As we covered previously, the merger between Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines has been completed and members of both frequent flyer programs can now match elite status between their accounts.
Since late September, members were already able to transfer miles in increments of 50 – 500,000 per transaction between their accounts and now status is transferable as well.
You can access the Alaska Airlines status match website here and log into your account.
It’s a very common feature to be able to transfer miles and tier levels between accounts of two airlines that are merging, even though loyalty programs are often kept separate for a considerable time.
This is Status Match Matrix:
Hawaiian Miles Pualani Elite
What this status match essentially does is combining the EQM balances with the positive effect that Pualani Platinum members with many Elite Qualifying Miles (EQM) are able to reach a higher Alaska Mileage Plan tier than just MVP Gold if the combined EQM balances are sufficient.
Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan
It’s clear that there is very little benefit for Alaska MP Elites matching in the other direction for members to get Pulanani Status, but it all depends on what flights one is planning to take.
Once initiated it usually takes a couple of hours for the processing to be completed as of now.
I think it’s great that this is not just a status match but an EQM combiner so a loyal Hawaiian Airlines flyer with lots of elite miles in either or both programs can move up to MVP Gold 75K instantly with all the benefits it entails.
Here is our previous coverage of the merger and reciprocal program benefits:
And the miles exchange, which went live in late September:
Merger Complete: Transfer Your Miles Between Alaska Mileage Plan & HawaiianMiles At 1:1 Rate
And the new combined award chart:
This pretty much completes the merger process, with the only things not being done (yet) are brands folding into each other and one of the FFPs disappearing.
Conclusion
Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan and Hawaiian Airlines have no completed most if not all features that are relevant for customers and loyalty members to benefit from elite status and program benefits on both of the airlines, following the successful merger a few months ago.
Alaska has done a pretty decent job moving this along and step by step integrated/combint the two programs with each other. First, the miles transfer, then the comprehensive award chart, and now the status match.
Have you matched your Alaska or Hawaiian status yet? Comment below!
