Hawaiian Airlines points transfer to Alaska Airlines through a partnership that lets you move HawaiianMiles to Alaska's Mileage Plan at a 1:1 ratio.

The transfer itself is straightforward: log into your HawaiianMiles account, navigate to the transfer partners section, select Alaska Airlines, enter the amount you want to move, and confirm. The points land in your Alaska Mileage Plan account within 24 hours, though Alaska asks that you have an active account before you initiate the transfer. There is no fee to transfer, and no minimum or maximum amount required per transaction.

This partnership matters most if you live in or frequently travel to Alaska, the Pacific Northwest, or Hawaii, since those are Alaska's strongest route networks. If your redemption goals center on mainland US routes or international travel outside Alaska's network, you may find better value keeping your HawaiianMiles or moving them elsewhere.

Key Takeaways

  • HawaiianMiles transfer to Alaska Mileage Plan at a 1:1 ratio with no fees and no minimum transfer amount.
  • Transfers complete within 24 hours, but you must have an active Alaska Mileage Plan account before you start the transfer.
  • Alaska Airlines has strong availability on routes to Hawaii, Alaska, and the Pacific Northwest, making transfers most valuable for those destinations.
  • Both programs allow you to combine points from multiple accounts or transfer partners, so you can pool balances to reach higher redemption tiers.

When a Hawaiian to Alaska Transfer Makes Sense

A transfer works best if you have a specific Alaska Airlines redemption in mind before you move the points. Alaska publishes award charts by region, and you can search their site for the exact mileage cost of routes you plan to fly. If you find a redemption that costs fewer Alaska miles than it would cost in HawaiianMiles, or if you have a Hawaii trip coming up and Alaska has better availability than Hawaiian on your preferred dates, the transfer is worth considering.

The transfer also makes sense if you are close to a redemption threshold but short on HawaiianMiles. You can combine a transfer with miles from other sources — Alaska accepts transfers from partners like Marriott Bonvoy, Hilton Honors, and IHG One Rewards — to reach your goal faster. Some cardholders transfer HawaiianMiles, then use a sign-up bonus from an Alaska Airlines card to top up the balance.

How to Initiate a Transfer

Start by logging into your HawaiianMiles account on Hawaiian Airlines' website. Navigate to the "Transfers" or "Transfer Partners" section — the exact label varies, but it appears in the account menu under rewards or points management. Select Alaska Airlines from the list of transfer partners.

Enter the number of miles you want to transfer and your Alaska Mileage Plan account number. Double-check the account number before confirming, because transfers cannot be reversed once they are sent. Hawaiian will ask you to confirm the transfer one more time before processing it. The points will appear in your Alaska account within 24 hours, though most transfers land within a few hours.

Fees and Timing

There is no fee to transfer HawaiianMiles to Alaska, and no limit on how many times you can transfer or how much you can move in a single transaction. You can transfer as few as 1,000 miles or as many as your balance allows, though most redemptions require at least 5,000 miles.

The 24-hour window is a maximum, not a may provide. Transfers typically post faster, especially if you initiate them during Hawaiian Airlines' business hours. If your transfer does not appear after 24 hours, contact Hawaiian customer service with your confirmation number.

What to Know Before You Transfer

Once points land in your Alaska account, they are subject to Alaska's rules, not Hawaiian's. Alaska Mileage Plan points expire after five years of account inactivity — no earning, redeeming, or transferring. If you transfer miles and then do not use your Alaska account for five years, the points will be forfeited. You can reset the clock by earning or redeeming even a small amount, so a single purchase or transfer keeps your account active.

Alaska also has different award availability and pricing than Hawaiian. A route that costs 12,500 HawaiianMiles might cost 15,000 Alaska miles, or vice versa. Search Alaska's award calendar before you transfer to confirm the redemption is worth the exchange rate. Some routes have limited award availability, meaning you may see high prices or no availability at all on your preferred dates.

Alternatives to Transferring

If you are unsure whether to transfer, you have other options. You can keep your HawaiianMiles and redeem them directly on Hawaiian Airlines flights, which may offer better value on Hawaii-based routes where Hawaiian has a network advantage. You can also transfer HawaiianMiles to other partners — Hawaiian works with Marriott Bonvoy, Hilton Honors, and several other programs — if those redemptions align better with your travel plans.

Another approach is to earn Alaska miles directly through an Alaska Airlines credit card or co-branded card partnerships. If you spend regularly on travel or dining, the sign-up bonus and ongoing earning rates may get you to your redemption goal faster than transferring HawaiianMiles.

How to Search Alaska Awards Before Transferring

Log into Alaska Airlines' website and use their award search tool without logging in — this shows you all available awards at their standard pricing. Search your specific route and dates to see the mileage cost and whether seats are available. Alaska publishes their award chart on their website, which breaks down pricing by distance and region, so you can estimate costs before you search.

Pay attention to the cabin of service: economy awards cost less than premium economy or business class, and pricing varies by season. Alaska's peak season (summer and holidays) has higher mileage costs than off-peak travel. If you are flexible on dates, search a range of dates to find the lowest-priced award.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I transfer Alaska miles back to Hawaiian Airlines?

No, the partnership is one-way only. You can transfer HawaiianMiles to Alaska, but Alaska does not allow transfers back to Hawaiian. Once miles are in your Alaska account, they stay there unless you redeem them.

What happens if I transfer miles but do not use them?

Alaska Mileage Plan points expire after five years of inactivity. If you do not earn, redeem, or transfer miles during that period, your account closes and the miles are lost. You can keep your account active by making even a small purchase or transfer.

Is there a limit to how many miles I can transfer at once?

No, there is no per-transaction limit. You can transfer your entire HawaiianMiles balance in one transaction if you choose. The only limit is your account balance.

Do transferred miles count toward elite status in Alaska's program?

No, transferred miles do not count toward elite status qualification. Only miles earned directly through Alaska Airlines flights, credit card spending, or certain partner activities count toward elite status.

How long does it take to see the miles in my Alaska account?

Most transfers appear within a few hours, though Hawaiian guarantees delivery within 24 hours. If your transfer does not show up after 24 hours, contact Hawaiian Airlines with your confirmation number.