So I have some understanding of why they do what they do.
This is great! Thank you for sharing the link to link accounts!
As an American Airlines Executive Platinum, which is OneWorld Emerald, any information if OW status will now carry over to HA like it does to AS? Don’t recall seeing anything about when HA will be integrated into OW.
Mahalo, BOH!
Hi Ed.
It would definitely seem so Ed, and we were told that Hawaiian would become OneWorld.
Aloha.