Hawaiian Airlines raises its checked bag fee, following most other U.S. carriers. Unlike the others, though, Hawaiian’s fee increase isn’t being done across the board. Unfortunately, though, the new fees already went into effect on November 13, basically without warning.
Over the past few months, U.S. carriers have been hiking their checked bag fees. The trend began with JetBlue, which was then followed by Delta. American and United followed soon after, and then Alaska Airlines about a month ago. The reason for these increases is to help offset rising fuel prices without having to increase base fares.
Checked Bag Fee Increases
Beginning Tuesday, November 13, Hawaiian Airlines increased its checked bag fees by $5. As a result, the first checked bag fee is now $30, while the second checked bag fee is now $40. The fee for a third (or more) checked bag is now $100.
These changes affect tickets purchased from yesterday onward only and apply exclusively to flights between Hawaii and the U.S. Mainland. Checked bag fees for intra-Hawaii flights and for international flights remain unchanged.
Intra-Hawaii Checked Bag Fees
For flights entirely within the State of Hawaii, Hawaiian has a tiered fee schedule. First checked bags Main Cabin passengers comes in at $25 per segment, though it’s only $15 if you’re a HawaiianMiles member. Second checked bags come in at $35 and $25 respectively, while third and subsequent checked bags run $50. First Class passengers, of course, receive two complimentary checked bags
How to Avoid Hawaiian Air’s Checked Bag Fee
Unlike Alaska, American, United, Delta, and JetBlue, there isn’t really a good way to avoid checked bag fees with Hawaiian. That’s because the checked bag benefit of the Hawaiian Airlines World Elite Mastercard applies only to the cardholder. In fact, I think the card is a hilariously poor value, and while I have it, it’s a card I’ll probably cancel in the near future. Especially since I don’t fly Hawaiian much anymore and can earn more HawaiianMiles by charging my Hawaiian flights on my Amex Platinum.
And if you do fly Hawaiian regularly, then do consider obtaining the Amex Platinum or Amex Gold cards. The Platinum offers $200 in annual airline credits, while the Gold offers $100. Both of which may be used to offset your checked bag fees. And, don’t forget, Membership Rewards points transfer 1:1 to HawaiianMiles, meaning you earn 5x miles when charging your Hawaiian Airlines purchases to your Amex Platinum card or 3x miles when using an Amex Gold. You may also consider using the Chase Sapphire Reserve for its best-in-class travel protections, $300 in annual travel credits, and 3x points on travel, though Ultimate Rewards do not transfer to HawaiianMiles.
Hawaiian Airlines Raises Its Checked Bag Fee, Final Thoughts
Hawaiian increasing their checked bag fee doesn’t surprise me one bit. I expected them to make this move since everyone else already has. But, with Southwest preparing to begin its Hawaii service, it’ll be interesting to see how things play out. After all, Southwest allows its passengers to check two bags free of charge. If that’s enough to get Hawaii residents to defect, though, I’m not sure.