Big Changes Coming to HawaiianMiles: New Loyalty Program Launching October 1, 2025
Hawaiian Airlines has officially announced that its HawaiianMiles program will merge with Alaska Airlines’ loyalty program on October 1, 2025. If you live in Hawaii and fly Hawaiian often, whether interisland, to the mainland, or internationally, this is huge news!
Email Screenshot from Hawaiian Airlines Mastercard holders.
As your go-to for local points and travel tips, we’re here to break it all down for kamaʻāina travelers. This includes key details from Hawaiian Airlines’ updated loyalty transition webpage and the email sent to Hawaiian Airlines Mastercard holders (which you may have received in your inbox).
🗓 What’s Happening on October 1?
On October 1, 2025, the HawaiianMiles program will officially sunset, and your account will transition to a new, unified loyalty program run by Alaska Airlines.
Here’s what you need to know:
Your HawaiianMiles will transfer 1:1 into the new program. No loss of value. Nothing you need to do.
Miles will never expire.
You’ll be able to redeem miles across both Hawaiian and Alaska Airlines’ networks, plus Oneworld alliance partners like JAL & British Airways.
Hawaiian Airlines credit card holders (Bank of Hawaii World Elite Mastercard) will continue to earn miles as usual. After October 1, those miles will post to the new program.
Timeline of changes for the HawaiianMiles Program - hawaiianairlines.com
💳 What About My Hawaiian Airlines Credit Card?
Your Hawaiian Airlines® Bank of Hawaii World Elite Mastercard® will continue working as is. Hawaiian confirmed that:
You’ll keep earning miles on your card without interruption.
Your existing card benefits carry over seamlessly into the new program on October 1.
No action is needed on your part.
Card Benefits Recap:
3x miles on Hawaiian Airlines and Alaska Airlines flights
2x miles on gas, groceries, and dining
1x mile on all other purchases
2 free checked bags on Hawaiian and Alaska flights
This is a rare case where a merger doesn’t come with immediate downgrades for cardholders, in fact, the expanded airline network is arguably a win.
🛍 What About Foodland and Local Partnerships?
If you’ve been swiping your Maika‘i card to earn HawaiianMiles at Foodland, here’s a clarification many people missed, including myself:
You will still earn HawaiianMiles for shopping at Foodland through August 31, 2025.
However, redeeming HawaiianMiles for Foodland gift cards were discontinued on June 30, 2025.
Hawaiian has updated its FAQ to clear up this confusion and you can read the official details here. Mahalo Hawaiian Airlines!
🧳 Our Take for Hawaii-Based Travelers
HawaiianMiles has been good for interisland flights and some Japan routes, but pretty limited outside of that. This merger opens the door for kamaʻāina travelers to unlock far more value and flexibility:
The Good:
Wider network of destinations (think Alaska’s West Coast strength, plus Oneworld international reach)
Better award sweet spots (especially if Alaska’s current chart structure holds, think Japan, Fiji, and even domestic first-class flights)
More ways to earn and redeem, including through partner airlines
Free checked bags still honored for locals flying interisland through the Huaka'i by Hawaiian program
The Unknown:
No news yet on how award pricing will change, Alaska currently uses a variable award chart. We’ll be watching closely for devaluation risk.
Partner redemptions may become harder to understand or predict, especially if dynamic pricing becomes the norm.
We sadly have seen a dramatic drop in 50% off business class flights on Hawaiian when you use your points. Hopefully as the merger settles, we’ll see more award flights and discounts!
Our Advice: Don’t Panic, but Be Strategic
We recommend:
Don’t rush to burn your HawaiianMiles, they will carry over at full value.
Start exploring the Alaska Airlines award chart and their Oneworld partners
Continue to earn miles from your card if you value the benefits, but also consider earning flexible points from Chase, Amex, Bilt, or Capital One, these still give you more options.
📲 Stay in the Loop with Hawaii Reward Travel
This is one of the biggest changes to Hawaii travel rewards in a decade. And while things look promising now, we’ll be the first to call out if things take a turn.
✅ Bookmark our Merger Q&A Page
✅ Follow us on Instagram @hawaiirewardtravel
✅ Click here if want help with your credit card strategy
