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Alaska's Companion Fare is “famous” for a reason. If you're unfamiliar, this lucrative benefit allows eligible Mileage Plan credit cardholders to purchase a round-trip ticket for a companion for $99 (plus taxes and fees from $23) anywhere Alaska Airlines flies within North America.
Traditionally, it’s only been valid on Alaska-operated flights, but starting today, you can now take it even further on Hawaiian Airlines. Here's what you need to know.
Use Your Alaska Companion Fare on Hawaiian Airlines
Alaska’s April press release on loyalty program changes included a few key updates on the merged operations, including how free checked bags will work for credit cardholders across both brands.
One standout detail of this press release is that holders of the Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® credit card or Alaska Airlines Visa® Business card who have earned a Companion Fare will be able to use it on Hawaiian Airlines flights.
Now this feature has just been rolled out. Here's how it works.
Which Hawaiian routes can you use a Companion Fare on?
Hawaiian Airlines operates several routes, but you won't be able to use an Alaska Companion Fare on all of them. The new Alaska Companion Fare terms note that it's “valid for round-trip or one-way travel in the main cabin on Alaska Airlines or Hawaiian Airlines within North America, including the State of Hawaii.
So, while you won't be able to use it on a flight to Seoul, you should be able to use it between somewhere like Las Vegas and Honolulu. Note that U.S. territories like Pago Pago in American Samoa (which Hawaiian also serves) aren't counted as part of North America for the sake of the Alaska Companion Fare.
Alaska won't tell you if you enter an invalid route. Instead, you'll get the following error:
This discount code didn't work. Check the discount code spelling, date of expiration, and try again. Note that gift and credit certificates only work on the payment page, this is for discount codes and companion fare codes.
Related: Ultimate Guide to Companion Fares and Passes
What about complimentary upgrades?
Companion Fare tickets on Alaska are currently eligible for complimentary upgrades if the primary traveler has Mileage Plan elite status. While elite benefits are beginning to align between Alaska and Hawaiian, there’s no confirmation yet on upgrade eligibility for Alaska elites flying Hawaiian. Ideally, these fares will remain upgradeable, especially since Hawaiian’s A330s and 787s feature lie-flat seats.
In addition, Alaska’s credit cards are also more rewarding now if you care about earning elite status. You can earn up to 30,000 EQMs per year from credit card spending alone. That's enough to qualify for MVP — the lowest tier of Alaska elite status.
Earning an Alaska Famous Companion Fare
Cardholders earn a Companion Fare after spending $6,000 during their cardholder year and receive it on their cardholder anniversary. Alaska also includes a Companion Fare as part of some sign-up bonuses.
- Earn unlimited 3 miles for every $1 spent on eligible Alaska Airlines purchases
- Earn unlimited 2 miles for every $1 spent on eligible gas, EV charging stations, cable, streaming services and local transit (including ride share) purchases
- Earn unlimited 1 mile for every $1 spent on all other eligible purchases
Note that if you opened an Alaska Airlines credit card before January 18, 2023, you still receive the Companion Fare each year automatically without needing to meet a spending requirement.
Final Thoughts
The ability to use your Alaska Companion Fare on Hawaiian Airlines flights is now live, and that’s a win for Mileage Plan cardholders. This added flexibility makes the perk even more valuable.
Not every Hawaiian route is eligible, and upgrades are still an unknown, but this change signals continued progress in Alaska and Hawaiian’s integration. With more perks being shared across both airlines, we’re optimistic about what’s to come.
If you’ve been sitting on a Companion Fare, this opens up a great new use case — particularly for routes where Hawaiian offers better timing, service, or availability than Alaska.
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