Last Updated on July 25, 2026 by Daniel Globe
The Alaska Companion Fare has changed significantly since Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines began combining parts of their networks and loyalty benefits. Eligible cardholders can now use the benefit on certain Hawaiian-operated flights, but the route, operating airline, booking channel, fare type, and payment method still matter.
Quick Answer
Yes. Since July 11, 2025, eligible Atmos Rewards cardholders can use the $99 Companion Fare on Hawaiian Airlines-operated flights within North America, including Hawaii. The trip must be booked through Alaska’s booking channel with a valid code. Codeshares and Hawaiian flights outside North America do not qualify.
Key Takeaways
- The Companion Fare now works on eligible Hawaiian Airlines-operated flights within North America, including Hawaii.
- The standard annual benefit costs $99 plus taxes and fees starting at $23, not just taxes and fees.
- Hawaiian flights outside North America and codeshare flights operated by other airlines are not eligible.
- The code must be applied through Alaska’s booking channel to a paid itinerary for two travelers.
- There are no published blackout dates, but two eligible economy seats must still be available.
At a Glance
| Time Required | About 10–20 minutes |
| Difficulty | Easy, once the code appears in your account |
| Tools Needed | Atmos Rewards account, valid Companion Fare code, two passenger names, and the eligible credit card |
| Cost | The primary traveler’s regular fare plus $99 and companion taxes and fees starting at $23 |
What Is the Alaska Companion Fare?
The $99 Companion Fare is a credit-card benefit that lets an eligible cardholder book two people on the same paid itinerary. The first traveler pays the regular eligible economy fare. The second traveler pays a $99 base fare plus applicable taxes and fees, which currently start at $23.
The consumer card formerly known as the Alaska Airlines Visa Signature card is now called the Atmos Rewards Ascent Visa Signature card. The loyalty program formerly called Mileage Plan is now Atmos Rewards.
Under the current publicly advertised Ascent card terms, cardholders receive the annual $99 Companion Fare after spending at least $6,000 on purchases during the prior account-anniversary year. Older accounts, business cards, targeted promotions, and introductory offers may have different qualification rules, so the certificate stored in your account and your card agreement control.
The standard annual benefit starts at $122 for the companion: a $99 fare plus taxes and fees from $23. A temporary $0 Companion Fare promotion is a separate offer and should not be confused with the normal annual benefit.
Can You Use the Alaska Companion Fare on Hawaiian Airlines?
Yes. Alaska expanded the benefit on July 11, 2025, allowing eligible consumer and business cardholders to use their Companion Fare on Hawaiian Airlines-operated flights within North America, including Hawaii.
The operating airline is important. A flight displayed with an Alaska or Hawaiian flight number may still be operated by another carrier. Those codeshare flights do not qualify.
| Flight or Booking Type | Eligible? | What to Know |
|---|---|---|
| Alaska Airlines-operated flight | Yes | Choose an eligible paid economy option shown after applying the code. |
| Horizon Air or SkyWest operating for Alaska | Yes | The flight must be operated on behalf of Alaska Airlines. |
| Hawaiian Airlines-operated flight within North America | Yes | This includes eligible Hawaii itineraries available through Alaska’s booking channel. |
| Hawaiian-operated flight outside North America | No | The Hawaiian expansion is limited to flights within North America. |
| Codeshare operated by another airline | No | Check the “operated by” line before selecting the flight. |
| Atmos Rewards award reservation | No | The $99 Companion Fare applies to eligible paid tickets, not points-only awards. |
Note: Alaska Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, and their booking systems continue to evolve. Always confirm that the Companion Fare price appears in the search results before entering payment information.
How to Book a Flight with the Alaska Companion Fare
- Sign in to your Atmos Rewards account. Use the account connected to the credit card that earned the Companion Fare.
- Open your account wallet or discount-code area. Locate the active Companion Fare and review its expiration date and account-specific conditions.
- Select “Use to book” or copy the code. You can also enter the code in the discount or Companion Fare field when starting a new search.
- Search for exactly two travelers. Both passengers must be booked and ticketed together on the same reservation.
- Choose eligible flights. For Hawaiian Airlines, make sure every Hawaiian-operated flight is within North America. Avoid any segment marked as operated by an ineligible partner.
- Select an eligible economy fare. The booking results should show the regular price for the primary traveler and the reduced Companion Fare price for the second traveler.
- Enter both passengers’ information. Review names, dates, airports, operating airlines, fare restrictions, and seat-selection rules carefully.
- Pay with the required card. Complete the purchase with the eligible Atmos Rewards credit card connected to the benefit.
- Save the confirmation. Confirm that both travelers appear on the same itinerary and that the discount was applied before closing the page.
Pro Tip: Search the same Hawaii dates without the code in a separate browser tab. Comparing the normal companion price with the discounted price makes it easy to see the certificate’s real value.
Restrictions and Limitations of the Alaska Companion Fare
The Companion Fare is flexible compared with many airline certificates, but it is not a universal buy-one-get-one ticket. The most important limitations are:
- Hawaiian eligibility is regional. Only Hawaiian-operated flights within North America qualify.
- Codeshares are excluded. A flight operated by another airline does not qualify merely because it carries an Alaska or Hawaiian flight number.
- It is intended for eligible economy travel. It does not directly purchase a First Class ticket, although eligible travelers may later qualify for an upgrade under the applicable upgrade rules.
- It cannot be applied to an award reservation. The primary ticket must be a qualifying paid fare.
- Both travelers must share the reservation. They must be booked and ticketed together on the same itinerary.
- Only one discount code can be applied to a reservation. Two Companion Fare codes cannot normally be stacked on the same booking.
- The code is personal to the cardholder. It cannot be transferred or redeemed by another member.
- The code has an expiration date. It generally expires if it is not redeemed within the period displayed in the account.
- Fare rules still apply. A Companion Fare does not remove Saver restrictions, fare differences, seat charges, baggage rules, or other conditions attached to the purchased tickets.
Warning: Do not assume that every Hawaiian-branded itinerary qualifies. Check the operating carrier for every segment. Hawaiian flights outside North America and codeshare flights operated by another airline are not eligible.
Using the Alaska Companion Fare for Flights to Hawaii
| Eligible Hawaii flights | Eligible Alaska-operated flights and Hawaiian-operated flights within North America |
| Standard companion price | $99 plus taxes and fees starting at $23 |
| Blackout dates | No published blackout dates, although eligible flights and seats can sell out |
| Booking method | Apply the stored code through Alaska’s booking channel and pay with the required eligible card |
| Award tickets | Not eligible for the $99 Companion Fare |
Hawaii can be one of the best uses of the Companion Fare because peak-season economy tickets can be expensive. The certificate’s price is largely fixed, so the potential savings generally increase as the normal cash price of the second ticket rises.
Book High-Demand Dates Early
No published blackout dates does not mean unlimited availability. Holiday periods, school breaks, summer weekends, and popular event dates can sell out. Searching early gives you more choices and makes it easier to find two eligible economy seats on the same flight.
Compare Alaska- and Hawaiian-Operated Options
Run one search that includes both brands where possible. Departure time, airport, baggage benefits, fare restrictions, and the regular cash price can matter as much as the airline name.
Calculate the Real Savings
Use this simple calculation:
Normal cash price of the second ticket − ($99 + companion taxes and fees) = Gross Companion Fare savings
For example, if the second traveler’s normal ticket would cost $650 and the discounted total is $122, the gross savings would be $528. If the normal ticket costs only $115, using the standard Companion Fare would offer little or no value.
Review Saver Fare Restrictions
Saver fares may have stricter seat-assignment, change, cancellation, and points-earning rules. Alaska also warns that parties of two or more may not be seated together on a Saver fare. Review the current Saver fare conditions before choosing the lowest displayed option.
Changes, Cancellations, and Expiration
Tickets purchased with a Companion Fare follow the conditions of the selected fare. Main fares generally provide more flexibility than Saver fares, and a fare difference may apply when changing travel dates or flights.
Under Alaska’s current discount and Companion Fare code rules:
- Tickets booked with a Companion Fare can be changed when the purchased fare rules permit it.
- If the entire reservation is canceled while the Companion Fare code is still valid, the unexpired code is redeposited with its original expiration date.
- If the code has already expired when the reservation is canceled, the code is forfeited.
- The cash value of each ticket follows the applicable cancellation and credit rules for the purchased fare.
- Travelers should change or cancel before departure to avoid Alaska’s no-show rules.
Note: Canceling a booking does not create a new one-year validity period. A redeposited code keeps its original expiration date.
Tips for Maximizing the Value of the Alaska Companion Fare on Hawaiian Airlines
Use It for an Expensive Economy Trip
The certificate usually delivers the most value on a high-priced mainland-to-Hawaii itinerary rather than a short, inexpensive flight. Compare the savings before applying the code permanently to a reservation.
Check Nearby Dates and Airports
Moving the departure or return by one or two days can produce a lower primary fare or better flight schedule. Travelers near more than one airport should compare each practical departure point, but ground transportation and parking costs should be included in the decision.
Consider Main Instead of Saver
A slightly higher Main fare may provide better seat selection and change flexibility for two people. The cheapest visible option is not always the best overall value, especially when the travelers want to sit together.
Use Eligible Card Benefits
Current Atmos Rewards Ascent card information includes a free checked bag and preferred boarding for the cardholder and up to six guests on the same reservation when the flight is purchased with the card. Confirm the current benefit terms before relying on these savings.
Compare One-Way and Round-Trip Searches
Test both search formats when your plans are flexible. The booking engine will show whether the code applies to the itinerary and may reveal a better schedule or lower total fare.
Pro Tip: Do not use the certificate automatically. Save it for an itinerary where the normal second ticket costs meaningfully more than $99 plus its taxes and fees.
Making the Most of Your Trip to Hawaii with the Companion Fare
Plan the Main Island First
Choose the island that best matches your priorities before booking. Oahu offers major historical, cultural, shopping, and dining options. Maui is known for scenic drives and beaches, Kauai for hiking and dramatic landscapes, and Hawaii Island for volcanic scenery and long driving distances.
Compare Inter-Island Costs Separately
An inter-island flight may be inexpensive enough that using the Companion Fare provides little value. Compare the regular cash price before including extra segments in the discounted itinerary. Separate reservations can also create connection risks, so leave enough time between independently booked flights.
Reserve Popular Activities Early
Rental cars, guided tours, national-park activities, and popular restaurants may fill before peak travel dates. Reserve the experiences that matter most after the flights are confirmed, while keeping cancellation conditions in mind.
Prepare for Long Travel Days
Mobile boarding passes, maps, rideshare apps, hotel confirmations, and activity tickets can drain a phone battery during a long flight day. A compact charger can help; see this guide to choosing the best power bank for international travel for practical capacity and airline-packing considerations.
Alternatives to Using the Alaska Companion Fare for Hawaiian Airlines
The Companion Fare is useful, but it is not automatically the cheapest option. Consider these alternatives before redeeming the code:
- Book a cash fare sale. Two discounted tickets may cost less than one regular ticket plus the $99 Companion Fare.
- Redeem Atmos Rewards points. Compare the points cost with the cash savings, remembering that the $99 Companion Fare cannot be applied to an award reservation.
- Use the certificate on a later, more expensive trip. This may make sense when the code has enough validity remaining.
- Compare vacation packages carefully. A flight-and-hotel package may reduce the total trip cost, although its change and cancellation rules may be less flexible.
- Check both Alaska and Hawaiian cash options. A cheaper schedule or airport may produce better total value without using the certificate.
The bottom line is that the Alaska $99 Companion Fare can now be used on eligible Hawaiian Airlines flights within North America, including Hawaii. Book through Alaska’s channel, verify the operating carrier, compare the normal cash price, and make sure the discount appears before paying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the Alaska Companion Fare be used on Hawaiian Airlines?
Yes. Since July 11, 2025, eligible cardholders can use the $99 Companion Fare on Hawaiian Airlines-operated flights within North America, including Hawaii. Codeshares and Hawaiian flights outside North America are excluded.
How much does the Alaska Companion Fare cost?
Under the standard annual benefit, the companion pays a $99 base fare plus taxes and fees starting at $23. The primary traveler pays the regular eligible fare. Limited promotional offers may use a different companion base price.
Can I use the Companion Fare for a flight to Hawaii?
Yes. It can be used on eligible Alaska-operated flights and eligible Hawaiian-operated flights within North America, including qualifying Hawaii itineraries.
Can I use it on a Hawaiian international flight?
Only when the Hawaiian-operated itinerary is within North America. A Hawaiian-operated flight between Hawaii and a destination outside North America does not qualify for this benefit.
Does the Companion Fare have blackout dates?
Current public card information states that there are no blackout dates. However, two eligible economy seats must be available, and the operating carrier and route must meet the certificate rules.
Can I combine the Companion Fare with Atmos Rewards points?
The $99 Companion Fare cannot be applied to an Atmos Rewards award reservation. Both travelers must be ticketed on an eligible paid itinerary.
What happens if I cancel a Companion Fare booking?
If the Companion Fare code is still valid, Alaska’s current rules state that it is redeposited with its original expiration date when the entire reservation is canceled. If the code has expired, it is forfeited. The ticket value follows the selected fare’s cancellation rules.
Can another person redeem my Companion Fare code?
No. The code cannot be transferred or redeemed by anyone other than the cardholder who received it. Both passengers must be booked together under the certificate’s current terms.
Sources
- Alaska Airlines: Companion Fare on Hawaiian Airlines flights — confirms the July 11, 2025 expansion, North America limit, price, and codeshare exclusion.
- Bank of America: Atmos Rewards Ascent Visa Signature card — confirms the current $99 Companion Fare, taxes and fees, annual spending requirement, and no-blackout-date benefit.
- Alaska Airlines: Discount and Companion Fare code rules — confirms redemption, transfer, expiration, change, and cancellation rules.
- Alaska Airlines: Saver fare rules — explains seating, changes, cancellations, and other restrictions affecting two-person bookings.
- Alaska Airlines and Bank of America: Atmos Rewards card announcement — confirms the Atmos Rewards launch and the Ascent card’s rebranding.