As a Hawaiian Airlines Pualani Platinum Flyer, amongst other things, I received two First Class upgrade certificates for use between Hawaii and the US mainland. The problem is, they are virtually impossible to use, certainly on the routes I use (HNL-JKF for example) when I commute from my home in Kaua'i to my house in France. Basically you can request an upgrade from 7 days to 4 hours prior to the flight. By then, however, it is always totally booked out in First. My view is that it is all a bit of window dressing which looks and sounds good but is actually totally pointless and useless. I'd be curious to know if anybody has actually ever received an upgrade such s I describe? I am sure on more "obscure" routes it might be possible.

I did write to the CEO direct, asking about this (I will get more certificates in December 2012 when I qualify for Pulani Platinum for 2014 as well) although I merely received a referral to PR and a polite "non response" which actually said nothing! Amongst US airlines generally they are better so I quite like Hawaiian Airlines. And, they are upgrading planes between HNL-SYD. I have flown some really clapped out ones in the past and it is not fun when your tray table in first is faulty!

I just got up at 3 am to use my paper certificates to upgrade to first on a couple of flights seven days from now. I've received these annually for a few years but never tried to do a redemption. I'm using this trip for a mileage run to keep my platinum status for next year. Had to get special blessing from Hawaiian to book round trip Seattle-Honolulu same day with an hour and 15 minute layover. Have to cross fingers that the outbound flight to HNL is not delayed, or the purpose is defeated. Anyway, since I had flexibility in dates, I used Hawaiian site to find cheap fare dates, then used ExpertFlyer to check on first class availability. I found 10/31 had 7 open F seats outbound and 6 open inbound, so chose that date and booked the flights two weeks in advance. I had to wait a week, of course, to call HA to do the upgrade, but there were still 6 seats open each way, so the upgrade was easy. Perhaps other esteemed members here can advise as to a less torturous method to use these certificates?

Curious: what about Platinum makes it worth a mileage run?

Double miles traveling between Seattle and Manila. I go there 2-3 times a year. I was just short a few miles this year.

Double miles come in very handy when you have to take your entire family to the mainland. The generous checked bag allowance (3 pieces) also helps. I also don't mind the complimentary interisland upgrades, since you can board last and jump out first...

I have received the upgrade certificates in the past and have used them each year I have earned them-- I am selective about when/what equipment to use them on. A330's are much nicer than the ex-LTU 767's.

Got it, thanks.

I did a round flight from Lihu'e to Phoenix (26 November - 4 August) and had the same issue: no seats for upgrades. So, I am even more convinced that this is merely window dressing by Hawaiian Airlines.

Do the upgrade certificates draw from a different pool than the cash upgrades offered at check-in? I fly HNL-PDX, HNL-SEA, and HNL-LAX at least a couple of times a year and can't think of the last time I wasn't offered a chance to buy up.

Aloha! I am really not sure how this all works: it is all a bit arcane with each airline and each alliance. I have never been offered a cash upgrade with Hawaiian either although I have been upgraded a few times flying inter-island on Hawaiian. Since I am moving my operational base back to New Zealand shortly, I will probably only use Hawaiian in the future should I return to HI and the US as I have elite status with three other airlines and find it much easier to fly to my home in France from New Zealand and Australia. Some, like Qantas (where I am a Qantas Club Life Member and Gold FF), levy fees and taxes on award bookings: going First to Paris has fees, levies, taxes of over $1000! Defeats the purpose really.

Where's that home again, oh, France........

It looks like you won't have to worry about this anymore.

Cheapass Hawaiian discontinued the 2 free upgrades per year to first class...and eliminated the 2 free cocktails per fllight for Platinum members.

Hmm, that's strange. The benefits page no longer lists the upgrade certificates for platinum, but when I looked a few days ago, it was not only still showing the two certificates at 40K but also four certificates at 75K (not clear if four additional or four total).

I noticed this recently, too. Im glad I didn't try for platinum in 2012. thinking about moving over to united now... HA's FF program is a joke

I just noticed this too! Except I tried, paid for unnecessary vacations and got Platinum for '13! I'm PISSED!!!

The website showed the benefit in the early part of January like WrightHI said and they did make changes to the 2012 benefit with the added upgrade certs to 4 for 75k miles flyers...What a way to be welcomed to platinum...I also called CS two weeks ago asking where my welcome package was as I received the gold in the mail, they said it was still being processed...I inquired about my platinum level and all of the benefits at the time and they confirmed I would be receiving it all and even gave me instructions on how to redeem the certificates!

HA just released a statement of a $53 Million dollar profit for 2012! You're not losing money, so why take away from your most loyal customers...

according to a post on their facebook, upgrade certificates will be available February 1, you must call the HA Exclusive Reservations line at and provide your HawaiianMiles information ...