Hawaiian inter-island first/business class as an excursion segment?
Sep 5, 2017, 1:51 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2016
Posts: 63
Hawaiian inter-island first/business class as an excursion segment?
I've seen a bunch of articles talk about booking an Hawaiian inter-island flight on United to use the "excursionist perk" to get a free one way intra-region flight anywhere else. Some articles mention booking the Hawaiian flights in first/business class to get a free first/business class flight, but I don't see any option for that on any day (at least on the OGG-HNL flights). However, the 8500 mile business or 10000 mile first class option is on United's awards chart.
Does anyone know if this is possible? Thanks!
Does anyone know if this is possible? Thanks!
Sep 5, 2017, 2:27 pm
#2
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: SJC / DPS
Programs: AS G75K, UA Silver
Posts: 1,757
I've seen a bunch of articles talk about booking an Hawaiian inter-island flight on United to use the "excursionist perk" to get a free one way intra-region flight anywhere else. Some articles mention booking the Hawaiian flights in first/business class to get a free first/business class flight, but I don't see any option for that on any day (at least on the OGG-HNL flights). However, the 8500 mile business or 10000 mile first class option is on United's awards chart.
Does anyone know if this is possible? Thanks!
Does anyone know if this is possible? Thanks!
Sep 5, 2017, 2:43 pm
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,412
1 - You have to fly the first (intra-Hawaiian) flight.
2 - Your itinerary must begin and end in the same region, so your award needs to terminate in Hawaii.
3 - This was almost certainly an unintended consequence of the way that UA built their booking rules, and this loophole may be eliminated at any time.
Sep 5, 2017, 5:14 pm
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Honolulu Harbor
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 15,024
I've seen a bunch of articles talk about booking an Hawaiian inter-island flight on United to use the "excursionist perk" to get a free one way intra-region flight anywhere else. Some articles mention booking the Hawaiian flights in first/business class to get a free first/business class flight, but I don't see any option for that on any day (at least on the OGG-HNL flights). However, the 8500 mile business or 10000 mile first class option is on United's awards chart.
Does anyone know if this is possible? Thanks!
Does anyone know if this is possible? Thanks!
I can fly OGG-HNL-IAH and LAS-SFO-OGG with IAH-LAS as an excursionist perk. Originating in Hawaii, finishing in Hawaii, excursionist perk in another region. Conforms to the rules.
One thing to remember is Hawaiian is a United "partner" airline, not a Star Alliance partner. I'm pretty sure the difference plays into availability of HA as an Excursionist perk carrier.
Sep 5, 2017, 5:35 pm
#5
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: LHR (sometimes CLE, SFO, BOS, LAX, SEA)
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 5,893
I looked at this thread then pulled up a HNL-OGG, SFO-BOS, OGG-SFO itinerary that costs 12000 miles in saver economy. I had no idea this was happening but I suppose it explains why people in the know haven't been angrier about the tremendous devaluation that UA's award changes represented.
Sep 5, 2017, 6:19 pm
#6
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: SJC / DPS
Programs: AS G75K, UA Silver
Posts: 1,757
I looked at this thread then pulled up a HNL-OGG, SFO-BOS, OGG-SFO itinerary that costs 12000 miles in saver economy. I had no idea this was happening but I suppose it explains why people in the know haven't been angrier about the tremendous devaluation that UA's award changes represented.
However, with posts like these, I fear it just brings more awareness to the loophole, which IMO, will inevitably close at some point.