Hawaii has always been that dream destination where crystal-clear beaches meet epic volcanoes and laid-back island vibes. But let's be honest — the flight costs from California can be eye-watering. Round-trip tickets often run $400-800 per person, and that's before you even step foot on the islands.

Here's the good news: with the right points and miles strategy, you can get to paradise without breaking the bank. I've spent countless hours researching the best redemption options, and there are some genuinely amazing deals hiding in plain sight. Whether you're planning a romantic getaway to Maui or a family adventure across multiple islands, this guide will show you exactly how to book those flights using points and miles.

If you're new to using points and miles for travel, you might want to start with our comprehensive guide to maximizing travel rewards to understand the basics before diving into Hawaii-specific strategies.

Quick Answer: The Best Hawaii Redemption Options

For travelers departing from California, here are the top point and mile redemption strategies:

Best Overall Value: Alaska Airlines flights for 15,000-20,000 miles one-way, especially with the new Hawaiian Airlines integration.

Best for Beginners: Southwest Rapid Rewards points (21,500-30,000 points round-trip during sales) with no blackout dates.

Hidden Gem: Singapore KrisFlyer miles for just 13,500 miles one-way on Alaska flights from the West Coast.

Why Hawaii Points Redemptions Are Worth It

Before diving into specific strategies, let's talk about why using points for Hawaii makes so much sense. Unlike some domestic routes where cash prices can be surprisingly low, Hawaii flights maintain consistently high prices year-round. This creates excellent redemption opportunities where your points deliver outsized value.

For example, a typical economy flight from Los Angeles to Honolulu costs $500-700 cash but only 15,000-25,000 miles through various programs. That's potentially 2-3 cents per mile in value — well above what most points are worth for other redemptions.

The key is understanding which programs offer the best rates and how recent airline mergers (looking at you, Alaska and Hawaiian) have created new opportunities that many travelers haven't discovered yet.

Top Airline Programs for Hawaii Travel

Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan: The New King of Hawaii Redemptions

Alaska Airlines has become the undisputed champion for Hawaii redemptions, especially after their acquisition of Hawaiian Airlines. Here's why this program should be at the top of your list:

Award Pricing: 15,000-20,000 miles one-way for economy flights from California to Hawaii Sweet Spot: You can now book Hawaiian Airlines flights using Alaska miles at the same rates Transfer Partners: Bilt Rewards (1:1), Marriott Bonvoy (3:1)

The Alaska-Hawaiian merger has been a game-changer. You can now access Hawaiian's extensive inter-island network and use Alaska's famous Companion Fare on Hawaiian flights within North America. That means you can fly from California to Hawaii for just $122 ($99 base fare plus taxes) if you bring a companion.

For more details on how airline companion passes work and their value, check out our complete guide to airline upgrade certificates and companion benefits.

To earn Alaska miles, consider the Alaska Airlines Visa Signature card, which offers the annual Companion Fare benefit after spending $6,000 in your anniversary year. Since Alaska partners with Bilt Rewards, you can also transfer points from other programs.

Southwest Airlines: Simplicity Meets Value

Southwest might not be the flashiest option, but their no-frills approach to Hawaii can deliver serious value, especially if you catch a sale.

Award Pricing: 21,500-35,000 Rapid Rewards points one-way (varies by demand) Sweet Spot: Round-trip flights during sales for under 45,000 points total Transfer Partners: Chase Ultimate Rewards (1:1)

Southwest's dynamic pricing means awards cost more when cash fares are high, but during sales, you can find incredible deals. Plus, Southwest's two free checked bags and no change fees make them particularly family-friendly.

Keep an eye on our latest travel deals for time-sensitive opportunities that can make Hawaii even more affordable.

The real magic happens if you have Southwest's Companion Pass. With this perk, your designated companion flies for just taxes and fees ($11-25) on every Southwest flight, including Hawaii. It's basically a buy-one-get-one-free deal for an entire year.

American Airlines AAdvantage: Consistent Availability

American offers solid award availability to Hawaii, particularly from their West Coast hubs in Los Angeles and Phoenix.

Award Pricing: 20,000-22,500 miles one-way in economy Sweet Spot: Consistent availability even during peak timesTransfer Partners: None for major transferable programs

While American doesn't partner with transferable point programs, they often have better availability than other carriers during peak travel periods. You'll need to earn AAdvantage miles through American Airlines credit cards or by flying with the airline.

British Airways Executive Club: The West Coast Sweet Spot

Here's where things get interesting. British Airways, despite being a UK-based airline, offers one of the best redemption rates for West Coast to Hawaii flights.

Award Pricing: 16,000-22,500 Avios one-way for flights under 3,000 miles Sweet Spot: Booking Alaska or American flights through British Airways Transfer Partners: Chase Ultimate Rewards, American Express Membership Rewards, Bilt Rewards

This works because British Airways uses a distance-based award chart, and California to Hawaii falls into their sweet spot distance band. You can book Alaska Airlines or American Airlines flights for significantly fewer points than if you booked directly with those carriers.

Quick Comparison: Hawaii Redemption Rates

Alaska Mileage Plan

• Economy: 15,000-20,000 miles one-way
• First/Business: 40,000-50,000 miles one-way
• Best for: West Coast to Hawaii routes
• Transfer Partners: Bilt Rewards, Marriott Bonvoy

Southwest Rapid Rewards

• Economy: 21,500-35,000 points one-way
• Premium: Not available
• Best for: California to Hawaii with companion benefits
• Transfer Partners: Chase Ultimate Rewards

American AAdvantage

• Economy: 20,000-22,500 miles one-way
• Business/First: 55,000-67,500 miles one-way
• Best for: LAX/PHX to Hawaii routes
• Transfer Partners: None (direct earning only)

British Airways Avios

• Economy: 16,000-22,500 Avios one-way
• Business/First: 43,000-67,500 Avios one-way
• Best for: Flights under 3,000 miles distance
• Transfer Partners: Chase Ultimate Rewards, Amex Membership Rewards, Bilt Rewards

The Hidden Gems: International Programs

Some of the best Hawaii redemption rates come from international airline programs that most travelers overlook.

Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer

This might be the best-kept secret for Hawaii travel. Singapore's partnership with Alaska Airlines offers incredible value:

Award Pricing: 13,500 miles one-way from Zone 1 (CA, OR, WA) to Hawaii Sweet Spot: Round-trip flights for just 27,000 miles Transfer Partners: Chase Ultimate Rewards, American Express Membership Rewards, Capital One

At 13,500 miles one-way, this represents some of the cheapest awards to Hawaii available anywhere. You can verify current Singapore Airlines award charts and availability on Singapore Airlines' official website.

Korean Air SKYPASS

Another international program with competitive Hawaii rates:

Award Pricing: 17,500 miles one-way on Delta flights Sweet Spot: Fixed award chart not subject to dynamic pricingTransfer Partners: Chase Ultimate Rewards (via Korean Air direct transfers)

Korean Air's program lets you book Delta flights at fixed rates, which can be valuable when Delta's own prices spike during peak season.

Credit Card Strategies for Hawaii Travel

The fastest way to accumulate enough points for Hawaii is through credit card welcome bonuses. Here's how to approach it strategically:

The Capital One Ecosystem

For travelers who want simplicity and flexibility, Capital One miles offer an excellent alternative to complex transfer partner strategies. Capital One's "purchase eraser" feature lets you book any flight and use miles to cover the cost at 1 cent per mile.

Best Cards for Hawaii Travel:

• Capital One Venture X Rewards: 75,000 miles after spending $4,000, plus premium perks like Priority Pass lounge access
• Capital One Venture Rewards: 75,000 miles after spending $4,000 with a lower $95 annual fee

Advanced Strategy: The Venture X earns 5x miles on flights booked through Capital One Travel and 2x on everything else. For a family Hawaii trip, you could book flights directly and use the 5x earning rate, then redeem miles to cover the cost.

Chase Ultimate Rewards (Non-Affiliate Option)

While we don't have affiliate partnerships with Chase, their Ultimate Rewards program remains one of the most flexible for Hawaii travel, transferring to multiple airline partners including Southwest, United, and Singapore Airlines.

American Express Membership Rewards (Non-Affiliate Option)

Similarly, Amex points offer excellent Hawaii redemption opportunities through programs like British Airways, Singapore Airlines, and Delta (though we recommend focusing on programs with better value).

Pro Tip: Until June 30, 2025, you can still transfer Amex points to Hawaiian Airlines at 1:1, then immediately transfer to Alaska Mileage Plan for maximum flexibility.

Real-World Examples: Booking Your Hawaii Trip

Let me walk you through some actual scenarios to show how this works in practice:

Example 1: Family of Four from Los Angeles

Scenario: Round-trip flights LAX to Honolulu for a family of four in summer 2025 Best Strategy: Alaska Airlines via Singapore KrisFlyer Cost: 108,000 KrisFlyer miles total (27,000 × 4 people) How to Get Points: Two Chase Sapphire Preferred bonuses (150,000 UR points) transferred to Singapore

Why This Works: Even during peak summer travel, you'll find availability at these fixed rates. Cash flights for the same itinerary would cost $2,800-3,500 for the family.

Example 2: Couples Trip with Companion Pass

Scenario: Los Angeles to Maui for two people Best Strategy: Southwest Companion Pass + Rapid Rewards points Cost: ~30,000 Rapid Rewards points plus $25 in taxes for companion How to Get Points: Southwest credit card bonus plus strategic spending

Why This Works: The Companion Pass effectively gives you a 50% discount on all Southwest flights, making this the best long-term strategy for couples who travel frequently.

Example 3: Luxury First Class Experience

Scenario: San Francisco to Honolulu in Hawaiian Airlines first class Best Strategy: Alaska Mileage Plan redemptionCost: 40,000 Alaska miles one-way How to Get Points: Bilt Rewards credit card + rent payments

Why This Works: Hawaiian's A330 first class features lie-flat seats and excellent service. Cash tickets for this route typically cost $1,800-2,500, delivering exceptional value at 4-6 cents per mile.

Timing Your Hawaii Redemption

Award availability to Hawaii follows predictable patterns. Here's when to book and when to avoid:

Best Booking Windows

11-12 months out: Airlines release their award inventory, often with the best availability 3-4 months out: Last chance for good availability before peak season 2-3 weeks out: Sometimes find last-minute deals, but risky for popular routes

Seasons to Avoid

Christmas/New Year: Award availability becomes extremely limited Spring Break (March-April): Popular family travel time with inflated award costs Summer (June-August): Peak season with highest demand

Sweet Spot Seasons

Late April/Early May: Post-spring break but before summer rush September-Early November: After summer crowds but before holidays January-February: Post-holiday period with better availability

Advanced Strategies and Pro Tips

The Alaska Companion Fare Strategy

Alaska's famous Companion Fare has become even more valuable with the Hawaiian Airlines integration. Here's how to maximize it:

1. Get an Alaska Airlines credit card that earns the annual Companion Fare
2. Use it on Hawaiian Airlines flights to/from California
3. Book expensive routes where the $122 companion fare provides maximum savings

For example, a round-trip flight from Los Angeles to Honolulu typically costs $600-800 per person. With the Companion Fare, you'll pay full price for one ticket plus $122 for the second — potentially saving $400-600.

For more money-saving travel tips, check out our guide to travel gear essentials to make sure you're prepared for your Hawaii adventure.

The Transfer Partner Shuffle

Sometimes the best rates require transferring points between different programs:

Example Strategy:

1. Transfer Amex points to HawaiianMiles (until June 30, 2025)
2. Immediately transfer HawaiianMiles to Alaska Mileage Plan (1:1 ratio)
3. Book Hawaiian Airlines flights at Alaska's award rates

This roundabout approach can unlock better redemption rates than booking directly through Amex transfer partners.

Multi-City and Stopover Tricks

Some programs allow free stopovers or open-jaws that can add value to your Hawaii trip:

Alaska Airlines: Free stopover allowed on roundtrip awards British Airways: Can combine multiple short segments at the same award rate United Airlines: Excursionist perk allows free one-way within a region

Use these rules to visit multiple Hawaiian islands or add a mainland stopover for the same award price.

Hotel Points Strategy for Hawaii

While this guide focuses on flights, don't overlook hotel points for Hawaii accommodations:

Best Hotel Programs for Hawaii

Hyatt: Excellent properties like Andaz Maui and Grand Hyatt Kauai Marriott: Extensive portfolio including luxury resorts and vacation clubs Hilton: Strong presence with properties on all major islands

Many travelers forget that hotel points often provide better value than airline miles for Hawaii, where resort costs can exceed $500 per night during peak season. The Hawaii Tourism Authority provides official visitor information and seasonal travel data that can help you plan the most cost-effective timing for your trip.

If you're looking to maximize every aspect of your Hawaii trip savings, consider reading our comprehensive guide to travel insurance options to protect your points investment.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

After helping countless travelers book Hawaii trips, here are the most frequent mistakes I see:

Mistake 1: Waiting for "Perfect" Availability

Award seats to Hawaii are competitive. If you find good availability that fits your dates, book it. Don't wait for marginally better options that may never materialize.

Mistake 2: Ignoring Small Airlines

Carriers like Hawaiian Airlines and Southwest often have better availability than the "big three" legacy carriers. Don't overlook them in your search.

Mistake 3: Not Considering Inter-Island Flights

Hawaii travel isn't just about getting to the islands — you might want to visit multiple islands. Factor inter-island flights into your points strategy from the beginning.

Mistake 4: Forgetting About Peak Season Impact

Hawaii has year-round appeal, but certain times are significantly more expensive. Plan around peak seasons or be prepared to pay premium rates.

Planning Your Hawaii Points Strategy

Here's your step-by-step action plan for booking Hawaii flights with points:

Step 1: Determine Your Travel Dates and Flexibility

Hawaii award availability can be limited, especially during peak times. The more flexible you can be with dates, the better your options will be.

Step 2: Choose Your Point Earning Strategy

Based on your current credit card situation and spending patterns, decide whether to focus on:

• Chase Ultimate Rewards for maximum transfer flexibility
• Alaska Airlines miles for the best Hawaii-specific redemptions
• Southwest points for simplicity and companion benefits

Step 3: Start Earning Points Early

Most credit card bonuses require 3-6 months to complete the spending requirement. Start your point accumulation at least 6 months before your intended travel date.

Step 4: Monitor Award Availability

Use tools like Expert Flyer or airline websites to track availability. Set up alerts for your preferred routes and dates. You can also check the Hawaiian Airlines official award chart for current redemption rates.

For ground transportation once you arrive, don't forget to factor in costs like parking if you're planning to rent a car. Our guide to airport parking options can help you save money before you even reach Hawaii.

Step 5: Book When You Find Good Value

Don't overthink it. If you find award availability that works for your dates at a reasonable redemption rate, book it. You can always cancel and rebook if better options appear later.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How far in advance should I book award flights to Hawaii? A: For the best availability, book 11-12 months in advance when airlines release their award inventory. However, good deals can sometimes be found 2-6 months out if you're flexible.

Q: Are Hawaii award flights affected by blackout dates? A: Most major airline programs don't have blackout dates, but availability can be extremely limited during peak periods like Christmas and spring break.

Q: Can I use points to book inter-island flights in Hawaii? A: Yes! Hawaiian Airlines, Southwest, and Alaska Airlines all offer inter-island service that can be booked with points. Typical rates are 7,500-15,000 miles for inter-island flights.

Q: What's the best credit card for earning Hawaii flights? A: It depends on your situation, but the Capital One Venture X Rewards offers excellent flexibility with 5x miles on flights and the ability to redeem miles at 1 cent each for any travel purchase, including Hawaii flights.

Q: Is it better to transfer points or book through credit card portals? A: Generally, transferring to airline partners provides better value, but always compare. Sometimes booking through portals can offer competitive rates, especially during sales. Capital One Travel, for example, allows you to earn 5x miles with the Venture X card and then redeem those miles for any travel purchase.

Q: How does the Alaska-Hawaiian merger affect my existing miles? A: Great news! You can now transfer miles between Alaska Mileage Plan and HawaiianMiles at 1:1 ratios, and the programs are merging completely in October 2025. For the latest updates on the merger benefits, visit Alaska Airlines' official merger page.

Q: Can I earn elite status benefits for Hawaii flights booked with points? A: Yes, award flights typically earn elite qualifying segments and sometimes elite qualifying miles, though usually not revenue-based status credits.

Q: What happens if my award flight gets cancelled? A: Airlines will typically rebook you on the next available flight at no additional cost. Your points will be protected, though you might face schedule changes.

The Bottom Line

Hawaii doesn't have to be an expensive dream destination. With the right points and miles strategy, you can significantly reduce or eliminate the cost of flights from California to the islands.

The key is starting early and being strategic about which programs to focus on. Alaska Airlines has emerged as the clear winner for Hawaii redemptions, especially with their Hawaiian Airlines integration. Southwest offers simplicity and companion benefits, while international programs like Singapore KrisFlyer provide hidden gems for savvy travelers.

Remember, the best redemption is the one that gets you to Hawaii within your budget and timeline. Don't get paralyzed by analysis — sometimes a "good" redemption is better than missing out while searching for the "perfect" one.

Whether you're planning a romantic getaway to Maui, a family adventure on the Big Island, or an island-hopping expedition across the chain, your Hawaii dreams are more attainable than you might think. Start earning those points, watch for award availability, and get ready to experience paradise without the premium price tag.