Which is better: Alaska Airlines credit card or Hawaiian Airlines credit card?

Alaska Airlines has a Mileage Plan that allows members to earn miles through a variety of airline partners, including American Airlines and British Airways.

This can help you accumulate miles more quickly compared to using Hawaiian Airlines, which mainly focuses on its own routes and a few select partners.

The Alaska Airlines Visa Signature credit card offers three miles per dollar spent on Alaska Airlines purchases and one mile per dollar on all other purchases.

In contrast, the Hawaiian Airlines card typically provides two miles per dollar spent on Hawaiian Airlines but has more limitations with its reward structure.

Alaska Airlines often uses a different strategy for fare pricing than Hawaiian Airlines.

Alaska may offer lower base fares for flights initially, but extra fees, like for checked bags, are also common.

Conversely, Hawaiian Airlines sometimes has higher base fares but allows for more inclusive ticketing options.

Both credit cards come with free checked baggage; however, Alaska's version offers two free checked bags valued up to $140 per round trip for eligible flights purchased with the card.

Hawaiian Airlines offers a single free checked bag, which can be beneficial for longer vacations where packing might be heavier.

The Hawaiian Airlines credit card offers a unique annual companion discount that allows travelers to book a round-trip companion ticket to and from Hawaii for just $100, which can appeal to frequent travelers heading to the islands.

In terms of overall mileage programs, Alaska Airlines has historically been ranked highly for its customer satisfaction and program benefits.

In contrast, Hawaiian Airlines focuses primarily on the appeal of its leisure destinations, potentially resulting in less flexibility during off-peak seasons.

A notable upcoming feature is the planned merging of both airlines’ loyalty programs in late 2025, which could lead to significant changes in how cardholders access benefits.

This shift is notable because it may result in consolidated earning potential across both brands.

Alaska Airlines flies to more than 100 destinations within the US and internationally, which includes routes to Europe and Canada.

Hawaiian Airlines primarily offers flights between the mainland US and the Hawaiian Islands, making Alaska potentially more versatile for frequent flyers not exclusively traveling to Hawaii.

One of the striking benefits of the Alaska Airlines credit card is the ability to redeem miles for a variety of experiences beyond just airfare, including hotels and car rentals, offering more flexibility for cardholders.

The interiors of aircraft used by each airline vary significantly.

Alaska Airlines utilizes a mix of Airbus and Boeing aircraft, with most featuring standard economy class seating configurations, while Hawaiian Airlines primarily operates Airbus A321neos and Boeing 787s, focusing on comfort and a tropical ethos, catering to leisure travelers.

This can be crucial for travelers who might change plans, especially when traveling to destinations like Hawaii.

An interesting scientific aspect of flying relates to the atmospheric conditions over the Pacific Ocean.

Flights from the West Coast to Hawaii often experience trade winds, which can lead to faster travel times going westward during certain seasons, impacting the overall scheduling and routing strategies of both airlines.

The differences in baggage policies between the two airlines could result in cost variances depending on travel habits.

For example, family travelers could find value in Hawaiian’s one free checked bag policy, while solo travelers who may switch airlines for the best fare could lean toward Alaska Airlines.

An engineering curiosity lies in the airline's fuel consumption efficiency; Alaska Airlines has a modern fleet that is considered among the most fuel-efficient, which also extends to their costs for ticket pricing and profitability.

Alaska Airlines has been actively expanding its technological capabilities, such as mobile apps and automated kiosks, that enhance customer ease and management of travel schedules, which gives it a competitive edge for tech-savvy travelers.

The integration of loyalty programs is an engineering challenge as it requires merging software systems and databases, which can lead to complications about mileage accrual, benefits transfer, and cardholder satisfaction during the transition.

Both airlines have partnered with different hotel chains and travel services that can influence the attractiveness of their credit card offerings.

For example, Alaska has agreements that allow for mileage earning through hotel nights, which adds a layer of incentive.

Frequent flyer programs revolve heavily around behavior analytics, where airlines track purchases and preferences, informing them of how to tailor their card offerings and benefits to encourage loyalty and continued use of their airlines.

The concept of air travel fatigue is backed by science; long flights can lead to discomfort.

Alaska Airlines's newer planes often have better ergonomic designs, which can increase comfort on longer flights compared to older aircraft in Hawaiian Airlines' fleet.

Finally, the upcoming changes in the credit card landscape between these airlines reflect broader trends in consumer behavior, pushing for more streamlined and integrated services that take advantage of technological advancements in the travel industry, a signing point toward future changes in airline operations.