How to Use 50,000 Hawaiian Miles to Get to Hawaii and Beyond

Recently, I shared my excitement over the new version of the Hawaiian Airlines came credit card. This refreshed version of the Hawaiian Airlines Bank of Hawaii World Elite MasterCard offers 50,000 miles after you sign up and use your card for $3,000 in purchases in the first 90 days. You are also able to earn more miles faster with their improved earning structure. Once you sign up, you’ll earn 3 miles per $1 spent on Hawaiian Airlines purchases, 2 miles per $1 spent on gas, dining, and grocery purchases, and 1 mile per $1 spent one everything else.

Also remember that a few major rewards programs let you transfer points to Hawaiian Airlines. This includes the American Express Membership Rewards program and the Starwood Preferred Guest program, both of which allow transfers at a 1:1 ratio.

But, back to the signup bonus on this card. What can you do with 50,000 Hawaiian miles anyway?

Here are a few of the best options available:

• Fly between islands for 7,500 miles. A Coach SuperSuper award can be booked for just 7,500 miles one-way between the islands, which is a stellar deal.
• Book a SuperSaver award from the mainland U.S. to Hawaii for 40,000 miles round-trip. You can fly round-trip from the U.S. mainland to Hawaii in economy for just 40,000 miles.
• Fly one-way from Hawaii to Australia for 40,000 Hawaiian miles. One-way from Hawaii to Australia (or back) in economy may be a dreadfully long experience, but one-way flights for 40,000 miles are a great deal.
• Fly one-way from Hawaii to Japan for 40,000 Hawaiian miles. If Japan is on your travel wish list, consider flying one-way from Hawaii in economy for just 40,000 Hawaiian miles.
• Fly from Beijing, China to North America for 60,000 Hawaiian miles. If you find SuperSaver award availability, you can fly economy from the U.S. to Beijing for just 60,000 Hawaiian miles.
• Fly First/Business Class one-way from the mainland U.S. to Hawaii for 40,000 Hawaiian miles. Last but not least, don’t forget that a one-way flight to Hawaii on Hawaiian Airlines First Class product is only 40,000 miles. This experience is well worth it.

These are just some of the ways you can utilize Hawaiian miles to get to Hawaii and beyond, but there are myriad other options — especially when you get into airlines that partner with Hawaiian such as All Nippon, Virgin Atlantic, and Virgin Australia.

Still, the best deals involve getting back and forth to the Hawaiian mainland from the U.S. in economy and flying within the islands of Hawaii. While 50,000 miles isn’t enough to fly First all the way, you only need 40,000 Hawaiian miles to get from mainland departure cities to paradise.

What is your favorite way to use Hawaiian miles? Why?