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You may not be a New Year’s resolution type of person, but you’ll actually do yourself a disservice if you don’t make a few promises related to your travel hacking hobby. Earning miles and points that will help whisk you and your family around the globe in style isn’t easy, and it takes planning and organization.
Before you sing “Auld Lang Syne” at the dawn of the New Year, make a few resolutions that may help you get where you want to go in the next 12 months. Here are some resolutions shared by us at RewardExpert. You may want to commit to them as well.
Despite being a legacy carrier, Honolulu-based Hawaiian Airlines doesn’t have a huge footprint in North America. Nor is it a member of an airline alliance. However, if you fly Hawaiian Airlines on a regular basis, elite status might be worthwhile.
Additionally, Hawaiian Airlines has several airline partners including Japan Airlines, Virgin Atlantic, China Airlines, jetBlue, Virgin Australia, and Korean Air that allow you to credit miles earned on their flights to Hawaiian. All of the above makes collecting Hawaiian miles relatively easy. Unfortunately, all elite benefits are limited to flights on Hawaiian Airlines, and it doesn’t appear that there are any reciprocal elite benefits between Hawaiian Airlines and its partners.
Get bonus miles when you fly on Hawaiian Airlines
Earning Status
Hawaiian Airlines Pualani has two elite levels: Gold and Platinum.
Gold and Platinum: Upgrade to Extra Comfort or Preferred Seat
Platinum:
Same day upgrade on a flight to the Neighbor Islands
Two first class domestic and business class international one-way upgrades
Six one-way systemwide upgrades upon reaching 75,000 miles
One additional upgrade for every 10,000 miles earned after that
Hawaiian Airlines Pualani Bonus Miles
Gold: 50% bonus miles
Platinum: 100% bonus miles
Fee Waivers
Gold: First two bags
Gold and Platinum: In-flight Unlimited TV & More Pack on A330 flights
Platinum:
First three bags
Preferred Seat on Hawaiian Airlines-operated flights to the Neighbor Islands
Airport Services
Gold and Platinum:
Access to the first class check-in line and express security line
More seats are available for selection at time of booking
Discounted E-Awards at HawaiianAirlines.com
Priority routing and handling when calling Exclusive Reservations Line
Hold a fare on a flight reservation for 1-2 days
Priority boarding
Neighbor Islands same-day standby
Priority security lines at select airports
Priority baggage handling
Priority pre-boarding
Platinum:
Neighbor Island Economy Class SEAT guaranteed up until 72 hours prior to departure with a revenue e-ticket.
Complimentary Lounge Access
Gold and Platinum:
Premier Club Access – Honolulu, Hilo, Kona, Kahului and Lihue
Complimentary access to The Plumeria Lounge
Notable Additional Rewards for Gold and Platinum Members
Special invitations to events hosted by Hawaiian Airlines throughout
the U.S.
$100 annual statement credit toward in-flight purchases for Hawaiian Airlines World Elite MasterCard cardholders ($10 maximum per day)
Premier Club Benefits
Some of the elite benefits are available to anyone willing to pay for them. The Premier Club membership costs $299 or 40,000 Hawaiian miles and covers many Gold and Platinum benefits except:
Upgrades
Hold a Fare
Guaranteed seat
Bonus miles
Neighbor Islands standby
Invitations to special events
Other Ways to Earn Status
None
Status Match/Status Challenge
Not official, but there are some reports of status-matching on a case-to-case basis.
Hawaiian Airlines is making the premium cabin aboard its A330 aircraft more luxurious. The carrier has teaming up with designers PaulWylde and Optimares to create a comfortable and modern business class cabin that includes lie-flat seats.
Who Is the Hawaiian Airlines World Elite MasterCard Good For?
If you want to go to Hawaii with miles, signing up for the Hawaiian Airlines World MasterCard is a good way to get yourself and a companion there quickly. The card not only automatically gives you enough miles for a round-trip flight, but it also includes a certificate and an automatic discount on Hawaiian Airlines award flights.
