Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines have officially begun integrating their frequent flyer programs, offering status matching, reciprocal mileage earning, and new elite perks. These changes are the start of a single combined loyalty program, expected to launch later in 2025. For now, these updates bring immediate benefits to frequent flyers of both airlines. Let’s break down what’s new and how it impacts travelers.

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Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines started integating their Loyalty Program: Status match opportunities.

Status Match Between Mileage Plan and HawaiianMiles

One of the most significant changes is the introduction of a status match between Alaska’s Mileage Plan and Hawaiian’s HawaiianMiles.

How It Works:

HawaiianMiles members can now link their accounts with Mileage Plan and have their status matched, allowing them to enjoy elite benefits across both airlines.

  • If you earned elite-qualifying miles (EQMs) in both programs during 2024, your combined total will determine your highest possible status.
  • Even non-elite members can benefit—if they have EQMs in both programs, they may qualify for elite status.
  • No need to create a HawaiianMiles account if you’re an Alaska Mileage Plan member—you’ll still receive benefits when flying on Hawaiian Airlines.

Alaska finishes the acquisition of Hawaiian Airlines. What will happen to Mileage Plan?

Status Match Tiers

HawaiianMiles Status Matched Alaska Mileage Plan Status Matched Oneworld Status
Pualani Gold MVP Ruby
Pualani Platinum MVP Gold Sapphire

For members who have combined EQMs in both programs, the status match tiers are:

Combined EQMs Matched Alaska Mileage Plan Status Matched Oneworld Status
20,000 EQMs MVP Ruby
40,000 EQMs MVP Gold Sapphire
75,000 EQMs MVP 75K Emerald
100,000 EQMs MVP Gold 100K Emerald

New Elite Perks for Alaska Mileage Plan Members Flying Hawaiian Airlines

Mileage Plan elite members now receive select benefits when flying on Hawaiian Airlines-operated flights—no status matching required. Simply use your Mileage Plan number when booking.

Elite Perks on Hawaiian Airlines Flights

  • ✅ Priority check-in
  • ✅ Priority boarding
  • ✅ Complimentary baggage
  • ✅ Complimentary preferred seats at booking
  • ✅ Access to Extra Comfort seats at check-in (first come, first served, based on availability)

Note: These perks apply only when flying Hawaiian Airlines, not other Oneworld airlines.

Redeeming Mileage Plan Miles for Hawaiian Airlines Flights

Alaska Mileage Plan members can now use their miles to book Hawaiian Airlines flights. This adds flexibility to the program, which already includes redemptions on Oneworld and partner airlines.

However, this raises concerns about award availability. Whenever new redemption options are introduced, demand often increases, making it harder to find award seats.

  • You can book Hawaiian flights using Alaska miles via alaskaair.com.
  • HawaiianMiles members who want to book Alaska flights must transfer HawaiianMiles to Mileage Plan miles before redeeming.

Earning Miles Across Both Programs

Travelers can now earn miles in either Mileage Plan or HawaiianMiles, regardless of which airline they fly. The key is entering your desired frequent flyer number when booking.

These miles will count toward:
✔️ Elite status in your selected program
✔️ The new Mileage Plan milestone benefits introduced in 2024

Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines started integating their Loyalty Program: Status match opportunities.

Upcoming Credit Card Benefits

Starting later this spring, Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® and Business cardholders will receive:

  • 🎟 One free checked bag for themselves and up to six guests on the same reservation when using their card to book Hawaiian Airlines flights.

This perk raises questions about the future of Hawaiian Airlines’ Barclays credit card. Will the Alaska/Bank of America relationship eventually replace it? Time will tell.

Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines started integating their Loyalty Program: Status match opportunities.

What’s Still Unclear?

While these changes offer immediate perks, some big questions remain about the long-term future of HawaiianMiles:

  1. Will award pricing change?
    • Alaska Mileage Plan is known for being more rewarding than HawaiianMiles, but will this hold true in the new combined program?
  2. What happens when Hawaiian joins Oneworld in 2026?
    • Hawaiian will officially become a Oneworld member in 2026, unlocking full Oneworld benefits for its members.
    • For now, Oneworld perks do not apply when flying Hawaiian Airlines.
  3. Will Alaska and Hawaiian fully merge into one program?
    • A single loyalty program is coming in mid-2025, but how will it work?
    • Will HawaiianMiles disappear completely, or will it merge into a Mileage Plan-branded program?

What You Should Do Now

HawaiianMiles Members:

✅ Link your accounts and get your status match to Alaska Mileage Plan.

Mileage Plan Members:

✅ Use your Mileage Plan number when booking Hawaiian Airlines flights to earn EQMs and receive elite benefits.

All Members:

✅ Redeem Mileage Plan miles for Hawaiian Airlines flights via alaskaair.com.

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