Updated 6/30:
This deal seems to be ending as the available seats are fast diminishing. I’m no longer finding any $99 seats ($235 all-inclusive), but still a few in the $285-305 (all-inclusive) range. These dates are mostly in October through early December. I found the seats best using flexible date search on Kayak. Because of how Kayak works, however, you may have to try multiple dates that will actually yield the results. The seats are there, so keep going. And let me know how you fare!
We recently saw this deal for Spring travel. Now it returns for unbelievable late Summer and Fall travel to Hawaii. Even Thanksgiving week is available as of this moment. Do not expect this to last long.
Here’s the deal:
Cost: $235 round-trip (all-inclusive)
Airlines: American, Continental, Delta/Northwest
Dates: Late-August Travel through December 16
Advance purchase: None
Minimum/maximum stay: 3 days/None
Fare basis code: KX00A0SB (NW)
Availability: At this moment, excellent and wide-open. It works starting in Honolulu too. Book either on the airline sites, or try Kayak, FareCompare, Travelocity, Orbitz, etc.
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Tracy says
Jeff,
I’m looking to fly to HNL from BDL in April 2010. Should I wait til the end of the summer or fall for the best deals?
We would be willing to fly out of EWR if it was a REALLY good deal. Other airports would be LGA or JFK too. Again we prefer BDL only because of the lack of traffic and tolls and inexpensive parking. I did subscribe to the emails and will keep looking and thanks for your advice and time to keep a lookout too. Tracy
Jeff says
Hi Derek,
$350 to mid-$500 is the deal range that we see between Chicago and Honolulu. At this time, there’s a $534 (all-inclusive) fare, which isn’t bad.
The fares might come down if you wait, likely until the end of July or even into August. On the other hand Chicago is one of the least predictable cities in that regard and fares could be higher.
I hope that helps and that you have a terrific first trip here to Hawaii.
Aloha, Jeff
Derek says
Hi Jeff –
My girlfriend and I will be first-time travelers to Honolulu in October/November. We are planning on leaving on either Oct 31 or Nov 1 and staying until Nov 5 or 6 depending on the day we leave. We will be departing from Chicago O’Hare. I’m wondering if it’s smartest take a direct flight from Chicago or take advantage of a cheap flight from LAX to Honolulu. What would be your suggestion in terms of a decently priced flight? I appreciate the time, Jeff.
Derek
Jeff says
Hi Manima,
When I looked at this for you last week, here’s what I found:
First, it is really way too early for most fall airfare sales.
There is however the good deal to LAX from HNL @ about $250. Then from LAX to CUN is about $300. So about $650 in total from LIH. To add the Tampa one-way, if you want to book now, use Spirit Airlines in conjunction with the HNL-LAX Fare. $700 total.
Not bad at all really if you want to book this far in advance. Otherwise, I suggest waiting, probably another 1-2 months before booking. You will need to watch daily for deals of course.
Stopovers will definitely mess up virtually all fares. Something to keep in mind.
Aloha, Jeff
Manima says
HI Jeff,
I’m traveling to Cancun in late October and found a fare for $535 one way (I’m using miles for the return)
Then, a week later, from Cancun to Tampa, Fl $150 (if I combined the two flights the fare was $50 higher so I priced separately).
Are these good enough fare for me to purchase now or would you suggest waiting until later in the summer? I need to fly on specific dates.
When my friend asked you last week I hadn’t yet decided to stop in Tampa after Cancun for a few days to see a friend. The prices I found for RT were close to $900 so I decided to use miles from Tampa back home to keep the cost low. The one-way fare kept the fare within my price range.
I’ll take your advice and wait for fall sales.
Thanks Jeff
Mahalo
Jeff says
Hi Abby,
Specifically because your dates are fixed and $476 is a good deal anyway, I’d go ahead and buy it. By the way, I’m not finding that price right now, the best price for your dates is $537 (still not bad). Then just don’t look back once you buy it.
Aloha, Jeff
Abby S says
It’s my first time to Hawaii and we are planning a trip from BNA-Nashville to HNL Nov. 16-23 dates are firm. I found a $476 pp flight with AA. I’m just torn if I should go ahead and book it now or wait til later in the summer to see if it goes any cheaper. Any advice?
Mike Nash says
This deal is still available on American as of last night (June 10). I just booked 99/one way (235/rt/all-in with tax) in late October.
Charlie says
Hi Jeff…I have been watching the blogs for specials and came across this one. Watching airfares from MCI-KOA for 9/22-10/2 and thought I might get a deal on flying MCI-LAX, LAX-HNL, HNL-KOA but doesn’t look good. When are the fares typically down for fall travel? Thanks for all the good info.
Jeff says
Hi Charlie,
I played around with your dates and cities too. It is cheaper piece-by-piece with MCI-LAX at just over $200, then $235 to HNL then inter-island for about $100.
On the other hand, it is really too early for Fall fares and you’ll likely have more and perhaps better options if you wait to buy until later in Summer, like mid-July or even beyond. I know that’s hard to do when you want to plan a trip, but it is always cat and mouse with the airlines if you want the very best deals.
Aloha,
Jeff
kristina says
jeff,
we currently live in oklahoma but are driving to LA to ship our vechile. So we are wanting to leave out of LAX if possible.
thanks,
kristina
Jeff says
Hi Kristina,
Okay that makes sense now. Your IP address was Oklahoma, so I couldn’t figure it out.
I’d consider the $99 each way ($235 total) and just throw out the return. That’s the best deal right now at least. One way fares are more, and the cheapest ones route you from LA to Seattle to Honolulu.
You might also just wait and see what happens, if you’re the adventuresome type.
Aloha and best wishes on your upcoming move. Let us know how things work out.
Jeff
kristina says
jeff,
my sister, boyfriend and i are moving to oahu in late august. i have tried searching for one way tickets on august 31st with flexible dates. We are departing from LAX. This awesome airfare would be ideal for our move to help cut cost. I’m not sure i’m searching the websites right. If you could help that would be great.
Thanks,
Kristina
Jeff says
Hi Kristina,
Where will you be flying from? Let me know and I’ll see what I can suggest.
Aloha, Jeff
Jeff says
Hi Ginny,
Thanks for the nice words.
$360 certainly isn’t bad. We could see up to about $100 less, perhaps. But sometimes it is just worth more to have a bird (or airline reservation) in hand rather than in the bush. You’ll have to decide on that one.
Aloha, Jeff
PS: Sorry, at first I didn’t see the Lanai question. I’ve always taken the ferry from Maui, which is a reasonably short and very pleasant ride, especially in summer. The other very good option is Island Air at $61 each way from HNL. Lanai is almost always more money.
Jinny says
Jeff,
I have found SFO/OAK-HNL for $360 RT (all-inclusive) for early December. Do you think the sales that start later this summer would go much lower than that?
Also, do you have any tips on how to minimize travel costs to get to Lanai?
Thanks – this website is an amazing resource!
Thanks Jeff! Appreciate your expertise perspective.
On a different note, when you mention the $43 inter-island flights, does that include Lanai City? The least expensive RT flights I can find are $134. Have you seen it lower than that?
Mahalo,
Jinny
Jeff says
As of today, earliest travel date is now August 25.
Stacy says
I am trying to book a flight from 8/6 – 8/14 or thereabout, but I can’t seem to find the deal for these type of dates. Is this time period not included?
Ramona says
Greetings Jeff,
I think my dates are effecting the price. I wanted to go around November 13th and come back November 21st. When I look at the rates for that time, I’m coming up with around $401 from San Francisco to Honolulu and around the same for LAX to Honolulu. When I look at Northwest Airlines I’m finding around $402 round trip.
Any suggestions?
Ramona
Jeff says
Hi Ramona,
If you change your return date to the November 22, I find the $235 total, which is $99 each way plus taxes/fees (from LAX). Otherwise, on your exact dates it is $285 from LAX (Continental). SFO is $394 to return on the 22nd, and somewhat more on the 21st.
Having said that, I’d just wait. It is way too early for most November deals. They will come later in the summer.
Hope that helps.
Jeff
ramona says
Hello,
I actually live in San Francisco but thought if I could get the cheap $99rate out of lax, I could fly down from sfo.
Unfortunately when I look now, I’m not finding the $235 rate?
Have I missed it already?
Your updates are greatly appreciated and money saving.
Best,
Ramona
Jeff says
Hi Ramona,
As I mentioned in the post, the price is $98.90 each way, plus taxes/fees, which comes to $235.
Aloha, Jeff
Bonnie says
I need to find tickets for 16 people for August 15th to Lihue and back on the 22nd. I tried the above offer but not getting to far. Any help is appreciated.
Called Contiental and they don’t reconize the above fare basis code.
Jeff says
Hi Bonnie.
The first travel date now available is August 23.
In your specific case only (16 passengers), I would try calling all of the the airlines and see what they will do. For 10 seats and above, they normally provide special group rates. Please let me know how it works out.
That fare basis code said “NW” next to it, meaning it was Northwest’s code, not Continental’s. For these deals you can’t call the airlines. You need to book online only.
Aloha, Jeff
Blair says
Hi Jeff,
My father, brother, and I are looking to get to the Big Island from LAX early to mid August. I’ve been watching fares for over a week now, and they seem to be either hovering around low-$500s or increasing. Do you think it best to wait a bit longer for possible fare sales, or is the likelihood small of better prices than we’re seeing now? We don’t want to sit on this only to find that prices will be ever increasing the longer we wait.
Alternatively, we’ve been looking at booking separate flights, one from LAX to HNL, then from HNL to KOA, and cost comparing with flying direct.
Thanks for your advice!
Jeff says
Hi Blair,
First, the airlines have you where they want you. Most deals for that time have passed, it is still high season and not real likely to be discounted. Having said all that, if you can wait until August 18, you can fly on the $99 deal from LAX to HNL and then $43 to Kona.
Otherwise, I don’t think fares will likely increase (but of course my crystal ball isn’t always right). We may even see more summer deals, or have the Fall deals start sooner. This year, its anyone’s guess.
Hope that helps. I’ll keep my eyes peeled.
Aloha, Jeff
Casey says
How do you get the $99 price? Did you forget to add a link? Sorry, lowest was $235 for “late summer.”
Sorry, but what is “the drill”? I searched Kayak and only found flights for $509 and above? Is there a guide for using your blog?
Jeff says
Hi Casey.
Good question, but no I didn’t forget a link. The drill is always the same. Flexible date search. Try Kayak, Travelocity, Orbitz, etc.
$235 is the total I showed. To be precise, that is $98.90 each way, plus taxes/fees.
As you can see, I suggested using Kayak, the airline sites or any of the on-line travel agencies. They will all produce the same $99 plus tax/fee fare.
Aloha, Jeff