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FINAL WARNING: The Amex-to-Alaska Loophole Vanishes June 30th. Your Last Chance is Now.
An Urgent Advisory for American Express Cardholders from the Travel Card Insider Team
In the world of points and miles, some changes are more significant than others. This is one of them. For our readers who strategically use their credit card points, we issue a final warning: a uniquely valuable route for unlocking travel is closing permanently. American Express has confirmed its transfer partnership with Hawaiian Airlines will end on June 30, 2025, a critical detail for points strategists. You can see transfer partner updates on the Official American Express Source Link Here.
While this may seem like a minor change, it’s a major blow for savvy travelers. This move closes the most effective "loophole" for converting American Express Membership Rewards points into coveted Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan miles. If you hold Amex points with plans to fly on Alaska or its world-class partners, your window to act is now just days away. This isn't just news; it's a critical deadline.
The Golden Ticket: Understanding the Workaround We’re Losing
For years, a simple, two-step process has served as a golden ticket for Amex cardholders to access the rich value of the Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan, which is not a direct Amex transfer partner. The method was simple:
- Step 1: Transfer American Express Membership Rewards points to Hawaiian Airlines HawaiianMiles at a 1:1 ratio.
- Step 2: Immediately transfer those HawaiianMiles to Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan, also at a 1:1 ratio.
This indirect path was the only reliable way for holders of cards like The Platinum Card® from American Express or the American Express® Gold Card to tap into the Alaska program. The reason for this end is the ongoing merger of Hawaiian Airlines into Alaska Airlines. As the carriers integrate, Hawaiian is severing ties with partners, like American Express, that compete with Alaska's Oneworld alliance. This situation is reminiscent of other partnership shifts, like the recent end of the Delta and Hawaiian partnership.
An Insider's Take: Why This is a Major Blow for Travelers
Losing this pathway to the Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan is a significant devaluation for Amex points strategists. Alaska's program is widely regarded as one of the most powerful loyalty currencies for U.S.-based travelers for three key reasons:
- A Unique and Powerful Partner Network: Alaska offers an incredible portfolio of airline partners inside and outside of the Oneworld alliance. This allows for redemptions on world-class airlines like Japan Airlines (JAL), Cathay Pacific, and Icelandair, providing routing options no other single program can match. You can view the full list on the Official Alaska Airlines Partners Link Here.
- Famous Award Chart "Sweet Spots": The Mileage Plan award chart is legendary for high-value redemption opportunities. These "sweet spots" are routes where the miles required are exceptionally low for the experience, such as lie-flat business class seats to Asia or Europe on partner airlines for a fraction of what competing programs charge. For more information, see the Official Alaska Airlines Award Chart Information Here.
- A Powerhouse Domestic Network: With its strong West Coast hubs and the full integration of Hawaiian Airlines' routes, the combined Alaska network is a force for travel within North America and to Hawaii.
The ability to channel high-earning Amex points into this versatile program was a cornerstone of modern points strategy, often discussed alongside the best credit card transfer bonuses. That powerful tool is now being permanently removed.
Putting It Into Perspective: A Real-World Scenario
Let's illustrate the value that vanishes after June 30th. Imagine you have 60,000 Amex points and want to fly one-way from the U.S. to Tokyo in Japan Airlines' renowned business class—a trip that costs just 60,000 Alaska miles.
- Your Strategy Before June 30, 2025: You transfer 60,000 Amex points to HawaiianMiles. Once they arrive, you move them from HawaiianAirlines directly into your Alaska Mileage Plan account, a process detailed on the Official HawaiianMiles Partner Transfer Link Here. The miles appear, and you book your dream flight, turning everyday spending into a $5,000+ experience.
- Your Reality on July 1, 2025: This pathway is broken. The option to transfer Amex points to Hawaiian Airlines will be gone from the Membership Rewards portal, which you can access from the Official Amex Membership Rewards Portal Link Here. Your Amex points remain valuable, but their access to this specific, high-value Alaska award is closed forever. This makes having a high-value card like the Amex Business Platinum with its big bonus even more critical for other redemptions.
Actionable Advice: Our Recommendation Before the Deadline
With the clock ticking, what should you do? I urge caution alongside urgency.
- Avoid Speculative Transfers: Do not transfer points "just in case." All transfers are irreversible. If your plans change, your points will be stranded in the less-flexible Alaska Mileage Plan. Only transfer points for a specific, bookable trip.
- Identify and Confirm Your Redemption NOW: This final call is for travelers with a clear plan. Go to the Alaska Airlines website today. Search for your exact desired award flight and confirm availability.
- Verify the Mileage Cost: Note the precise number of miles required for your booking.
- Execute the Two-Step Transfer: Only after you have found available award space should you initiate the two transfers: first from Amex to Hawaiian, then immediately from Hawaiian to Alaska.
- Book Immediately: The moment the miles land in your Alaska account, book your ticket. Award availability is dynamic and can disappear in an instant.
The Future of Earning Alaska Miles
While this Amex route is closing, Alaska Mileage Plan remains a strong program. Going forward, the most direct way to earn miles will be through flying Alaska and its partners or through spending on its co-branded credit cards, like the Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® credit card. This change simply underscores the importance of a diversified points strategy, as we often see in the evolving world of loyalty programs.
Final Call: The Clock is Ticking
The June 30th deadline is firm. It marks the end of a beloved loophole and a true devaluation for many Amex cardholders. If you have Amex points and a high-value Alaska redemption in mind, your time to act is now. Do your research, confirm award space, and make your move before this opportunity vanishes forever. Understanding how to leverage the smartest cards for booking is now more important than ever.
Disclaimer: Information is accurate as of the time of writing. Loyalty program partnerships, transfer ratios, and award chart values are subject to change. Always confirm details on the official American Express, Hawaiian Airlines, and Alaska Airlines websites before making any points transfers.