Why traveling to Hawaii is worth it
It's Hawaii Week at TPG! The Hawaiian Islands have so much to offer travelers, from the sprawling city of Honolulu to quiet black-sand beaches to restaurants serving inventive island cuisine. And it's possible to pull off a visit to the islands using miles and points. It just takes a little savvy planning and we'll show you how. Visit TPG's Hawaii destination hub for links to more stories about getting to the islands, staying on the islands and what to do while you're there.
Cancun, Mexico 811 miles. Maui, Hawaii 3,826 miles. Well, assuming there was a nonstop flight to Maui from Houston, which there isn't, so tack on a some extra miles for connections.
For us living in the middle of the U.S. mainland in Houston, Hawaii is easily four times as far away as some other fantastic beach destinations such as say, Cancun. It's not just distance. There's also the cost factor. Hawaii is also a pricier destination on cash or miles than many spots in Mexico, Florida and the Caribbean.
So why not save some time, jet lag and money and just take a two- or three-hour flight to a much closer beach or island? Save Hawaii for the retirees, the honeymooners and the once-in-a-lifetimers?
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The attraction of a short two or three-hour flight to a great beach sometimes wins out and draws us to spots we love in Mexico and similar, but they aren't replacements Hawaii anymore than the Venetian hotel in Las Vegas is a substitute visiting Venice. Vegas is fun, Venice, I'm sure, is great, but they aren't interchangeable.
Here's the thing. Hawaii is far, and it's OK to wait to take the trip until your kids are a good age for that long of a journey, but Hawaii is special and 100% worth it.
It’s hard for me to explain with words why Hawaii is worth it, but I’ll try -- and lean on photos to save us a few hundred words here and there.
Related: How to use points and miles to get to Hawaii
There’s no one thing that makes Hawaii worth it, but there's a combination of things that makes Hawaii my favorite place on earth. Instead, there's a combination of many things -- some easier to describe than others.
The air
A harder thing to quantify about Hawaii is how it makes me feel. At certain times of day in Hawaii, especially at sunset, I simply can’t feel the air. Because I don't feel at all hot, or cold, but rather enjoy a perfect Hawaiian temperature, it sometimes feels like floating or existing in some alternate universe. It's weird -- and sounds even weirder when I type it out -- but it's true.
The food
On a slightly more practical and tangible level than the air, there's the food. Hawaii has my favorite foods anywhere. There you'll find a unique mixture of island fruits (think pineapple, avocado, mango, etc.), rice, fish, pork, sweet sauces and strong Asian influences.
Take the poke bowl, for example, it's just absolute edible perfection contained in a bowl.
Then, there's shave ice, which when done well, tastes like fluffy, airy, flavored snow.
And there's no such thing as too much Kona coffee.
The beach
When it comes to the beach, Hawaii has more options than you could ever enjoy in a trip.
On Oahu, there's Waikiki, which isn't my favorite, but is easily accessible and has waves that are perfect for that first surfing lesson.
On the Big Island you have the luxury of choice. You can have a postcard-perfect beach at Kauna’oa Bay. (Stay right on this beach at the Mauna Kea.)
Or, drive around the island a bit and you can enjoy a black or even green sand beach -- coconut optional, but recommended.
You want massive waves or calm water? Hawaii has both.
The scenery
Of course, Hawaii has way more than 'just' beaches. You can see volcanoes. And rainforests. There's mountains, cliffs and views for days.
If you make the trip, don't miss the Na Pali Coast. Or the North Shore of Kauai. Or Volcanoes National Park. Really, start planning a few trips to Hawaii. One isn't enough.
The resorts
I'd sleep in a hut with no internet or bathrooms if that's what it took to go to Hawaii. (Well, actually I did to that in Hawaii.) Hawaii is great no matter where you stay, but I readily admit to loving some of the epic resorts. The Grand Hyatt Kauai is just virtually perfect for a family vacation, and it's bookable with Hyatt points.
The Grand Wailea is another five-star resort destination that you can book with Hilton points. If you prefer some Mickey and Moana with your Aloha, there's Aulani. If you have Marriott points at the ready, there's also the Ritz-Carlton Kapalua.
Related: Best hotel credit cards
Bottom line
Even with all that, the logistics of getting to Hawaii with a young family can be overwhelming — well, at least until I learned magic of staying on the West Coast both coming and going.
But despite the distance and effort, every time we get to Hawaii, all I can do is think about how to return. It is always worth it. We smile bigger, play longer, soak in the experience and yearn to return.
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 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. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
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.
Rewards Rate
| 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. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
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.