Hawaiian, United, American, Delta and Alaska are all running sub-$100 each way Hawaii fares from the West Coast. Southwest Airlines has matched the lowest of these ($62 each way) and that makes their flights available super-cheap on points as well. This deal was first spotted by Thrifty Traveler‘s premium airfare deal alert service.
You can book Hawaii for just 3154 points each way, or 6308 Rapid Rewards points roundtrip ($5.60 in security taxes each way as well). The best part of Southwest redemptions is that they are fully refundable, you can cancel and redeposit your points at no charge.
This is available:
- Honolulu: Long Beach, Los Angeles, Oakland, San Diego, and San Jose
- Kauai: Los Angeles, Oakland, San Diego, San Jose
- Kona: Los Angeles, Oakland, San Jose
- Maui: Long Beach, Los Angeles, Oakland, San Diego, San Jose
Southwest is coach-only but has up to two more inches of legroom than standard coach on American, United and Delta. It’s a long domestic flight with no seat power, so be sure to bring your own. You still either need to be fully vaccinated or do a pre-travel test in order to visit Hawaii without quarantine.
Of course this is a great deal with cash and can be with bank points used as credit towards airfare as well, and there are no change fees on Southwest. Be careful of basic economy fares on Delta, United and Alaska at this price point.
Can airlines make a profit on this or are they trying to ding each other?
Well that changed quickly. Last of the “cheap”: fares is March 9th.
I am flying to HNL for a meeting tomorrow and was able to purchase a one way from LAX for $198 with a systemwide upgrade available (which is a miracle in itself). Hotels have come down significantly in price. And rental cars are back to reality and widely available ($34.00 a day with Avis). Clearly the pricing wildness in Hawaii has abated, for now.