Hawaiian Airlines upgrade costs/prospects

[Philosiphier]

Howdy!

Just a quick question targeted at those who has flown with Hawaiian Airlines before and been able to pay for an upgrade when checking in or at the gate. We were offered this when we were last in Honolulu, on our way to Maui, however, being such a short flight (about 40 mins from memory) it was hardly worth it.

However, this time we are flying to Las Vegas from Honolulu and have a considerable time difference of 5 1/2 hrs between flights. We are flying economy for this segment (we are flying in on QANTAS Business (I dunno if this would help?) and only just thought of the fact that lounge access would really be quite nice at this point!

Soooo... I was wondering if anyone knows the likelihood of any way to either:
(a) Get a lounge pass; or
(b) Pay for an upgrade (are these often available?) for our flight from HNL to LAS (and hence get loung access with this - assuming it can be offered quite a few hours before departure).

Any feedback at all is more than welcome!

Cheerio!

Zoe.

 

[nlagalle]

Hi Zoe,

You won't get lounge access with QF after arriving, only on departure (ie from aus).

You could buy the entry level priority pass card or one of the Amex plat credit cards offers it as well (basic pass with 2 free entries, and pay $30 approx for an extra guest.

Cheers,

Nick

 

[Philosiphier]

Hi Zoe,

You won't get lounge access with QF after arriving, only on departure (ie from aus).

You could buy the entry level priority pass card or one of the Amex plat credit cards offers it as well (basic pass with 2 free entries, and pay $30 approx for an extra guest.

Cheers,

Nick

Hi again Nick (thanks for replying to all my questions btw!)

I have just had a quick look and there are four lounges listed under Honolulu - are you absolutely sure that I can access these after we arrive in HNL and if we are travelling coach via Hawaiian Airlines to LAS? And would you have any idea which is the nicest of these lounges?

Thanks again for your help,

Zoe.

 

[blueflamenco]

Regarding paying for an upgrade.. In my experience these are almost always available on flights to the mainland. If you want to be sure that you have one check in online with Hawaiian 24 hours prior to departure and it will let you know if the upgrade is available for purchase.

 

[nlagalle]

Hi again Nick (thanks for replying to all my questions btw!)

I have just had a quick look and there are four lounges listed under Honolulu - are you absolutely sure that I can access these after we arrive in HNL and if we are travelling coach via Hawaiian Airlines to LAS? And would you have any idea which is the nicest of these lounges?

Thanks again for your help,

Zoe.

No problems at all!

You can access any lounge as long as you have an onward flight (which you do). I haven't been to HNL myself so I couldn't tell you the best one to go to. You could always ask to take a quick look in each one and then decide.

 

[Meggsy]

I have flown this particular route a number of times and have not succeeded in getting a paid upgrade ever. They are available from time to time as I know people who have scored them but I guess it always comes down to loading. Each time I have flown HNL to LAS the J cabin has been chockas so this would explain the no upgrade and the flights have always been in December. Not sure but you may be on HA's new A330 which I have been told is quite nice. Good luck.

 

[Philosiphier]

Regarding paying for an upgrade.. In my experience these are almost always available on flights to the mainland. If you want to be sure that you have one check in online with Hawaiian 24 hours prior to departure and it will let you know if the upgrade is available for purchase.

Hmm.. I am guessing that is 24hrs prior 'local time' - I think I am on a plane then

But never fear! I will check!

Thanks

 

[markis10]

Hi again Nick (thanks for replying to all my questions btw!)

I have just had a quick look and there are four lounges listed under Honolulu - are you absolutely sure that I can access these after we arrive in HNL and if we are travelling coach via Hawaiian Airlines to LAS? And would you have any idea which is the nicest of these lounges?

Thanks again for your help,

Zoe.

You will not have access to a lounge for departure ex HNL unless you pay for one, your Qantas membership is not applicable unless you were on an AA flight.

 

[Philosiphier]

I have flown this particular route a number of times and have not succeeded in getting a paid upgrade ever. They are available from time to time as I know people who have scored them but I guess it always comes down to loading. Each time I have flown HNL to LAS the J cabin has been chockas so this would explain the no upgrade and the flights have always been in December. Not sure but you may be on HA's new A330 which I have been told is quite nice. Good luck.

hmmmm... okay.. well I guess I can just hope then.. and I have on our itinerary that we are flying on an Airbus 330 Jet - so we have a chance! I'm not sure how many they have.. I think I read that is was three?

 

[Philosiphier]

You will not have access to a lounge for departure ex HNL unless you pay for one, your Qantas membership is not applicable unless you were on an AA flight.

Hi Markis - that was implied that we were paying for one :mrgreen:

 

[markis10]

Hi Markis - that was implied that we were paying for one :mrgreen:

The only paid option is to use Priority Pass AFAIK.

 

[Philosiphier]

Regarding paying for an upgrade.. In my experience these are almost always available on flights to the mainland. If you want to be sure that you have one check in online with Hawaiian 24 hours prior to departure and it will let you know if the upgrade is available for purchase.

Aaaaaactually.. given the time difference.. MAYBE this could be possible.. I *think* that this means that a flight from HNL-LAS Sat 1430 (local HNL time) has it's online check-in open on (the same) Sat at 1130 (SYD time). For those with a few minutes (or some idea of world times) could you check my estimation? I did it using www.timeanddate.com so I'm pretty sure it's accurate.. No harm in getting a second opinion though!

 

[Philosiphier]

The only paid option is to use Priority Pass AFAIK.

We were also thinking of joining the Hawaiian Premier Club - does anyone have any experience with this club at all? Or, more importantly, the lounge they offer in HNL (I am assuming they have one?)

 

[markis10]

We were also thinking of joining the Hawaiian Premier Club - does anyone have any experience with this club at all? Or, more importantly, the lounge they offer in HNL (I am assuming they have one?)

You would be better off getting the priority pass as it could be used elsewhere including Australia for the rest of the year.

 

[blueflamenco]

Aaaaaactually.. given the time difference.. MAYBE this could be possible.. I *think* that this means that a flight from HNL-LAS Sat 1430 (local HNL time) has it's online check-in open on (the same) Sat at 1130 (SYD time). For those with a few minutes (or some idea of world times) could you check my estimation? I did it using www.timeanddate.com so I'm pretty sure it's accurate.. No harm in getting a second opinion though!

Right. So if you are leaving Australia at 11.30 or after then you can check in before you leave. This is your best bet for a paid upgrade as they are offered to anyone checking in online, first come first served.

 

[Philosiphier]

Cool

Thanks everyone for your help and ideas!

Zoe.