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United is offering an award flash sale good for 20% off on economy class awards to Hawaii, making the total price 36,000 miles and $11.20 round trip. United’s usual price is 45,000 miles, so this is a 9K discount. That said, there are ways to book to Hawaii for even fewer miles, including on the same flights.
The Deal
- United Airlines award flash sale, with round trip economy class flights to Hawaii for 36,000 miles round trip (20% off)
Key Terms
- Valid only for round trip travel
- Bookings must be made by 3/14/18 11:59pm CST
- Sale is valid for travel between 4/9/18 and 5/20/18
Quick Thoughts
If you’re flush with United miles and are planning an economy-class trip to Hawaii, this certainly beats paying full price. On the other hand, it probably isn’t worth transferring Chase Ultimate Rewards to United in order to book these flights. That’s because Singapore Airlines only charges 35K miles round trip for a partner award on United between the US and Hawaii. You could save 1K and get a much cheaper change and cancellation policy by booking through Singapore. Of course, you’ll need to see low-level saver availability on United when you’re not logged in to your Mileage Plus account — that’s the space that would be available with Singapore airlines.
This flash sale began yesterday for elites and credit card holders. If you’re looking at flights that are only available due to your elite or cardholder status, those options will not be bookable with Singapore miles, so you would have to book those options through United. See this image for an example of one flight that would be bookable with Singapore miles and one option that would not (marked in red):
With economy class sales to Hawaii often running in the $300-$400 range from the West Coast and even sub-$400 from the East Coast the other day, 36K isn’t an amazing price in terms of miles and value. That said, if your dates or cities are more expensive, you’re flush with United miles, or you’re looking at availability that only shows for elites or cardmembers, this flash sale might make sense.
Of course, there are some potentially more attractive options: if you can find saver availability on Delta and book via Korean, you could pay 25K round trip from the US. From the West Coast, you may also have the option to fly on Alaska for 12.5K British Airways Avios each way. It makes sense to shop around before transferring points.
H/T: Live and Let’s Fly
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[…] have been several sales to Hawaii recently (e.g. here, here and here.) We can add to that list today as Delta’s having a sale with Basic Economy tickets […]
Good Post
Try AA.com too I booked my ORD>HNL RT for 40K and u get a 10% rebate so 36K it was for 2/1/18.
I used Greg’s post too THANKs and booked my ORD>HNL for 10/21 on Singapore for 17.5 ..Just make sure before u transfer points to anyone u can get the flt. whats on United may not be on Singapore .Same thing with Hawaiian Airlines I could use their points to book HNL>BNE which I didn’t have so I booked with AA.com on a different date BUT for 37.5K not 40K.
CHEERs
Alas, Singapore’s website appears to be broken.
If could be I closed my browser a couple of times did nothing so I shut my computer OFF for 5 mins and it worked .Try 2am or another day I just booked a room will Citi @ 3am got right in and the 4th nite free too.
CHEERs
Very nice. With the miles/money/UR points you’re saving, you can hire a dog sitter. So sad.
Just had on FBC 78% of animal dearths on planes in 1 year UNITED and like they said they don’t treat the passengers much better.
SUE
hi nick,
with singapore miles, is there a link or advice on how to best look up availability & booking for a united r/t? do i simply go to singapore website to search & book online? on checked bag, do i pay the fee to singapore or to united? TIA
did a search from this FM site and find a blog that Greg posted on Feb. 8th on how to book singapore miles. Thx