Hawaii-based Airlines - Frustrated with HA ---

I booked RT the NYC-HNL flight. At the time I was unable to book a connecting flight to LIH --- months later I booked the Interisland. The one way fare from HNL to LIH was $178.00.....the most I have ever paid for this segment. This was the lowest coach fare available.

Yesterday I was inserting my FF # when I checked the flight and pricing ---
today the lowest fare is $88.00 one way.
At the time of my booking in March the lowest was Sold Out....so I purchased the $178. thinking that they had sold out all the lower buckets--and the fare would only go higher....

This is frustrating. I know fare rules etc ---and I do this trip about 5 times a year --- I have never seen such a big difference in fares --- The $178 is just $9 short of First Class (HNL - LIH).

I called last evening to see if they would adjust with a credit --- they would offer to change for a $104. fare + a $40 GAF fee ---and no credit but a voucher for future travel within 1 year.....
I mentioned to them that I basically paid a FC fare --- why not just comp it up to FC ---no way!

Actually I think I will stick with UA/CO and AA to Hawaii for future trips...flying directly to LIH from the mainland.
I thought HA from NYC would be a welcomed change ---

I booked RT the NYC-HNL flight. At the time I was unable to book a connecting flight to LIH --- months later I booked the Interisland. The one way fare from HNL to LIH was $178.00.....the most I have ever paid for this segment. This was the lowest coach fare available.

Yesterday I was inserting my FF # when I checked the flight and pricing ---
today the lowest fare is $88.00 one way.
At the time of my booking in March the lowest was Sold Out....so I purchased the $178. thinking that they had sold out all the lower buckets--and the fare would only go higher....

This is frustrating. I know fare rules etc ---and I do this trip about 5 times a year --- I have never seen such a big difference in fares --- The $178 is just $9 short of First Class (HNL - LIH).

I called last evening to see if they would adjust with a credit --- they would offer to change for a $104. fare + a $40 GAF fee ---and no credit but a voucher for future travel within 1 year.....
I mentioned to them that I basically paid a FC fare --- why not just comp it up to FC ---no way!

Actually I think I will stick with UA/CO and AA to Hawaii for future trips...flying directly to LIH from the mainland.
I thought HA from NYC would be a welcomed change ---
While I understand your frustration, having been the beneficiary of many fare decreases from a variety of airlines, HA included, it's worth nothing that this can happen to you on any carrier. It's an industry problem, not a HA problem. But yes, HA has some unusual policies (e.g., non-refundable F fare) that sets it apart from other carriers and leaves quite the bitter taste in the mouth.

While I understand your frustration, having been the beneficiary of many fare decreases from a variety of airlines, HA included, it's worth nothing that this can happen to you on any carrier. It's an industry problem, not a HA problem. But yes, HA has some unusual policies (e.g., non-refundable F fare) that sets it apart from other carriers and leaves quite the bitter taste in the mouth.

I agree.



I wonder why you didn't just spend the extra $9 and book F when you bought the ticket. Or you another carrier? Loyalty can be expensive sometimes . . .

I would have bought the FC ticket in March -- as I have done in the past -
but that fare was much higher than the coach fare of $178.00 ONE Way -- I think anyone who flies Inter Island will agree that if coach is showing SOLD OUT in March --- most likely its not going to open up in May --- sold out is sold out....but obviously the flight was not sold out ----
(I am in no way loyal to HA ---and most likely will not fly them again after this trip).

I thought about buying GO but I have a brief connection time and just carry on --- and I find the GO planes very tight....and not so dependable.