Deal Alert: Atlanta, Detroit, Minneapolis and Salt Lake City to Hawaii for $499 Round-Trip
Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here.
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Airfare deals are typically only available on limited dates. We recommend that you use Google Flights to find dates to fly, then book through an online travel agency, such as Orbitz or Expedia, which allows you to cancel flights without penalty by 11pm Eastern Time within one day of booking. However, if you’re using the American Express Platinum Card, you’ll need to book directly with the airline or through Amex Travel portal to get 5x MR points. Remember: Fares may disappear quickly, so book right away and take advantage of Orbitz or Expedia’s courtesy cancellation if you’re unable to get the time away from work or family.
Watch out, Delta! American Airlines is taking aim at the Atlanta-based carrier with a sale on flights to Hawaii from Delta's hubs in Atlanta, Detroit, Minneapolis, and Salt Lake City. There's a smattering of dates at $499 roundtrip with a lot more availability at $515, but either is a great price from the mainland to the islands.
You'll see these prices mostly in the spring and the fall, with routes to Honolulu, Lihue, Kona and Maui. There seems to only be a one-night minimum stay, so you can keep the trip as short as you need. These fares don't require any tricks to get, so just use Google Flights to find the dates you want.
If you aren't planning on redeeming points for a hotel stay, you might want to consider seeing what American Airlines Vacations has to offer. Not only might you save money by bundling, you'll also get flight credit based on mileage flown — rather than the very-cheap airfare cost.
Airline: American Airlines
Routes: ATL, DTW, MSP, SLC to HNL, LIH, OGG, KOA
Cost: $499+ round-trip in economy
Dates: Spring or Fall 2017
Booking Link: Orbitz or Expedia
Pay With: The Platinum Card from American Express (5x on airfare), Chase Sapphire Reserve, Premier Rewards Gold Card from American Express, Citi Prestige (3x on airfare) or Chase Sapphire Preferred (2x on travel)
Here are a few examples of what you can book:
Salt Lake City (SLC) to Kauai (LIH) for $499 round-trip in January via Orbitz:
Minneapolis (MSP) to Honolulu (HNL) for $515 round-trip in February via Orbitz:
Atlanta (ATL) to Maui (OGG) for $565 round-trip in March via Orbitz:
Maximize Your Purchase
Don’t forget to use a credit card that earns additional points on airfare purchases, such as the American Express Platinum Card (5x on flights booked directly with airlines or American Express Travel), Chase Sapphire Reserve, American Express Premier Rewards Gold or Citi Prestige (3x on airfare) or the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card (2x on all travel purchases). Check out this post for more on maximizing airfare purchases.
If you’re able to score one of these tickets, please share the good news in the comments below!
Photo of Maui courtesy of M Swiet Productions via Getty Images.
