How to Merge Hawaiian and Alaska Miles

In the world of airline loyalty programs, understandinghow to merge Hawaiian and Alaska milesis key for frequent travelers. Hawaiian Airlines' HawaiianMiles and Alaska Airlines' Mileage Plan operate separately, but their partnership—strengthened by Alaska's pending acquisition of Hawaiian—allows account linking to combine earning and redemption benefits. Direct mile-to-mile transfers are not available, but linking accounts effectively merges your rewards strategy across both programs.

This matters for real-world travel, such as booking flights between Hawaii and the U.S. mainland, or international routes via partners like Japan Airlines. Consolidated earning power helps reach elite status or award redemptions faster, saving hundreds on airfare.

Understanding the Programs

HawaiianMilesrewards flights on Hawaiian Airlines and partners, with miles valued at about 1.3 cents each for economy redemptions. Points accrue based on distance flown or fare class.

Alaska Mileage Planis distance-based, earning 100% of miles flown on Alaska metal, plus bonuses for elite status. Miles are highly valuable (around 1.7 cents each) due to partner redemptions on American, British Airways, and others.

The partnership, launched in late 2023, enables reciprocal earning: Credit Hawaiian flights to Mileage Plan (and vice versa) at 100% rates. Elite benefits like upgrades also cross-pollinate.

Step-by-Step Guide to Linking Accounts

Linking is the closest method tohow to merge Hawaiian and Alaska miles. Follow these steps:

1. Create or log in to accounts:Ensure you have active HawaiianMiles (hawaiianair.com/miles) and Mileage Plan (alaskaair.com/mileageplan) profiles.
2. Link from Alaska side:Log into Mileage Plan at alaskaair.com. Go to "Profile" > "Frequent flyer programs" > "Add partner program." Enter your HawaiianMiles number and last name. Verify via email if prompted.
3. Link from Hawaiian side:Log into HawaiianMiles at hawaiianair.com. Navigate to "Profile" > "Frequent flyer info" > "Partners." Add your Mileage Plan number.
4. Book flights with linkage:When booking on alaskaair.com or hawaiianair.com, select the preferred program at check-in or credit request. Retroactive credits are possible within 9 months (Alaska) or 6 months (Hawaiian).
5. Monitor combined progress:Use app dashboards to track earnings toward a single redemption goal.

Practical Example

Suppose you have 20,000 HawaiianMiles and 30,000 Mileage Plan miles. Fly Honolulu (HNL) to Seattle (SEA), a 2,400-mile route. Without linking, credit only to one program. Linked, credit to Mileage Plan for 2,400 miles + status bonus, pushing toward a 50,000-mile partner award. Redeem Alaska miles on Hawaiian flights starting at 15,000 one-way inter-island.

Applications span leisure travel (Hawaii vacations), business (West Coast-Hawaii routes), and academics (conference travel with reimbursements).

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Entering incorrect frequent flyer numbers—double-check before flights.
• Forgetting retroactive claims; submit promptly post-flight.
• Assuming miles auto-merge; balances remain separate, but earning unifies.
• Ignoring partner redemptions; use Alaska miles for Hawaiian premium cabins at fixed rates.

Future Considerations

With regulatory approval expected in 2024, full integration may allow true merging. Until then, linking maximizes value.

In summary,how to merge Hawaiian and Alaska milescenters on account linking for seamless earning and redemption. This approach consolidates your loyalty without transfers. For quick calculations like statute miles to kilometers on travel plans, use the free tool at HowToConvertUnits.com for instant, accurate results.