Options for redeeming award tickets to Hawaii

It can sometimes be tough to book award tickets to Hawaii.  It’s a popular and fun destination.  The beaches, the volcanoes, the warm weather, you just can’t go wrong.  Booking early is key.

There are a lot ways to use miles to get to Hawaii, and you can save a few miles if you know what you are doing.  Below are the majority and best ways to get to Hawaii on miles.

Singapore Airlines

• Economy: 17,500 miles one way or 35,000 miles roundtrip
• Business: 30,000 miles one way or 60,000 miles roundtrip
• First: 40,000 miles one way or 80,000 miles roundtrip

You can use Singapore Airlines Krisflyer miles to book tickets on United Airlines.  There are no fuel surcharges when redeemed for flights on United.  This is the cheapest star alliance option.  You can find availability on United and then call Singapore Airlines to book the ticket.  Since Singapore is a new Ultimate Rewards partner, those points seem to be a little more valuable.

United Airlines

• Economy: 22,500 miles one way or 45,000 miles roundtrip
• Business: 40,000 miles one way or 80,000 miles roundtrip
• First: 50,000 miles one way or 100,000 miles roundtrip

United is your best bet, at least in the Star Alliance.  However, as you can see, it’s better to use partner miles to book on United than it is to use United miles to book on United.

Lufthansa Airlines

• Economy: 20,000 miles one way or 40,000 miles roundtrip
• Business: 35,000 miles one way or 70,000 miles roundtrip
• First: 67,500 miles one way or 125,000 miles roundtrip

Again, you would be using Lufthansa miles to book flights on United.  There are no fuel surcharges.  One ways are allowed.  Lufthansa, along with Singapore Airlines are the lowest mileage options in the Star Alliance.

Air Canada 

• Economy: 22,500 miles one way or 45,000 miles roundtrip
• Business: 40,000 miles one way or 80,000 miles roundtrip
• First: 55,000 miles one way or 110,000 miles roundtrip

The cost is very similar to United Airlines.  One ways are allowed.  No fuel surcharges when redeemed on United airlines

American Airlines

• Offpeak Economy: 17,500 miles oneway or 35,000 miles roundtrip (Valid January 12 – March 13, August 22 – December 15)
• Economy: 22,500 miles oneway or 45,000 miles roundtrip
• Business: 37,500 miles oneway or 75,000 miles roundtrip
• First: 47,500 miles oneway or 95,000 miles roundtrip

Offpeak Economy is one of the most economical awards available.  You can fly on partner airlines Hawaiian and Alaska Airlines.  If you have a Citi AAdvantage credit card, you can get a 10% redemption discount.  So, that 35,000 mile off peak award, could really be just 31,500 miles.  This maybe one of the best options available.

British Airway Avios

From the west coast (California, Oregon, Washington)

• Economy: 12,500 miles one-way or 25,000 miles round trip
• Business: 25,000 miles one-way or 50,000 miles round trip
• First: 37,500 miles one-way or 75,000 miles round trip.

The distance based British Airway Avios is the cheapest options in the One-World alliance if you live on the west coast.  If you live elsewhere, prices will be higher.  You can use Avios to fly on American Airlines or Alaska Airlines.  One of the nice things about Avios is that you can cancel a ticket without any penalties.  See why I love Avios.

US Airways

• Economy: 40,000 miles roundtrip
• Business/First: 80,000 miles roundtrip

You can use US Airways miles to fly on US Airways or partner American Airlines.  One-ways are not allowed.  Keep in mind that there is an additional $50 award processing fee unlike most other airlines.  That in itself makes the redemption value of those miles less than other airlines.

Alaska Airlines

• Economy: 20,000 miles one-way or 40,000 miles round trip
• First: 40,000 miles one-way or 80,000 miles round trip

Alaska has good availability from the West Coast.  One-ways are allowed.  The mileage levels listed are for redemption on Alaska Airlines only.  You will have pay more miles if you fly on American, and the roundtrip price for redemption on Delta is the same

Hawaiian Airlines

• Economy: 20,000 miles one-way or 40,000 miles roundtrip
• First: 40,000 miles one-way or 80,000 miles roundtrip

This redemption level appears to be on par with other airlines.  If you have a Hawaiian Airlines mastercard, you can get 5000 mile discount on roundtrip award redemptions.  You will pay a little more (45,000 miles roundtrip) for redemption on partner American Airlines.

Delta Airlines

• Economy: 45,000 miles roundtrip
• Business/First: 80,000 miles roundtrip

It’s always pretty challenging to find a low level award ticket on Delta.  One-ways are not allowed (yet).  It’s one of my least favorite airlines for award redemptions.  However, since Alaska Airlines is a partner, you maybe able to find an award to fly Alaska Airlines to Hawaii.

Korean Airlines

• Economy: 30,000 miles roundtrip
• First: 60,000 miles roundtrip

Korean Airlines redemptions to Hawaii are a great deal, if you can book them.  You can fly on partners Alaska or Hawaiian Airlines.  One way redemptions are allowed on Alaska, but not on Hawaiian.  Korean Airlines awards take time to book.  You have to fax in requests and there is some lead time.

So, there you have it.  I believe those are the majority of redemption options if you are trying to get to Hawaii using miles.  Singapore Airlines miles, Avios, and Korean Airlines are pretty economical compared to other.  American airlines off peak are great as well.