In what may be one of the lowest prices for airline miles, Hawaiian Airlines currently has miles on sale with a 100% bonus, effectively bringing the cost down to just under 1.3 cents per mile.
Thanks to Alaska’s recent acquisition of Hawaiian, travelers can transfer Hawaiian miles directly to Alaska’s Mileage Plan at 1:1. This presents a promising opportunity for those eyeing Hawaii flights and other destinations. See: Finding Your Strategy Following Merger of Alaska/Hawaiian Miles.
But is this sale as fantastic a one-time offer as it appears, or could it also hint at possible changes to Hawaiian award redemptions within the combined airline program that lies ahead in 2025?
Alaska’s strategy: Low-cost miles with potential future implications.
Alaska Airlines has long been known as a savvy operator with one of the airline industry’s most highly valued loyalty programs. Offering miles at such a low cost could be a strategic move, especially as it anticipates heightened travel demand. However, industry trends raise questions about whether this sale might signal potential shifts in Alaska’s Mileage Plan.
While no formally announced changes have been made to the evolving Alaska-Hawaiian program, could this sale indicate that Alaska might soon adjust availability or award rates for Hawaii flights, making miles less valuable than they appear today?
Should you buy Hawaiian miles? Weighing the pros and cons.
This unique opportunity allows travelers to acquire Alaska miles through Hawaiian Airlines at a rare, low cost, but knowing when to buy is key. Here are some important factors to consider:
1. Great for immediate redemption plans and top-ups:
If you’re planning a trip to Hawaii, Asia, or Europe, Hawaiian and Alaska Airlines’ current redemption rates offer valuable options among U.S. airlines.
For instance, a one-way economy ticket from the West Coast to Hawaii on Hawaiian Airlines can be booked for as few as 17,500 Hawaiian miles each way, potentially costing about $200 if bought during this points sale. While that’s a reasonable price, it may not be exceptional.
Buying miles is also a very useful way to reach the necessary miles for a redemption if you’re just shy of the amount needed. And and this price, that may make the most sense.
2. Less ideal if purchasing to hold on to.
Alaska and other airlines’ recent program updates for 2025 suggest that changes are on the horizon, potentially affecting these programs’ value propositions. Given the possibility of future adjustments, buying miles purely to save for distant plans may not offer the best returns.
In the world of too many loyalty programs, it’s tempting to think of miles like a savings account, but holding onto them can work against you.
Airline miles are subject to devaluations as loyalty programs adjust availability and award rates, and Alaska is no exception. While acquiring miles at a low cost may seem like an investment, the best strategy may be to “earn and burn”—use them promptly to secure maximum value before potential adjustments. With Alaska and Hawaiian’s combined program evolving, now could be the time to spend rather than save.
The bottom line is that holding onto miles is not considered a good strategy if you don’t have specific travel plans.
How this offer stacks up against competitors.
Alaska’s Mileage Plan has historically been a standout, offering non-revenue-based rewards that buck the trend of other major U.S. airlines. Recently, many carriers have leaned toward less favorable conversion rates, reducing mileage value.
If Alaska does make changes, this would align it more closely with its competitors. Still, until changes are confirmed, Alaska is considered one of the best programs for maximizing mileage value, especially for premium travel with Oneworld partners.
Final thoughts on this Alaska/Hawaiian points sale.
The sale on Hawaiian miles, transferable to Alaska’s Mileage Plan, is an enticing offer that could benefit certain savvy travelers. The low price and ability to transfer miles to Alaska make this an unusual opportunity, particularly for those immediately planning trips to Hawaii, Asia, or Europe.
Yet, while the deal is compelling, Alaska’s reputation as a forward-thinking and shrewd airline hints at the potential for upcoming changes, making it wise for buyers to consider near-term redemptions rather than accumulating miles without clear travel plans.
For those ready to book, this sale offers a cost-saving way to top up and lock in flights or upgrades before the program’s value shifts.
What’s your strategy for buying miles?
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Bigger picture here which most are overlooking…if they sell a ton of miles, even if on the “cheap” – then this looks good on the books and helps justify the acquisition.
It’s no coincidence they’ve been pushing miles purchases for a few months now, will help their stock price…
The current value of Alaska Airlines miles is 1.3 cents per mile, according to Alexa.
Quick PSA on the today 11/7 only opportunity to buy Alaska miles for 1.0 cent/mile, *if you have the BOA Alaska credit card. BOA is running their More Rewards Day promo. So you can earn 3 miles/dollar on all purchases and given their are many cash transactions that can pay for 3% fee, it’s equivalent to paying 1 cents/miles. In my case, I’ll pay my condo association fees and child care expenses to max out the deal.
If they guaranteed redemption value for these purchases miles, I’d be on board. But as you say, devaluations continue to decrease the value of a mile, and there are no guarantees.
I hope to hear that Alaska Airlines will furnish flights from Hawaii to American Samoa, roundtrip and one-way.
Hawaiian Airlines has served American Samoa with their continued Aloha/Alofa spirit for a long time.
We love their service, compassion, safety, and concerns for our humble Islands of American Samoa.
Fa’afetai tele lava, Mahalo Nui Loa, and, Thank you.
Too bad hey do not honor their offers of mileage! We met the requirements and they are vague about how we joined effecting the rewards. Until they tell me we had to join with Barclays which we did! Now I do not get any responses! False advertising!
Anyone know how smooth the transfer process is? I don’t want to buy the miles and have them stuck in Hawaiian’s program if it doesn’t go easily.
There were reports of two letter first or last names having problems, otherwise it is straight forward to do. I was able to transfer 200K between the programs from AMEX no issue last week. Probably give yourself a day between opening any new reward accounts and trying to transfer to avoid fraud flags.
I grabbed miles and am booking my flights on HA before anything else changes. Thanks for the heads-up.
Honestly, even if Alaska raises redemption rates, this is good for me for use on Hawaiian! I bought just enough for topping up – I was just short for a free trip.
Call me skeptical. Feels like low prices might mean changes for Alaska’s award program going forward. If I was ready to buy tix this week maybe, otherwise, I pass.
Seems like a good enough deal, but I’m cautious due to the difficulties I’ve had finding flights using miles on Alaska. Thoughts?
Just bought miles so I’ll have enough for our family trip to Hawaii next summer. Now fingers crossed it all works. Thanks for suggestion.
I love the low rate! But I’m wondering if it’s actually worth it too. Anyone have experience with how easy Alaska redemptions are to find?
Alaska’s Mileage Plan, relevant terms and conditions:
“The number of miles required to redeem an award shall be that number of miles set by Alaska Airlines when miles are redeemed for the award, not when mileage is accrued. Notifications or changes concerning the procedures for redeeming mileage, accruing mileage, mileage award levels, and membership rules will be published by Alaska Airlines and will be available at http://www.alaskaair.com. Members will be deemed to accept these conditions of membership, in their then-current form, each time they redeem miles for an award, regardless of the award levels and rules in effect at the time the miles were accrued.”
And:
“Any and all changes in the conditions of membership, including rules regarding the number of miles needed for a Mileage Plan award, are retroactive and apply to all previously accumulated mileage.
The accumulation of mileage in a member’s account does not entitle the member to any vested rights ….”
However, you fail to mention the “bought miles” don’t count toward 2024 status-qualifying.
Can you use Alaskan miles toward Hawaiian flight?