United’s newest Hawaii flagship just got a big schedule boost
United has seemingly found a winner with its newest Hawaii route.
The carrier's 4,903-mile, 11-hour hop from Newark (EWR) to Kahului/Maui (OGG) was first announced back in September 2020 as a seasonal summer service lasting just two and a half months.
Fast forward seven months later, and United appears to be turning it into a year-round route. Over the weekend, the carrier filed a notable schedule update for its Newark to Maui route, filling in the gaps from its previous plan.
The newly added flights are as follows, per Cirium timetables.
| Date range | Schedule update |
|---|---|
Sept. 11, 2021 — Dec. 11, 2021 | Once-weekly Saturday flights |
Jan. 8, 2022 — Feb. 5, 2022 | Once-weekly Saturday flights |
Feb. 11, 2022 — Feb. 13, 2022 | Three weekly flights |
Feb. 17, 2022, through the end of the schedule | Four weekly flights on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays |
Though the new flights are now bookable at united.com, saver business-class award space is essentially non-existent.
For now, you're looking at 95,000 MileagePlus miles for a one-way award, though it's possible that United could release saver space in the coming weeks. Upgrade availability is also quite limited, with a few days available for instant confirmation for invite-only Global Services members.
Before the weekend schedule update, United was planning to serve the Newark to Maui route during the summer season, with five weekly frequencies from June 3 through Sept. 6, as well as daily service during the busy winter holiday period from Dec. 17, 2021, through Jan. 3, 2022, with no flights during the fall or late winter/early spring.
Now, United will offer at least one daily frequency throughout the year, giving the route its latest major upgrade.
In late February and early March, United extended the route's summer season by three weeks and added a fifth weekly frequency on Mondays.
Additionally, United recently upgauged the Newark to Maui flight with its swankiest jet, the "high-J" Boeing 767 that features a whopping 46 Polaris business-class pods. This plane also sports a dedicated Premium Plus cabin, and the airline is now selling separate premium economy fares starting at $719 in each direction.
The Maui route will be the carrier's second Hawaii service from Newark. The carrier's existing Honolulu nonstop resumed during the December holidays and will see daily service returning on June 3.
Related: United puts its swankiest jet on new flagship Hawaii route
The carrier also upgraded another long-haul Hawaii route in its weekend schedule update.
Cirium schedules show that United will now fly its Washington/Dulles (IAD) to Honolulu (HNL) route four times weekly between Sept. 9 and Dec. 16, up from the original plan of just Saturday-only service during that timeframe. This 4,817-mile hop is slated to resume on May 6, after a more than year-long suspension due to the pandemic.
United's confidence in Hawaii flying is seemingly at a pandemic-era high. With an accelerated vaccine rollout, UA is seeing pandemic-weary travelers beginning to plan trips. Hawaii has been open to tourists (who participate in the Safe Travels program) sans quarantine since late 2020, and demand to travel to the Aloha State appears to be growing, especially while many international destinations remain closed to American tourists.
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 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. |
| 5X | New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Valuable dining and food-related credits
- Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
- Multiple travel and purchase protections
- No foreign transaction fees
- Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)
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 $8,000 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.
- New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
- Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
- Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
- Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.