Let's talk about a fascinating shift in the airline industry, particularly for those of us who love to travel to Hawaii. The cheapest airfare to Hawaii, once a gateway to earning rewards and status, is now a dead end on almost every major airline. It's a move that has significant implications for travelers and their loyalty choices.
The End of an Era
For nearly two decades, airlines have been training us to believe that even the most basic economy fare was worth it. Sure, you might be crammed into a tiny seat at the back, but you were still earning something - miles, status credits, or the promise of a future trip. But that era is coming to a close, and it's a big deal.
The Domino Effect
Delta started this trend years ago, and others quickly followed. American, United, and now Alaska and Hawaiian have all pulled the plug on reward earning for their cheapest fares. It's a significant change, and one that leaves travelers with a tough choice.
Alaska and Hawaiian: The Latest Changes
Alaska has recently announced the end of Atmos Rewards points and elite-qualifying credit on its Saver fares. This means that if you book a Saver ticket on or after June 11 and fly on or after August 1, you'll earn zero points and zero elite credit. It's a double whammy for travelers who want to keep their status or build up rewards.
Hawaiian has also adopted the same program, leaving travelers with a stark choice: pay more for a higher fare class or accept that the cheapest option no longer offers any benefits.
The Lone Exception: Southwest
The real surprise here is not that Alaska and Hawaiian have joined this trend, but that Southwest has not. Despite overhauling many of its policies in 2026, Southwest has kept earning on its cheapest Basic fare. This means that travelers can still earn Rapid Rewards points and qualify for the Companion Pass, even on the lowest fares. It's a unique offering in the market and a real point of difference for Southwest.
The New Calculation
For years, travelers had a compromise. They could buy the cheapest fare and still feel like they were building towards something. The miles might have been smaller, and the status credit reduced, but it was a psychological boost. Now, that compromise is gone.
Airlines are making it clear: if you want loyalty benefits, you need to pay more. The cheapest fare is now a no-frills option, with no earning potential to soften the blow. It's a more direct calculation for travelers: is the extra cost for a higher fare class worth the miles and status?
The Loyalty Question
Many travelers have already made up their minds. When fares can vary by hundreds of dollars, loyalty to an airline becomes a tough sell unless the benefits are significant. Today, airlines are drawing a line in the sand, and it's a clear one.
If you're loyal to the dollar, the cheapest fare is your best bet, but you won't get any rewards. If you're loyal to the airline, you need to pay more to access those benefits. It's a simple choice, but one that has big implications for how we book our travel.
So, where do you stand? Are you done chasing airline loyalty and just buying the best fare, or do miles and status still influence your booking decisions? It's a thought-provoking question, and one that highlights the changing nature of travel loyalty.
