If you’re looking to get the most out of your travel rewards, it might be the perfect time to dive into the latest promotions from Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan and Hawaiian Airlines HawaiianMiles now. Both programs are running limited-time miles sale promotions that could unlock incredible value for your next trip – whether it’s a luxury getaway or a family vacation. Let’s break it all down and see which one might work best for you.
Understanding The Promotions
Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan: Buy Miles Promotion
Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan has built a strong reputation among frequent travelers. With partners like Cathay Pacific, Qantas, Korean Air, and Starlux Airlines, Alaska Airlines award miles are some of the most versatile out there. As a member of the Oneworld Alliance, it’s easy to use these miles for premium cabin of international flights and more.
Promotion Highlights:
- Bonus: Up to a 60% bonus on purchased miles.
- Deadline: Promotion ends February 21, 2025.
- Cost: 1.85 cents per mile with the bonus (if targeted).
- Purchase Limits: Up to 150,000 miles annually for members without elite status. No cap for member with elite status.
When It Makes Sense To Buy Alaska Airlines Miles:
- Topping Off Your Balance: If you’re close to having enough miles for a dream trip, this promotion can help fill the gap.
- Scoring Premium Seats: Alaska Airlines miles are fantastic for business-class tickets on partners like Japan Airlines, Condor and Starlux Airlines. For example, flying Japan Airlines Business Class from US West Coast to Tokyo costs 75,000 miles one-way, but the cash price can be over $10,000.
- Stopovers: Alaska Airlines program allows stopovers on one-way award tickets. This means you can visit two destinations for the price of one. Look at the tickets we redeemed in the picture: Frankfurt to Tokyo, stopover for 14 days, then continued the trip from Tokyo to Seoul in South Korea on Japan Airlines business class at 85,000 miles one way per person.
Hawaiian Airlines: Buy Miles Promotion
Hawaiian Airlines is the go-to for travel to, from, and within Hawaii. With its recent integration with Alaska Airlines, HawaiianMiles program is more versatile than ever. While the program is focused on Hawaii, there are some hidden perks worth exploring.
Promotion Highlights:
- Bonus: Get a 50% bonus on purchased miles.
- Deadline: Promotion ends February 21, 2025.
- Cost: 1.87 cents per mile with the bonus applied.
- Purchase Limits: Up to 150,000 miles annually.
When It Makes Sense To Buy HawaiianMiles:
- Hawaii Travel & Main Cabin Options: HawaiianMiles is an excellent choice for flights to Hawaii or island-hopping between destinations. A one-way main cabin ticket between islands now costs just 6,500 miles. (Following the merger, the award rate has been standardized across both Hawaiian Airlines and Alaska Airlines programs. Previously, it was 7,500 HawaiianMiles) For co-branded credit card holders and elite members, discounted awards are available at an even lower rate of 6,351 miles. These exclusive rates provide added value for loyal customers. Be sure to check out the updated Hawaiian Airlines award chart!
- Backdoor to Alaska Airlines: Hawaiian Airlines HawaiianMiles could transfer award miles to Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan with 1:1 ratio. If you’re not targeted for Alaska Airlines 60% bonus or you’ve hit the annual cap, Hawaiian Airlines’ promotion offers an alternative way to build your balance.
- Sharing Award Miles: Hawaiian Airlines HawaiianMiles let you share miles with friends or family for free if you’re a co-branded credit card holder. This makes pooling miles for a big trip much easier and more cost-effective than Alaska Airlines program.
Route Examples And Best Uses
After the merger, Hawaiian Airlines award tickets are now available on the Alaska Airlines platform. Award redemption rates are the same in both programs, especially the gap between Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines promotions in January 2025 gets closer to each other, so please calculate before you decide which program to buy, and take note of “When It Makes Sense to Buy Which” written above. That said, Here’s how you could use miles from each program:
Honolulu – Sydney: Hawaiian Airlines
Hilo (ITO) – Maui (OGG): Hawaiian Airlines
Seattle – Tokyo (Narita): Hawaiian Airlines
Perth – Brisbane: Qantas
Alaska Airlines vs Hawaiian Airlines: Side-By-Side Comparison
| Feature | Alaska Airlines | Hawaiian Airlines |
| Bonus Percentage | Up to 60% | 50% |
| Effective Cost per Mile | 1.85¢ (with 60% bonus) | 1.87¢ (with 50% bonus) |
| Transfer to Alaska Miles | Not applicable | Yes (1:1 ratio) |
| Best Use Case | Premium redemptions, stopovers | Hawaiian redemptions, Alaska transfers |
| Program Flexibility | Broad partner network, premium value | Niche focus, transfer potential |
| In-Flight Amenities | Varies by partner airlines | Starlink Wi-Fi on A330 fleet |
Which One Should You Choose?
Ultimately, the right promotion depends on your travel goals:
- If you’re aiming for premium cabins of international flights, Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan is unbeatable for its low redemption requirements and valuable partner redemptions.
- If you’re planning a Hawaii-centric trip, Hawaiian Airlines HawaiianMiles deliver exceptional value for inter-island flights and business class travel on their new Boeing 787 aircraft.
- If you’re looking for flexibility, Hawaiian Airlines HawaiianMiles’ ability to transfer to Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan opens up additional opportunities, especially if you’re not targeted for top bonus miles sale promotion of Alaska Airlines.
Other Ways To Earn Alaska Airlines & Hawaiian Airlines Award Miles
Alaska Airlines Co-branded Credit Card from Bank of America
Hawaiian Airlines Co-branded Credit Card from Barclays
Next Steps:
- Crunch The Numbers: Compare the cost of buying miles to the cash price of your desired ticket.
- Think Long-Term Goal: Consider upcoming trips and whether topping off or transferring miles aligns with your plans.
- Act Fast: These promotions end on February 21, 2025!
No matter which program you choose, these promotions can set the stage for unforgettable travel experiences. Happy planning and safe travels! ✈️
Final Thoughts
Both Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines promotions offer unique advantages, but the best choice depends on how you plan to use your miles. Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan is ideal for those seeking premium travel experiences with global partners, while Hawaiian Airlines HawaiianMiles shines for Hawaii-focused travel and as a strategic way to bolster your Alaska Airlines award miles balance.
