Fly to Hawaii from the West Coast for less than $300

From stunning beaches and vibrant wildlife to perfect weather, Hawaii has much to offer. Now, if you happen to live on the West Coast, you can travel to the Aloha State at a hefty discount.

Round-trip economy flights from multiple West Coast cities like Los Angeles, San Francisco and Seattle to Hawaiian cities like Honolulu, Hilo and Lihue are less than $300. Typically, a flight to Hawaii would otherwise cost anywhere between $600 and $700, so this is definitely a steal.

These discounted flights to Hawaii run from October to March, with some exceptions for holidays like Thanksgiving.

Iolani Palace in Honolulu. GREGOBAGEL/GETTY IMAGES

However, keep in mind that Hawaii has been experiencing a bout of overtourism as the state bounces back from the pandemic. Overtourism can have a detrimental impact on the environment and deplete natural resources, harming not only the state but also the residents as well. If you do decide to go, make thoughtful choices and travel as sustainably as possible. Visit the Sustainable Tourism Association of Hawaii’s website to ensure you’re planning a mindful trip.

Deal basics

Airlines: United Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, American Airlines and Delta Air Lines.
Routes: Los Angeles; Portland, Oregon; Sacramento; San Francisco; San Jose, California; Seattle; Las Vegas and other cities along the West Coast to Hawaii.
How to book: Find your ideal dates through Google Flights, then book directly with the airline.
Travel dates: Generally October 2022 to March 2023, with some routes on holidays like Thanksgiving, but not Christmas or New Year’s Eve.
Book by: ASAP.

Thanks to Scott’s Cheap Flights for scouting this deal. Scott’s Cheap Flights offers discounts of up to 90% with the Premium membership, which includes a 14-day trial and costs $49 per year. The site’s Elite membership is $199 per year to receive Premium deals and premium economy, business-class and first-class deals.

Sample flights

If you live on the West Coast, this deal offers a lot of flexibility. You can fly from multiple West Coast cities to different tourist destinations in Hawaii  — and fares are currently in the $200 range.

Here are a few standout options:

United: San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL), starting at $237.
Hawaiian: Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport (SJC) to Hilo International Airport (ITO), starting at $238.
Hawaiian: Sacramento International Airport (SMF) to ITO, starting at $238 (includes a layover).
Hawaiian: Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) to ITO, starting at $246 (includes a layover).
American: Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to HNL, starting at $257.
United and Hawaiian: Portland International Airport (PDX) to Lihue Airport (LIH), starting at $287 (includes a layover).
United: Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR) to LIH, starting at $297 (includes a layover).

For a Jan. 12 flight to Honolulu from Los Angeles, an American flight departs at 4:50 p.m. The flight is nonstop and lasts almost six hours, so you touch down in Honolulu at 8:44 p.m.

GOOGLE FLIGHTS

American offers two returning options for the $257 price. One flight leaves at around midnight and the more convenient option departs at 2:07 p.m. The red-eye flight would have you landing back in Los Angeles at 7:35 a.m. whereas the afternoon flight would reach LAX at 9:45 p.m.

GOOGLE FLIGHTS

Even though Google Flights says American’s $257 fare to the Hawaiian capital is typical, keep in mind that flight prices to Hawaii can cost upward of $600, which still makes the $257 fare a significant discount.

GOOGLE FLIGHTS

We also recommend only using Google Flights to determine the best dates with the airline of your choice. Then, book the tickets directly through the airline’s website. Airlines tend to be more reliable if your flight faces a delay, cancellation or booking change.

Google Flights can also show different prices compared with airlines’ websites due to third-party booking options.

This deal only applies to economy fares. When booking on American’s website, the only option is “Main Cabin,” which includes free seat selection and a carry-on. A checked bag costs $30, and there are extra fees for seats with more legroom and priority boarding.

AA.COM

Since Main Cabin fares include seat selection, you can nab a decent seat on the flight without any additional cost. However, if you want something closer to an exit or at the front of the aircraft, those seats can cost anywhere between $40 and $83.

AA.COM

Maximize your purchase

Be sure to use a card that earns bonus points on airfare purchases, like The Platinum Card® from American Express (5 points per dollar on airfare booked directly with the airline or through American Express Travel, on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year), Citi Prestige® Card (5 points per dollar on airfare), Citi Premier® Card, Chase Sapphire Reserve (3 points per dollar on airfare), American Express® Gold Card (3 points per dollar on airfare when booked directly with the airline or through Amex Travel) or the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card (2 points per dollar on travel). Check out this post for more on maximizing airfare purchases.

The information for the Citi Prestige Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Bottom line

This deal offers a lot of flexibility at a relatively low price. Round-trip tickets to Hawaii can cost around $600, so the option to buy tickets at a 60% discount is hard to beat.

Act fast so you can enjoy the many beaches and natural beauty Hawaii has to offer — seats are sure to be taken up if you don’t plan ahead.