How many points does a round-trip flight to Hawaii cost?

A round-trip economy flight from the US mainland to Hawaii typically costs 25,000–35,000 points in programs like United MileagePlus, American AAdvantage, or Chase Ultimate Rewards transferred to United. Business class runs 50,000–80,000 points round-trip on programs like Air Canada Aeroplan or Chase UR.

What is the best credit card for earning travel points?

The Chase Sapphire Preferred ($95/year) and Chase Sapphire Reserve ($550/year) are the most flexible, earning Chase Ultimate Rewards transferable to United, Hyatt, Air Canada, and 10+ other partners. The Amex Platinum earns Amex Membership Rewards transferable to Delta, Air France, British Airways, and Singapore Airlines.

How many hotel points does a night at a Hyatt cost?

Hyatt hotels cost 3,500–45,000 World of Hyatt points per night. Category 1-2 hotels (many international locations) start at 3,500 points. Category 7 (top luxury) is 45,000 points. Category 8 (Miraval resorts) is 45,000 points. Hyatt is one of the best hotel programs for point value.

Can I transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards to hotel programs?

Yes. Chase Ultimate Rewards transfers to World of Hyatt at a 1:1 ratio, making it one of the most valuable uses. You can also transfer to IHG Rewards and Marriott Bonvoy, though Hyatt generally offers the best value per point.

AI Trip Planner

Plan a trip with
credit card points

Pick origin + destination + month → see best award flights, top hotels bookable on points, attractions, signature events, and the cards whose welcome bonus would cover the trip. 41 US origin airports, no bank link required.

Honolulu / Waikiki, Hawaii

Waikiki Beach, Diamond Head, Pearl Harbor — Hawaii's urban heartbeat

Pay in cash

$2,050

$650 flight + $1,400 hotel

Pay with points

115,000 pts

+ $30 taxes & fees

40KAlaska75KHyatt

Best card for this trip

Chase World of Hyatt

60K bonus = 2.4 nights at Hyatt Regency Waikiki + free night cert

Apply

Weather in June

🌤️ Shoulder season — decent weather, fewer crowds

Best: April

Air temp

70°–86°F

21°–30°C

Water temp

78°F

26°C

Rainfall

low

Crowds

Moderate

Warm, dry, summer crowds build

Switch month

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

● Best months ● Shoulder ● Off-season

Flights — JFK → HNL

Economy

Alaska Mileage Plan
JFK → HNL — long haul — connect via LAX, SFO, or SEA. Alaska miles JFK-HNL via SEA
40,000
roundtrip
+ $30 taxes
Open to cover:Alaska Airlines Visa Amex Platinum
American AAdvantage
JFK → HNL — long haul — connect via LAX, SFO, or SEA. AA economy via LAX
50,000
roundtrip
+ $30 taxes
Open to cover:Sapphire Preferred

Top hotels for your points

⭐ Top picks

Picked for best points value — Hyatt has the only fixed award chart left in major US hotels, so your points stretch the furthest here. Tap each option below for why it stands out.

Hyatt Place Waikiki Beach
Hyatt·Budget travelers
Cat 4 — clean, breakfast included, budget-friendly.
12K/15K/18K
off / std / peak · Hyatt Cat 4
$280/night cash
5 nights = 75,000 pts (~$1,400 value)
Open to cover:World of Hyatt Sapphire Preferred
Hyatt Regency Waikiki Beach Resort
Hyatt·Best Hyatt value in Waikiki
Cat 5 — across from Waikiki Beach, classic location.
21K/25K/29K
off / std / peak · Hyatt Cat 6
$400/night cash
5 nights = 125,000 pts (~$2,000 value)
Open to cover:World of Hyatt Sapphire Preferred

More hotels on points

The Royal Hawaiian
Marriott Bonvoy·Luxury, history lovers
Iconic "Pink Palace" on Waikiki Beach.
70,000/night
$700/night cash
5 nights = 350,000 pts (~$3,500 value)
Open to cover:Bonvoy Boundless Bonvoy Brilliant

Trip Strategy — open these cards and the trip is mostly free

Open World of Hyatt + Chase Sapphire Preferred. Hyatt Regency Waikiki is Cat 5 (25K/night) — bonus + transfers cover 5 nights + RT flight from East Coast.

Chase World of Hyatt

60K bonus = 2.4 nights at Hyatt Regency Waikiki + free night cert

$95/yr annual fee

Chase Sapphire Reserve

75K UR → transfer to Hyatt for more nights OR 40K Alaska for RT flight

$795/yr annual fee

Your out-of-pocket budget for this trip

Car rental (5 days)$400

Food (5 days)$325

Activities (5 days)$250

Total cash needed$975

🚗 Car rental needed · vs. $2,050 full cash trip

What to see & do in Honolulu / Waikiki, Hawaii

Pearl Harbor & USS Arizona
Sight
Historic site of December 7, 1941. Free shuttle to Arizona Memorial; book ahead.
Diamond Head State Monument
Outdoor
0.8-mile hike up extinct volcano crater. 360° Waikiki/coastline views.
North Shore
Day trip
Surf mecca with Pipeline + Sunset Beach. 1-hour drive. Big swells Nov-Feb.
Waikiki Beach
Beach
2-mile crescent of soft sand with surf lessons, sunset cocktails, oceanfront hotels.
Iolani Palace
Sight
Only official royal residence on US soil — preserved 1882 Hawaiian Kingdom palace.
Helena's Hawaiian Food
Food
James Beard award-winning kalua pig, laulau, pipikaula — local institution since 1946.

Events to know about

Pipeline Masters Surfing
World Surf League finale at Banzai Pipeline. Mid-December crowd magnet.
Dec
Honolulu Marathon
26.2 miles past Diamond Head — no qualifying time required, popular for first-timers.
Dec
Lei Day Celebration
May 1 statewide lei-making contests and Hawaiian cultural festivities.
May

All cards that help with this destination

Chase

World of Hyatt

$95/yr

Apply Now

Amex

Bonvoy Brilliant

$650/yr

Apply Now

Chase

Sapphire Reserve

$795/yr

Apply Now

Or discover destinations by season

Plan a trip withcredit card points

Honolulu / Waikiki, Hawaii

Flights — JFK → HNL

Top hotels for your points

More hotels on points

Trip Strategy — open these cards and the trip is mostly free

Your out-of-pocket budget for this trip

What to see & do in Honolulu / Waikiki, Hawaii

Events to know about

All cards that help with this destination

Plan a trip with
credit card points