Can You Still Transfer Hawaiian Miles to Alaska Airlines?

HawaiianMiles, the loyalty program of Hawaiian Airlines, and Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan are two distinct frequent flyer programs. Transferring miles between them refers to moving points from one account to another, often to consolidate rewards for better redemption value. With Alaska's announced acquisition of Hawaiian Airlines in December 2023, many travelers wonder:can you still transfer Hawaiian miles to Alaska? This matters for frequent flyers aiming to maximize travel rewards amid potential program changes.

Understanding the Programs and Transfer Options

HawaiianMiles rewards flights, partners, and credit card spending with points redeemable for Hawaiian Airlines tickets and select partners. Alaska Mileage Plan similarly covers Alaska Airlines flights and an extensive network. Historically, direct transfers between these programs have not been available, as they operate independently without a formal mile exchange agreement.

Post-acquisition announcement, no direct transfer mechanism exists as of 2024. Regulators have yet to approve the deal, expected mid-2024, and both airlines plan to maintain separate loyalty programs initially. However, indirect transfers remain possible through shared partners like Marriott Bonvoy.

Step-by-Step Indirect Transfer Process

1. Link Accounts:Ensure your HawaiianMiles and Marriott Bonvoy accounts are linked via the Hawaiian Airlines partner page. Do the same for Alaska Mileage Plan on Marriott's site.
2. Earn or Convert to Marriott Points:HawaiianMiles cannot be directly deposited into Marriott, but you can redeem HawaiianMiles for flights and earn Marriott points separately, or use other methods to build Bonvoy points.
3. Initiate Transfer:Log into Marriott Bonvoy. Select "Transfer Points" to partners. Choose Alaska Mileage Plan (ratio typically 3:1, minimum 3,000 Bonvoy points). Note: HawaiianMiles to Bonvoy is not direct; reverse transfers from Bonvoy to Hawaiian exist at 3:1.
4. Confirm and Wait:Transfers take 1-2 days. Expect losses due to ratios (e.g., 60,000 HawaiianMiles might yield fewer effective Alaska miles indirectly).

Note:Ratios and availability can change; always check current terms on partner sites.

Practical Applications and Common Mistakes

Indirect transfers suit users consolidating points for Alaska's strong West Coast and international redemptions. For example, move points to book partner flights like American or British Airways via Alaska. In academics or engineering travel, this optimizes budgets for conferences between Hawaii and mainland U.S.

Avoid mistakes like ignoring transfer minimums (3,000 points), forgetting fees (none for most, but ratios erode value), or assuming merger enables instant direct swaps—it's not yet reality. Track expiration: HawaiianMiles expire after 18 months inactivity; Alaska has no expiration.

Alternatives include elite status matches (offered during merger promotions) or credit card bonuses for new sign-ups.

Final Thoughts

In summary, youcannot directly transfer Hawaiian miles to Alaska, but indirect paths via Marriott Bonvoy work with caveats. Monitor acquisition updates for potential changes. For travel planning involving distances—like Hawaii to Alaska routes (over 2,700 statute miles)—use the free tool atHowToConvertUnits.comfor instant, accurate unit conversions to support precise itineraries.