How Many United Miles for a Free Flight to Hawaii?

It’s not as far-fetched as you think—unless you’re flying first class with a ukulele.

Hawaii. Just the word brings images of hula dances, volcano sightings, snow cones, and waves crashing on golden shores. But for many travellers, flying to the Aloha State does not end up in a peaceful sunset; instead, it is relished as a destructive tsunami of costs.

Here’s the good news: with United MileagePlus miles (or their loyal cousins in the Star Alliance), you can cut your airfare cost down to zero—yes, free—if you know how many United miles for a free flight to Hawaii you really need and how to use them smartly.

This blog is your boarding pass to the details: we’ll break down how many miles you’ll need, what affects that number, and which strategies will have you landing in paradise without maxing out your credit card. Ready to find out just how close Hawaii is? Let’s get into it.

How Many Miles Are We Talking?

The basics first. Economy, round-trip redemptions from the West Coast (think LAX or SFO) can go for as low as 20,000-25,000 United miles. Yes, I am spelling it out for you. Departing from the East Coast, you would rather want to have 40,000-50,000 miles in your bucket.

Now, if you’re eyeing business or first class—because maybe reclining at 35,000 feet sounds better with a glass of champagne—it can take 60,000 to 100,000+ miles round-trip. Or, you know, roughly the same as 400 airport pretzels.

What Determines How Many Miles You’ll Need?

There’s no fixed price tag when it comes to award flights with United. Here’s what moves the needle:

• Departure City: The farther you are from the Pacific, the more miles you’ll need. West Coasters, rejoice.
• Dates of Travel: Holidays, school breaks, and peak seasons = higher prices. Plan wisely, or prepare to donate more miles.
• Cabin Class: Want extra legroom and a warm towel? Be ready to pay (in miles).
• Availability: If you book early or get lucky with last-minute seats, you can score better deals.

Here’s where your question comes in loud and clear: How many United miles for a free flight to Hawaii? The answer, as you can see, depends on a few smart choices.

Use United—Or Be Sneaky with Its Friends

You can book directly through United, but you might unlock better value by using one of its Star Alliance partners like Turkish Airlines or Singapore Airlines.

For example:

• Turkish Airlines Miles Smiles can get you to Hawaii round-trip in economy for just 15,000–20,000 miles.
• Singapore KrisFlyer often offers round-trip flights for about 39,000 miles in economy or 78,000 in business.

Why do these deals exist? Because sometimes it’s cheaper to let your miles take the scenic route through another airline’s award program.

Let me tell you a quick story.

The first time I tried booking a trip to Maui using miles, I started on United’s site and found a flight from Chicago for—brace yourself—65,000 miles one-way. That’s when I paused, Googled around (like you’re doing now), and discovered that I could book the same flight via Turkish Airlines for just 15,000 miles. It took a phone call and a bit of patience, but I got my redemption.

Lesson? If you’ve never uttered the phrase “award chart,” you’re probably overspending your miles.

The Magic of Transferable Points

Got credit card points with Chase, Amex, Citi, or Capital One? You might already have enough for your Hawaii trip—no flights needed (yet).

Transfer your points to:

• United MileagePlus
• Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles
• Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer

Just double-check availability before transferring because once those points are moved, there’s no going back—kind of like clicking “Reply All.”

Sample Search: LAX to Honolulu in September

Let’s say you’re flying from LAX to HNL this fall. United might quote you 25,000 miles each way in economy. But with some research, that same flight could cost just:

• 15,000 miles with Turkish
• 19,500 miles with Singapore KrisFlyer
• Or, if you’re lucky, 13,000 SkyMiles on Delta (hey, we’ll give credit where credit’s due)

Southwest, Alaska, and Avios: The Other Aloha Routes

Yes, United is great—but it’s not your only ride to paradise.

• Southwest Airlines can get you there from the West Coast for just 6,500 points one-way.
• Alaska Mileage Plan and American Airlines AAdvantage offer redemptions around 15,000–25,000 miles one-way in economy.
• Want to fly with Avios? British Airways, Finnair, and Qatar can book you on American or Alaska flights, starting at just 13,500 miles.

That’s a lot of options for a destination with just four main airports.

Timing Is Everything: When Should You Book?

The earlier you book, the better. Most airlines release award seats 330–360 days in advance. Set those calendar alerts!

Alternatively, last-minute redemptions can pay off—especially if you’re flexible and mildly adventurous.

Book something now and rebook if the price drops (assuming the program allows it). Treat your miles like stock. Sometimes, a dip is a win.

Hawaii Is Closer Than You Think (If You Play It Smart)

So, how many United miles does a free flight to Hawaii cost? With few exceptions, it’s 20,000 miles. However, flights departing from North America must be booked through partners; thus, the maximum mileage required could climb into the 100,000+ range. Depending on where in America you may be flying from and the class that you choose, anything may be possible. So basically, if your Alaska-Waikiki Island getaway is in urgent need of planning, an opportunity is going to be right at your fingertips with a little pre-planning and a few transfers done wisely along the way.

Don’t let your miles expire in a forgotten loyalty account. Whether you’re sipping piña coladas in Waikiki or still stuck on the runway of decision-making, there’s one more smart move you can make.

Sell Your United Miles for Cash

Maybe you’re not planning to fly soon, or you just realized Hawaii sounds better in theory than in turbulence. In that case, why not sell United miles for real cash?

At Cash for My Miles, we make it easy, fast, and secure:

• Get a quick quote with just a few clicks.
• Sell your miles safely and instantly—no confusing steps.
• Turn unused rewards into cash in your pocket.

Your miles shouldn’t expire—they should work for you. Ready to cash in?