3 Best Ways to Redeem Points in Hawaii

3 Easy Ways to Redeem Points in Hawaii

I was recently interviewed by Julia Menez from Geobreeze Travel to discuss credit and travel hacks to Hawaii. Click here to listen to the Podcast.

My Credit & Travel Hacking Journey

I was born and raised here in Hawaii and grew up around the travel business. My grandfather & father were in the travel business, both owning a travel booking service and tour bus company.

I started to travel and credit hack in early 2016 because I was eager to find a cheaper & more efficient way to travel, while still saving up for financial investments. So I got my first credit card, the Barclay Arrival+ card. The 80,000 points sign-up bonus is what attracted me to the card, but I later realized that after redeeming the points earned from the sign-up bonus, points were hard to earn afterward and that Barclay’s points weren’t valuable, each point only worth 1 cent.

Following this discovery, a friend turned me onto the Chase Trifecta, which is the trio of these 3 Chase credit cards the CHASE SAPPHIRE PREFERRED, CHASE FREEDOM UNLIMITED, & the CHASE FREEDOM FLEX. With these three cards, I built a more sustainable model to earn points and my points are worth more when redeeming them through the Chase travel portal at 1.25-1.5 cents per point.

After mastering the Chase trifecta, I then opened a dozen more credit cards, using my own strategies as well as tips from other travel hackers, while still maintaining a credit score over 800. This is only a short summary of my journey, but I did want to share some deals with you all as a credit hacker and resident of Hawaii.

Look for these Deals when traveling to Hawaii

1.WEST COAST TO HAWAII UNDER $60 or 10,000 points on Southwest Airlines.

In March 2019, Southwest Airlines announced it would begin routes from the west coast to Hawaii. Prior to their arrival, Hawaiian airlines held the majority of the interisland travel and west coast travel, but Southwest Airlines has come in and taken the majority of those routes. Their cheap prices, customer service & unique boarding style have made it the preferred choice of travel to and from the islands.

On low travel seasons, direct flights can be purchased at under 10,000 southwest points. Not enough Southwest points? Apply for the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card for an extra 40,000 southwest points or transfer your points directly from your Chase account at a 1 to 1 transfer ratio.

2. INTER-ISLAND TRAVEL UNDER $30 or 2,000 Points on Southwest Airlines.

Along with the cheap west coast flights, Southwest started routes in between the islands of Hawaii. Those routes include flights between the Big Island (Hawaii), Maui, Kauai, & Oahu. Prices average between $39-59 (2500 - 5000 points) one way, but on occasion, prices have dropped below $29 (2,000 points ) during off-seasons. Do your research and look for these deals on inter-island flights.

3. LUXURY STAY at the Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort at 30,000 points a night.

Hyatt is regarded as the best hotel transfer with Chase, with The Points Guy valuing one Hyatt point at 1.7 cents (April 2021). This is an incredible redemption rate, but the Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort is part of the Hyatt Collection boasts an even higher value for your points at over 3 cents per Hyatt point. At the time of this article, booking a standard room costs $1097.00 per night. Hyatt’s category point system allows this Category 7 resort to be priced no more than 30,000 Hyatt points a night! If you do the math, that’s 3.65 cents per Hyatt point. To top this amazing deal off, Chase transfers points to Hyatt at a 1:1 ratio. Chase also has a co-branded Hyatt Visa credit card that you can get for a 60,000 point sign-up bonus, a free anniversary night, and other travel benefits.

Updated Nov 2023: As a Category 8 Hyatt, the Andaz Maui at Wailea will cost you 35,000-45,000 World of Hyatt points per night.

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There are many other travel deals when traveling to Hawaii, but these 3 will bring the most value to your points. If you would like to get started with your credit/travel journey, you can support our channel by applying for your cards HERE.

Can I get from International Terminal G to Terminal 3 at SFO without going through security?

Can I get from International Terminal G to Terminal 3 at SFO without going through security?

Airside connector between Terminal 3 & International Terminal G

I recently was on a trip to San Francisco, flying from HNL to SFO on Hawaiian airlines and trying to figure out If I could access Terminal 3 without going through security. Our flight attendants and check-in personal said we would have to re-clear security again and online blogs were vague, but we suspected otherwise. Terminal 3 has the American Express Centurion Lounge and 2 restaurants (San Francisco Giants Clubhouse, Yankee Pier) that Priority Pass members & their one other guest can receive $28 of dining credit each.

So can you access TERMINAL 3 from International TERMINAL G?

The answer is: YES, via the Airside Connector

Directions: Upon landing in International Terminal G, proceed toward the end of the terminal, walking along the left side. DO NOT go outside security or else you will have to re-clear security again, instead make a left and you will see the United Polaris Lounge.

Keep walking and you will eventually come to the Terminal 3 airside connector, a small enclosed walkway that connects both terminals. Continue walking through it and follow the signs that lead to Gate F and you eventually find gate F1 which is Terminal 3.

It’s important to not pass any “No Re-entry Signs” or else you will have to re-clear security again.

More info on SFO Terminals

There are 4 main terminal areas that you can commute to without having to go through security again. Those areas are:

• International Terminal A (Gates A1-A12)

• International Terminal G (Gates G91-G102) connects to Domestic Terminal 3 (Gates 60-90)

• Domestic Terminal 1 (Gates 40-48) connects to Domestic Terminal 2 (Gates 50-59)

• Domestic Terminal 1 (Gates 20-28)

Below is a list of Airlines operating from their terminals at SFO:

International Terminal A

• AeroMexico

• Avianca

• British Airways

• Cathay Pacific

• China Airlines

• China Eastern

• China Southern

• El Al

• Emirates

• Finnair

• French Bee

• Hawaiian Airlines

• Iberia

• Icelandair

• Interjet

• Japan Airlines

• JetBlue

• KLM

• Korean Air

• Level

• Norwegian

• Philippine Airlines

• Qantas

• Sun Country Airlines

• Virgin Atlantic

• WestJet

International Terminal G

• Aer Lingus

• Air Canada

• Air China

• Air France

• Air India

• Air New Zealand

• Asiana Airlines

• Copa Airlines

• Eva Air

• Fiji Airways

• Lufthansa

• SAS

• Singapore Airlines

• Swiss International Air Lines

• TAP Air Portugal

• Turkish Airlines

• United Airlines

Terminal 1

• Delta Air Lines

• Frontier Airlines

• Southwest Airlines

Terminal 2

• Alaska Airlines

• American Airlines

Terminal 3

• United Airlines

Before you plan your trip to SFO, make sure to map out the locations of the lounges you want to visit. The 2 restaurants give you a total of $56 dining credit to use. If you want to take full advantage of this, dine at one restaurant and order take out/have a drink at the other. If you are full, maximize your credit by ordering premium water bottles for your travels.

Visiting the DELTA AIRLINES SKY CLUB at HNL

We got a chance to stop by the DELTA AIRLINES SKY LOUNGE at the Honolulu International Airport, located in Terminal 2 (Inside Security). Near Gate F1. Rated as “SOLID” & “WORTH A DETOUR” on Loungbuddy, we had to stop by and do a review. We have been here before, but it was worth a second stop for a review.

AMBIANCE: (4/5) This is definitely on the top 5 of the best lounges of the 14 at the Honolulu International Airport. This lounge has received a facelift with modern furniture, stylish lighting, and attractive colors. 

FOOD: (4/5) The spread here was great, definitely more than snacks. They have a nice sized buffet with chicken, beef curry, rice, and other sides. There is an open bar and of course, an espresso machine!! you won’t go thirsty here!

SERVICE: (4/5) You are greeted by the lovely Delta staff who really make your stay here enjoyable and peaceful. There was a delay on our flight, but we were well informed of the changes and adjustments that were made by the front desk. 

EXTRA AMENITIES: (3/5)

Other than a business center and an open bar, everything here is pretty standard and ordinary.

OVERALL SCORE: 3.75/5

To learn how to access, check out our latest write up on the DELTA SKY CLUB at HNL. 

HOW TO ACCESS:

1. If you are flying with Delta, or a Sky Team partner like Air France or KLM, in a first or business class cabin on an international flight, you will also receive complimentary access to the Sky Club. You will also be able to access the lounge in this manner if you are traveling on certain transcontinental routes within the US in first or business class. You will not be given any guesting privileges with this method of access.

2. America Express Platinum card Holders -When it comes to lounge access, you won’t find a better card option than the Platinum Card from American Express.  Just for holding the card, you will receive complimentary access into the Sky Club when you are flying with Delta. And while you won’t be able to bring in guests for free, you will be able to bring up to two guests into the lounge for $29 each.

3. Carry the Delta Reserve Credit Card from American Express - Much like the Platinum Card from American Express mentioned above, just for holding the Delta Reserve personal or business credit card from American Express, you will receive complimentary Sky Club access when you are flying with Delta. And beginning on January 30, 2020, cardholders will receive two, one-time guest passes to the Delta Sky Club each year. With an annual fee of $450, most will be better off going with the Platinum Card from American Express option. It has an annual fee of only $100 more ($550) and it simply provides many more benefits. If you don’t need the Reserve for earning MQMs and MQDs towards Delta status, go with the Platinum card mentioned above.

4. Hold Delta Gold or Platinum Medallion Status and Fly Internationally - If you hold either Delta’s Gold or Platinum Medallion status you will be able to access the Sky Club free of charge if you are traveling internationally on Delta or a Sky Team partner regardless of which cabin you are flying in. You can have a ticket in any class of service and receive free access. Further, you can bring one guest in with you at no charge.

5. Carry the Delta Gold or Platinum co-branded American Express credit card - For holding the Gold or Platinum SkyMiles credit card from American Express, you will receive discounted Sky Club access of $29 per entry. You can also bring in up to two guests for $29 each.

However, starting on January 30, 2020, Delta SkyMiles Gold cardholders will no longer be able to buy a single visit Sky Club pass. This option will still be available for Delta SkyMiles Platinum cardholders but the cost will be increased to $39 for each visit.

How to get Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite in 2019

Is Marriott Gold Elite worth it? in my opinion, it is! Marriott has a 5 tier reward system: Silver, Gold, Platinum, Titanium & Ambassador, but the reals perks start when you qualify for Gold Elite? Marriott Members enjoy all the benefits of Gold Elite status after completing only 25 eligible nights in a calendar year — including redemption nights, but if you don’t stay at Marriotts too often? GET A CREDIT CARD!! 

Listed below are the credit cards that give you an Gold Elite status with Marriott

Penha Longa Hotel & Resort in Portugal.

1. The Platinum Card® from American Express provides automatic Gold Elite status.

2. The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant™ American Express® Card provides automatic Gold Elite status.

3. The Ritz-Carlton Rewards Credit Card (no longer open to new applicants) provides automatic Gold Elite status.

4. The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card allows you to earn Gold Elite status when you spend $35,000 on purchases each account year.

5. The Marriott Bonvoy Business™ American Express® Card allows you to earn Gold Elite status when you spend $35,000 on purchases each account year.

6. The Marriott Premier Plus Business Credit Card (no longer accepting applications) allows you to earn Gold Elite status when you spend $35,000 on purchases each account year.

What value does Gold Elite status give you? (info from @thepointsguy)

25% point bonus ($90): As a Gold Elite member in the new program, you’ll earn 25% more points than a regular member, which works out to 2.5 additional points per dollar spent at most hotels. Since I’m assuming 30 nights with an average rate of $150 per night, that works out to an additional 11,250 points, worth $90.

Kauai Marriott Resort - Kalapaki Beach

• Priority late checkout ($50): Gold members also enjoy a priority late checkout of up to 2pm, though it is subject to availability. Since there’s a stated time (in contrast the the aforementioned Silver perk), I’ll bump the value up slightly.

• Elite phone line ($25): Same benefit, more frequent utilization

• Complimentary enhanced internet ($30): Even though all members enjoy free internet when booking through a Marriott channel, Gold members can take advantage of faster speeds with complimentary enhanced internet access. I typically find that hotel Wi-Fi is decently fast, though if you like to stream videos or engage in other high-bandwidth activities online, the faster speed can make a difference. I’ll use the same value for this perk from previous posts: $1 per night.

• Upgrades to enhanced rooms ($600): Gold members are also eligible for space-available upgrades to enhanced rooms at check-in. This may include rooms on higher floors, rooms with special amenities or rooms on the Executive Floor, but it explicitly excludes suites (per the terms & conditions). Since this perk is similar to what Hilton Gold members receive, I’ll use the same valuation of $20 per night.

• Welcome gift ($50): If you’re a Gold Elite member, you’ll receive a welcome gift of extra Marriott points at check-in, either 250 points for limited-service properties or 500 points for full-service locations. Given the assumed split above, you’d earn an average of 375 points (worth ~$3.38) for each of your 15 stays.