Should I Transfer Hawaiian Miles to Alaska Airlines?

The question "should I transfer Hawaiian miles to Alaska" has gained attention since Alaska Airlines announced its acquisition of Hawaiian Airlines in late 2023, with the merger nearing completion as of 2024. HawaiianMiles and Alaska Mileage Plan are loyalty programs rewarding frequent flyers with points redeemable for flights, upgrades, and more. Transferring miles refers to moving your HawaiianMiles balance into Alaska's program, but this process is not straightforward. Understanding the mechanics helps travelers decide if consolidating points makes sense for their travel goals.

HawaiianMiles, Hawaiian Airlines' program, excels in redemptions for inter-island Hawaii flights and partner awards within the former Hawaiian partnership network. Alaska Mileage Plan, on the other hand, uses a distance-based earning model and offers strong value on oneworld partners, especially after Hawaiian joins oneworld in 2024. Why consider a transfer? It could simplify accounts amid the merger, access better redemption options, or capitalize on promotional sweet spots. Real-world use cases include frequent Hawaii visitors wanting Alaska's expansive partner chart or business travelers leveraging oneworld availability.

Currently,direct transfers from HawaiianMiles to Alaska Mileage Plan are not available. Unlike transferable currencies like Chase Ultimate Rewards or American Express Membership Rewards, these airline-specific miles do not support one-to-one or promotional transfers between the two programs. The airlines have stated that both loyalty programs will operate independently post-merger, at least initially, preserving mile balances without forced conversions. This means you cannot move your HawaiianMiles balance to Alaska at any ratio—typically 1:1 or otherwise—through official channels.

Instead, focus on partnership benefits. HawaiianMiles members can redeem on Alaska flights and select partners, while Alaska miles work on Hawaiian routes. Here's a step-by-step example for effective use without transfer:

1. Check your balance:Log into your HawaiianMiles account at hawaiianairlines.com and note available miles.
2. Search awards:Use Alaska's website or app to find flights on Hawaiian metal, pricing in Mileage Plan miles (e.g., Hawaii to West Coast often 15,000–20,000 miles one-way in economy).
3. Book strategically:If better value exists, earn toward Alaska miles via credit cards or flights, rather than transferring.
4. Monitor promotions:Watch for merger-related bonuses, like matched elite status, which indirectly boost value.

For instance, a round-trip from Honolulu (HNL) to Seattle (SEA) might cost 30,000 HawaiianMiles plus fees. The equivalent in Alaska miles could be similar or lower during low-demand periods, highlighting program differences without needing a transfer.

Practical applications span leisure and business travel. Engineers or researchers attending conferences in Hawaii benefit from Hawaiian's regional expertise, while Alaska's global reach suits international routes. Daily users planning family vacations compare redemption charts: Alaska often yields 1.5–2 cents per mile value on partners, versus Hawaiian's 1.2–1.5 cents on core routes.

Common mistakes to avoid include assuming merger equals automatic transfer—miles retain value but stay separate. Another pitfall: depleting HawaiianMiles on low-value redemptions before exploring partner options. Always calculate potential value using tools like award charts, and consider expiration policies (HawaiianMiles expire after 18 months inactivity; Alaska has none).

In summary, you generally should not plan to transfer Hawaiian miles to Alaska due to lack of direct options, but leverage partnerships for cross-redemptions. Evaluate based on your routes, elite status, and program strengths—Alaska for distance awards, Hawaiian for islands. For quick calculations on flight distances in miles or other units, use the free converter atHowToConvertUnits.comto inform travel planning with precise measurements.