Last Chance: Transfer Amex Points to Alaska Airlines Through Hawaiian – Deadline June 30, 2025

Byemily

In the ever-evolving landscape of credit card rewards and airline loyalty programs, a unique opportunity is about to vanish. American Express Membership Rewards cardholders have until June 30, 2025, to take advantage of a little-known transfer route that could unlock tremendous value for their travel aspirations. This deadline marks the permanent discontinuation of point transfers from American Express to Hawaiian Airlines, effectively closing the only indirect path for Membership Rewards points to reach the highly coveted Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan.

The Significance of This Transfer Opportunity

The importance of this transfer option cannot be overstated for points and miles enthusiasts. Alaska Airlines' recent acquisition of Hawaiian Airlines created a brief window where the two frequent flyer programs could share points. For Amex cardholders, this represents a final chance to leverage their Membership Rewards points for access to Alaska's exceptional award rates and extensive partner network.

Why Alaska Airlines Miles Are the Crown Jewel of Airline Currencies

Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan has long been revered in the travel hacking community as one of the most valuable airline loyalty programs. Several factors contribute to its esteemed status:

Unbeatable Domestic Award Rates: Alaska offers some of the most competitive rates for flights within the United States. Short-haul flights under 700 miles can be booked for as little as 4,500 miles in economy, a steal compared to many other programs. Transcontinental flights start at just 12,500 miles one-way, making coast-to-coast travel accessible to even casual points collectors. Perhaps most importantly, Alaska doesn't impose fuel surcharges on most partner awards, keeping out-of-pocket costs low.

Premium International Travel Deals: Where Alaska truly shines is in its international premium cabin offerings. Transatlantic business class can be had for as little as 45,000 miles on partners like Aer Lingus, while business class to Asia starts at an incredibly low 50,000 miles one-way. For those seeking the pinnacle of luxury, first-class awards are available on multiple partners at rates that often undercut the competition by tens of thousands of miles.

Extensive and Unique Partner Network: As a member of the Oneworld alliance, Alaska offers access to a wide array of partners including American Airlines, British Airways, and Cathay Pacific. However, Alaska's partnerships extend beyond Oneworld, including valuable relationships with carriers like Emirates, Icelandair, and Condor. This diverse network allows for unique routing possibilities and access to carriers that may be unavailable through other programs.

The Transfer Process: A Two-Step Journey

For those looking to take advantage of this opportunity before it disappears, the process involves two distinct steps that must be completed by June 30, 2025:

Step 1: Transfer Membership Rewards to Hawaiian Airlines

  1. Log into your American Express account and navigate to the "Rewards & Benefits" section.
  2. Select Hawaiian Airlines as your transfer partner.
  3. You can transfer up to 999,000 points per day at a 1:1 ratio.
  4. Be prepared to pay the excise tax, which amounts to 0.06 cents per mile with a maximum of $99 per transfer.

An important tip: Always pay the tax fee with cash rather than points. Using points for this fee only yields 0.5 cents per point in value, which is far below the potential value you can get from Alaska miles.

Step 2: Transfer Hawaiian Miles to Alaska Airlines

  1. Once your points are in your HawaiianMiles account, use Hawaiian Airlines' points transfer tool.
  2. Move your points from HawaiianMiles to Alaska Mileage Plan.
  3. These transfers typically process instantly, allowing for quick access to your new Alaska miles.

The Dilemma: To Transfer or Not to Transfer?

While the opportunity is clear, the decision to transfer points speculatively is not without its considerations. Generally, transferring credit card points without immediate travel plans isn't recommended as it reduces flexibility. However, this situation presents unique circumstances that may warrant an exception to this rule.

Reasons to Consider Transferring

  1. Limited Time Opportunity: This transfer route will disappear forever after June 30, 2025. Once it's gone, there's no indication it will ever return.

  2. Exceptional Value of Alaska Miles: Alaska Mileage Plan consistently offers some of the best redemption rates in the industry, often providing outsized value compared to other programs.

  3. Oneworld Alliance Access: For those who frequently fly American Airlines or other Oneworld partners, having a stash of Alaska miles can be incredibly valuable.

  4. No Future Transfer Option: It's unlikely that American Express will add Alaska Airlines as a direct transfer partner in the future, making this potentially the last chance for Amex cardholders to access Alaska miles easily.

Reasons to Hold Off

  1. Loss of Flexibility: Once transferred, your points become locked in Alaska's program, losing the versatility of Membership Rewards.

  2. Devaluation Risk: While Alaska's program has remained stable, there's always a risk of future devaluations that could impact the value of your miles.

  3. Transfer Fees: The excise tax of up to $99 per transfer adds a cost that needs to be factored into your decision.

  4. Alternative Options: Some may prefer to keep their options open, especially since programs like Bilt Rewards offer direct transfers to Alaska Airlines.

Strategic Considerations for Transfers

If you've decided that transferring points makes sense for your travel goals, the next question is how many points to move. This decision should be based on your travel plans over the next 1-2 years and the specific sweet spots you're targeting in Alaska's award chart.

Domestic Travel Planning

For those primarily interested in domestic travel, consider transferring between 25,000 and 50,000 points. This range should cover several short-haul flights or a couple of transcontinental trips. Remember that Alaska's domestic award rates are particularly competitive:

  • West Coast to Hawaii for just 20,000 miles round trip
  • East Coast short-haul flights from 4,500 miles each way
  • Transcontinental flights starting at 12,500 miles one-way

International Aspirations

If your sights are set on international business class travel, you might want to transfer between 90,000 and 130,000 points. This range could secure you a round-trip business class ticket to Europe or Asia, depending on your departure city and chosen partner airline. Some of the best international sweet spots include:

  • East Coast to Europe in business class for 45,000 miles on Aer Lingus
  • West Coast to Asia in business class for 50,000 miles on multiple partners
  • Unique routing options on partners like Emirates, often at rates significantly lower than other programs

Flexible Travelers

For those with varied travel plans or who simply want to have options, a transfer of 75,000 to 100,000 points provides good coverage for a mix of domestic and international redemptions. This balance allows you to take advantage of Alaska's best sweet spots without overcommitting to the program.

Maximizing Value: Alaska Airlines' Best Award Sweet Spots

To truly appreciate the potential of this transfer opportunity, it's essential to understand some of Alaska Airlines' most valuable award redemptions. These "sweet spots" often provide outsized value compared to other loyalty programs and can make the transfer process worthwhile.

Domestic Economy Awards

Alaska's domestic award chart offers several standout values:

  1. West Coast to Hawaii: At just 20,000 miles round trip in economy, this is one of the best deals for Hawaii travel from the mainland US.

  2. East Coast Short-Haul: Flights under 700 miles can be booked for as little as 4,500 miles each way, making quick trips incredibly affordable.

  3. Transcontinental Flights: Coast-to-coast travel starts at just 12,500 miles one-way, a competitive rate for such long domestic flights.

International Business Class Gems

For luxury travelers, Alaska's international business class rates are hard to beat:

  1. East Coast to Europe: Fly business class on Aer Lingus for just 45,000 miles each way, a fraction of what many programs charge.

  2. West Coast to Asia: Multiple partners offer business class to Asia starting at 50,000 miles one-way, with options including Japan Airlines and Cathay Pacific.

  3. Middle East and India: Fly Emirates business class to Dubai or beyond for 82,500 miles one-way, accessing one of the world's most luxurious business class products.

First Class Opportunities

While less common, Alaska does offer some exceptional first-class redemptions:

  1. Domestic First on American: Book American Airlines domestic first class starting at just 15,000 miles one-way.

  2. International First: Select partners offer first-class awards at competitive rates, such as Japan Airlines first class to Tokyo for 70,000 miles one-way from the West Coast.

Beyond June 30: Alternative Ways to Earn Alaska Miles

For those who miss the June 30 deadline or prefer to keep their options open, several alternative methods exist for earning Alaska Airlines miles:

Direct Credit Card Earning

Alaska Airlines offers co-branded credit cards that earn miles directly:

  • Alaska Airlines Visa Signature Card: Earn 3x miles on Alaska purchases, 1x on everything else, plus an annual companion fare.
  • Alaska Airlines Visa Business Card: Similar earning structure to the personal card, with additional business-focused perks.

Other Transfer Partners

While American Express will no longer be an option, other programs still offer transfers to Alaska:

  • Bilt Rewards: This innovative program allows you to earn points on rent payments and transfers 1:1 to Alaska Airlines.
  • Marriott Bonvoy: Transfer Marriott points to Alaska at a 3:1 ratio, with a 5,000-mile bonus for every 60,000 points transferred.

Shopping and Dining Programs

Engage with Alaska's partners to earn miles on everyday activities:

  • Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan Shopping: Earn bonus miles for online purchases through Alaska's shopping portal.
  • Mileage Plan Dining: Register your credit cards and earn miles when dining at participating restaurants.
  • Hotel and Car Rental Partnerships: Earn Alaska miles on stays with major hotel chains and car rentals.

Making the Decision: To Transfer or Not?

As the June 30, 2025 deadline approaches, Amex cardholders face a significant decision. The opportunity to indirectly transfer Membership Rewards to Alaska Airlines is unique and time-limited. For many travelers, especially those who value Alaska's exceptional award rates and extensive partner network, this represents a last chance to move points into one of the most valuable airline loyalty programs.

When making your decision, consider the following:

  1. Evaluate Your Travel Plans: Look at your potential trips over the next 12-24 months. Are there any that align well with Alaska's strengths?

  2. Calculate Potential Redemptions: Use Alaska's award charts to price out specific trips you're considering. Compare these to other programs to ensure you're getting good value.

  3. Factor in the Transfer Fee: Remember the $99 maximum excise tax per transfer. Ensure the value you're getting from the miles outweighs this cost.

  4. Be Conservative: While it's tempting to transfer a large number of points, be realistic about how many you can use. Unused miles sitting in an account lose value over time.

  5. Consider Your Overall Points Strategy: How do Alaska miles fit into your broader travel rewards strategy? Ensure you're not sacrificing flexibility unnecessarily.

Conclusion: A Rare Opportunity with a Firm Deadline

The impending closure of the American Express to Hawaiian to Alaska transfer route represents a unique moment in the world of points and miles. For Amex cardholders who understand the value of Alaska's program, this is potentially a last chance to easily access one of the most valuable mileage currencies available.

While the loss of flexibility is always a concern with speculative transfers, Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan offers some of the best value in the industry. For frequent travelers, especially those who fly American Airlines domestically or need access to unique international partners, this final opportunity might be worth seizing.

As you weigh your options, remember that the clock is ticking. After June 30, 2025, this transfer route disappears forever. Whether you decide to transfer a small amount for future domestic trips or a larger sum for aspirational international travel, acting before the deadline ensures you don't miss out on this rare opportunity.

In the ever-changing landscape of travel rewards, opportunities like this are increasingly rare. By understanding the value proposition, carefully considering your travel goals, and making an informed decision, you can potentially unlock tremendous value from your American Express Membership Rewards points through this unique transfer option to Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan.

FAQs About Transferring Amex Points to Alaska Airlines Through Hawaiian

  1. Q: Can I transfer Amex points directly to Alaska Airlines?
    A: No, direct transfers from American Express to Alaska Airlines are not possible. The route discussed here involves transferring to Hawaiian Airlines first, then to Alaska Airlines.

  2. Q: How long does the transfer process take?
    A: Transfers from Amex to Hawaiian typically process within 24-48 hours. Transfers from Hawaiian to Alaska are usually instant.

  3. Q: Is there a minimum number of points I need to transfer?
    A: American Express requires a minimum transfer of 1,000 points to Hawaiian Airlines.

  4. Q: Will my Alaska miles expire?
    A: Alaska Airlines miles do not expire as long as you have activity in your account at least once every 24 months.

  5. Q: Can I transfer points back from Alaska to Amex if I change my mind?
    A: No, once points are transferred to Alaska Airlines, they cannot be transferred back to American Express or Hawaiian Airlines.

  6. Q: Are there any bonus offers for transferring points?
    A: While Amex occasionally offers transfer bonuses to Hawaiian, there are currently no known bonuses for this specific transfer route.

  7. Q: How does the value of Alaska miles compare to keeping my Amex points?
    A: Alaska miles often provide higher value for premium cabin international travel, but Amex points offer more flexibility. The best choice depends on your specific travel goals.

  8. Q: Can I still earn Alaska miles after the June 30, 2025 deadline?
    A: Yes, you can still earn Alaska miles through flying, credit card spending, shopping portals, and other partnerships. This deadline only affects the indirect transfer option from American Express.

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