Interesting analysis. I'm a HNL based United 1K that mostly buys opportunistic F/J tickets but also main cabin. I've wanted to give my loyalty to HA but UA's breadth of schedule and partners has kept be going back for more. I've already requalified for 1k in 2026. Combining HA with AS make their value proposition so much better. I'm considering the Summit credit card and canceling my United Club card, focussing 2026 travel on HA/AS and trying for a status match. Thoughts?
If the route network works, the loyalty program should at least be better than United's. It will be a couple of years until HA/AS has a proper lounge at HNL, but springing for the Lounge+ membership gets access to the JAL/AA lounge, which is pleasant enough if not ideally located for most HA flights. HA/AS has much more nonstop coverage to the west coast, including more widebody options, and generally multiple connecting options to major destinations farther east, but it doesn't match the majors for smaller destinations. I'm hoping we might see HA on HNL-ORD (or even HNL-DFW) for access to more AA connections in the eastern half of the country, but that would probably have to wait for the expiration of restrictions from their last merger, among other things.