Delta is launching new nonstop service from Detroit to Honolulu starting 6/29/19 on a 767 with lie flat seating in business class. It operates daily, except for Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Flights are currently on sale through 9/8/19.
While Delta is notoriously stingy with first class award space, their partner airlines can book these flights at saver award levels on almost all dates that the flight operates.
Availability on Delta is scarce and the rates are higher than on partner airlines. You’ll need 55K-107.5K Delta miles each way from Detroit to Honoulu:
Want to use Delta miles from NYC to Honolulu? Fuggetaboutit!
There are several partner airlines to choose from where you’ll be better off.
Korean Airlines charges just 45K miles round-trip, which is a ridiculous bargain:
You can connect from other cities for the same rate:
Unfortunately, Chase is no longer a mileage transfer partner with Korean. You can transfer increments of 60K Marriott points into 25K Korean miles, but that transfer is not instant.
Virgin Atlantic, which recently had a 30% bonus on miles transferred from AMEX or Citi, is another option for 37.5K miles each way. You can transfer points from AMEX, Chase, Citibank, or Marriott to Virgin Atlantic. Transfers from AMEX, Chase, and Citibank to Virgin Atlantic are typically instantaneous.
Unfortunately that rate goes up to to about 60K miles each way if you want to add a connection from another city:
Another option would be using 34.5K Air France Flying Blue miles each way. You can transfer points from AMEX, Chase, Citibank, or Marriott to Flying Blue. Transfers from AMEX, Chase, and Citibank to Flying Blue are typically instantaneous.
Flights from other cities are also 34.5K Flying Blue miles each way:
Will you book this deal to Hawaii? Post which miles you use in the comments!
Want to read more about Hawaii? My love affair with Hawaii started 12 years ago when I posted and grabbed a deal paying just $87 for airfare and hotel. Since then I’ve been lucky enough to spend several months between the stunning islands, which each offer a unique and wonderful experience. You can’t go wrong with any of them, there are just 2 things is to be careful of.
1. Don’t get stuck in Honolulu. I’ve heard from too many people who spent an entire week and never left the city limits. That’s just a shame, they may as well have gone to Miami Beach. While I prefer The Big Island, Kauai, and Maui to Oahu, there is still plenty to see and experience on Oahu as long as you leave Honolulu behind.
2. Don’t try to “do” several islands in a week. If you just have 4-7 days of vacation then you should stick to one island. There will be plenty to do to keep you busy and it will allow for some time to relax. There’s no need to add the stress of interisland travel just for the sake of “doing” another island. With 9 days or more to play with, it does make sense to experience more than 1 island.
As for which island is best, read on and decide for yourself! If you ask 5 people you’ll probably get 6 different answers 😀
DansMeals: Hawaii For The Kosher Traveler:
- Part 1: General Info And The Island Of Oahu
- Part 2: The Big Island of Hawaii
- Part 3: Maui
- Part 4: Kauai
Trip reports and posts on Hawaii:
- Trip Notes: The Final United 747 Flight And 2 Days In Maui (2018)
- Trip Notes: Maui No Ka ‘Oi (2014)
- Trip Notes Kauai: Heaven On Earth (2014)
- The Hawaiian Islands. (2011)
- Traveling To Hawaii…With A 5 Month Old (2011)
- View From The Room (2011)
- Pearl Harbor…70 Years (2011)
- Shaloha! (2011)
- Hawaii Trip Notes: Kauai (2009)
- Hawaii Trip Notes: Oahu (2009)
DDF forum threads:
- Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
- Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
- Kauai Master Thread
- Lanai, Molokai, and Niihau, Hawaii Master Thread
- Maui Master Thread
- Oahu Master Thread
- Links to trip reports from other DDF members.
Join the 92.3K people who follow @DansDeals on Twitter and you’ll get a tweet when a deal is posted on DansDeals.com! Click here to learn how to setup text message alerts (and choose which hours of the night not to bother you) and you’ll be the first to know about every deal!
It is so hard to book a year in advance …..
iS korean or Virgin or AF cancellable and get your miles back ?
Yes.
Google is your friend.
Is there any reason to go there if I was in the Maldives?
Is there any reason to go New York or Tokyo if you’ve been to Paris?
not really
I’m not seeing any of the availability you paste from Korean.
Are you doing a Skyteam award search?
Call them up if you can’t replicate it.
cant find any availibitly on Korean. even tried using the sample dates on this post. how are you searching?
In for August 2019! Used FlyingBlue.
I booked HNL to JFK.
I already booked NYC – OGG on AA in Saver (3 tickets)
Do a cruise and you can do all 4 islands in one week. NCL has Kosher meals too. Balcony cabins are regularly priced at $1K for the first 2 passengers. Many times the 3rd and 4th passengers are free. NCL even has child care. 3 plus meals a day, transportation between the islands, unpacking only once, a cruise is still the best way to see tropical islands.
What’s Ncl? 1k for 2 passengers?
Can you provide more details please
Thanks Dan booked two NYC-HNL with flying blue!
Are the kosher meals in business any better than economy?
They are.
What are the best seats to take for a couple?
There is no availability.