Points and cash deals for half-priced fares to Hawaii on Delta, Southwest and more
Quick summary
Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here.
Would you believe me if I told you there was an epic sale on flights to Hawaii right now from five different airlines? Well, drop whatever it is you are doing (sorry employer) and scan these flights immediately because these wide-ranging deals to places like Honolulu, Kauai, Kona and Maui are short but sweet for certain.
Deal No. 1
This first deal is particularly helpful for our West Coast readers, as there are many nonstop round-trip flights departing from western hubs including Seattle (SEA), Los Angeles (LAX) and Portland, Oregon (PDX), in the $100s.
Airlines: Hawaiian Airlines and United.
Routes: SEA/PDX/LAX/BOI/LAS/TUS/PHX/OAK/SJC/BUR and others to KOA/LIH/HNL/OGG and others.
Cost: Starting at $124 round-trip.
How to book: Start by looking at Google Flights, which will direct you to book through the airline.
Travel dates: January-March 2022.
Example flights in this deal include:
- Portland (PDX) to Kona (KOA)/Kauai (LIH) for $123.
- Los Angeles (LAX) to Kona (KOA)/Kauai (LIH) for $124.
- Seattle (SEA) to Maui (OGG) for $194.
- Portland (PDX) to Honolulu (HNL) for $194.
- Denver (DEN) to Kona (KOA) for $276.
The cheapest flight I found in this deal is a nonstop flight the first week of February from Los Angeles to Kona for $124 round-trip in Hawaiian Airlines' main cabin/economy class. This fare includes one carry-on bag and seat selection. Your first checked bag will cost $30 if coming from outside the Hawaiian Islands.
Hawaiian Airlines allows you to cancel for free within 24 hours of booking and there are no change fees for future modifications. The above flight is Hawaiian Airlines' match of Alaska Airlines' buy one, get one sale expiring at midnight Dec. 7, so be sure to book fast if comparing routes. A checked bag costs $30 each way.
You may also find United flights in basic economy via this deal but they're likely more expensive, include a layover and do not include carry-on luggage or seat selection.
Related: True aloha spirit at the Sheraton Kauai Coconut Beach Resort
There's also a pretty incredible BOGO offer on right now from Alaska Airlines. We wrote about it here, but essentially you buy two flights for the price of one (plus taxes and fees).
Deal No. 2
You didn't really think we would leave our East Coast readers hanging, did you? As you might expect, flights from major coastal cities, including all three New York City airports and Boston, include layovers to your final Hawaii destination. Even so, this deal offers flights that are more than 50% off their normal price.
Airlines: American, Hawaiian, United and Delta.
Routes: LGA/JFK/BOS/EWR/BWI and others to KOA/LIH/HNL/OGG and others.
Cost: Starting at $366 round-trip.
How to book: Start by looking at Google Flights, which will direct you to book through the airline.
Travel dates: January-March 2022.
Some flights in this deal are:
- Boston (BOS) to Kauai (LIH) for $366 round-trip.
- New York City (JFK) to Maui (OGG)/Kona (KOA)/Kauai (LIH) for $366 round-trip.
A round-trip flight from BOS to LIH is available on United for less than $400 in late January, ideal for that post-holiday slump.
As mentioned previously, United's basic economy charges you for everything, so consider paying $80 to upgrade to economy.
Travelers based in the D.C. area can also take advantage of the same-priced United flight to Maui (OGG) or they can fly Delta to Honolulu (HNL) for $366.
Unlike United, Delta's basic economy includes one free carry-on, but you'll have to pay to select your seat.
Other flights can be found in this deal via Hawaiian and American in their economy classes. A checked bag costs $30-$35 each way on all mentioned airlines.
Deals 1 and 2 come to us from Scott's Cheap Flights Premium and Elite memberships respectively, which email subscribers daily flight deals.
Related: Aloha in the desert: Las Vegas as Hawaii's 'ninth island'
Deal No. 3
Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards members can also partake in the fun by flying to HNL, LIH, KOA or OGG for roughly 6,000 points round-trip, matching the other cash nonstop deals we've seen today.
Airline: Southwest.
Routes: LGB/LAX/OAK/SAN/SJC to KOA/LIH/HNL/OGG.
Cost: Starting at 3,154 Southwest Rapid Rewards points each way.
How to book: Search and book directly through Southwest.com. Use their low-fare calendar to find the cheapest deals.
Travel dates: January-March 2022.
This deal features the following routes:
- Long Beach, California (LGB)/Los Angeles (LAX)/Oakland, California (OAK)/San Diego (SAN)/San Jose, California (SJC), to Honolulu (HNL).
- LAX/OAK/SAN/SJC to Kauai (LIH).
- LAX/OAK/SJC to Kona (KOA).
- LGB/LAX/OAK/SAN/SJC to Maui (OGG).
To browse this deal, head to Southwest.com, select "Points" and then click "Search" based on your desired dates of travel. Be sure to filter nonstop fares only. From the low-fare calendar, I found a nonstop flight from LAX to OGG in January for 6,308 Rapid Rewards points total.
Taxes and fees on these fares are $5.60 each way. Southwest fares are extremely flexible as Rapid Rewards bookings are refundable so any points used will be added back into your account. All Southwest fares include two free checked bags.
Thanks to Thrifty Traveler Premium for alerting us to this deal. Members are notified about cheap flights, award flight sales and business-class deals via email for $7.99 monthly or $49.99 annually.
Related: A last resort: Reviewing Maui's brand-new AC Hotel by Marriott Wailea
Deal No. 4
Not to be outdone, Delta is also offering nonstop one-way flights to both Honolulu and Maui for all you Delta loyalists starting at just 7,000 SkyMiles, departing from LAX.
Airline: Delta.
Routes: LAX to HNL/OGG.
Cost: Starting at 7,000 SkyMiles each way.
How to book: Search and book directly through Delta.com. Use their low-fare calendar to find the cheapest deals.
Travel dates: January-March 2022.
Flights in this deal will be 7,000 SkyMiles plus $5.60 in taxes for a seat in Delta's main cabin, which includes one free carry-on. Your first checked bag will run you $30.
Related: 7 reasons to stay at the newly renovated Westin Maui on your next trip to Hawaii
Maximize your purchase
Don't forget to use a card that earns bonus points on airfare purchases, such as The Platinum Card® from American Express (5x on airfare booked directly with the airline or through American Express Travel), Citi Prestige® Card (5x on airfare), Citi Premier® Card (see rates and fees), Chase Sapphire Reserve (3x on airfare), American Express® Gold Card (3x on airfare) or the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card (2x on travel). For the Southwest deal, use your Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Credit Card for 3x on Southwest Airlines purchases. Check out this post for more on maximizing airfare purchases.
The information for the Citi Prestige Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Bottom line
This is a broad Hawaii deal with half-priced flights using airline miles and points along with good ol' cash.
Vaccinated travelers can bypass otherwise required COVID-19 testing requirements. Unvaccinated travelers must show results of a negative test to enter. COVID-19 restrictions remain in place, including an indoor mask mandate and reduced capacity for dining.
Related: Hawaii to extend COVID-19 restrictions due to high cases