What happens when you transfer Hawaiian Airlines miles

When you transfer miles from your Hawaiian Airlines HawaiianMiles account to another person's account, those miles move permanently — you cannot get them back. The miles go into that person's account and they can use them to book flights, upgrades, or other rewards through Hawaiian Airlines' program. Transfers are one-way and final.

Hawaiian Airlines allows transfers between accounts, but the process has specific rules about who can receive miles, how many you can send, and what it costs. Understanding these rules before you transfer helps you avoid sending miles to the wrong place or discovering a fee you did not expect.

Key Takeaways

  • You can transfer miles to another person's HawaiianMiles account, but that person must have an active account before you initiate the transfer.
  • Hawaiian Airlines charges a fee for transfers — the cost varies based on how many miles you send, so check the current rate before you proceed.
  • Transfers typically take several business days to complete, so plan ahead if you need the miles available by a specific date.
  • You can transfer miles as a gift, to help a family member book a flight, or to combine miles with someone else's account for a larger redemption.

Who can receive your transferred miles

The person receiving your miles must already have an active HawaiianMiles account. If they do not have one, they will need to open an account before you can send miles to them. You cannot transfer miles to someone and have the account created at the same time — the account must exist first.

There is no restriction on who you can transfer to based on relationship — you can send miles to family members, friends, or anyone else with a HawaiianMiles account. However, Hawaiian Airlines monitors for patterns that look like buying and selling miles, so frequent large transfers to different accounts may trigger a review.

How much the transfer costs

Hawaiian Airlines charges a fee for every mile transfer. The fee structure is based on the number of miles you send, meaning larger transfers cost more in absolute dollars. As of the most recent information available, the fee typically ranges from a few dollars for smaller transfers to significantly more for transfers of tens of thousands of miles, but the exact rate changes periodically.

Before you initiate a transfer, log into your HawaiianMiles account and use the transfer tool to see the exact fee for the number of miles you plan to send. This way you know the total cost — miles plus fee — before you commit. Some credit card issuers occasionally waive transfer fees for cardholders, so check your card benefits or contact the issuer to ask whether a waiver applies to you.

The step-by-step transfer process

Start by logging into your HawaiianMiles account on Hawaiian Airlines' website. Look for the option to transfer miles — this is usually found in the account settings or rewards section, though the exact location changes as the website is updated. You will need the recipient's HawaiianMiles account number, which they can find in their own account or on their HawaiianMiles card if they have one.

Enter the recipient's account number and the number of miles you want to transfer. The system will show you the fee for that transfer amount. Review the details carefully — once you confirm, the transfer cannot be reversed. After you approve, the miles leave your account when ready, but they may not appear in the recipient's account for several business days.

Keep a record of the transfer confirmation number and the date you sent it. If the miles do not arrive within the timeframe Hawaiian Airlines states, you can use this information to contact customer service and track down what happened.

How long transfers take to show up

After you submit a transfer, the miles are deducted from your account right away. However, the recipient will not see the miles in their account when ready — Hawaiian Airlines typically processes transfers within two to five business days, though the exact timing can vary. Weekends and holidays may extend this window.

If you are transferring miles so someone can book a specific flight, do not wait until the last minute. Send the miles several days before they need to use them, and confirm they have arrived before the person tries to make a reservation. If there is a delay and the miles do not show up in time, contact Hawaiian Airlines customer service with your confirmation number.

Reasons people transfer miles and common scenarios

The most common reason to transfer miles is to help a family member or friend book a flight they could not otherwise afford. If you have extra miles sitting in your account and someone you know needs to travel, combining your miles with theirs might get them enough for a ticket. This is especially useful if one person has accumulated miles slowly and another person has a large balance.

Some people transfer miles as a gift — for example, parents might transfer miles to an adult child to help them take a vacation, or a grandparent might send miles to help a grandchild visit. Others transfer miles to consolidate accounts, moving miles from an old account into a new one if they have changed their name or want to close an account.

You can also transfer miles if you are leaving the HawaiianMiles program and want to give them to someone who will use them. Since miles expire if your account is inactive for a certain period, transferring them to an active account keeps them from being lost.

What to know before you transfer

Transfers are permanent and cannot be undone. Once the miles leave your account and arrive in someone else's, you have no way to get them back. This means you should be certain about the transfer before you confirm it — double-check the recipient's account number and the number of miles you intend to send.

The recipient's account must be in good standing. If their account has been closed or flagged by Hawaiian Airlines, the transfer may fail or be reversed. Ask the person to confirm their account is active before you attempt to send miles.

Miles transferred to another account belong to that person. They can use them, transfer them again, or let them expire — you have no control over what happens to them after the transfer completes. If you are sending miles to help someone book a specific flight, confirm they understand how to use the miles and when they need to book.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I transfer miles to someone who does not live in Hawaii?

Yes. The recipient can live anywhere and still receive your transferred miles. They just need an active HawaiianMiles account. Miles can be used to book flights on Hawaiian Airlines from any location.

What happens if I transfer miles to the wrong account number?

The miles will go to whatever account number you entered. If you realize you made a mistake when ready after submitting the transfer, contact Hawaiian Airlines customer service right away with your confirmation number. They may be able to help, but there is no may provide they can reverse a transfer once it has been processed.

Do I have to pay taxes on miles I transfer as a gift?

Transferring miles to another person is generally not considered a taxable event for the person receiving them, but tax rules can be complex and vary by situation. If you have questions about the tax implications of a large transfer, consult a tax professional.

Can I transfer miles from a credit card sign-up bonus?

Miles from a credit card bonus typically go into your HawaiianMiles account like any other miles, and you can transfer them once they have posted. Check your card's terms to confirm there are no restrictions on transferring bonus miles specifically.

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

Hawaiian Airlines may have limits on the size of a single transfer or the total amount you can transfer in a given time period. Check your account or contact customer service to learn what limits explore to your account.