How to change or cancel a Hawaiian Airlines flight
A trip to Hawaii is on most people's bucket list. But, if the pandemic taught us anything, it's the importance of being prepared when planning trips. And that preparation should include understanding the airline's cancellation and change policy.
Hawaiian Airlines took a bit of a different tack during the pandemic compared to other airlines. The airline was initially slow to offer refunds, and, even today, the Hawaiian Airlines cancellation policy is more restrictive than other big airlines.
Hawaiian Airlines cancellation policy
Hawaiian Airlines offers free refunds up to 24 hours after booking (as long as you book more than seven days before departure), as required by the U.S. Department of Transportation.
The airline also allows free changes or cancellations more than 24 hours after booking. In those instances, customers are responsible only for a difference in fare when they book a new flight if the new fare is more expensive than their original booking. Customers have up to one year from the original booking date to use the flight credit.
However, the wrinkle in the Hawaiian Airlines cancellation policy comes when the fare for your new flight is lower, in which case you would lose any remaining value associated with your ticket. That stands in contrast to the policies of many other U.S.-based airlines. And it also means you need to be careful when you book a new flight after you cancel or change a Hawaiian Airlines flight. If prices have gone down, you may want to book a higher class of service or tack on an additional stop to ensure you don't leave money on the table.
It's also worth checking whether your booking is covered by one of Hawaiian's COVID-19 travel waivers.
Related: Hawaiian Airlines announces free Wi-Fi courtesy of Elon Musk’s Starlink
Hawaiian Airlines refund policy
Unless you cancel in the first 24 hours after your booking, Hawaiian Airlines' flights are nonrefundable.
The terms and conditions of the Hawaiian Airlines refund policy actually state that all flights are nonrefundable unless otherwise specified. But after searching various destinations and date ranges, I could not find any refundable fares. Even first-class fares are nonrefundable, so make sure your plans are set before committing to a flight.
Other airlines, such as United, offer refundable fares and a broader route network if you need to reuse a flight credit. If you purchase a ticket on Hawaiian Airlines and don't get a refund in the first 24 hours, chances are you'll be flying to Hawaii to use your flight credit.
Related: I had sworn off Hawaii during the pandemic — here’s why I went back (and plan to again)
Bottom line
The Hawaiian Airlines cancellation policy is more customer-friendly than it used to be. However, compared to other airlines, it still leaves something to be desired. And the Hawaiian Airlines refund policy is pretty stringent as well.
In short, you'll want to be fairly confident you'll be able to make the journey before booking a Hawaiian Airlines flight. Once you've made your purchase, there aren't many options other than flying to Hawaii. That being said, there are certainly worse fates.
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| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
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Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.