Last Updated on July 24, 2026 by Daniel Globe
Following the integration of Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines, you can now use the Alaska Companion Fare to cut the cost of an eligible Hawaiian Airlines ticket. This highly coveted credit card perk allows you to bring a guest on your itinerary for a flat base rate, drastically reducing the cost of travel to popular destinations like Honolulu or Maui. However, strict rules apply: you must book the primary fare first directly on alaskaair.com, and the discount only applies to select one-way or round-trip Main Cabin flights.
Quick Answer
Yes, you can use the Alaska Companion Fare on eligible Hawaiian Airlines flights. You must book the flight directly through alaskaair.com. The companion ticket costs $99 plus taxes and fees (which start at $23), bringing the minimum total to $122. It is valid for Main Cabin, cash-paid fares only, and cannot be used on international routes.
Key Takeaways
- The companion ticket costs a base of $99, plus a minimum of $23 in taxes and fees.
- Eligible cards opened after January 18, 2023, require a $6,000 annual spend to earn the pass.
- Both the primary traveler and the companion earn Mileage Plan elite-qualifying miles on the flight.
- The fare is not valid on award bookings, First Class tickets, or codeshare flights.
Booking At a Glance
| Booking Platform | AlaskaAir.com (not HawaiianAirlines.com) |
| Eligible Fares | Cash-paid Main Cabin only (no miles/awards) |
| Cost for Companion | $99 + taxes/fees (minimum $122 total) |
| Blackout Dates | None |
What Is the Alaska Companion Fare?
The Alaska Companion Fare is an annual credit card perk issued to eligible Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® and Visa® Business cardholders. It allows the primary cardholder to book one round-trip or one-way companion ticket for a base price of $99, plus applicable taxes and fees (which start at $23).
Historically limited to Alaska Airlines metal, the benefit now extends to Hawaiian Airlines flights following the companies’ merger, provided the booking is processed directly through Alaska Airlines’ systems. The pass cannot be stacked with other discount codes, cannot be applied to award travel (bookings made with Mileage Plan miles), and is restricted exclusively to Main Cabin fares.
How to Use the Companion Fare on Hawaiian Airlines
To use the Companion Fare on a Hawaiian Airlines flight, you must bypass Hawaiian’s website entirely. The booking engine that validates the discount code lives exclusively on Alaska’s platform.
- Locate Your Code: Log into your Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan account, navigate to your profile, and click on “Discount and companion fare codes.”
- Start the Search: Click the “Shop” button next to your active Companion Fare code. This will automatically apply the discount criteria to your flight search.
- Select Your Route: Enter your origin and a Hawaiian Airlines destination (e.g., SEA to HNL). Ensure the flight indicates it is operated by Hawaiian Airlines (and not a third-party codeshare).
- Choose Main Cabin: Select a standard Main Cabin cash fare. First Class and Premium Class fares will be grayed out or flagged as ineligible.
- Review Pricing: At checkout, you will see the primary ticket at full price and the second ticket discounted to $99 plus the route’s specific taxes and fees.
Pro Tip: Always search for two passengers from the start. If you only search for one passenger and try to apply the code at checkout, the system will error out.
Which Hawaiian Routes Qualify for the Companion Fare?
The Companion Fare is valid on Hawaiian Airlines flights that operate within the United States and North America. This makes it an exceptionally valuable tool for West Coast travelers heading to the islands.
However, strict geographic limitations apply. You cannot use the Companion Fare for Hawaiian Airlines’ international routes (such as flights to Seoul, Tokyo, or Sydney). Furthermore, U.S. territories located outside North America, such as Pago Pago (American Samoa), are excluded from the Companion Fare footprint.
Who Can Earn the Alaska Companion Fare?
The pass is issued exclusively to holders of Alaska Airlines co-branded credit cards issued by Bank of America. However, the exact requirements to earn the pass changed significantly in early 2023.
The $6,000 Annual Spend Requirement
If you opened your Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® consumer card on or after January 18, 2023, you must spend at least $6,000 on purchases during your card anniversary year to earn the Companion Fare. Once the spending threshold is met and your card anniversary passes, the code will be deposited into your Mileage Plan account.
If you opened your consumer card before January 18, 2023, you are grandfathered into the old rules. You will automatically receive the Companion Fare every year on your account anniversary, regardless of how much you spend, as long as your account remains open and in good standing.
Note: Business cardholders and new applicants relying on sign-up bonuses have different spending thresholds (often requiring a $4,000 spend in the first 90 days to trigger the welcome bonus pass).
Alaska Companion Fare Rules, Fees, and Limits
Before redeeming your pass for a Hawaiian vacation, review the critical limitations of the certificate to avoid costly booking errors.
Route And Fare Restrictions
| Route / Fare Type | Eligible? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| U.S. Mainland to Hawaii | Yes | Must be in Main Cabin. |
| Inter-Island Flights | Yes | Valid on Hawaiian Airlines inter-island routes. |
| First Class Fares | No | You cannot book directly into First Class. |
| Award Travel (Miles) | No | Must be a cash-paid base fare. |
| International Routes | No | E.g., Tokyo, Sydney, Seoul are excluded. |
Expiration and Cancellations
Companion Fares expire at 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time on the expiration date listed in your account (exactly 12 months after it is issued). You do not have to fly by this date; you simply must book the flight by this date.
Warning: If you cancel a flight booked with a Companion Fare after the code’s original expiration date has passed, you will lose the pass permanently. It will not be reissued.
Maximizing Your Savings on Hawaiian Flights
The math behind the Companion Fare is simple: it provides the most value when applied to the most expensive tickets. Because Hawaiian flights from the East Coast or Midwest can easily exceed $800 to $1,000 round-trip during peak seasons (like summer or winter holidays), applying the $99 pass can yield $700+ in immediate savings.
Furthermore, one of the best, under-the-radar perks of the Companion Fare is that both passengers earn frequent flyer miles. Unlike traditional award tickets where you earn nothing, flights booked with the Companion Fare earn 100% of the base miles flown, helping both you and your guest qualify for elite status.
What About Upgrades on Hawaiian Flights?
While you cannot use the Companion Fare to purchase a First Class seat outright, elite status upgrades complicate the picture. If you hold Alaska MVP, MVP Gold, or higher status, you are eligible for complimentary upgrades on Alaska-operated flights—even when flying on a Companion Fare.
As the Hawaiian Airlines integration finalizes, reciprocal elite upgrade benefits are being rolled out. If you book a Main Cabin ticket on Hawaiian using the Companion Fare, you may be placed on the upgrade waitlist for Hawaiian’s premium cabins (including their A330 and 787 lie-flat seats), pending your specific tier’s integration rules at the time of travel.
Other Alaska Card Benefits Worth Knowing
The Companion Fare is the centerpiece of the Alaska Airlines Visa, but it pairs with several other benefits that enhance Hawaiian Airlines travel:
- Free Checked Bags: The primary cardholder and up to six guests on the same reservation get their first checked bag free (saving $35-$40 per bag, each way).
- Priority Boarding: Access early boarding to secure overhead bin space.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees: Useful if you use the card on international trips outside of the Companion Fare.
- In-Flight Discounts: Get 20% back on in-flight food, beverage, and Wi-Fi purchases.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use the Alaska companion pass on a Hawaiian Airlines flight?
Yes. As part of the merger between the two airlines, Alaska Companion Fares can be redeemed for Hawaiian Airlines flights, provided the flight is within North America (e.g., mainland U.S. to Hawaii or inter-island) and is booked via AlaskaAir.com.
Do both passengers earn miles when using the Companion Fare?
Yes. Both the primary passenger (paying the full cash fare) and the companion (paying $99 plus taxes) earn elite-qualifying miles and standard Mileage Plan miles based on the distance flown.
Are there blackout dates for the Companion Fare?
No, there are no blackout dates. As long as there is a standard Main Cabin cash seat available for purchase on the flight, you can apply your Companion Fare.
Can I use the Companion Fare for a First Class ticket?
No. The Companion Fare can only be applied to standard Main Cabin economy fares. You cannot apply it directly to First Class or Premium Class bookings, though elite members may still be eligible for complimentary upgrades after booking.
Conclusion
Using the Alaska Airlines Companion Fare on Hawaiian Airlines is one of the most lucrative travel hacks for West Coast flyers heading to the islands. By understanding the $6,000 spend requirement, adhering to the Main Cabin rules, and navigating directly through AlaskaAir.com, you can easily save hundreds of dollars on peak-season travel while still earning valuable elite-qualifying miles for both passengers on the itinerary.
Sources
- Alaska Airlines — Official Companion Fare FAQ and rules.
- Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® — Credit card terms, $6,000 spend requirement, and benefit details.
- Alaska Airlines — Details on the Hawaiian Airlines integration and reciprocal travel benefits.