Hawaiian Airlines plans departure from Amex Membership Rewards

Australian travellers with Membership Rewards points don’t have much time left to redeem them if a trip with HawaiianMiles is on the cards. A notice on the American Express website states that from 30 June 2025, Hawaiian Airlines will no longer be a transfer partner for American Express Membership Rewards.

Hawaiian Airlines merged with Alaska Airlines in late 2024 to form a stronger combined carrier, focusing on the West Coast of the USA. As part of the merger, frequent flyer members of both programs could now freely transfer their miles between Hawaiian Airlines and Alaska Airlines.

While the Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan is a fan favourite among advanced Point Hacks readers, earning miles into the program is a trickier task. The merger with Hawaiian Airlines created a ‘loophole’ where American Express Membership Rewards points could be sent to Mileage Plan via Hawaiian Airlines.

American Express Explorer Credit Card

Find Out More & Apply

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Sign-up Bonus:

50,000 Bonus Membership Rewards Points¹

Rewards Earn Rate:

Earn 2 Membership Rewards points per $1 on all purchases except government bodies where you will earn 1 point per $1 spent⁶

Annual Fee:

$395 p.a.

Offer expires

3 February 2026

Earn 50,000 Bonus Membership Rewards Points¹ when you apply by 3 February 2026, are approved and spend $4,000 on eligible purchases on your new American Express Explorer® Credit Card within the first 3 months (T&Cs apply. New American Express Card Members only). Enjoy a $400 Annual Travel Credit², complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounges³ in Sydney and Melbourne, Card, Smartphone and International Travel Insurance⁴, for a $395 p.a. annual fee.

Hawaiian Airlines remains bookable with points

If a Hawaiian Airlines flight is on your radar later in the year, there’s still a path there with Membership Rewards points.

Hawaiian Airlines is now a Qantas partner, allowing you to book reward seats using Qantas Points. Amex Platinum Card members enrolled in the Ascent Premium version of Membership Rewards can transfer points to Qantas at a 2:1 ratio.

Otherwise, wait until 2026 when Hawaiian Airlines joins Oneworld as a full member. Once that happens, you’ll be able to book those flights to Honolulu and beyond using the points and miles of other Amex Membership Rewards partners, such as Cathay’s Asia Miles (also at a 2:1 ratio).