This is true.

However, Ali'i Club members and Executive Club members are allowed paid upgrades of $150 (I think) and $175 (I know for sure) respectively. Don't know the prices on HA's elite upgrade on domestic flight charges, or if they offer a different pay scale for their elite members. Regularly, it's $250+ for upgrades on day of departure.

Aloha Airlines has now offered a new website to its executive plus member that allows lower fares and better seats. This website was recently sent in a letter to all Executive Club members.

To recap:

Hawaiian Airlines:

• Offers mileage upgrades (thanks flyhawaii -- this is an important point).
• In-flight service comp to AQ.
• Flying out of LAX and ONT, which can be somewhat painful.
• Frequency of flights from LAX and ONT to OGG is poor for now.
• Better freq to HNL with connections to OGG.
• Financial questionability.
• Flys 767-300ETOPS, but no PTVS.
• HA F service comp to AQ.
• Food by Chef Beverly Gannon.
• HA Credit Cards offer 1 mile per dollar.
• Elite memberships offer mileage bonuses.
• Partners with NW, CO, AA, earn miles on those carriers on select fares (listed above).

Aloha Airlines:

• Does not offer mileage upgrades, but cheap F upgrades to elite members.
• Good flight frequencies from the So. Cal. area from BUR and SNA to OGG.
• Have connecting flights from BUR and SNA to other So. Cal., RNO, LAS and PDX airports.
• In-Flight service comp to HA, but AQ offers free mai tais, cookies, milk and hot towel in Y. IFE is free, no PTVs.
• Food in F catered by Chef Alan Wong.
• Food in Y catered by Chef Alan Wong.
• Financial questionability but privately held company.
• Flys a one-aisle 737-700ETOPS.
• All leather seats, however.
• AQ credit cards offer 1.5 miles/dollar
• Elite memberships do not offer mileage bonuses, unless you own a First Hawaiian Bank AirAwards Gold Card -- offers 100% bonuses on interisland flights.
• Standard Award rules are loosely enforced.
• Partners with UA. Earn UA miles on AQ flights.

Whatever you choose, get 1,000 AQ miles:
http://signmeup.alohaairlines.org/

... and bonus miles for signing up with a credit card with HA or AQ.

Let us know of your decision. There are trade-offs between the airlines, as is apparant (i.e. if you fly HA, you will have to fly out of LAX/ONT, if you fly AQ, you'll have to pay for your upgrades, if you fly HA, you'll have award redepmtion difficulties, etc).

ALOHA


Edited to add: I feel this is a product of great FT members who value their input. This thread should be bookmarked for others who have the same questions (I'm sure there are many).


[This message has been edited by slippahs (edited 07-30-2003).]