Deal Alert: Flights to Hawaii Drop Under $300 Round-Trip
Quick summary
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 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.
The airlines are playing limbo with fares to Hawaii — the only question now is how low can they go? Fares from California to Hawaii have dropped under $300 round-trip, and you can fly from the East Coast all the way to the 50th state — nearly 5,000 miles away — for under $400 round-trip.
There's no tricks needed to find these airfares — just find the dates you want by searching with Google Flights, then book on Orbitz, Expedia or directly with the airline itself. Note that while many of these fares are not in basic cconomy, a few of them are, so be careful when booking to avoid a stripped-down basic economy fare, or know which tools you'll need to defeat the restrictions.
Airline: American, Delta
Routes: SAN/SJC/MCO/BOS/EWR to LIH/OGG/KOA
Cost: $294+ round-trip in economy
Dates: April-May, September-January
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 (2x on travel)
Here are a few examples of what you can book:
San Diego (SAN) to Lihue, Kauai (LIH) for $294 round-trip on AA via Expedia:
San Jose (SJC) to Lihue, Kauai (LIH) for $294 round-trip on AA via Expedia:
Orlando (MCO) to Lihue, Kauai (LIH) for $369 round-trip in Delta Basic Economy:
Orlando (MCO) to Lihue, Kauai (LIH) for $369 round-trip on AA via Expedia:
Boston (BOS) to Maui (OGG) for $373 round-trip on AA via Expedia:
Newark (EWR) to Maui (OGG) in May for $458 round-trip on AA via Expedia:
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.
H/T: Fare Deal Alert and The Flight Deal