Accommodation New Zealand introduces
American Express transfers to Hawaiian and Alaska Airlines will officially terminate on June 30, reshaping reward strategies for frequent flyers across the country. This shift hits at the heart of one of the most creative points redemption strategies travelers have relied on for years. For those who have used American Express Membership Rewards to funnel points first to Hawaiian Airlines and then onward to Alaska Airlines, the end is near. Moreover, American Express is known for its flexibility. That flexibility has helped millions of frequent flyers craft personalized travel reward strategies. However, with the ability to transfer to Hawaiian and Alaska Airlines soon to vanish, those same frequent flyers are now left reassessing their options.
This isn’t just a minor update—it’s a major shake-up. The route from American Express to Hawaiian Airlines, and ultimately to Alaska Airlines, gave travelers access to exceptional value on domestic and international flights. But all of that ends June 30. And the impact will ripple through the travel loyalty space.
Still, opportunities remain. While American Express transfers to Hawaiian and Alaska Airlines will no longer be an option, smart travelers can adapt. Rethinking how to use American Express points—and when to transfer them—is now essential. So, if you’re a frequent flyer aiming to protect the value of your rewards, don’t ignore this deadline.
Because when American Express transfers to Hawaiian and Alaska Airlines disappear, they’ll reshape more than point balances. They’ll reshape how travelers plan, book, and dream of their next getaway.
The travel rewards landscape is facing a sudden shift that frequent flyers can’t ignore. American Express has confirmed that it will end points transfers to Hawaiian Airlines on June 30, 2025. As a result, travelers will lose their indirect pathway to Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan, too. This development comes after months of speculation and could drastically impact the reward strategies of many cardholders across the U.S.
American Express Membership Rewards has long stood as one of the most flexible and valuable loyalty currencies. Its ability to transfer points to multiple airline programs made it a favorite among savvy travelers. However, with this new restriction, the landscape has changed.
American Express is pulling the plug on its points transfer partnership with Hawaiian Airlines—and by extension, Alaska Airlines—effective June 30, 2025. This change not only ends a popular transfer route for loyal Amex users, but it also marks a shift in how travelers will have to think about earning and redeeming points moving forward. For those who’ve relied on this indirect path to Alaska’s valuable Mileage Plan, the clock is ticking.
Until now, savvy travelers could transfer their American Express Membership Rewards points to HawaiianMiles, then move them over to Alaska Airlines’ Mileage Plan. This workaround became possible after Alaska Airlines acquired Hawaiian Airlines and allowed point sharing between the two programs. It opened a powerful redemption option for flights on Alaska, which is known for its generous award charts, excellent partner network, and low redemption thresholds.
From short-haul economy flights starting at 4,500 miles to transatlantic business-class flights at just 45,000 miles, Alaska’s Mileage Plan consistently delivered value. This backdoor entry using Amex points made it even more attractive.
With the transfer partnership ending, travelers have until June 30 to act. After that, Membership Rewards points will no longer transfer to HawaiianMiles, closing the indirect pipeline to Alaska Airlines for good. This is especially crucial for travelers planning summer or fall trips who may benefit from Alaska’s award availability.
If you’re considering a transfer, keep in mind:
While speculative transfers carry risks—mainly devaluation or limited use—the current redemption rates on Alaska flights may still justify the move if you plan to travel soon.
Locking points into a single airline program reduces flexibility. Once points are moved to HawaiianMiles and then to Alaska Mileage Plan, they’re committed. This might work for those with set travel dates or routes in mind but may limit options if plans change.
Loyalty programs are also evolving rapidly. Alaska and Hawaiian’s integration is ongoing, and changes to award charts or partner redemptions could come without much warning. That’s the gamble: act now for value, or hold points for broader redemption options.
This isn’t just a one-off policy update. It reflects a wider trend in the loyalty space. Airlines are consolidating, reward programs are tightening, and credit card companies are reevaluating their transfer partnerships.
With fewer pathways to Alaska miles, Membership Rewards loses a valuable redemption partner—especially for those who valued non-alliance carriers and flexible award travel. It also highlights how travelers need to stay alert. What’s available today might be gone tomorrow.
If Alaska Airlines remains your airline of choice, there’s still hope. Bilt Rewards continues to offer points transfers to Alaska Mileage Plan. Bilt has quickly positioned itself as a versatile, valuable program—especially for renters and urban professionals who want flexibility in their rewards.
Additionally, Alaska’s co-branded credit cards from Bank of America remain an option for those committed to the airline. These cards come with sign-up bonuses, earning multipliers, and companion fare perks.
But if you’re holding a stash of Amex points, now’s the time to pivot. Consider other strong Membership Rewards transfer partners like Air Canada Aeroplan, Avianca LifeMiles, and British Airways Executive Club. All of them offer unique sweet spots, partner flights, and solid redemption value.
If you have a significant balance of Membership Rewards points and see Alaska Airlines as a part of your travel plans in the next 6–12 months, consider transferring some points soon. Make a travel plan. Check award availability. Run the numbers.
If you’re unsure or don’t have upcoming travel, it might be wiser to hold your points. Flexibility has long been one of Amex’s biggest strengths, and you don’t want to sacrifice that for a redemption you might never use.
Also consider the excise tax on transfers. While relatively minor for small amounts, it can add up if you’re moving a large stash of points.
The era of set-it-and-forget-it travel rewards is over. Today’s travelers need to be proactive, informed, and ready to adjust as the landscape changes. The end of Amex’s transfer to Hawaiian and Alaska Airlines is just one of many changes to come.
June 30 is your deadline. After that, one of the best backdoor strategies in points travel disappears.
Whether you move fast or play it safe, one thing is clear: loyalty rewards are no longer about loyalty—they’re about strategy, timing, and the willingness to pivot.
Until now, Amex users could transfer points to HawaiianMiles and then shift those miles to Alaska Airlines—a workaround many leveraged after Alaska acquired Hawaiian Airlines. But that window is closing. After June 30, travelers will no longer be able to use Amex points to access Alaska’s low-cost award flights, including transatlantic business class redemptions and short-haul domestic flights starting at just 4,500 miles.
The timing is critical. Frequent flyers and travel enthusiasts now have just weeks to make strategic transfers. Although speculative transfers are usually discouraged, Alaska Airlines’ Mileage Plan remains one of the most rewarding programs for international and domestic flights alike. For those planning near-future travel, this short-term redemption opportunity might be too valuable to pass up.
However, travelers should be cautious. While transferring points to HawaiianMiles now might lock in value, it also removes flexibility. Alaska’s program, like all loyalty programs, is subject to change. Devaluations can occur without warning, especially amid corporate integrations like the one currently underway between Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines.
Meanwhile, other transferable currencies—such as Bilt Rewards—will continue to offer transfers to Alaska Airlines. But for American Express users, June 30 marks a firm cutoff.
Adding another layer of complexity, each transfer from Amex to HawaiianMiles comes with a 0.06 cent-per-mile excise tax, capped at $99 per transfer. Cardholders must weigh the cost and potential upside before initiating a move.
This policy change also signals a broader shift in the airline rewards ecosystem. As airline mergers, loyalty program overhauls, and corporate strategy shifts become more frequent, travelers must stay nimble. Loyalty is no longer just about brand preference—it’s about smart timing and understanding the fine print.
So what should travelers do now? Evaluate your travel plans. Review your Amex balance. Consider whether you’ll fly with Alaska or Hawaiian within the next 12 months. If so, transferring before June 30 could make sense—especially for those eyeing high-value redemptions. If not, holding onto your points for other partners might offer more flexibility.
This isn’t just a technical change. It’s a real-time reminder that even the most trusted rewards systems are subject to disruption. For frequent flyers, the next few weeks will be about speed, strategy, and seizing opportunity before the doors quietly close.
