After our recent article “HawaiianMiles Ends In 90 Days,” both Barclays and Hawaiian Airlines contacted us directly. Each wanted to clarify their position, but their statements left more questions—questions we’ll unpack today.
Barclays says the credit card program is safe for years to come. Hawaiian Airlines was more vague about any duration but just told us that Alaska cardholders can, as of this summer, use their companion fare on Hawaiian after combining the programs. Alaska, now in control of the situation, has said less.
Questions are fueling a new wave of concern in comments from Hawaii travelers who, like BOH editors, still carry the Hawaiian Airlines credit cards and are trying to figure out what happens next and whether or not we should renew our own Hawaiian Airlines credit cards.
Barclays responded and asked us to amend our article.
In an unsolicited message, Barclays asked us to revise the article, saying we included “inaccurate and misleading information” about the credit card. They emphasized that the Hawaiian Airlines Mastercard isn’t going anywhere anytime soon and offered their own projected timeline, stating the program would remain intact for “the next several years”—a claim that Hawaiian Airlines did not confirm.
Tricia Schafer-Petrecz, VP of Communications at Barclays US Consumer Bank, wrote that “The card is not going away or changing any time soon” and shared the following statement from Doug Villone, Head of Cards and Partnerships at Barclays:
“We renewed our partnership agreement with Hawaiian Airlines in July 2024, and our consumer and small business credit card program will remain intact for the next several years… We continue to acquire new customers and service our existing customers with the enhanced benefits of the combined airlines. Cardmembers can continue to use their cards and earn valuable miles from their purchases.” (Barclays)
Barclays clearly wants BOH to reassure Hawaiian cardholders like us and head off panic cancellations. But astute reader comments are as of yet echoing that message.
Hawaiian Airlines confirms the transition.
Hawaiian stated, “The Hawaiian Airlines World Elite Mastercard, issued by Barclays, and the Alaska Airlines Visa Signature, issued by Bank of America, will continue to be valid after the combination of the programs.”
The key phrase in Hawaiian’s email—”will continue to be valid”—is not the same as saying what, if any, role the card will have with Alaska Airlines in the long term.
Hawaiian Airlines also did not claim how long the card will exist, how benefits might shift, or what changes travelers can expect as the merger progresses. That makes the contrast with Barclays’ communication even more pronounced and confusing to us.
The airline also confirmed a new $395 premium card is coming later this year, which “will be a new product, distinct from existing Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines credit cards.” They say more details will be shared this summer.
Hawaiian also reiterated that while the new loyalty program will launch in August, as we had indicated, it will now take “several months” to integrate HawaiianMiles fully into Alaska’s Mileage Plan. They added that “nothing changes with HawaiianMiles in August,” even though the program will indeed then formally end.
Some readers are already taking action.
Since our previous article was published, we’ve heard from more than 100 readers in comments and via email. Many said they are already canceling their cards or planning to do so.
Others are more cautious and nostalgic about the Barclays card, but they still feel unsettled by the lack of consistent information.
Some are concerned about renewing an expensive card without precise details about its positioning and value in the future. Yet, both Hawaiian and Barclays want to reassure us that the Hawaiian credit card is not ending.
The overall consumer tone is one of frustration and fatigue. Several cardholders mentioned successfully using their Hawaiian card internationally, even in remote destinations, and appreciated the Barclay card’s reliability and flexibility. However, with no clear picture of what happens next, many are still ready to consider moving on.
A familiar airline credit card playbook or something else?
This situation could be similar to when American Airlines acquired US Airways. In that case, American eventually consolidated its loyalty program with Citibank. Barclays, which had issued the US Airways card, kept a portfolio of co-branded cards for a significant time, but the marketing push and most card benefits shifted to Citi.
In more detail, American Airlines is finally end its long-running dual credit card setup with Barclays in 2026. Citi, which has been AA’s primary partner for years, will take over the entire portfolio. Current Barclays cardholders will be moved over, and the Barclay card line will quietly disappear. That was after more than a decade of slow de-prioritization. It’s a model that looks much like what may be starting now with Hawaiian.
Thus, Barclays might keep existing cardholders with Hawaiian for a period, while the most generous offers and perks may only come with the Bank of America products. Nothing about this has been made clear. Ultimately, the Hawaiian card might or might not be quietly phased out, even if it’s technically “valid.”
These branded credit cards are a gold mine for the airlines. They generate enormous profits (some say more than flying itself) and drive customer retention far better than other loyalty perks.
What is actually confirmed.
Barclays tells us that the card program will be stable for several years and point to a renewed 2024 partnership and continue marketing of the card onboard flights, as has been mentioned in reader comments.
Hawaiian Airlines says the card will remain valid after the programs combine, but not for how long.
What we still don’t know.
We don’t know if Hawaiian cardholders will be transitioned to a new Bank of America card, by invitation or otherwise. We also don’t know how long Barclays will continue issuing the card now that the Hawaiian loyalty program is being dissolved. We assume that miles earned after August will be credited as Alaska Mileage Plan miles.
What does this mean for Hawaii travelers now?
There are no immediate deadlines if you still hold a Hawaiian Airlines credit card.
We’ll continue monitoring official updates, reader reports, and future changes from Barclays, Hawaiian, or Alaska. In the meantime, we welcome your experiences.
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Barclays saying “the program is safe for years to come,” directly contradicts what their own customer service agents have told me. Basically they’ve told me they have “no idea what’s going on since Alaska airlines hasn’t told them (Barclays) anything.” Unless it goes away I’m gonna cancel it myself before my 2026 fee comes due.
So, how do I cancel my Barclays Credit card. Their website has successfully hidden any means to easily cancel the card.
Don’t cancel the card, it will adversely affect your credit score, just don’t use it….eventually Barclays will cancel it (this is assuming you aren’t paying an annual fee).
Not to be rude, but making a mountain out of a mole hill.
I’ve had a HawaiianMiles credit card since 1997 when it was first issued by Wells Fargo. It then became a Bank of America card and now Barclays. Each time I was taken care of. No need to worry. If the time comes when the Barclay’s agreement ends, there will be ample time and notice to make a decision, but I have a feeling it will be folded back into Bank of America. I also have the Alaska Mileage Plan card and it will be an upgrade if the HawaiianMiles card is more aligned w/ the current Alaska one.
Regarding HAMiles ending, other than the 25K HAMiles first class upgrade awards (Mileage Plan has no mileage upgrade awards), Mileage Plan is far superior to HAMiles and any other US frequent flier program so another win for Hawaii residents.
I feel AS and HA have done an amazing job during this transition period.
The more important issue, is what will the new AS/HA frequent flier program be called?
I totally agree with BeachBoy. Don’t panic folks. The value of one Alaska Airlines mile is greater than one Hawaiian Airlines mile in their respective frequent flyer programs. I would recommend that people do not panic and cancel their Alaska or Hawaiian credit cards. Things will work out just fine.
My wife and I are moving to a new United Explorer mostly out of disappointment of losing the two isle planes like A330. We dont want to fly in a 3×3 single isle plane 5-6hrs. We’re going to fly whatever flight is best and probably just pay for first class if needed. Use the United Miles for the flight or Courtyard / Marriot rooms.
15+ years with Hawaiian Credit Card. Done before next annual fee in a couple months.
I’m just curious when the program officially merges come end of July. Will we not be able to upgrade our flight to first/business class using miles? Or how about the ability to transfer miles to cardholders/HA mile holders (cause Alaska charges $10 per 1000 transferred to another member + an additional service fee) also what if we have flight credits with Hawaiian we haven’t used yet what happens to those?? Ugh who do we ask these questions to? Is there an email? Do we ask Alaska? Or Hawaiian? Cause CS reps don’t even know! So frustrating!
Barclays recently put a “block” on my Hawaiian card because they said, after all these years of paying my bills on time, they ‘needed to confirm my identity’! They required me to send them, via snail mail (‘no, we can’t accept emails) pictures of my driver’s license, front and back, my social security card, front and back, etc., to their offices back East. I said this is ridiculous, and with the current unknowns with the merger, I told them I wanted to just cancel the card. The Barclays rep said I couldn’t do that until I complied with their identity verification requirements! WTH! Judging from BoH comments, I’m not the only one trying to bail out of this credit card, and with good reason!
This is exhausting at best. For now, we are burning down our Hawaiian Miles and have shifted to using our United MileagePlus Explorer credit card for the time being. We are actively searching for another credit card to replace our Barclays/Hawaiian Air card because they don’t seem to know what they’re doing. Definitely will not get the $395/year Alaska credit card. If by chance Barclays/Hawaiian Air gets their ‘act’ together, we may keep their card. Mahalo for keeping us informed, much appreciated!!
To say that the card “will continue to be valid” is to use what lawyers call “weasel words.” Yesterday this retired lawyer booked 4 Mainland trips in an effort to use up almost all of her Hawai’ian Miles.
But I was sad to hear the card’s future is fuzzy because it worked well for me. My solid blue Alaska card never sparks conversations about how lucky I live Hawai’i.
Typically we book our trip, Sea to OGG on Hawaiian Air. Trip is inJan2026. Should we book?
I can’t help but wonder what’s going on behind the scenes. Obviously Alaska and BofA are very tight, but then there’s this leftover arrangement, not of their making, which they inherited from Hawaiian. Will be interesting to see how this plays out.
There’s a difference between being valid and being valuable. Sure, the card will still have to be able to tap. But what else am I going to be getting after that compared with the Alaska cards?
I’ve used the Hawaiian Mastercard all over the world and it’s never failed me—not even in remote parts of Southeast Asia. I’m not sure how Bank of America’s card will be in terms of the same global acceptance based on other comments.
I have both. The BofA card is nowhere near as reliable as the Barclays card. It has never, ever failed me.
I have gotten real value from this card—interisland flights, decent redemptions, even upgrades once in a while. Is that all in the rearview mirror now? I just want someone from Hawaiian or Alaska to let us know where this card is positioned and how relevant it’s going to be going forward so I can decide what to do?
If the card is really “safe for years,” and will retain its prior value, then why doesn’t Hawaiian confirm that? Why does it feel like we’re waiting for some shoe to drop while they keep charging annual fees and pushing bonus miles on flights for new signups?
Because my wife’s HM Barclaycard was going to renew, she called them to cancel card. She did not want to pay $89 for a “dead” card. Because of the uncertainty of the situation they waived the $89.
So she kept the card, for now.
I’ve been loyal to Hawaiian Airlines for years and used that card to take my family back and forth between Oahu and the mainland more times than I can count. Now I feel like I’m being nudged toward a different program, and so far no one’s being straight with us about exactly what’s going to happen. Not Hawaiian. Not Alaska. Not Barclays.
One thing I like about the Alaska card(B of A) is you get immediate notification when used. I get a text within seconds after using it. It would takes days to get an email from Barclays.
It may be your settings. I immediately get a text when I use my Hawaiian card.