From the dramatic cliffs of Kauai’s Nā Pali Coast to the sun-soaked beaches of Maui and the energy of Honolulu, Hawaii continues to be one of the most rewarding destinations for points and miles travelers. While cash prices to the islands can be sky-high, you can travel to Hawaii using airlines miles for just a fraction of the cost.
In this guide, we’ll break down the best ways to fly to Hawaii using points and miles—from the absolute cheapest redemption to the easiest programs to use—and show you which credit cards can get you there fastest. If you want to check out our hotel review, see here.
Why Hawaii Is a Great Use of Miles
Hawaii is part of the U.S., which means no passport or visa is required for U.S. travelers. But it’s still over 2,500 miles from the West Coast—and much farther from the Midwest and East Coast. For comparison, it takes longer to get to Hawaii from the East Coast than Europe. This means tickets aren’t exactly cheap, especially for families. That makes it the perfect use of airline miles, especially when you can score partner sweet spots or a credit card bonus.
While this guide focuses on flights into Honolulu (HNL), most tips apply to flights to Maui (OGG), Kona (KOA), and Lihue (LIH) as well.
1. Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles (United Flights)
20,000 miles round-trip — best overall value
Turkish Airlines offers one of the most underrated sweet spots for travel to Hawaii using airlines miles. You can book round-trip economy flights to Hawaii on United Airlines for just 20,000 miles + ~$11 in taxes—from anywhere in the continental U.S.
Example:
- ORD to HNL on United: 20,000 miles + $11 roundtrip
- Same flight on United.com: 45,000+ miles
How to book:
- Search saver-level United award availability
- Call Turkish or email to book (online tool is spotty). Be ready to spend hours on phone.
- Hold award space before transferring
Transfer partners:
- Citi ThankYou, Capital One (1:1)
- Bilt Rewards
Best cards to earn miles:
- Citi Strata Premier
- Capital One Venture X
- Bilt Mastercard
2. Finnair Plus (American or Alaska Flights)
27,000–30,000 miles round-trip — best for East Coast or regional airports
Finnair Avios can be used to book flights on American or Alaska Airlines to Hawaii. Prices start at 13,500 miles one-way on Alaska and 15,000 on American. Connecting flights are allowed.
Example:
- BOS to OGG via PHX on American: 30,000 miles + $11
- SEA to HNL on Alaska: 27,000 miles + $11 roundtrip
How to book:
- Search American or Alaska saver space
- Use BA.com to check availability, then contact Finnair via chat to book
Transfer partners:
- Amex, Chase, Capital One, Citi (via BA/Qatar Avios)
Best cards to earn miles:
- Chase Sapphire Preferred, Amex (go through BA)
- Capital One Venture
- Amex Gold
3. Avianca LifeMiles (United Flights)
30,000–40,000 miles round-trip — easy online booking
Avianca LifeMiles offers another great way to book United flights to Hawaii—without the email or phone calls required by Turkish.
Example:
- LAX to HNL on United: 30,000 miles + ~$10
- JFK to KOA on United: 40,000 miles + ~$10
How to book:
- Search and book directly on LifeMiles.com
- Transfers are instant and taxes are low
Transfer partners:
- Amex, Citi, Capital One, Bilt (1:1)
Best cards to earn miles:
- Amex Gold
- Citi Premier
- Bilt Mastercard
4. Singapore KrisFlyer (United Flights)
39,000 miles round-trip — flexible but limited
Singapore KrisFlyer lets you book United flights to Hawaii for 19,500 miles one-way in economy. Availability can be limited but it’s a useful backup. It’s a flat rate from anywhere in the US, so it can be useful if you are flying from the east coast.
Example:
- DEN to HNL: 39,000 KrisFlyer miles + ~$11 roundtrip
How to book:
- Search United saver space
- Select “Star Alliance” on the Singapore site
Transfer partners:
- Amex, Chase, Citi, Capital One, Bilt
5. Southwest Rapid Rewards
Variable pricing — great with Companion Pass
Southwest award pricing is tied to cash fares, so redemption costs vary. If you find a low fare, you could fly roundtrip for as little as 10,000 points.
Example:
- NYC to HNL: 14,500 points + $11
- LAX to HNL: 10,000+ points + $11
Bonus: Add a Companion Pass and bring a guest for just $11 roundtrip.
Transfer partners:
- Chase Ultimate Rewards (1:1)
Best cards:
- Chase Sapphire Preferred (flexible)
- Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus/Premier/Priority
6. Air Canada Aeroplan (United Flights)
30,000–50,000 miles roundtrip — simple and reliable
Aeroplan is a go-to option for booking United flights to Hawaii when you want simplicity. From the West Coast, expect to pay 30,000 miles, and 50,000 from the East. It will cost you more in taxes than AA or United.
Example:
- LAX to HNL: 30,000 miles + ~$95 CAD
- EWR to OGG: 50,000 miles + ~$95 CAD
Transfer partners:
- Amex, Chase, Capital One, Bilt (1:1)
Best cards:
- Amex Platinum
- Chase Sapphire Preferred
- Capital One Venture X
- Bilt
7. British Airways Executive Club
40,000–76,000 miles roundtrip — best for nonstop West Coast routes
British Airways prices awards by distance and per segment, so nonstop flights from the West Coast are ideal. It used be a great redemption but not anymore.
Example:
- PHX to HNL on American: 40,000 Avios roundtrip
- JFK to HNL (with a connection): 76,000+ Avios
Transfer partners:
- Amex, Chase, Capital One, Bilt (1:1)
Tip: Consider transferring to Finnair or Qatar to lower redemption costs
8. HawaiianMiles (Hawaiian Airlines)
22,856–60,000+ miles roundtrip
If you’re near a city with nonstop Hawaiian Airlines service, this can be a solid option. Pricing is dynamic and usually cheaper from the West for your travel to Hawaii using airlines miles.
Example:
- SFO to HNL: 22,856 miles + $11
- JFK to HNL: 60,000+ miles roundtrip
Transfer partners:
- Bilt, Marriott
Best cards:
- Hawaiian Airlines® World Elite Mastercard
9. JetBlue TrueBlue (Hawaiian Flights)
40,000–75,800+ points roundtrip — for specific nonstop needs
JetBlue doesn’t fly to Hawaii itself but allows you to book Hawaiian-operated flights. Prices reflect cash fare and can get expensive from the East. Note that their partnership is ending soon.
Example:
- LAX to OGG: 40,000 points
- BOS to HNL: 75,800 points
Transfer partners:
- Amex, Citi, Capital One
10. United MileagePlus
25K–50K+ miles roundtrip — best for cardholders or elites
If you’re already sitting on United miles or hold a United card, booking direct is easy. Dynamic pricing can make some awards expensive, though cardholders see better availability.
Example:
- LAX to KOA: 33,400 miles
- ORD to HNL: 50,000 miles
Transfer from:
- Chase Ultimate Rewards (1:1)
- Bilt (1:1)
11. Alaska Mileage Plan
30,000–60,000+ miles roundtrip — solid with good routing
Alaska now uses a distance-based chart. From the West Coast, flights start at 15,000 miles roundtrip, but connecting or longer routes quickly jump to 60,000+.
Example:
- SEA to HNL: 20,000 miles
- JFK to HNL (via SEA): 60,000 miles+
Transfer partners:
- Bilt Rewards
- Marriott Bonvoy
- HawaiianMiles (via merger)
12. American Airlines AAdvantage
40,000–45,000+ miles roundtrip — for AA loyalists
American’s dynamic pricing means you’ll usually see awards to Hawaii in the 40,000+ miles range, especially from the East.
Example:
- LAX to HNL: 22,500 miles one-way
- JFK to HNL: 45,000+ miles roundtrip
Transfer partners:
- Bilt, Marriott
Best cards:
- Citi AAdvantage Platinum
- Barclays AAdvantage Aviator Red
- Marriott (Bad value)
13. Delta SkyMiles
22,000–45,000+ one-way — best booked during sales
Delta doesn’t publish award charts, so prices swing wildly. That means you can also find some great deals! Sometimes you’ll find roundtrip flights from the East coast for 35K miles.
Example:
- LAX to HNL: 22,000 miles
- JFK to HNL: 90,000+ roundtrip
Transfer partners:
- Amex Membership Rewards (1:1)
Tip: Amex Delta cardholders save 15% on award flights
Bottom Line
Hawaii remains one of the best destinations for redeeming travel rewards—whether you’re working with a huge stash of Chase points or just picked up a Southwest Companion Pass.
If you are looking to travel to Hawaii using airlines points, booking United flights via Turkish or Avianca can save you a ton of miles. For easy, straightforward bookings, look to Aeroplan, Finnair, and Southwest. And if you’re sitting on airline-specific miles, you’ve still got solid options with American, Delta, and Hawaiian.
Just remember: always search before you transfer, and aim to book as far in advance as you can. Paradise is calling—and it’s closer than you think.
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