MilesBuzz! - Miles strategy for SAN, SFO, HNL trip in summer 2013

Long time lurker with a request for some help. I'm planning a trip for the summer of 2013 for 3 people. Depart tampa to san diego, stay for three days. Leave San Diego for Hawaii, stay five days. Return Hawaii to San Francisco, stay 4 days. Then finally return to Tampa.

I have the following miles/points -
BA 100k
AA 110k (wife should get another 100k soon)
US Air 80k
AMEX MR 100k
Chase UR 60k

Right now it looks like I have to book 4 one way tickets to each destination. Is this correct or can I do some kind of stopover trick? It also looks like the BA miles would be good for the SAN - HNL and the HNL - SFO flights if I call and book on AS. Is this correct?

Any tips to get the most out of my miles would be appreciated.

Long time lurker with a request for some help. I'm planning a trip for the summer of 2013 for 3 people. Depart tampa to san diego, stay for three days. Leave San Diego for Hawaii, stay five days. Return Hawaii to San Francisco, stay 4 days. Then finally return to Tampa.

I have the following miles/points -
BA 100k
AA 110k (wife should get another 100k soon)
US Air 80k
AMEX MR 100k
Chase UR 60k

Right now it looks like I have to book 4 one way tickets to each destination. Is this correct or can I do some kind of stopover trick? It also looks like the BA miles would be good for the SAN - HNL and the HNL - SFO flights if I call and book on AS. Is this correct?

Any tips to get the most out of my miles would be appreciated.

BA is definitely the way to go for west coast to Hawaii flights. It's rare (not impossible) to find programs that allow stopovers on trips solely between mainland US and Hawaii. I'll just say its not possible with any of your current airline miles.

So I guess I'm looking at using 75k from BA and 75k from AA. Does that sound correct?

TPA - SAN (12.5AA x3)
SAN - HNL (12.5BA x3)
HNL - SFO (12.5BA x3)
SFO - TPA (12.5AA x3)

Any other ideas?

would doing san & sfo back to back be cheaper?

would doing san & sfo back to back be cheaper?


Maybe, but I want to break up the trip back to TPA. Also, HNL to TPA would probably use up the saved miles anyway.

TPA-SAN One Way 12.5k each AA
SAN-HNL-SFO Roundtrip open jaw on Alaska using BA miles (25k ea econ)
SFO-TPA One Way 12.5k each AA

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AS doesn't fly HNL-SFO.

They do fly HNL-SJC/OAK

Also, if MCO is within reason, AS should be starting MCO-SAN this fall and could have a good introductory fare at a better deal then using miles.

What? Not one of my esteemed FT colleagues has tried to talk the OP out of HNL and into OGG or LIH? :)

AS doesn't fly HNL-SFO.

They do fly HNL-SJC/OAK


Does it make sense to transfer AMEX MR to Hawaiian Airlines to fly HNL-SFO? How many miles do I need for a one way on Hawaiian?

What? Not one of my esteemed FT colleagues has tried to talk the OP out of HNL and into OGG or LIH? :)

I'm open to suggestions. This would be my family's first trip to Hawaii.

Does it make sense to transfer AMEX MR to Hawaiian Airlines to fly HNL-SFO? How many miles do I need for a one way on Hawaiian?



I'm open to suggestions. This would be my family's first trip to Hawaii.

It all depends on what you want in a Hawaiian vacation. Think of Hnl as Los Angeles in an island setting, with it's north shore being more of what most people think of when thinking of Hawaii. Lih is by far the most remote and most loved by relaxed nature lovers, think lots of hiking and outdoor activites. Ogg is a good mix between the two, and is my most favorite. All are great and you can't go wrong... Do some more research before booking you tickets so you find whatever it is that floats your boat

Does it make sense to transfer AMEX MR to Hawaiian Airlines to fly HNL-SFO? How many miles do I need for a one way on Hawaiian?



I'm open to suggestions. This would be my family's first trip to Hawaii.

Is it really that important to fly into sfo as opposed to sjc/oak? It would be 20k one way with HA miles or 17.5k if you had a HA visa.

As for recommendations, tru2logan summed it up pretty well. It really depends on preferences. Kauai is my favorite for its quiet, Hawaii is next for its uniqueness and wide open spaces, and Maui and Oahu are about even for my preference.

Does it make sense to transfer AMEX MR to Hawaiian Airlines to fly HNL-SFO? How many miles do I need for a one way on Hawaiian?

I'm open to suggestions. This would be my family's first trip to Hawaii.

Well I'd like to add a Welcome to Flyertalk ktdad ^

Myself, I visit HNL as its a cheap destination to earn miles from- if I want to go on a real vacation I go to the outlying islands. Kauai No Ka Oi myself ;)

If OAK/SJC works I'd check those out.

TPA-SAN One Way 12.5k each AA
SAN-HNL-SFO Roundtrip open jaw on Alaska using BA miles (25k ea econ)
SFO-TPA One Way 12.5k each AA

Good to see you're posting more often, sir!