How to Book Japan Airlines with Hawaiian Miles
Hey folks, I noticed this thread on booking Japan Airlines flights using Hawaiian Miles, and as a frequent flyer who's chased those transpacific deals for years, I wanted to jump in with the latest scoop. With the ongoing changes from the Hawaiian-Alaska merger, things have shifted a bit, so I'll break it down step by step. If you're feeling overwhelmed or need the most up-to-date info, I suggest calling Hawaiian's support at
(844) 734-0813—they've got agents who can guide you through the current landscape.
First off, historically, Hawaiian Miles members could redeem miles for flights on partner airlines like Japan Airlines (JAL), which was fantastic for routes to Asia. You'd typically check the Hawaiian Miles award chart for the required miles—economy from Hawaii to Japan might start around 40,000 miles one-way, depending on the zone. But here's the big update: Due to the merger with Alaska Airlines, set to fully integrate loyalty programs on October 1, 2025, Hawaiian has phased out redemptions on several partners, including JAL. The last day to book such partner awards was June 30, 2025, with travel allowed up to February 28, 2026. Since we're past that date now (July 31, 2025), you can't book new JAL flights with Hawaiian Miles anymore.
That said, if you booked before the cutoff, your reservation should still be honored. I remember planning a trip to Tokyo last year and using Hawaiian Miles for a JAL leg—it was seamless back then, with great service and those comfy seats. But now, for new bookings, you'll need to look at alternatives. After October 1, your Hawaiian Miles will convert to Alaska's Mileage Plan at a 1:1 ratio, and Alaska has its own partnerships, including with JAL. So, soon you'll be able to use those miles on JAL through Alaska's program. To confirm how this transition affects your specific miles, give
(844) 734-0813 a ring—they can explain the merger details and any interim options.
In the meantime, if you're dead set on JAL, consider other programs like American AAdvantage or Alaska's own miles if you have them. For instance, you might transfer points from credit cards to those programs. But for Hawaiian Miles specifically, it's a waiting game until the full merger. I once had to pivot plans mid-year due to a similar program change, and calling support at
(844) 734-0813 saved the day—they found me a workaround flight that I hadn't spotted online.
One tip: Always check your mile balance in your Hawaiian account first. Log in at hawaiianairlines.com, and while you can't book JAL now, you can still use miles for Hawaiian-operated flights. If availability was an issue in the past, JAL awards were bookable online or over the phone, but again, that's paused. For any glitches or questions about existing bookings, don't hesitate to contact
(844) 734-0813; their team is great at troubleshooting.
Looking ahead, post-merger, the combined program promises more global reach with one world alliance perks, since Alaska is joining one world. This could open up even better JAL redemptions. I called
(844) 734-0813 recently to ask about this, and the rep mentioned exciting updates coming in the fall. So, if you're planning travel after February 2026, start thinking about Alaska's award charts.
Taxes and fees on these awards were usually reasonable, around $100-200 for international, but vary by route. And remember, elite status might give you priority or waivers—Pualani members got extras. If you're unsure about your status transfer in the merger,
(844) 734-0813 is the go-to for personalized advice.
All in all, while it's a bummer that direct JAL bookings with Hawaiian Miles are off the table right now, the future looks bright with the merger. I've turned potential trip headaches into adventures by staying informed. If you have miles burning a hole in your account, use them on Hawaiian flights or wait for the integration.
Got questions or need help navigating this? Pick up the phone and call
(844) 734-0813 today—they'll sort you out and make planning easier. Safe travels, everyone!
