Deal alert: $237 round-trip fares to Hawaii from the West Coast
Hawaii has been one of the most popular travel destinations in the post-lockdown travel boom. Hotels, rental cars and attractions in the islands are selling out, and airfares have been typically sky high.
As the calendar shifts to the traditionally slower fall travel season, United and Southwest have announced some new deals for travel from the West Coast to Hawaii in September and October.
Fares that were previously in the $775 range for round trips from the West Coast are now offered in the sub-$300 range, if you act quickly.
Related: You may need reservations for these Hawaii attractions
Deal basics
United is offering a set of deals from the West Coast, including Los Angeles, San Francisco and Seattle to multiple airports in Hawaii, with basic economy fares for round trips beginning at $237.
Keep in mind Basic Economy on United does not include seat assignments or allow full-sized carry-on luggage. It also has limited mileage qualifying credits and bonuses.
Airlines: United, Southwest.
Routes: Between the U.S. West Coast to airports across the Hawaiian Islands.
How to book: Directly through the airline or Google Flights.
Travel dates: September through October.
Related: The best ways to get to Hawaii using points and miles
Sample flights
West Coast airports where these deals are available include San Francisco, Los Angeles and Seattle. Hawaiian airports include Maui's Kahului Airport (OGG) and Kona airport (KOA) on the Big Island of Hawaii.
United Airlines sample deal
Pricing begins at $237 for United's Basic Economy fares. Keep in mind that this is truly basic.
The price does not include seat assignments, or the opportunity to have a full-sized carry-on bag or check a bag without an additional charge. It also excludes the ability to change your flight — you must cancel and rebook — as well as the eligibility to earn full Premier qualifying credit.
Be warned: If you book a Basic Economy seat and try bringing a carry-on to the gate that's judged to be full size, you'll be charged the regular $25 checked baggage fee plus a $25 "service charge."
United's Economy price for this same routing, including a full-sized carry-on and seat choices (but not including checked baggage) is $297.
Southwest sample deal
Southwest is offering similar nonstop flights to airports across the Hawaiian island from West Coast cities including the Oakland International Airport (OAK) routing cited above.
From late September through October, you can find Southwest flights beginning at $247 round trip from Oakland to the Kona International Airport (KOA) on the Big Island of Hawaii.
This flight (like all flights on Southwest) does not include reserved seating, but it does include both carry-on and checked baggage.
If you're planning to fly to Hawaii with luggage, or you're with a group that wants to sit together, Southwest flights may prove to be significantly less expensive — to the tune of hundreds of dollars.
Related: I had sworn off Hawaii: Here’s why I went back
Maximize your purchase
Pay with The Platinum Card® from American Express for 5 points per dollar on flights booked directly with the airline or through American Express Travel (on up to $500,000 in these purchases per calendar year). The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card will earn you 5 miles per dollar on flights booked through Capital One Travel. The Chase Sapphire Reserve gets you 5 points per dollar on flights purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards (after using your $300 annual travel credit).
Bottom line
Hawaii has experienced huge visitor traffic over the past year. However, with prices rising exorbitantly for hotels and rental cars (when even available), now might be a good time to book a flight for fall with the hope that those hotel and car prices may decrease as well.
Before purchasing a ticket, though, compare the fully-loaded cost of the tickets that you want -- particularly considering the cost of checked or even carry-on baggage.
By the time your flights are booked, what appears to be a slightly more expensive ticket on Southwest turns out to be much cheaper than a United fare with the features you want.
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| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the U.S. and at U.S. supermarkets. |
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Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.Earn 90,000 Bonus Miles50,000 Bonus MilesAnnual Fee
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Why We Chose It
Build your loyalty to Delta by applying for the carrier's mid-tier card option, the Delta SkyMiles Platinum card. The annual fee is quickly recouped by the card's travel perks, such as an application credit to Global Entry or TSA Precheck, annual companion certificate and so much more. Plus you can fast-track to elite status simply through card spend.Pros
- Earn bonus Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) and an Medallion Qualifying Dollar (MQD) waiver when you hit specific spending thresholds with your card within a calendar year
- Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year
- Statement credit for TSA PreCheck/Global Entry fee (up to $100)
- First checked bag free
Cons
- Doesn't make sense if you don't fly Delta
- SkyMiles aren't the most valuable airline currency
- Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.
- Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your Card. Payment of the government imposed taxes and fees of no more than $80 for roundtrip domestic flights (for itineraries with up to four flight segments) is required. Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
- Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights. Plus enjoy Main Cabin 1 Priority Boarding and settle into your seat sooner.
- New: Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
- Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets.
- Earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases.
- Enjoy a per-visit rate of $50 per person for Card Members and up to two guests to enter the Delta Sky Club when traveling on a Delta flight.
- Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® after you apply through any Authorized Enrollment Provider. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck.
- Earn up to 20,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) with Status Boost® per year. After you spend $25,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, you can earn 10,000 MQMs up to two times per year, getting you closer to Medallion® Status. MQMs are used to determine Medallion® Status and are different than miles you earn toward flights.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- $250 Annual Fee.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees