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 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.
If you haven't jumped on a Hawaii deal yet (or simply want to return to the magical 50th state) here's your chance to fly there on the cheap — we're seeing tickets starting at $326 round-trip from cities all over the country. Tickets are generally available from February through May and then again from August through January 2019, though exact availability will depend on the route. You don’t need any tricks to get these airfares. Just find the dates you want by searching with Google Flights, then book on Orbitz, Expedia or directly with the airline itself.
Airline: American, United, Delta, Hawaiian
Routes: PHX/SAN/SMF/SNA/SEA/ABQ/TUS/LAX/BOS/ELP/OKC/AUS/SAT/RDU/FLL/OMA/STL/BNA to HNL/OGG/LIH/KOA for under $500
Cost: $326+ round-trip in economy
Dates: February-May and August-January 2019, depending on route
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 (3x on airfare plus excellent trip delay insurance) or Chase Sapphire Preferred (2x on travel)
Here are a few examples of what you can book:
Phoenix (PHX) to Kahului (OGG) for $326 round-trip on American:
San Diego (SAN) to Kahului (OGG) for $334 round-trip on United:
Sacramento (SMF) to Kahului (OGG) for $334 round-trip on American:
Santa Ana (SNA) to Honolulu (HNL) for $334 round-trip on American:Seattle (SEA) to Kona (KOA) for $345 round-trip on Delta (basic economy):
Albuquerque (ABQ) to Honolulu (HNL) for $348 round-trip on American:
Tuscon (TUS) to Honolulu (HNL) for $361 round-trip on American: Los Angeles (LAX) to Lihue (LIH) for $367 round-trip on Hawaiian: Boston (BOS) to Kahului (OGG) for $334 round-trip on Delta (basic economy):El Paso (ELP) to Kahului (OGG) for $390 round-trip on American:
Oklahoma City (OKC) to Kahului (OGG) for $393 round-trip on American:
Austin (AUS) to Kahului (OGG) for $394 round-trip on American:
San Antonio (SAT) to Honolulu (HNL) for $409 round-trip on American:
Raleigh/Durham (RDU) to Kahului (OGG) for $424 round-trip on American:
Fort Lauderdale (FLL) to Kahului (OGG) for $433 round-trip on American:
Omaha (OMA) to Honolulu (HNL) for $451 round-trip on American:
St. Louis (STL) to Kahului (OGG) for $458 round-trip on American:
Nashville (BNA) to Kahului (OGG) for $474 round-trip on American:
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 (3x on airfare) or the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card (2x on all travel purchases). Check out this post for more on maximizing airfare purchases.
H/T: The Flight Deal
