On December 3, 2023, Alaska Airlines announced its plans to acquire Hawaiian Airlines. The Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines Merger transactions were officially completed. The leadership is committed to making a future, so they all be proud of and ensure that their priorities are upheld throughout the merger process as they negotiate the Joint Collective Bargaining Agreement.
Both carriers will remain separate brands but are working together to deliver more advantages for flyers. There won’t be any sudden changes to day-to-day flight operations as the complete integration procedure could take around 18 months. Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines will keep their websites, loyalty programs, and reservation systems separate during this time. Both airlines are now operating 141 destinations through combined networks and over 1,200 destinations through global partners and OneWorld Alliance.
Alaska And Hawaiian Airlines Merger Will Move Forward But With Mileage Program Requirements
The merger between Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines is paving a positive path for the industry. The two airlines need to ensure that they protect the interests of their customers If this merger goes forward. This includes to maintain the value of loyalty programs which reward frequent flyers. Fortunately, the airline has agreed to these important terms. It is the first time that DOT has required a few steps in the process of merger approval. These two airlines have promised some important benefits, like keeping essential routes between islands running smoothly and ensuring families can sit together without extra fees. But of everything, the given points stand out.
- Transfer Miles at a 1:1 Ratio: It is essential to convert HawaiianMiles To Alaska Mileage Plan 1:1
- Maintain The Value Of Miles: The new airline is not allowed to lower the value of HawaiianMiles. Until the merger is finalised, they must keep the miles worth the same amount to continue rewarding passengers with miles that are valuable.
- Match/Maintain/Or Increase Status: Alaska Airlines will honour the status you have in the HawaiianMiles program for the rest of the current program year. Mileage Plan has revealed how HawaiianMiles tiers will translate into the new program.
- No Expiry For Miles Earned Under Current Program: HawaiianMiles never expire, and Mileage Plan miles do not expire as long as your account remains active and open. As per the agreement, the miles earned before the conversion can never expire.
- No New Junk Fees: Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines merger is barred from charging cancellation/change costs on award tickets for travel on carrier-served flights.
How To Book It?
Alaska Airlines still has a useful fare calendar where flyers can find the flights for a whole year at a time. Click on Redeem Miles and Flexible Dates on the booking page. View Calendar and filter by Business. Then, a fare calendar will pop up with all business class seats available that you can sort by month. One can look for the lowest rates, and it is a very quick way to find flights for an entire month at once. Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines have teamed up which means you can easily move your points between their loyalty programs at a 1:1 ratio.
This is Hawaiian Airlines merger latest news for travelers! Hawaiian Airlines works with American Express that allow you to transfer your rewards points from American Express to Hawaiian Airlines. Thus, it is possible to transfer the points to Hawaiian and then transfer the points to Alaska.
Status Match Between Alaska And Hawaiian Airlines Merger
If you are an elite member of either the HawaiianMiles or Mileage Plan programs, you can easily link your accounts to enjoy some great benefits! When you combine your earned miles from both programs this year, you could qualify for a higher status, which means even more perks. So, if you earn miles in both programs, your overall total will determine your status. This makes it easier for you to reach a higher level and enjoy the advantages that come with it!
Status Match Base on your Current Status:
| If you have: | You’ll be matched to: |
|---|---|
| Alaska Mileage Plan MVP status | HawaiianMiles Pualani Gold status |
| Alaska Mileage Plan MVP Gold 75K, MVP Gold, or MVP Gold 100K status | HawaiianMiles Pualani Platinum status |
| HawaiianMiles Pualani Gold status | Alaska Mileage Plan MVP status |
| HawaiianMiles Pualani Platinum status | Alaska Mileage Plan MVP Gold status |
The status match based on the combined elite-qualifying miles balance:
| When your combined EQM balance is: | The status you will get in Alaska Mileage Plan: | The status you will get in HawaiianMiles: |
|---|---|---|
| 20,000 EQMs | MVP | Pualani Gold |
| 40,000 EQMs | MVP Gold | Pualani Platinum |
| 75,000 EQMs | MVP Gold 75K | Pualani Platinum |
| 100,000 EQMs | MVP Gold 100K | Pualani Platinum |
New Alaska and Hawaiian Merger Benefits Coming Your Way
Although both airlines are staying separate for now, some new benefits are already being announced:
- Additional International Destinations: Travellers will get access to more than 29 international destinations through the Alaska And Hawaiian Airlines Merger. More than 1,200 cities through Alaska’s global partner and OneWorld Alliance.
- Cross-Airline Bookings: Soon, you will be able to book Hawaiian Airlines flights on Alaska Airlines’ website and Alaska flights on Hawaiian’s website. It expands your booking options to destinations across Hawaii, North America, and Australia.
- Lounge Access: Alaska lounge members are now able to access Alaska lounge when traveling on Hawaiian Airlines as they are with OneWorld Alliance partners.
- Seamless Miles Transfer: Starting later, you will be able to transfer miles between HawaiianMiles and Alaska’s Mileage Plan at a 1:1 ratio at no cost. It gives you additional flexibility when reserving award flights.
What Does This Mean For Award Fares Users?
Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines merger offers additional flexibility and options, especially for those who book international flights or wish to combine mikes between two airlines. The immediate benefits, such as expanded destinations and cross-airline reservations along with lounge access, will make your award travel journey smoother due to the Hawaiian Airlines integration with Alaska.
Once everything is set up, travelers will be able to check flight availability on Hawaiian Airlines for those using the Mileage Plan. HawaiianMiles users can use AwardFares and get the availability on the Mileage Plan as you can transfer miles between both programs at a 1:1 ratio.
Final Thoughts!
The Alaska Airlines Hawaiian Airlines merger is a big deal. The new Mileage Plan program will look like this, and the airline knows that certain protections will be in place to protect the benefits of your Elite status advantages and your hard-earned miles while they do not know exactly what the combined airline is. We have also discussed the benefits of these airline’s merger and how it impacts their aviation services. The two companies shared 12 direct flight routes, which they said was a small number when the news about the Hawaiian Airlines merger was announced. Alaska emphasized its flying experience by operating an intra-Alaska network, such as the flying service to 16 destinations not accessible by road, while maintaining a robust inter-island in Hawaii to a neighboring island.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! Alaska Airlines has finished its acquisition of Hawaiian Airlines so the two airlines are now serving flights together. Hawaiian Airlines is being integrated under the Alaska Air group’s operational framework to maintain both brand reputations. This merger creates a larger airline that can compete with major US carriers effectively.
You can exchange miles between HawaiianMiles and Alaska’s Mileage Plan in equal amounts, meaning for every mile you have in one program, you can get one mile in the other. It means you can move miles freely between two programs, and it is the latest development based on Alaska’s acquisition of Hawaiian Airlines.
Yes! If you have miles with Alaska Airlines, you can use them to book flights on Hawaiian Airlines. Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines have teamed up, so you can use your Alaska miles for Hawaiian flights. Moreover, you can transfer miles between the two programs at a 1:1 ratio at no cost.
You can visit alaskaair.com/linkaccount and consider the instructions to link your Alaska Airlines mileage plan and Hawaiian Airlines HawaiianMiles accounts. It permits a status match and grants you to enjoy elite benefits in both programs based on your combined elite qualifying miles.
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