Thanks again to you all for the continued input! It's kind of like a tennis match. First I'm leaning toward HA then I read a post that says go AQ and gives me some strong selling points. Next post says "Go HA"!!
I'm going to reread all the posts and make a decision in the upcoming weeks. I have my next two LAX/OGG flights purchased through DL. That'll come to a screaming stop at the end of this year and then I'll concentrate on either HA or AQ for the future.
Regards....."Cholula"

You could use Hawaiian Airlines Hawaiian Miles to get an Transpacific first class upgrade when Aloha Airlines Aloha Pass does not allow transpacific mileage upgrades.

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).]

Is it really true an Ali or Executive member can get an Transpacific upgrade for $150 or 175? How much is the Executive membership? Can I use this paid upgrade for there very low fares that are under $400? Can I use there lounge when I fly Hawaiian or other US carriers? Do they check your tickets? I think AQ gives free mai tai, alcoholic drinks, one piece of cookie and milk (I don't know if they give extras), and hot oshibori towels just to meet or exceed passener satisfaction. By giving extra items, in a case AQ disatisfies a passenger somehow they could make up for it.

Aloha Airlines inflight meals article:
http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/ar.../il/il01a.html

Hawaiian Airlines Inflight Meals Article:
http://starbulletin.com/2000/01/19/features/story1.html

The Hawaiian Airlines inflight meal article is more interesting but this article is old, the time they had a DC 10 but you could get an Idea of what kinds of meals they serve inflight. The Aloha Airlines article is a recent article showing there summer inflight menu.

Yes, it is true -- I checked with an Executive Club agent last night thru the Exec Club line. Said she couldn't give me the price for Ali`i Club members but it was lower than for Exec Club members. The paid upgrades are valid on any fare.

For all the times that I've been the 737 Suite at HNL or other AQ lounges, I have never had my boarding passes checked. Just swipe my card and go in.

Don't know about the price for the membership. We're on a corporate account which gives us access to a little bit more benefits than regular Exec and I don't know how much we pay (I just sign the checks -- I don't look at them...).

Does AQ allow cheap upgrades on United Airlines award tickets too? Does AQ have lounges in the US?