Deal Alert: East Coast and Texas to Hawaii From $334 Round-Trip
Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here.
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 the 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 West Coast has gotten some incredible deals to Hawaii, with fares dropping as low as $247 round-trip recently. Deals from the rest of the US mainland to the 50th state haven't been as frequent. But today we are seeing some excellent prices from multiple non-West Coast departure points to Hawaii for as cheap as $334 round-trip on American Airlines.
These fares book into American Airlines basic economy which AA just added to its Hawaii routes. The good news is that you can now carry on a full-size bag when booking AA basic economy. And you can get a free checked bag and preferred boarding by using an airline co-brand credit card to defeat many of basic economy’s negative aspects.
Check out Get Your Guide's suggestions for activities in Hawaii to maximize your time while on vacation.
To search, head to Google Flights and enter your origin and destination cities. Scroll through the calendar function to find dates and prices that work for you. Finally, click through to book directly with the airline or through an OTA like Priceline or Expedia.
Airlines: American Airlines
Routes: IAH/EWR/IAD to LIH/KOA/OGG/HNL
Cost: $334+ round-trip in economy
Travel Dates: September - December 2018
Pay With: The Platinum Card® from American Express (5x on airfare booked directly with the airline), Citi Premier® Card, Chase Sapphire Reserve, Citi Prestige (3x on airfare plus excellent trip delay insurance) or Chase Sapphire Preferred Card (2x on travel)
Booking Link: Priceline, Orbitz, Expedia or directly with the airline
Here are a few examples of what you can book:
Houston (IAH) to Lihue (LIH) for $334 round-trip in October on American Airlines Basic Economy:
Houston (IAH) to Kona (KOA) for $338 round-trip in November on American Airlines Basic Economy:
Newark (EWR) to Kahului (OGG) for $341 round-trip in November on American Airlines Basic Economy:
Washington DC Dulles (IAD) to Honolulu (HNL) for $344 round-trip in October on American Airlines Basic Economy:
Maximize Your Purchase
Don’t forget to use a credit card that earns additional points on airfare purchases, such as The Platinum Card® from American Express (5x on flights booked directly with airlines or American Express Travel), Chase Sapphire Reserve, Citi Premier, 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.