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Forget Arby's Strange $6 Hawaii Trip -- Here's 6 Ways to Book Your Own Flight for $5.60 Plus Miles

April 11, 2019
5 min read
Waves crash in Molokai, Hawaii
Forget Arby's Strange $6 Hawaii Trip -- Here's 6 Ways to Book Your Own Flight for $5.60 Plus Miles
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Right now Arby's wants you to fly 10 people to Hawaii for $6 each to eat its three King's Hawaiian sandwiches in a tropical paradise. The promo says "No volcanoes. No pineapple farms. Just you, sweet buns, tender meats, and a Hawaiian paradise to eat them in." And the length of your stay for this crazy sandwich promotion? A whopping six hours!

At TPG, we've done some crazy things, but why fly all the way to the middle of the Pacific if not to enjoy the views of volcanoes, pineapple farms, beautiful crystal waters and enjoy true, fresh Hawaiian cuisine? Forget Arby's gimmick about its sandwiches. With the right strategy you can be enjoying that Hawaiian paradise for less than the cost of a sandwich, and stay much longer than just six hours.

Here are six ways to use your miles to get to Hawaii using miles and deals without bothering with Arby's.

1. Use 12,500 British Airways Avios One-Way to Fly American Airlines

You can fly to nearly every Hawaiian island using British Airways Avios starting at just 12,500 Avios each way (plus taxes and fees) in economy from cities on the West Coast, and as far east as Phoenix on American Airlines operated flights. Here's how.

You can earn British Airways Avios with the British Airways Visa Signature Card and points also transfer from American Express Membership Rewards (sometimes with a transfer bonus) and Chase Ultimate Rewards.

2. Fly Southwest Airlines to Honolulu or Maui from 9,000 Points

Southwest Airlines recently starting flying to Hawaii from the West Coast and while the initial $49 flights are gone, you can still find some dates for less than 9,000 Rapid Reward points. In fact, if you happen to have a Companion Pass, then two can fly for that award price plus taxes.

You can rack up Rapid Rewards points with the various Southwest credit cards or make transfers from Chase Ultimate Rewards.

3. Book United Airlines Flights to Hawaii for Less Via Singapore KrisFlyer

United Airlines often wants at least 45,000 miles to fly to Hawaii and back, but you can book the same United operated flights via partner Singapore KrisFlyer from 35,000 miles per round trip in economy. Miles transfer 1:1 to Singapore American Express Membership Rewards, Chase Ultimate Rewards and Citi ThankYou Rewards.

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(Zach Honig / The Points Guy)

4. Buy One, Get One for $99 Hawaii Tickets

If you don't want to wait and earn enough miles to redeem for Hawaii, you can just jump on the companion certificate available with the Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® credit card where a friend can come with you to Hawaii for just $121 ($99 fare plus taxes and fees; from $22)!

5. Fly to Hawaii in a Lie-Flat Seat Using Miles

Hawaii can be a little far, so don't just spend six-hours on the ground as Arby's has in mind, but instead spend your six (or more) hours in the air lounging in a lie-flat seat thanks to your miles. Well-priced first-class awards to Hawaii can be tough to find, but they are out there starting at 40,000 Hawaiian Airlines miles + $5.60 in taxes each way (that's less cash than Arby's wants for it's flight!)

Photo by Wallace Cotton / The Points Guy

You can transfer American Express Membership Rewards points from cards like the American Express® Gold Card to Hawaiian Airlines to snag a nice seat up front. (Here's our recent review of the Hawaiian Airlines first class seat.)

6. Book a Flash Sale to Hawaii With Points

Even before Southwest Airlines took off with its own low fares to Hawaii, there have been pretty regular flash sales across airlines to the Aloha state. TPG has seen many sub-$300 round-trip flights to Hawaii in recent months. A recent sale had flights for $277, which is about 18,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points if you have the Chase Sapphire Reserve.

Follow @TPG_Alerts, have a credit card that earns points that can be used to wipe out travel charges such as the Barclaycard Arrival Plus World Elite Mastercard (earn 70,000 bonus miles after spending $5,000 in the first 90 days, worth $700 in travel) and pounce when the next flash sale to Hawaii appears.

(Photo by Darren Murph / The Points Guy)

So as you can see with the right strategy you can easily make your Hawaiian vacation dreams a reality, all without spending a ton of money or participating in this crazy sandwich promotion. Who wants to spend only six hours in paradise anyway?

For the latest travel news, deals, and points and miles tips please subscribe to The Points Guy daily email newsletter.

Featured Photo by Darren Murph / The Points Guy

Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

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TPG Editor‘s Rating
Card Rating is based on the opinion of TPG‘s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.
3 / 5
Go to review

Rewards Rate

6X6x Marriott Bonvoy Points on each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy® program.
4X4x points for purchases made at restaurants worldwide, at U.S. gas stations, on wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers and on U.S. purchases for shipping.
2X2x points on all other eligible purchases.
  • Intro Offer
    Limited Time Offer: Earn 125,000 Bonus Marriott Bonvoy Points after you use your new Card to make $5,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of Card Membership. Offer ends 5/3/23.

    Earn 125,000 points
    75,000 points
  • Annual Fee

    $125
  • Recommended 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.

    670-850
    Excellent/Good

Why We Chose It

The Marriott Bonvoy Business Amex is a stacked card with a rewards rate that will help you earn bonus points on everyday and business-related purchases. You'll earn 15 elite night credits each calendar year, and receive automatic Gold elite status. Finally, the free night award certificate with a redemption level of 35,000 points or less can get you hundreds of dollars in potential value each year.

Pros

  • 6 points per dollar on eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy program
  • 4 points per dollar at restaurants worldwide, U.S. gas stations, wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers and U.S. shipping
  • 2 points per dollar on all other eligible purchases
  • Earn a free-night award each card renewal month (up to 35,000 points)
  • Receive 15 elite night credits to jump-start status
  • Transfer Marriott points to 40+ airlines

Cons

  • Airline points transfer ratios are poor
  • Must spend $60,000 in a year for second free-night award
  • Limited Time Offer: Earn 125,000 Bonus Marriott Bonvoy Points after you use your new Card to make $5,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of Card Membership. Offer ends 5/3/23.
  • Receive a 7% discount off standard rates for reservations of standard guest rooms at hotels that participate in the Marriott Bonvoy program when you book directly. Terms and Conditions Apply.
  • 6x Marriott Bonvoy Points on each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy® program.
  • 4x points for purchases made at restaurants worldwide, at U.S. gas stations, on wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers and on U.S. purchases for shipping.
  • 2x points on all other eligible purchases.
  • Receive 1 Free Night Award every year after your Card renewal month. Plus, earn an additional Free Night Award after you spend $60K in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Awards can be used for one night (redemption level at or under 35,000 Marriott Bonvoy® points) at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy®. Certain hotels have resort fees.
  • Enjoy Complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite Status with your Card.
  • Terms apply.