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We’ve got great news for those who like to travel with a friend or family member: There are now more ways to book companion flights from $99 (plus taxes and fees) to Hawaii and beyond.
One of the biggest 2025 storylines for those who love airline loyalty programs will likely be what happens with perks and miles related to the combined frequent flyer program of Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan and Hawaiian Airlines HawaiianMiles, following Alaska Airlines’ acquisition of Hawaiian Airlines.
We’ve already seen the rollout of some reciprocal benefits, such as new checked-bag perks for cobranded cardholders of each airline, complimentary upgrades and milestone rewards for Mileage Plan elite members — but now another very exciting benefit of the combined programs is live and available for use.
Alaska’s Companion Fare (which you can earn via the Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® credit card and the Alaska Airlines Visa® Business card) is now also valid on Hawaiian Airlines-operated flights within North America.
Here’s what you need to know to make the most of this exciting expanded benefit.
Related: Alaska Airlines makeover: Asia flights coming to Seattle hub, premium credit card and more
Redeeming Alaska Companion Fares on Hawaiian flights
Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan members are now able to use their Alaska Airlines Companion Fare certificate on any Hawaiian Airlines flight within North America, just as you already could on Alaska Airlines-operated flights.
The noteworthy Companion Fare lets you bring one travel companion on a round-trip or one-way Alaska Airlines or Hawaiian Airlines flight for just $99 (plus taxes and fees from $23). Note that the certificate is only valid for coach travel; however, Companion Fares are eligible for upgrades.
You can earn the Companion Fare each account anniversary with the Alaska Airlines Visa Signature credit card and the Alaska Airlines Visa Business card after spending $6,000 on purchases in your previous anniversary year.
Though the Companion Fare was previously limited to Alaska Airlines-operated flights, because of the merger, cardholders can now also use their certificate on Hawaiian Airlines-operated flights within North America. Here are some example round-trip flights from Las Vegas to Honolulu that you can now book on Hawaiian Airlines using these Alaska Airlines certificates:
You can also mix and match flights operated by both Hawaiian and Alaska on one itinerary using this certificate. For example, the options below from Austin to San Francisco to Honolulu mix both carriers: The first segment is on Alaska, but the flight to Hawaii out of San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is operated by Hawaiian Airlines.
Hawaiian’s unique route network and wide-body fleet, including its new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft with lie-flat seats and direct aisle access in Leihoku premium class, could potentially open up all sorts of ways to maximize the benefit of flying Alaska or Hawaiian, especially since these Companion Fares are eligible for upgrades.
Related: Hawaiian Airlines is bringing its flagship jet to New York, but it’s not all good news
Alaska Airlines announces more loyalty program benefits
While we continue waiting on some important details regarding what the combined Alaska and Hawaiian loyalty program will look like, other perks are already live.
Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines cardholders receive free checked bags
Alaska Airlines Visa Signature and Alaska Airlines Visa Business cardholders now receive one free checked bag for themselves and up to six guests on the same reservation when using their cobranded credit card to book Hawaiian Airlines-operated flights.
If you are a Hawaiian Airlines® World Elite Mastercard® holder, you will receive two free checked bags when using your card to book Alaska Airlines-operated flights; however, this benefit only applies to the primary cardmember.
The information for the Hawaiian Airlines World Elite Mastercard has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Expanded seat selection options for Alaska elite members
Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan MVP Gold 75K and MVP Gold 100K elite members can select a complimentary Extra Comfort seat when booking a main cabin fare on Hawaiian Airlines.
Currently available on Hawaiian’s Airbus A330 and A321neo and Boeing 717 and 787 aircraft, the Extra Comfort seats provide additional legroom, early boarding, priority security screening at select airports, personal in-seat power charging on select aircraft and amenity kits on select international flights.
Related: A review of Hawaiian Airlines first class between Hawaii and Seattle
New elite perk milestones
As announced in October 2024, Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan members can now pick from a menu of milestone perks when they hit the following thresholds of elite qualifying miles:
- 10,000 EQMs
- 30,000 EQMs
- 55,000 EQMs
- 85,000 EQMs
- 150,000 EQMs
- 200,000 EQMs
- 250,000 EQMs
The perks differ for each milestone but include benefits like bonus miles, upgrade certificates, Wi-Fi passes, gifting MVP status, lounge passes and the ability to roll over EQMs.
Bottom line
The continued integration between Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines has thus far been pretty great for members of both airlines’ loyalty programs. The new luggage benefits are a perk to encourage Alaska Airlines cobranded cardholders to book with Hawaiian and vice versa, while the Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan continues to improve and expand benefits for elite members.
And now, the ability to use the Alaska Airlines Companion Fare on Hawaiian Airlines’ longer-haul services, such as its Boeing 787 Dreamliner flights, presents a potentially game-changing addition to the new partnership — and certainly ups the value of these easy-to-earn Companion Fares.
Related reading:
- Alaska Airlines mulls Honolulu lounge, iffy on credit card transfers for new joint loyalty program with Hawaiian Airlines
- Hawaiian, Alaska Airlines unveil details of new Honolulu lounge
- Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines are offering reciprocal status matches
- Why this Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan change may sway me to leave American’s AAdvantage program
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
