Hawaiian Reward seats

[tizey]

Can't be done on points booking, as HA and VA are on different award charts, and you can't mix charts on the same booking.

Ah that's why! I always wondered why not possible. Thanks!

 

[unfunkable]

Can't be done on points booking, as HA and VA are on different award charts, and you can't mix charts on the same booking.

So does that mean you need to book 2 different times or?

 

[deva22]

So does that mean you need to book 2 different times or?

My personal preference is to book revenue economy fares to NZ, stay overnight in Auckland and then catch the points J class fare to Honolulu.

 

[Mattg]

I found when attempting booking MEL-AKL-HNL, I could not get a booking on VA for MEL-AKL and then on to HNL. No matter what the operator(s) did, it would not find the HA availability if going from MEL. Did add in the HNL-KOA leg without issue, which I feel is more important to us as that way were protectedif delayed into HNL.

It is possible to book on one ticket, but the price will be the sum of the individual MEL-AKL and AKL-HNL legs.

You need to get the operator to search for AKL-HNL availability on HA. Then, find a separate VA flight from MEL to AKL that connects. HA does not fly out of MEL so no wonder the operator could not find HA availability from there.

 

[tizey]

It is possible to book on one ticket, but the price will be the sum of the individual MEL-AKL and AKL-HNL legs.

You need to get the operator to search for AKL-HNL availability on HA. Then, find a separate VA flight from MEL to AKL that connects. HA does not fly out of MEL so no wonder the operator could not find HA availability from there.

I understand what youryo saying, but half an hour with the agent failed to produce a result. HUACA attempts also failed. VA availaibilit existed for MEL-AKL, and HA existed AKL-HNL, but no way the two would marry up. Once the VA flight was selected, the HA availiaavail disappeared.

 

[Newtothegame]

Right, I'm planning early a year in advance, I want to be in Hawaii for thanksgiving 2019. Don't mind if I have to fly out of Brisbane or Sydney (I'm in Melbourne so I'll need a domestic connection regardless). To confirm, do you search for J availability via aa.com and then call Virgin to confirm and make the booking?

I know this is a virgin thread, but if you have Qantas points, they recently announced they are flying their 747’s to HNL until end of August 2019. I recently booked 3 J seats on the 747’s, and there was a lot of availability as of ~20 Dec.

 

[tizey]

A reminder that its worth checking your dates often as HA release awards all over the place. Originally I found and booked 2 x J HNL-AKL-MEL with HA/QF back in July 2018 flying in April 2019 using AA Miles. Nothing via SYD/BNE

Today changed it to 2 x J HNL-SYD-MEL, flying on the same date in April 2019 but it avoids an overnight layover in AKL on our way home, and puts us on a QF A330 which we've never flown in. Flying in April 2019 during VIC school holidays - so not that far away and in a high demand period.

It also showed up weird on the AA website - it didnt show up on their calendar view, but scrolling through flight options on various days, it showed up in the list. Called AA call centre, 1st agent found HNL-SYD but not the right SYD-MEL flight. QF website confirmed the SYD-MEL I wanted had J availability, so was pretty confident it was there. HUACA - 2nd agent found the HA flight and the right connecting QF flight and changed the booking - $40 taxes refund to boot.

So yeah, not easy to find, but they are out there. *cue X-Files music*

 

[ozbeachbabe]

HA seats using VA points need to be booked over the phone with VA. I've done this several times with no dramas. HA award seats in whY are booked in 'T' class and J is 'D' class although only ever travelled down the back end of the HA bus on points. It's probably worth calling VA first to get the HA availability. Once you have this you can then look online and see what VA flights work with your MEL-BNE options then call VA back to book the HA flights.

If you have an Amex Plat charge card you can sweep points across to Etihad Guest which have one way awards ex AU to NZ for around 8K which is handy if you need to position to AKL to use HA AKL-HNL.

Check if any other credit cards you may have give you a travel credit on flights AU to NZ then you could use VA points for an HA partner award AKL-HNL. If flying ex AU to HNL, ex BNE is less points than SYD so you could either book a cheap sale fare MEL-BNE on your airline or choice or do a domestic award MEL-BNE on VA in the late am which would give you a decent buffer as the HA flight leaves in the evening.

 

[CPMaverick]

A reminder that its worth checking your dates often as HA release awards all over the place. Originally I found and booked 2 x J HNL-AKL-MEL with HA/QF back in July 2018 flying in April 2019 using AA Miles. Nothing via SYD/BNE

Today changed it to 2 x J HNL-SYD-MEL, flying on the same date in April 2019 but it avoids an overnight layover in AKL on our way home, and puts us on a QF A330 which we've never flown in.

I'd much rather connect intl-intl in AKL than dom-intl in SYD, and I reckon the additional flight time to AKL is worth the easier transit. But, if you were forced into an overnight in AKL, certainly SYD is a better option.

I've also found searching segment-by-segment on AA.com is a good way to find HA awards. But this being the VA forum, it's more likely those with VA points do that anyway (QF availability is not relevant).

 

[pangwen]

I've read through this thread, but it looks like most people were just redeeming to HNL. Is it possible to book reward seats onwards to the US mainland, e.g. SYD-xHNL-LAX?

 

[Mattg]

I've read through this thread, but it looks like most people were just redeeming to HNL. Is it possible to book reward seats onwards to the US mainland, e.g. SYD-xHNL-LAX?

Yes, but seats to the US mainland from HNL are also limited. You probably won't find any availability on HNL-LAX (but might to other US destinations).

 

[CPMaverick]

If you are interested in continuing on to the US mainland with VA points, it's also worth looking at DL availability. I don't know from experience that DL and HA awards can be combined in one award, but I'm presuming it is possible.

In some cases this could be fairly efficient, for example BNE-HNL-ATL is 9187 miles, and BNE-LAX-ATL is 9107.

 

[Must...Fly!]

If you are interested in continuing on to the US mainland with VA points, it's also worth looking at DL availability. I don't know from experience that DL and HA awards can be combined in one award, but I'm presuming it is possible.

In some cases this could be fairly efficient, for example BNE-HNL-ATL is 9187 miles, and BNE-LAX-ATL is 9107.

I think they are on different award charts so can't be combined for Velocity redemptions.

 

[CPMaverick]

I think they are on different award charts so can't be combined for Velocity redemptions.

Indeed they are on different award charts. DL would offer a lower points redemption vs. HA.

Forgive my ignorance, but does this mean that VA can't combine the awards on one ticket?

 

[Must...Fly!]

Indeed they are on different award charts. DL would offer a lower points redemption vs. HA.

Forgive my ignorance, but does this mean that VA can't combine the awards on one ticket?

I believe so.

 

[MooTime]

I just booked 3 Business seats thru Velocity call centre for BNE-HNL March 2020, the standard 330 days out, had to call just twice to get the day they released them as it's not exactly 330 days out. I was told there was 6 available on my day.
Will book return soon, but may opt for economy as day flight returning so no need for a flat lie bed for any snooze time.
note: departing from Mel & works out less points usage MEL-BNE-HNL rather than SYD leg as 65k points from BNE while 78k from BNE.

I did check AA site, but calling 330 or so days out I've found to be a safe bet anyways.

Ive read multiple times that HA releasing more reward seats in recent times, but best to book as close to 330 days out as possible.

 

[MooTime]

Ended up booking Business return HNL to BNE, no problem at all with availability in the 330day window. Then I just contact Hawaiian Airlines on chat via website to request exact seats. Pleasurable process, no issue's at all.
Travelling with 1yo so fingers crossed to not annoy other business class travelers with noisey child.

Anyone willing to share their infant travels in business class on 10hr route I'd appreciate?

Used Velocity double status recent offer for BNE to MEL, paid for as save points for international Business where possible.

 

[SteveLL]

Also booked two business class seats for Easter period next year from Sydney. Looks like they release 3-4 business class seats on any given day

 

[Jobeki111]

MooTime...We travelled that exact route with our 2yo and 6mo recently. The 2yo had a seat, the 6mo was a lap infant. If you are travelling with a partner as well the 2/2/2 layout can actually work well as if you get a window you can kind of trap them by extending the aisle seat. Easier with a non-walking 6mo than a 1y old tho. On the way over it was kind of a non- event though as they slept for about 6h due to the late departure. People dreaded us when they saw us and The first 30-45 min was a bit angsty until they turned the lights off when we breathed a sigh of relief . Eat prior if you can as the food is ok but nothing special and it frees up time to deal with the little terrors. We did have one couple compliment us getting off the plane which was nice. The return journey was a day flight and proved a bit more problematic but nothing major!

Hawaiian crew were great with the kids! Service was pretty good... their are mixed reports on that front however but I didn’t have any complaints. The seats themselves were reasonable and as mentioned I felt were actually better than 1-2-1 for a family with a child. If your child doesn’t have troubles with their ears I and they are a good sleeper OR love IPads (HA provide iPad Pro as IFE) think they’ll be fine. We are going to see how we go in Aug. with the 2 kids in VA PE and then J on return to LAX so I can do a true comparison then with 1-2-1. That scares me a bit as we will spend nearly 24h in transit and the VA departure from Bris is mid-morning. Time will tell!!!

 

[MooTime]

MooTime...We travelled that exact route with our 2yo and 6mo recently. The 2yo had a seat, the 6mo was a lap infant. If you are travelling with a partner as well the 2/2/2 layout can actually work well as if you get a window you can kind of trap them by extending the aisle seat. Easier with a non-walking 6mo than a 1y old tho. On the way over it was kind of a non- event though as they slept for about 6h due to the late departure. People dreaded us when they saw us and The first 30-45 min was a bit angsty until they turned the lights off when we breathed a sigh of relief . Eat prior if you can as the food is ok but nothing special and it frees up time to deal with the little terrors. We did have one couple compliment us getting off the plane which was nice. The return journey was a day flight and proved a bit more problematic but nothing major!

Hawaiian crew were great with the kids! Service was pretty good... their are mixed reports on that front however but I didn’t have any complaints. The seats themselves were reasonable and as mentioned I felt were actually better than 1-2-1 for a family with a child. If your child doesn’t have troubles with their ears I and they are a good sleeper OR love IPads (HA provide iPad Pro as IFE) think they’ll be fine. We are going to see how we go in Aug. with the 2 kids in VA PE and then J on return to LAX so I can do a true comparison then with 1-2-1. That scares me a bit as we will spend nearly 24h in transit and the VA departure from Bris is mid-morning. Time will tell!!!

Jobeki111, how'd you go on this trip to LAX with 2 little ones in PE & J?? The transit & long flight time?
Took our 4 month old for trial flight MEL-CNS in ECO-X & J & was no problem, ears etc,