Flights to Hawaii are the most expensive around the Xmas holidays.
$800 pp is actually a very good price.
In theory, airfare prices will be slightly high 8 months ahead of time and could theoretically dip slightly maybe in sept. But even if the prices dipped, I can’t imagine them dipping down a significant amount. Not to kona, where the number of flights is much less than Honolulu. I found that it’s best to look at prices at mon or tues at midnight.
I believe the OP was saying fares are $900pp, which is less than I have sometimes paid from LAX to HNL over Christmas. Timing is everything and if you can get the airports, times and seats you like, that doesn’t seem like an outrageous price to HI for Christmas to me.
“It’s a pretty long drive from Hilo to Kona and there can be significant traffic. Just saying that should be factored in when the choices are made.”
Should be 2 hrs through Saddle Rd. Rental cars are probably not allowed there but google maps shows it as a valid option:)
Thanks everyone. Anyway they look at it this will be a costly trip. They need to decide if they can afford it.
The Alaskan credit card companion ticket might be the only way they can afford it. Anyone know how hard it is to get? D is a student but does have another credit card with a good payment record and income of about 15000 without what we give her.
When our D applied for a CC, for income, they told her and me that she should indicate ALL monies she receives from all sources, including gifts from mom and dad. That increased her income significantly and she was approved for a AmEx Costco CC with a $3500 limit. I’d suggest she try for the Alaska CC or Hawaiian Air has a CC as well, which gives a 50% companion ticket. The Alaska card might fly to more of the places your D might be interested in, so that would likely be 1st choice.
Yippee! Airfare between HNL & SFO just dropped & we grabbed 4 seats. The price was $730 & stubbornly stuck there for a very long time. We just got it this morning for $598. Maybe it will go lower, but we figured it’s better this than the $730 and I no longer have to monitor it and worry about it. It is 4 seats, so glad we scooped them up when we did. We were still able to get decent seats together.
HImom, I’ve learned the hard way that it is best to grab the fare you like when you see it. It could well go up again as down. Congrats on getting seats you like.
We’ve gone to Kona the last two Octobers for Ironman. The flights were expensive and horrible. Whatever you do, go direct to Kona and don’t connect in Honolulu and don’t go to Hilo! You aren’t going to do any better with fares in December. Grab what you can.
I agree that connections are really NOT WORTH IT unless you absolutely can’t afford not to connect. I’ve seen a LOT of folks sadly miss their connections because the 1st flight was late or whatever and they didn’t even get to the island they were supposed to sleep on, wasting that night’s reservations for lodging and having to book lodging where they had to sleep instead.
We have booked 4 trips so far this year–all nonstops from our home airport to our destination. I really dislike stops–too many chances of things going wrong.
I agree that flights under $1000 nonstop to Hawaii over Winter Break are pretty good prices. No guarantees, but I predict they will likely climb A LOT higher as the date draws closer.
Not only are flights pricey… but there are also limited numbers of flights to Kona from both SF and LAX. Both times I was there in early December and there weren’t a lot of options. Two years ago flew to Maui from LAX and DH and I could not get seats together.
I’ve found cheap flights on American Airlines for $600 but I don’t want to fly American Airlines yet.
If you’re willing to travel on xmas day, u can usually get a cheaper fare
Update- she applied for the Alaskan credit card. They took weeks to process and finally approved her, only to find out when the card arrived that BofA didn’t approve her for the card she applied but for a lessor card that doesn’t give the companion 99$ ticket. She cancelled it before activating.
She is now back to square 1 checking fares.
Ahh!!! That stinks!
How about applying for the credit card that gives 50% coupon on Hawaiian Airlines? My local banks keep trying to get me to apply. It’s on Hawaiisn Airlines site.
Not for Hawaii but I’ve just booked my trip to SF with $10 discount on Southwest. It went down from $82 to $72. As soon as I booked I’ve heard Southwest is having problem with traffic.
Maybe I should apply for Hawaii airlines credit card?
Look into it and see if it makes sense for you. They do have flights between HI and the west coast and elsewhere. They also still serve complimentary meals–the only domestic carrier still doing so, I believe. My D enjoys flying as a passenger on Hawaiian and prefers it over most other airlines.
So I finally got the Hawaiian Airline credit card, do I need to spend a $1000 in order to get the 50% discount on the companion?
@CCDD14 They’ve totally redone the saddle road. It’s been renamed Daniel K. Inouye highway and is a much different road than several years ago. Rental cars are completely fine on it now.
You have to check the terms–
Q: What is the 50% off companion travel discount and $100 off companion ticket discount?
New Primary Cardmembers are eligible to earn a one-time 50% off discount toward one published roundtrip coach fare for a Companion. One-time 50% off discount is valid for 13 months from account open date. Allow up to 5 days after account approval for companion discount to be available for use. Upon payment of annual fee, the Primary Cardmember is also eligible to earn a one hundred dollar ($100) discount off one coach companion ticket on each credit card account anniversary, which is valid for 12 months from account anniversary. Discounts are valid only for coach fare for named HawaiianMiles member and their companion for roundtrip travel between North America and Hawaii booked directly through the Primary Cardmember’s HawaiianMiles account using his or her Hawaiian Airlines World Elite MasterCard and are subject to change. Named HawaiianMiles member and their companion must be booked on the same reservation, discount will Extra Comfort fares, or open tickets. Discount cannot be applied to tickets already purchased. eCertificate offer can only be redeemed through HawaiianMiles’ member’s account on HawaiianAirlines.com. eCertificates are not transferable, have no cash value, and will not be replaced if lost or stolen. eCertificate may not be combined with, applied to, or used in conjunction with any other discount, promotional offer or tour package. Flights be applied to the companion coach fare. Ticketing by E ticket only. Discount not applied to taxes, fees, and surcharges. Government taxes and fees and carrier-imposed fees will be applied to each ticket purchase. Other restrictions apply. Cost subject to change. Fares are subject to availability. Additional baggage charges may apply. Offer may not be combined with, applied to, or applied towards HawaiianMiles flight awards redeemed using miles. Offer not valid on Neighbor Island flights, multi-city reservations, code share flights with Hawaiian codeshare airlines, First Class or booked in H and K class of service may not qualify for other airline frequent flyer miles. Standard Hawaiian Airlines eCertificate Terms and Conditions apply.