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More Southwest Hawaii Details Revealed in Employee Memos

Zach Honig
Zach Honig
Contributor
Oct. 15, 2017
•
3 min read
Bali Hai
More Southwest Hawaii Details Revealed in Employee Memos
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Southwest dominated the travel news space last week with its announcement of Hawaii service. This is huge news for TPG readers especially — once Southwest begins flying to Hawaii, likely in 2018, Companion Pass holders will be able to score two tickets for the price of one, even when traveling on an award.

Southwest's new Boeing 737 MAX fleet will also offer a far more modern — and, in some cases, comfortable — interior compared to the aircraft legacy carriers fly to and from the mainland today. For example, here's what you might find on a Delta 757-200 from Los Angeles to Maui:

And this is the seat and cabin you can expect on Southwest's new 737 MAX:

Following the Hawaii announcement last week, the airline sent a memo and "questions and answers" document to employees, which airport agents, flight attendants and other representatives can reference when customers ask about Southwest's Hawaii plans.

Many details have yet to be worked out, but so far we've learned:

  • Service will launch with the 737-800 to avoid further delays, but "the MAX will be [Southwest's] Hawaii aircraft."
  • California is clearly the top priority at launch, but specific airports remain to be announced.
  • With the Love Field expansion and international service launch out of the way, and with 737 MAX deliveries finally underway, Southwest decided it was time to announce Hawaii service.
  • Analysts are evaluating the feasibility of inter-island service, which is on the table as well.
  • Tickets should go on sale in 2018, but the launch is entirely dependent on ETOPS approval.
  • Free bags, Companion Pass, award redemptions and other perks will carry over to Hawaii service.
  • Southwest is working to bring Wi-Fi and live TV to Hawaii flights.
  • Once the MAX is ETOPS certified, it's easier to add regional approval for transatlantic flights, but there are "no plans to serve Europe at this time."
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Beyond what we already knew, the biggest takeaways here are the fact that Southwest will begin service with the older 737-800, and will focus on California at launch. While other Western cities could eventually offer nonstop Southwest flights to Hawaii, we'll likely see the first flights depart from the carrier's existing California focus airports, perhaps including Los Angeles (LAX), Oakland (OAK), Orange County (SNA), San Diego (SAN), San Jose (SJC) and/or Sacramento (SMF).

Which airports would you like to see Southwest serve first?

Featured image by Getty Images/iStockphoto

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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.
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Rewards Rate

4XEarn 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.
4XEarn 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.
3XEarn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
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  • Annual Fee

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  • 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.

    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.

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.