What the Hawaiian Miles Card Does

The Hawaiian Miles credit card is issued by Hawaiian Airlines and lets you earn miles toward flights on Hawaiian Airlines and its partner carriers. You earn miles on every purchase you make with the card, and you can redeem those miles for flights, seat upgrades, and other travel perks. The card also comes with benefits like checked baggage discounts and priority boarding, though these vary depending on which version of the card you hold.

Unlike some airline cards that give you a flat cash-back rate, this card ties your rewards directly to Hawaiian Airlines' frequent flyer program. That means the value of your miles depends on how you use them — a mile might be worth more or less depending on the flight you book and when you book it.

Key Takeaways

  • You earn miles on purchases, but the earning rate and annual fee depend on which version of the Hawaiian Miles card you choose.
  • Miles can be redeemed for Hawaiian Airlines flights and partner airline flights, but availability and pricing vary by route and season.
  • The card includes perks like baggage fee waivers and priority boarding, though the specific benefits differ between card tiers.
  • Redeeming miles for flights often costs more miles during peak travel times than during off-peak periods.
  • The card makes the most sense if you live in Hawaii, fly Hawaiian Airlines regularly, or have family there you visit often.

How Many Miles You Earn and What the Annual Fee Is

The earning rate and annual fee for the Hawaiian Miles card change periodically and depend on which card version you hold. Some versions earn a higher rate on Hawaiian Airlines purchases and a lower rate on everything else, while others offer a flat earning rate across all purchases. The annual fee ranges depending on the card tier, and some versions waive the first year's fee.

Before you explore, check the current terms directly from Hawaiian Airlines' website or the card issuer's site, because these details shift and vary. The card issuer will also show you the APR (the interest rate you pay if you carry a balance), which typically ranges from around 17% to 24% depending on your credit score.

What You Can Buy With Your Miles

Miles redeem primarily for flights on Hawaiian Airlines and its partner carriers, which include carriers like American Airlines, Alaska Airlines, and others depending on the partnership at the time. You can also use miles to upgrade your seat from economy to first class on Hawaiian Airlines flights, though the number of miles required varies by route.

Some programs let you use miles for hotel stays or car rentals through their travel partners, but the value you get is often lower than booking those directly with cash. Check the Hawaiian Airlines website for the current list of what you can redeem miles toward, since partnerships and redemption options change.

How Much Your Miles Are Actually Worth

A Hawaiian Airlines mile does not have a fixed dollar value. Instead, the value depends on which flight you book and when. A mile might be worth 1 cent on a short flight during a slow season, or it might be worth 2 cents or more on a popular route during peak travel times. This is called dynamic pricing, and it means the same number of miles can get you very different flights.

To figure out whether using miles makes sense for a specific flight, divide the number of miles required by the cash price of the ticket. If the flight costs $300 and requires 30,000 miles, each mile is worth about 1 cent. If another flight costs $400 and requires 30,000 miles, each mile is worth about 1.3 cents on that flight. Compare that value to what you earn on the card's annual fee and other costs to decide if the card pays for itself.

When the Card Makes Financial Sense

The Hawaiian Miles card works best if you fly Hawaiian Airlines at least a few times a year or live in Hawaii and visit the mainland regularly. The annual fee means you need to earn enough miles to offset it, which typically requires spending several thousand dollars per year on the card. If you fly Hawaiian Airlines once every two years, the card probably costs you more than it saves.

The card also makes more sense if you have family or a home in Hawaii, because you have a predictable reason to fly there. If you only fly Hawaiian Airlines occasionally for random trips, a cash-back card that gives you 2% back on all purchases might save you more money than paying an annual fee for a card whose miles may be hard to use.

How to Redeem Miles for a Flight

Log into your Hawaiian Airlines frequent flyer account on their website or app and search for flights using the "award travel" or "redeem miles" option instead of the regular booking tool. The search will show you how many miles each flight costs. Once you find a flight you want, you can book it right there using your miles balance.

Some flights have limited award availability, meaning they are not open to mile redemptions even though the flight itself has empty seats. This is especially true on popular routes during peak travel times. If you do not see the flight you want available for miles, try searching for different dates or times, or call Hawaiian Airlines to ask whether they can help you find an alternative.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do my miles expire if I do not use them?

Hawaiian Airlines' frequent flyer program has specific rules about mile expiration. Check their website or call their customer service line to confirm the current policy, as these rules change. Generally, miles may expire if your account is inactive for a certain period, though activity can include earning miles through the credit card.

Can I transfer my miles to someone else?

Some airline programs let you transfer miles to family members or friends, usually for a fee. Hawaiian Airlines' rules on transfers change, so check their frequent flyer program page for current details on whether transfers are allowed and what they cost.

What happens if I carry a balance on the card?

If you do not pay your full balance each month, you pay interest at the card's APR, which is typically 17% to 24%. The interest charges will likely exceed the value of any miles you earn, so carrying a balance almost always costs you money. Pay the full balance each month to avoid interest.

Is the sign-up bonus worth it?

Some versions of the Hawaiian Miles card offer a sign-up bonus of miles after you spend a certain amount in the first few months. Calculate whether those bonus miles are worth more than the annual fee. If the bonus is 50,000 miles and the annual fee is $95, you need those miles to be worth at least 0.19 cents each for the deal to break even.

Can I use miles on flights to places other than Hawaii?

Yes. Hawaiian Airlines has partner airlines and routes beyond Hawaii. You can redeem miles for flights on partner carriers and for Hawaiian Airlines flights to the mainland and other destinations. Check the award availability search on Hawaiian Airlines' website to see which routes accept mile redemptions.