Hawaii — when cash wins.
A case study in when NOT to use points — and where points still win in the margins.
Hawaii
Hawaii is one of the most popular US domestic destinations, which makes it harder and more expensive to book with points. Award space is constantly drained, hotel award charts have been quietly devaluing for years, and the cash market is hyper-competitive in the other direction.
Reality check: for our trips to Hawaii we almost always fly economy on cash. This specific trip was SEA → OGG (Maui) for $130 each — and we used Alaska credits we had about to expire, so the effective out-of-pocket was even lower. On other trips, SEA → HNL or to any Hawaiian island routinely comes in around $250 round-trip economy. That's better than burning 35k+ miles per person.
Where points still earn their keep: the margin. Last Hawaii trip we booked one night at the Hyatt Regency Waikiki for 20k points and got upgraded to a high-floor ocean-view suite thanks to status. And we flew a red-eye home on the new Alaska 787 in lie-flat for 40k Alaska miles + $5 each — non-negotiable with a baby on board.
How it was booked.
| Route / Stay | Carrier / Program | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| SEA → OGG (this trip) | Alaska Airlines (Economy) | $130 each · Used Alaska credits about to expire |
| SEA → HNL / other islands (typical) | Various carriers | ~$250 round-trip economy |
| HNL → SEA (red-eye return) | Alaska Airlines 787 (Lie-flat First) | 40k Alaska miles + $5 each |
| Hyatt Regency Waikiki · 1 night | World of Hyatt | 20k points · upgraded to high-floor ocean-view suite (status) |
| Condos (other nights) | Cash / Airbnb / VRBO | Better economics than points hotels for longer stays |
Photographs.
Videos from the trip.
Tap any video to play.