Major change from DOT to impact Hawaiian Airlines and Alaska Airlines Hawaii flights, perhaps others.
Get Breaking Hawaii Travel News
133 thoughts on “Why DOT Just Approved Major Route Cuts For Alaska and Hawaiian”
Comments are closed.
Major change from DOT to impact Hawaiian Airlines and Alaska Airlines Hawaii flights, perhaps others.
Get Breaking Hawaii Travel News
Comments are closed.
I was booked on Alaska Air to HNL on April 28. Alaska cancelled that flight but rescheduled me on another that same day. I guess that is their response to cancelled flights. Most likely I will not fly to HNL in April or May, even if we are cleared to travel and 14 day quarantines are no longer required. But with this strategy Alaska gets to keep my fare.
Would you like me to forward the email I received from Alaska Air this morning?
Thanks for running this website. I fly twice a year to visit my elderly mom on Oahu. I get great fares thanks to you.
Hi John.
Thanks for your nice words, and you comment. Have you personally contacted Alaska to request a refund? That’s what we would suggest. Please let us know how it works out.
Aloha.
I had a trip scheduled for April 28 to May 11 and had to cancel. Both Hawaiian and Alaska Airlines gave me the credit and did tell me when I reschedule if there is a fare difference I would have to pay even if it was the same flight # that I cancelled.
Aloha! My problem wasn’t the airlines, it was the Airbnb. My trip for 4/29 – 5/6 was canceled. My Airbnb hostess couldn’t afford the refund and asked me to rebook. I did rebook for October and Hawaiian (via chat) changed the flights without a fee or fare increase fee. My return trip on Alaska was canceled but the money is in my Alaska wallet. I was torn between knowing Hawaii is hurting financially due to travel restrictions and wanting more time than the December cutoff to rebook. My fear is that October (being the other off season) will now be booked to the Max with crowds of people that had to rebook their Spring travel. I’d love to go on New Year’s Day (my birthday) but don’t want to pay triple the price on everything. Wish I tried for the holiday timeframe when I rebooked. Who knows though… could be a resurgence of fly by the end of the year so I guess fingers crossed. Sure makes planning difficult when you don’t know if the tiki bars will be open or if they’ll still be on lockdown etc. anyway… I’ll be going as soon as they reopen. Hope everyone is doing ok on the rock, that’s the most important aspect in all of this. Take care, stay safe. Mahalo! PS I wish Y’all had comment notifications because sometimes I forget to check back for responses and I miss comments that are made.
Hi Tammy.
Thank you! We’ll look into turning on comment notification.
Aloha.
Alaska Airlines changed our return flight from Hawaii. Because it had a totally different flight number and the original flight we had booked was no longer available, it was considered a cancellation and we were refunded our money. We appreciate the way they handled it.
We had planned to visit Maui in May but our flight was under standably canceled by Southwest, they did offer a credit ut when I tried to reschedule our flight to a later date they stated it would cost $1000 dollars more! I insisted on a refund and went onto their website and was able to book the same flights for under $200 dollars more, cannot understand why they would try to price gouge me and create and unhappy customer, especially in these times. What they should have done was offer the same flight for no extra fees.
Thank you for all your comments, information and insights to what’s going on with all the flights. We paid for trip insurance because my father-in-law is I’ll and we wanted to cover ourselves in case something happened. We were scheduled to go to Maui on April 29th. Because this trip falls into the time frame to at is being discussed, would be eligible for our flight insurance to be refunded as well? Thanks.
Hi Larry.
Thank you. We don’t know the answer to that one. It sounds like you’re saying you bought it directly with your flight. Certainly no harm in asking, although it would not appear to fall under the DOT requirements.
Aloha.
Aloha, Larry,
We had trip insurance with Allianz and they had a very specific list of items that would allow for an insurance payout. Customer illness, injury, loss of job, quar antine, etc. The closest I could find was “quar antine.” I sent them an email a few days ago to inquire. Still no answer! But luckily I got a refund from Alaska Air due to them changing the departure time by more than two hours.
Good luck!
Aloha, Mahalo for the informative and valuable information. I want to share an Alaska Airlines experience. My daughter flew home from SLO for Spring break on 3/14/20. Since then her upcoming classes will be virtual. So I was waiting for them to cancel her return flight to SLO on 4/18/20 so I can receive a refund.
I called and spoke to an agent on 4/5 who told me that my only option was to receive a voucher that would expire 1 yr from my purchase date, so it would expire on 10/02/20. As I purchased travel insurance, she further advised me to file a claim for a refund. I did, no response.
I called Asurion on 4/7, spoke to an agent. They advised that I cancel the flight with the airlines, obtain the voucher, then file a claim with Asurion requesting a refund. So I called Alaska. They advised to text chat with an agent. Ok, I’ll give it a shot. Started texting immediately. She immediately said that the flight was cancelled and will refund the unused portion in full. I was in and out in 20 minutes. It would’ve been faster if my texting was faster.
Two days ago they only offered a voucher, today, a full refund. so just keep trying.
Hi Karen.
Thank you. That’s great input.
Aloha.
Hello, firstly, thank you for all the valuable information and insight. I want to share my experience with Alaska Airlines. I had reservations for a round trip from SAN to HNL on 4/24/20. I’ve been waiting for a clear statement that the flight was cancelled such that I could request a full refund. I couldn’t wait, so I called on 4/05 and spoke to an agent. Upon investigation I was told that my flight time was changed to more than an hour from the original time. As such I was entitled to cancel an receive a full refund. Typically I would’ve received an email notification of the change, but I did not. Don’t know why. I didn’t question it. I don’t know if the times really changed. I just thanked her and accepted the refund. easy peasy.
Hi Karen.
Thank you. Yes that has been our experience with that airline as well. If the changed time was more than a hour different, we’ve been able to cancel.
Aloha
Aloha, information from HA: “Travel Flexibility
Tickets purchased between March and May 2020: No change fees for any changes made within one (1) year of the original ticket purchase date. A fare difference may apply.
Tickets purchased before March 1, 2020 with travel dates between March and May 2020: No change fees for rebooked travel that begins on or before Dec. 31, 2020. A fare difference may apply. Tickets must be changed no later than Dec. 31, 2020 or one year from the original ticket purchase date (whichever is later). If the ticket expiration date occurs prior to Dec. 31, 2020, a one-time exchange (without charge) can be applied to extend the ticket validity another 12 months.”
This last sentence applies since purchase date was 12/23/2019 so I am hoping that my ticket is extended instead of refund. Mahalo
Hi Marilyn.
Thank you! Look for one of today’s posts which relates to this and other airline offers getting extended.
Aloha.
Didn’t mean your comment was awaiting moderation. Meant thanks for the awesome service.
Hi Karen.
Thank you!!
Aloha.
Thanks for the above information. It provides answers to questions my daughter had. Keep up the great job keeping us informed. Stay safe.
Hi Karen.
Thank you!
Aloha.
I hope Hawaiian airlines flight 7 from las Vegas to Honolulu will go on Tuesday September 29
Keep me updated
Thank you
Hi Gregory.
We hope so as well.
Aloha.
Do you think Hawaiian airlines flight 18 from hnl to las Vegas will go on Wednesday oct 7
Thank
You
Hi Gregory.
We can’t comment on something so far out in time. Please check back in about a month.
Aloha.
Mahalo for the update. We booked a Hawaiian Airlines trip in March for May travel. Their online schedule was blank indicating no flight available so I reached out via email first with no response. Then posted my desires of rebooking at the same fare for an alternate date. They finally replied, without indicating the flight was canceled. They stated since my fare was an economy fare they could not rebook but did in fact issue a full refund. Guess Twitter is the way to communicate.
Hi Gary.
Thanks for your comment reconfirming what others are saying. Also for your other comments over the past three years. Much appreciated.
Aloha.
Thank you always providing timely information. I could use some of your wise advice: We have flights on 6/19 from OAK (SWA) to LIH and from O’Hare (UA) to LIH and a wonderful VRBO house from 6/19 – 6/29/2020. My concern is a lengthy flight for the 73 & 75 year old grandparents (us) and our grands and children and their spouses. Ten of us in all coming from two places to a wonderful house which we have rented 2 times before. Our concern is being in long flights from two airports and the health of all of us. What do you advise if the flights aren’t cancelled, but we are very reluctant to go? Should we bide our time with lodging and flights? We hate to miss this trip, but have health concerns especially with my husband being a Type 1 diabetic for 56 years. Your assistant is greatly appreciated.
Hi Sandy.
Thank you. Yes we would concur you should bide your time for now – at least until we get into May. It seems like we’re all learning more everyday. Sorry to not have better suggestions. And please stay in touch as we go forward.
Aloha.
My travel plans were not with United but with American Airlines. At first it was frustrating trying to get it all sorted out but
I am happy to report that I was able to choose between a refund or a voucher. The AA voucher offered a 20% bonus if taken in lieu of cash refund and is good for a year from issue. So every 100 in tickets is worth 120 in voucher.
20% extra for not taking a refund may not be enough to cover the huge increases in fares we are likely to see. It would be so much better if they offered the option to re-book within 2 years with NO fare increase. Probably just wishful thinking. But we know fares are going to increase dramatically. Just try booking a flight (pretend) with dates in early 2021. YIKES! Hope all this is sorted out satisfactorily for everyone. Crazy times for all. Take care everyone.
REFUND:
Here is my update.. I had a reservation for April 20th KOA-SEA This flight stopped showing up on the Alaska web site but I had not been contacted. After approx 2 weeks later there was a message to call them as there was a change to my flight.
There now were no flights out of KOA-SEA From April 9-30th.
I spoke with a wonderful rep and I asked for a refund as it was a 1st class non refundable ticket bought in early Feb. She quickly took my information and put the credit on my Alaska CC. I didn’t have to negotiate anything.
We talked a bit and I made another reservation for early May on a main fare and As a MVP I will be seated in priority section with all 3 seats to myself for now with a very low chance of anyone being seated next to me. I love Alaska Airlines.
I highly doubt anyone is flying (on vacation) from the mainland US to Hawaii (or from the US to anywhere else) at anytime in May 2020. People, the 1918 Spanish Flu (which wasn’t Spanish) actually wasn’t put to bed globally until later 1920…that’s two years for those slower in math. Despite all the wonderful optimism, this isn’t going away anytime soon…we have to get through wave one, then have wave two in mid 2020, then wave three in winter 2020, then and only if they come up with a vac cine we might have a shot of eliminating this…although if the ignorant and entitled fools in the US don’t get a real clue, we have lots more to come…mahalo.
I am booked at the Marriott Maui Beach Club for a week starting on June 2nd.
Would you please suggest the best way to determine, as early as possible, whether tourist travel will be authorized as I need to purchase my airline tickets.
Thank You for a response.
Hi Martin.
The only thing you can do now is to wait say until May 1 and see where things are at. We have no other suggestions.
Aloha.
I have a trip booked for May 17th and my flight under Hawaiian (air miles used) is not one of the canceled flights. Due to the mandatory 14 day shelter in place order in Hawaii, it would not even make sense to go. Additionally my reservations at Aulani (points expire in June) has also not yet been canceled by the resort. If I cancel on my own would I lose my points at Aulani and Hawaiian because both have not canceled the reservations at this point?
I had a Hawaiian flight may 21 so
Outside the free change window of May 20. However you cannot book the flight no and under their flight schedule (buried in their website) shows my flight is not flying that day. I called (3 minute wait time) and they told me it was not cancelled. I told them it effectively was and explained why. After a brief hold the agent returned and gave me a refund. Thanks.
Hi Kris.
Thanks for letting us know.
Aloha.
How did you prove this? We are supposed to fly out May 9th from Sacramento and I was on the phone with them for an hour arguing with a supervisor and he pretty much said there is nothing they can do right now.
Go directly to your credit card company. They will ask for proof. I sent them departure and return flight confirmations for wife and self, seat upgrades for same, articles that said they we not flying on our dates. A slow process, but so far both departure and return tickets have be credited, and one set of upgraded seats. Your cc company works for YOU!!!
This is good to know. Thank you.
Follow up….got refund for the last credit for upgraded seats from my credit card company, 26 days before Hawaiian Air would officially declare my May 5th flight cancelled. 100% refund!!! Can now book any future flight when I want, with any airline I want. Highly recommend using your credit card company if you want the freedom to choose, and keep your $$ on your side of the table. No one knows when it will be safe to travel again.
I had a similar issue. My Southwest flight for May 20th from Sacramento to Maui was cancelled. I booked on miles, but my account wasn’t credited after 5 days. I finally had to call and ask what was going on. The website stated that the flight was cancelled, but when I called they said that they were holding it in case I wanted to book another flight – I cancelled the flight. In my case, it was only miles, but it sounded very similar to Zach’s scenario.
I had a flight to Aruba cancelled for June 11 with no notification. I had another flight related to that trip that was automatically rescheduled so I was investigating the times to make sure they still coincided. This is how I found out about the cancelled flight. Not sure when it was cancelled, but I did have to call in order to ask questions about my points.
The fortunate thing with Southwest is that their regular policy is to allow you to rebook within 60 days with no rate increase for a flight that they cancel.
Aloha Lonnell and BoH!
I have a similar issue with two separate Airlines involved. I have been flying SWA between islands, because they have been signifantly cheaper, than HAL, since they started flying inter-island flights. I typically research and schedule my flights to give me enough time to transfer airlines with the least chance of being affected by delays. Basically, I tend to take slightly longer layovers.
That said, my HAL flight was cancelled for 4\16, and I finally did receive a cancellation email letter from HAL a week or so back. HAL has requested not to contact by phone unless flights are within the next 3 days. Therefore, I am waiting closer to my original travel date to negotiate my next travel to Hawaii. This will give me (as Beat of Hawaii has previously noted) more leverage in rebooking.
At the same time, SWA has not cancelled my inter-island flights, but they have rescheduled them twice. The first time was a 50 minute delay (which had no affect on me), and the second time it was rescheduled to before my HAL flight would have landed (an early morning flight). Again, I have not rebooked at this time, because I am hopeful they cancel. I am less worried about SWA, because of their policies, and the fact that I used mileage to fly this trip, so worst case is I only lose $11 dollars or so.
BoH Editors, I will be adressing this in the next week or so, and I can fully detail the process of both airlines (with documentation), so you can have some actual vetted information. If you want to contact me via Email, I can keep in touch with my situation, and provide you with a complete analysis of the process, that I would rather not detail on the public site.
Totally up to you, but I have no issue sharing directly with you guys.
Again, Mahalo for your daily insight, research and updates!
Hi Jim.
Thank you!
We’ll reach out to you separately via email.
Aloha.
Sounds good…We’ll Chat soon!👍
Aloha
Despite the travel ban and quar antine, United still hasn’t cancelled my flight from SFO-OGG on April 2nd. Does anyone have any idea why? Obviously, we’re not going and have held off contacting United in hopes that they’ll cancel and then I can ask for a refund. However, they seem to be playing hardball – even the usually less than consumer friendly American Airlines seems to be far more open and pro-consumer in terms of offering refunds. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to handle this?
Flight scheduled for MAy 4th with 2 other families. We’ve all changed dates for condos, but I’m waiting for best deal for flight… I have 4 people in my party and don’t want to put out $900 in CHANGE fees, even if Hawaiian Air says they’ll pay it back…. 😉
We had flight reservations with Hawaiian Airlines and condo reservations for May2-9, the flights were all cancelled. The condo people worked with us and we are now going in October 2020 at no add’l charges Having been waiting for HA to state that they will be giving refunds as well as re-booking but as of yet they have not posted anything. We have been looking at flights on HA for October 2020 round trip from LAX to Lihue and back. They are super cheap than what we paid orginally. But, if we cancel now and rebook now on-line (rather than calling reservation desk) at the lower rate will we also get a refund? Any responses would be appreciated. Thanks for all the info you have been posting!
Hi Kay.
Thank you. Would suggest you use their new online form to initially pursue your options. Let us know how it goes. https://www.hawaiianairlines.com/OnlineTicketChanges
Aloha.
An update to my comment from 3/28. Have been checking the HA website, there is still nothing about refunds, only cancel and rebook at later date. I broke down and called HA today, was put on hold but for only about 1/2 hr, the representative said still no waiver to cancel and get refund, just waiver for cancel and rebook. She said they are still working on April business, and maybe a little before end of April the waiver for refund will be on the website. Told her about the US DOT statement, and all she would say is that hopefully by end of April they will be offering that. Geezz!!! Going to try and call the credit card company to get our refund that way. Hopefully, they will resolve this mess!!! Thanks again for all your informative info!!
Hi Kay.
Difficult situation. Thanks for the update.
Aloha.
I called Hawaiian with the question on a refund of the fair difference. The answer was no- if you bought a non-refundable fare, you have to pay the difference if the new fare is more but do not get a credit or refund if the rate is less.
This is illegal based on the US DOT rules, they can NOT deny you a refund if they cancelled your flight. They also cannot make you take a flight credit instead of offering a full refund to your purchase method. I am having issues getting a refund too for my cancelled flight. I will look into a class action lawsuit, as others seem to have the same problem.
Hi,
We have (or had) a trip booked for Hawaii for April 29 – 05 May. However, our hotel reservations were cancelled by the hotel. Our departure flight booked 05 May HLN to BWI with Alaska Airlines. Never used the airline, only familiar with SW. Should we initiate the flight cancellation or wait for the airline?
Thank you for your assistance.
Hi Tammy.
Would suggest you go online to the airline’s website for options that should include refund.
Aloha.
We have a flight scheduled for Maui 05/15/20.
We are waiting on HA to send me a confirmation cancellation but have yet to receive anything. In fact our trip still shows as booked. We posptponed our condo rental and that was pretty easy. Wondering why HA hasn’t cancelled our flight.
I have roundtrip flight on Southwest in early April. The outbound flight is still showing up on Southwest’s website. Using fare calendar, Southwest has listed all flights to Kona after April 5th to 30th as “unavailable”, however the flights are not cancel. I contacted them and they said the flight is still not cancel, but it seems like they are not selling tix for them.
Instead they send me a email telling me I can reschedule for free. I would like a refund instead, so I am waiting for them to cancel the flights. Any thoughts? Are they holding out at the last minute to cancel?
I have a flight scheduled from Portland to Maui on May 8th. I went to Hawaiin Airlines website to see about a refund. They do have a site to cancel due to Covid but it only mentions travel credit. Do you have to get deeper into the process before a refund is offered?
How can I get my redound on my canceled flight from Oahu to LAX on March 25 th. I have had no response from HAwaii Air. Please help. Thank you
Hi Ilija.
Have you tried cancelling your ticket online? Here is the link we found for that on their website: https://www.hawaiianairlines.com/OnlineTicketChanges.
Aloha.
I have tickets on Alaska for mid April to Hawaii, using a companion fare. Any thoughts on if the companion fare is likely to be reissued if they cancel the flight? I understand that normally the advice would be to just change the ticket to a different date to keep the companion fare cert. We would be willing to do this, but if it’s likely that we could just wait for the cancellation and get a full refund, plus the reissue of the companion fare, that would be best. This is mainly because we currently have so much money in our Alaska wallet from other cancelled flights. I “think” we can use it all by the various deadlines, but really who knows.
Alaska air addresses the companion fare issue in their blog.
https://blog.alaskaair.com/coronavirus/fly-with-peace-of-mind-flexible-travel-options/
Southwest gave me a chance to rebook any dates for the same price as my May flight so I got 3 weeks from mid July-August for the same price even though those dates were 2x the price.
SW always has worked out for me. I love them.
I made a reservation on AA on 3/10. Though about the situation and decided canceling was the best thing to do. I canceled the very next day- while my flight was still “ pending “ and told I would get a full refund. 10 days later they had not reversed the charged on my card. Called the card company and said AA had claimed the money. So I started a dispute. I now read about this 20% discount offer – and called AA since they haven’t refunded yet. Talked with 2 agents. They have no clue about a 20% discount offer. 😩 frustrating. And no refund yet My flight was for 5/15-6/10. I now see that same flight has only 1 seat available- in first class – 800. Less than what I paid.
We’re booked for a May 31 – June 11 trip to Honolulu and Molokai – any ideas on that far out, as far as cancellations? We are on board with postponing as needed, and encourage others to do the same, the islands need mainlanders and other tourists to stay away for now, but more importantly to come back when it’s safe for everyone to do so. Until then, we can all go to Hawaii Food Basket food shelf online to donate and help the Hawai’ian people who host us, and who are suffering without the business right now, when it’s not safe for them to host visitors. Aloha.
Hi Laura.
We’ll need to wait until it is closer to have any idea how far out cancellations will go. You may have seen that we just posted about Alaska Air and they are seeing adjustments to schedule for several months.
Aloha.
I have a non refundable round trip ticket on Hawaiian Airlines between HNL and HANEDA lv 5/31 and returning mid June. What is the policy for receiving a full refund if the airlines decide to cancel the flight?
Hi! Hawaiian is still offering me a waiver for my April 9 flight only if I rebook to come to Hawaii. You still have to pay the price difference. I think flights would be more $$. I checked Thanksgiving week and it cost 3 times as much as my current flight ($1500) round trip. I don’t plan to rebook this year since I already have another trip planned for this summer. I’m going to wait until Hawaiian cancels my flight. Then ask for refund. I’ve tried to communicate with them through chat but not very effective.
I called in, my flight for April 8 was cancelled. I would have liked a set of tickets at the same price for later but all they offered was a credit, and I need to pay the fare difference, or a refund. I chose refund.
Mahalo for keeping up with ALL of the flight refund info that is coming out it seems like every few hours. Kauai can wait a while (hopefully) for all of us to come back better and stronger!
Aloha!
Hi Scott.
Thank you.
Aloha.
Thank u!! Very informative!! Anything from Delta Airlines? Daughter is graduating in May and we bought tickets to o fly in May.
Hi Kathy.
Thank you. Nothing from the other airlines so far today. Soon.
‘
Aloha.
Aloha! So sorry we had to change our April plans to visit the islands, however we understand the need to protect one another! In regards to our tickets on American, we rebooked for June with no change fee and each ticket was priced $200 higher, which was waived. We have taken a credit for our SWA interisland flight to Hilo, which will be good until June 2021. We are still holding interisland tickets to Maui and Kauai. Mahalo for keeping us updated on the constantly changing Hawaii travel landscape. We continue to hope these strange times come to an end soon for all.
Hi Al.
Thank you.
Aloha.
Hi
I flew on February 22 on 2 Hawaiian Air flights.
After that day I read where a flight attendant on Hawaiian Air had C V. I immediately contacted the HA service center and left a message inquiring the flights this employee was on. I have not received a reply. I am deeply concerned that I could be infected because of this possible exposure.
I sent a second request. Still no reply. What can I do to learn about my possible exposure to C V on an Hawaiian Airplane flight?
That was over a month ago. Surely your body would have told you by now. If that provides no comfort, call your doctor for the same answer.
I agree with Denise.
I still have not heard about possible exposure
Yeah, both United and Hawaiian area taking their sweet time actually cancelling my flights, even though they know that they’re going to have to due to the recent travel restrictions. I’ve been planning on waiting for a refund the whole way. First, who knows if I’ll be able to travel by the time the vouchers expire, and secondly, who knows if this crisis won’t force airlines into bankruptcy? In that case, they probably wouldn’t have to pay me anything. Nope, I’ll wait until the last moment, make them cancel, and then demand a refund. Right now, I could use the money to pay bills, anyway.
If your original flight time has been updated to a different flight time for the same day does it count as a cancellation of original flight? I can’t make the new updated flight time. I am looking for a refund not credit.
Anything about Alaska Airlines? When will they be letting their customers know when their flight is canceled? It looks like nothing has changed on my booked flight for mid April. Thanks.
Hi Kristi.
Nothing yet. We’ll definitely let you know.
Aloha.