segments on HA and AA using HA miles
Aug 16, 2014, 9:21 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 50
segments on HA and AA using HA miles
Hey guys! I'm building up a stash of HA miles for a trip to HNL Nov 2015. Problem is I don't live near an airport that HA services (I'm in Cincinnati). My original plan was to use Avios to fly AA to one of the NYC airports, and then take the JFK-HNL flight. But I'm wondering if it would be possible to get it ticketed all in one reservation from HA using their partner program. Is that even an option, flying AA and HA segments on an HA award? If so, I'd assume it would be at the slightly higher partner rate, but that would be ok if I could check luggage through and only have to pay one baggage fee instead of two.
Thanks!
Thanks!
Aug 17, 2014, 1:41 pm
#2
Join Date: May 2012
Location: HNL
Programs: AS MVPG, HA Plat
Posts: 1,268
As far as I know, you can't mix carriers on an HA award. Their mileage program is pretty primitive and pretty low-value. If you're building HA miles with credit card spend, you'd almost certainly be better off with cash back.
Aug 17, 2014, 7:41 pm
#5
Join Date: May 2012
Location: HNL
Programs: AS MVPG, HA Plat
Posts: 1,268
Still pretty available to west coast, but that's only getting you something like 1.25 cents/point or a little better. I think HA just figures people don't do arithmetic when they're thinking about vacation.
Aug 18, 2014, 12:54 am
#6
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Hawai'i Nei
Programs: Au: UA, Marriott, Hilton; GE
Posts: 7,142
Aug 18, 2014, 10:01 am
#7
Join Date: May 2012
Location: HNL
Programs: AS MVPG, HA Plat
Posts: 1,268
I did recently get a survey inviting me to offer my opinions about HA's elite program. I gave them both barrels, but doubt it will make any difference. That's OK. AS MVPG works REALLY well if you live in HNL and have family in the PNW.
Aug 18, 2014, 1:24 pm
#8
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Hawai'i Nei
Programs: Au: UA, Marriott, Hilton; GE
Posts: 7,142
Ah. Yes. That happened so long ago I'd half forgotten. I started building up a nice pile of miles for a couple of business tickets to Australia or New Zealand, and the availability disappeared completely before I even got close.
I did recently get a survey inviting me to offer my opinions about HA's elite program. I gave them both barrels, but doubt it will make any difference. That's OK. AS MVPG works REALLY well if you live in HNL and have family in the PNW.
I did recently get a survey inviting me to offer my opinions about HA's elite program. I gave them both barrels, but doubt it will make any difference. That's OK. AS MVPG works REALLY well if you live in HNL and have family in the PNW.
Aug 18, 2014, 5:46 pm
#9
Join Date: May 2012
Location: HNL
Programs: AS MVPG, HA Plat
Posts: 1,268
I like the airline too, and of course I keep flying them interisland, but the FF value proposition at Alaska is so vastly much better for my travel patterns that they and their partners will be getting my longhaul revenue travel for as long as that stays true.
Sep 4, 2014, 8:34 pm
#10
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: EWR/JFK
Programs: AA GLD 1.xMM, MAR SLV, HH DMND, IHG PLT
Posts: 838
Did something change re: HA low/saver award space recently? I just flew 5 saver seats round-trip on a peak Saturday JFK to HNL to OGG this past winter and was planning to redeem again in a few months for the following winter.
Sep 5, 2014, 1:22 am
#11
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Hawai'i Nei
Programs: Au: UA, Marriott, Hilton; GE
Posts: 7,142
Sep 5, 2014, 5:01 pm
#12
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: EWR/JFK
Programs: AA GLD 1.xMM, MAR SLV, HH DMND, IHG PLT
Posts: 838
segments on HA and AA using HA miles
5 seats in COACH super saver 35 K Round trip per person. I flew outbound on Saturday and return left on a Friday.
Please tell me this is still available before I get more credit cards for the family.
Please tell me this is still available before I get more credit cards for the family.
Sep 5, 2014, 5:30 pm
#13
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: HNL
Programs: HA - Pualani Plat; Avis FIRST; Emerald Club Executive
Posts: 169
Just a data point, but I just snagged 4 super saver RT to LAX for April 2015, all booked from my account, although Mrs. has a HA CC.
Sep 5, 2014, 9:12 pm
#14
Join Date: May 2012
Location: HNL
Programs: AS MVPG, HA Plat
Posts: 1,268
That's a good use of HA miles if you're earning them from flying, but not much of a return on credit card spend compared to cash back, SPG, etc.
Sep 6, 2014, 2:03 am
#15
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: HNL
Programs: HA - Pualani Plat; Avis FIRST; Emerald Club Executive
Posts: 169
I'd say 90% from flying, the credit card just gets me an extra bag which comes in handy and the $10/flight credit which gets snacks for the keiki