Deal Alert: California to Hawaii From $197 Round-Trip
Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here.
Want to see the latest flight deals as soon as they’re published? Follow The Points Guy on Facebook and Twitter, and subscribe to text message alerts from our deals feed, @tpg_alerts.
Airfare deals are typically only available on limited dates. We recommend 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 Platinum Card® from American Express, 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.
As the East Coast prepares to get pummeled yet again by the umpteenth winter storm, Alaska Airlines is offering those on the West Coast an escape in the form of sub-$200 round-trip tickets to Maui (OGG), nonstop from San Francisco (SFO) or San Jose (SJC). Most of the deals are available for departures from April through May of this year — use Google Flights to find the dates that work for you and then complete booking directly with Alaska.
UPDATE: As of 4 pm ET, United is matching these insane Hawaii fare rates, with expanded routes out of Los Angeles in addition to San Francisco, and going to Kona as well as Honolulu.
Airline: Alaska, United
Routes: SFO/SJC/OAK/LAX to OGG/KOA/HNL
Cost: $197 round-trip in economy class
Dates: April-May 2018
Booking Link: Orbitz, Expedia or directly with the airline
Pay With: The Platinum Card from American Express (5x on airfare), Chase Sapphire Reserve, Citi Prestige (5x on airfare plus excellent trip delay insurance) or Chase Sapphire Preferred Card (2x on travel)
Here are a few examples of what you can book:
San Jose (SJC) to Maui (OGG) in April for $197 round-trip on Alaska:
San Francisco (SFO) to Maui (OGG) in May for $197 round-trip on Alaska:
San Francisco (SFO) to Kona (KOA) for $197 round-trip nonstop in April:
Los Angeles (LAX) to Honolulu (HNL) for $197 round-trip nonstop in May on United:
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, or Citi Prestige (5x on airfare) or the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card (2x on all travel purchases). Check out this post for more on maximizing airfare purchases.
