Alaska + Hawaiian Merger: How to Maximize Your Points Before the Door Closes

If you're into travel rewards, then you’ve probably heard the buzz: Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines are merging. And if you haven’t? Well, buckle up, because this is more than just two airlines holding hands—it’s a golden opportunity for savvy travelers to rack up some serious rewards before things shift for good.

We’ve pored over the fine print, tracked the chatter, and pulled together the best strategies to make the most of your miles, your credit cards, and your points—before the window closes.

Hawaiian Miles Are Becoming Alaska Miles—That’s Huge

The headline here? HawaiianMiles will convert to Alaska Mileage Plan miles. Why does that matter? Because Alaska’s loyalty program is widely considered one of the best out there—more redemption options, more flexibility, and more value per mile.

So if you can get your hands on Hawaiian miles now, you may be sitting on a pile of high-value Alaska miles in the near future.

Strategy 1: The Hawaiian Airlines Personal Card—Act Fast

Right now, the Hawaiian Airlines personal credit card is offering a no-minimum-spend bonus of 70,000 miles. All you have to do is make one purchase and pay the $99 annual fee. That’s it.

In today’s world of $4,000+ spending requirements just to unlock a bonus, this is rare. And the timing isn’t a coincidence—Hawaiian knows these miles are about to become more desirable, and they’re trying to bring in as many cardholders as possible before the merger finalizes.

We’re seeing people who are ultra-strategic with their credit—yes, even the spreadsheet warriors who live by Chase’s 5/24 rule—going after this offer. That’s how good it is.

🛑 Pro Tip: If you’re considering it, don’t wait. This offer could vanish once the merger is complete.

Strategy 2: The Amex Transfer Backdoor (Sneaky but Smart)

If you’re sitting on a stash of American Express Membership Rewards points, there’s a clever move you can make:

• Transfer Amex points to Hawaiian Airlines (1:1 ratio)

• Wait for those to convert into Alaska miles

But there’s a caveat: Amex charges a small fee when transferring to U.S.-based airlines—$0.00006 per point, capped at $99. So transferring 70,000 points? That’ll cost you about $42.

Still, this could be a good deal if you have a specific Alaska redemption in mind.

🕵️ Important: We don’t know how long this backdoor will be available. The passage could close any day. Don’t make speculative transfers—only do this if you have a trip in mind and award space available.

Why You Should Never Transfer Without a Plan

Let’s talk about speculative transfers—moving your points somewhere just in case you might use them later.

Sounds innocent, but it can backfire. Remember the Virgin Atlantic saga? Tons of travelers transferred points during juicy promotions, only to end up with miles they couldn’t use because availability dried up or partner relationships changed.

Lesson learned: Don’t let your points sit in limbo. Only move them when you know how you’ll use them.

Looking Ahead: The Premium Alaska Card

Here’s a bonus teaser: Alaska Airlines is launching a new premium credit card in summer 2025 with a $395 annual fee and (rumor has it) serious perks. We’ll be diving into that in next post—keep your eyes peeled. It could be the next big play for long-term Alaska mileage hoarding.

What You Should Do Right Now About Alaska Hawaiian Merger

✅ Apply for the Hawaiian Airlines personal card if you haven’t already. That 70,000-mile bonus is a low-effort, high-reward move.

✅ Use your Amex points strategically while the Hawaiian transfer route is still open—but only if you have a redemption plan.

✅ Don’t make speculative transfers. Miles are only valuable if you can actually use them.

✅ Watch for Alaska’s premium card coming in 2025 for future opportunities to build your Alaska stash.

Final Thoughts: The Loyalty Game Is Changing

With Alaska Hawaiian merger, evolving programs, and surprise shutdowns, the points and miles world is more fluid than ever. Flexibility, timing, and planning are your best friends.

So ask yourself: What are your travel goals? Do these strategies fit into your plan? Because while the opportunity is here, it won’t last forever.

Get in now—or risk missing the plane.