American Express (Amex) Membership Rewards is one of the most versatile travel rewards programs, allowing you to redeem points with a variety of airline and hotel partners. If you’re planning a trip to or around Hawaii, you’ll be glad to know that Amex points can be transferred directly to Hawaiian Airlines (HawaiianMiles). Below is everything you need to know about the transfer process and key considerations.
Can I Transfer American Express Points to Hawaiian Airlines?
Yes. Hawaiian Airlines is an official transfer partner of the Amex Membership Rewards program. Transfers typically occur instantaneously, but they can sometimes take up to 24 hours to process. Once the miles show up in your HawaiianMiles account, you can use them right away for award flights (subject to seat availability).
How to Transfer Amex Points to HawaiianMiles
- Log In to Your Amex Account
- Visit the American Express website or open the Amex mobile app.
- Enter your username and password to access your account dashboard.
- Select Rewards
- In your dashboard, look for the “Membership Rewards” or “Rewards” section.
- This is where you manage your points and explore redemption options.
- Choose Transfer Points
- Find the “Transfer Points” option, usually under something like “Use Points” or “Transfer to Travel Partners.”
- Click or tap on “View All” to see the full list of participating airlines.
- Pick Hawaiian Airlines
- Locate “Hawaiian Airlines” from the partner list and select it.
- You’ll be prompted to link your HawaiianMiles account if you haven’t done so already.
- Link Your HawaiianMiles Account
- Enter your HawaiianMiles account number.
- Verify your Amex card details by entering the four-digit code on the front and the three-digit code on the back of your card.
- Select the Number of Points to Transfer
- Transfers are made in increments of 1,000 points.
- Choose how many points you wish to move, keeping in mind the 1:1 transfer rate.
- Confirm the Transfer
- Review your transaction details, then confirm.
- Your HawaiianMiles should appear in your account within a few minutes to 24 hours.
Are There Any Fees or Restrictions for Transfers?
When transferring American Express Membership Rewards points to Hawaiian Airlines (HawaiianMiles), there are a few important factors to consider. First, the transfer rate is typically 1:1, meaning that for every 1 AmEx Membership Rewards point you transfer, you will receive 1 HawaiianMile in your HawaiianMiles account. However, it’s important to note that transfers must be done in increments of 1,000 points. This means you can’t transfer just a small number of points; the minimum transfer amount is 1,000 points, and each transfer must be a multiple of 1,000.
Additionally, there are no specific fees associated with transferring points to HawaiianMiles, but be mindful that once points are transferred, they cannot be returned to your Membership Rewards account. Always ensure you have confirmed flight availability with Hawaiian Airlines before initiating the transfer.
Important Considerations Before You Transfer
Here are some key points to keep in mind before transferring your AmEx points to Hawaiian Airlines.
- Irreversible Transfers: Once you convert Membership Rewards points to HawaiianMiles, you cannot transfer them back to Amex. Make sure you’re certain about your plans before finalizing the transaction.
- Confirm Award Availability: You should only transfer points if you have a specific flight in mind. Check availability on the Hawaiian Airlines website or call their reservations line before moving your points.
- Other Airline Partnerships: Keep in mind that Amex has a wide range of transfer partners. If you can’t find suitable award flights with Hawaiian Airlines, consider using your points with other partner airlines.
- Instant or 24-Hour Wait: Although many transfers happen instantly, allow up to 24 hours for points to show up in your HawaiianMiles account.
- Plan for Incremental Transfers: Because transfers must be made in 1,000-point increments, it’s best to calculate the exact amount of miles you’ll need before initiating the transfer.
Conclusion
While you can’t transfer AmEx points directly to Hawaiian Airlines, there are still viable ways to book flights to the Aloha State using your Membership Rewards. Whether it’s through partner programs, the AmEx Travel Portal, or statement credits, you can craft a strategy to make the most of your points.
Do you have any favorite tips or methods for using AmEx points on Hawaiian Airlines? Share your insights in the comments, and don’t forget to spread the word to help others plan their dream Hawaii trip!
