If you’ve wanted to fly premium on flights to Hawaii (okay, well who doesn’t), but were not keen on the price tag, there’s a new interesting option and a couple of other tricks that might help move you up to first. Upgrades on Flights to Hawaii are always possible, and in fact most passengers in premium used some form of upgrade. Free upgrades, however, even for premium flyers, are becoming ever more rare.
Case in point: cheaper, not cheap.
We recently upgraded to Hawaiian Airlines first class using miles on a 10 hour flight from Sydney to Honolulu. The cost of the upgrade was 45,000 HawaiianMiles, which is equivalent to $450. That’s a great price when you consider 1) we paid $400 for the cheapest economy tickets bringing the total cost to $850; and 2) the cost to purchase first class outright was nearly $2,500 per person. Thus the savings was about 66% off the retail price.
Options for upgrades on flights to Hawaii.
Paid upgrades. These are within 24 hours of travel and can range from as little as $150 to as much as $819. Check with your airline in advance so that you are prepared.
Upgrade using frequent flyer points, as we did in the case above. Upgrades to and from Hawaii on all airlines typically start at about 15,000 frequent flyer points.
Fly enough to become an elite. If you do, free upgrades (either guaranteed or based on status/availability) are a part of the perks, although how that works varies by airline.
Bidding for upgrades on Hawaiian Airlines:
1. Buy cheap flights to Hawaii in economy or basic economy.
2. Go to Hawaiian Airlines‘ website and in manage my trips, look for a link to begin the upgrade bidding process.
3. The airline will send out an email within a few weeks of your flight inviting you to inquire about bidding.
4. Decide what you’re willing to pay and see the airline’s minimum bid requirements.
5. Submit your offer and provide payment details in the event your bid is accepted. A hold may be placed on your credit card.
Other tricks.
Alaska Airlines 24 hour upgrades. A relative steal between the US mainland and Hawaii, when available these are priced at as little as $150. The trick here is to be online at exactly 24 hours in advance of your flight.
Just ask. It may not work, but if you’re celebrating something, or are too large, tall, or are pregnant as examples, it never hurts to ask. Dressing nicely is always a good idea too, and being polite. None of these can do anything but improve chances.
Partner airline points. Check airline alliances. You may have points on one airline that can be used on another.
Tell us your thoughts.
Have you upgraded, and if so, how did you do it. Did you get a deal? Is bidding for upgrades something that you have done or might consider?
Updated 2/13/20.
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Lisa K. says
Alaska Air will match another airlines elite status. I’m a Hawaiian Airlines Pualiani Platinum and applied for the match and on Alaska i got their MVP Gold status. I was able to get upgraded to first class several times on availabililty.
Alison S says
Hi,
We will be flying to Kona from LA return, next April economy, and have bookd with a Travel Agent. Will it be possible to bid for an upgrade if we don’t have the booking ref? We might have the e-ticket no. Can we bid for upgrades using that, a week before we fly?
Many thanks your assistance.
Alison,
Dublin, Ireland.
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Alison.
Suggest you contact the airline and ask as we don’t have that answer regarding bidding on your ticket. Sorry we couldn’t help.
Aloha.
giff says
Aloha: We will be flying out of New Orleans in early October. Going to Oahu in celebration of our 50th anniversary (with 5 of our kids/grandkids). As we watch prices fluctuate, we seldom see anything other than Economy on sale. We (2 seniors) will have to fly either Premium Economy or First class due to health issues. The “kids” will be flying economy (they can handle it). Question: do they ever discount Premium or first class? Is there a Senior rate for either? Hawaii Air does not service New Orleans, so are we better off trying to find 2 separate flights (NOLA to LAX, LAX to HNL?) or just go with 1 airline all the way?
Apologize for so many questions, but we are really trying to make this work.
Thank you and we love the site!!
giff
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Giff.
First class/business doesn’t have sales per se but rather seasonal and day of week fluctuations. Expect to pay about $2,100. Check the websites of airlines you choose regarding what their first class will be like. Some have lie flat from the west coast, others just standard recliner seats. It won’t make a difference if you buy separate tickets and it can get complicated in case of flight delays for example. Hope this helps, and let us know if anything else.
Aloha.
Barb says
Hello-
We live in Mpls, Minnesota and would love to celebrate New Years Eve someplace warm like Hawaii. We would like to go to Maui for 5 of the days and are pretty open with travel dates. Not sure if we are better off flying direct to Maui or fly to Oahu and extend our trip 2-3 days before or after a few days. Or just stay in Maui the complete 7 days? Your thoughts on the best deal for airfare and travel dates.
Thank you in advance for all your help it is appreciated!
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Barb,
If you leave either by the 22nd or starting 28th or later, then under $900 RT on American which is very good for that season. Personal suggestion for one week is just to stay put on one island. So much to do and see and changing islands not only is expensive but easily wastes 1/2 day of your time.
Aloha.
Barb says
Thank you for the great advice! I didn’t even think about how much time would be wasted island hopping. Thanks again your great!!!!
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Barb.
Thank you!
Aloha.
NORMAN says
I would like to know when I should purchase 2 round trip ticket from Albany New York to Maui for the last week of October through November 12th. Leaving on a Monday returning on a Sunday.
Ive been getting quotes for approx. $1,900.00 for both, economy.
Michael says
I haven’t seen a complimentary upgrade in years, even among friends with top FF status, at least to first class on a two class flight. Using miles (at the airport, for a last minute upgrade) is tough as well. Only a little less challenging is to use miles when you book the seats to begin with since airlines are all using complex algorithms factoring what you paid for your ticket, when you book, your frequent flier status with them and load history as well, an indicator what their chances are of getting a full fare first class purchaser. The last is what MAY, with long odds, leave something open at the last minute.
Alas gone are the days you could have a decent chance of grabbing an upgrade 24 hours before when United opened it up for FF members paying with miles.
Trade pubs have said the biggest chunk of first class seats are going to frequent fliers paying with miles who book on the first day the seats are opened nearly a year in advance.
I used to have luck on flights leaving the Mainland in the evening for Hawaii but those flights are rare, alas.
Martine says
Could you please tell me if an nonstop flight ever gets discounted? We are flying Seattle to Lihue in October and I have been patiently waiting but now kinda getting worried that the seats will go before a discount does.
Thanks for your time
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Martine,
So it appears you aren’t talking about upgrades, but rather just the economy ticket price. Yes nonstop flights get discounted, but that route isn’t really a good one to find discounting. It sells well and there’s limited inventory. October is $570’s and above, but early November is low $500’s. Doubtful that will improve.
Aloha.