Why Join Hawaiian Airlines Premier Club?

Travelers want to make the most of their experience in the air, and the Hawaiian Airlines Premier Club provides some peace of mind. This membership intends to give customers a more relaxing, enjoyable, and even less chaotic experience in the air. Members will appreciate the ability to check in before travelers who do not have a membership. It will aid in avoiding long lines and reducing the time waiting in those lines. Unfortunately, Hawaiian Airlines has suspended selling memberships beginning January 1, 2025. So, if you were hoping to be able to access and use the memberships, you won’t be able to. 

But if you were either a member already or interested in what the club was, this article explains all of it. Along with discussing various membership benefits, such as free checked bags and lounge access, you will know what makes the Premier Club a unique experience for island hoppers. So whether you’re planning an upcoming trip, or you just like to learn about recent changes in airline club possible perks and benefits, read and find out why this club was so loved by so many.

Reasons Behind Discontinuation

Since the Hawaiian Airlines Premier Club reviews were always good, it was sad to see this club discontinued. It had simple reasons because of the merger with Alaska Airlines. With this merger, if you’re keen to know where else does Hawaiian Airlines flies, then make sure to check it out!

Simplifying Things After the Merger

Hawaiian Airlines and Alaska Airlines merged in early 2025. Merging means different airlines evolve their operational structure to grow stronger. This club was Hawaiian’s paid program for providing benefits to guests, while Alaska does not have a similar paid program. Drawing together into one system for guests was the desire expressed in the merger. It helps them add new flights and improve services without old programs slowing them down.

Transitioning to One Rewards Program

The HawaiianMiles program will transition to Alaska’s new Atmos Rewards program on October 1, 2025, moving from the Premier Club. It provided basic perks for a fee, through Atmos Rewards, offering the ability to earn & redeem miles on more flights and eligible global partners. The Atmos Rewards program will also provide better rewards for frequent flyers than a paid club like Premier does. Current members of the Premier Club will receive complimentary Pualani Gold status to assist in the shift through the end of 2025.

Removing Replication & Introducing New Opportunities

The club perks for lounge access are also offered free, which elite members of under dozens of airlines receive with frequent travel. The merger presents another option toward elite status through Atmos Rewards or purchasing one-time lounge access. The lounges are a money-maker for the airlines without operating, managing, & maintaining an entire club set for some members. Lounge access for current Premier Club members will end, and lounge access will then include only Atmos Gold members.

Cost Savings

The merger will allow the airlines to share resources, like the airport footprint, saving money. The club was affordable to operate, but Alaska does not have a similar program, so it is not necessary. It frees up money for other big plans. It includes joining the oneworld alliance to have more international flights. Some members, like retirees, miss the low Hawaiian Airlines premier club cost benefits.

Preparing For The Future

The merger is a long process, including all of the changes coming for new Melio partners. It includes new credit cards to offer. Eliminating the premier club helps keep things clear and straightforward. It also lays the groundwork for some really exciting new features. This is frustrating for its fans, but ultimately benefits everyone by creating a stronger airline.

Hawaiian Airlines Premier Club Benefits

Below are the most notable benefits that were most valuable to regular travelers and island-hoppers, which made the Premier Club unique.

• Lounge Access– Members enjoyed entry to the club’s lounges located in Honolulu, Kahului (Maui), Kona, Lihue, and Hilo. Members could bring a maximum of two guests. Each of the lounges offered a relaxing atmosphere to work and recharge before their flight. They also got to enjoy complimentary coffee, snacks, and Wi-Fi. 

• Free Checked Bags– Members enjoyed their first two checked pieces of luggage per person, without charge. It guaranteed a fair experience in checking luggage on Hawaiian Airlines, and not bearing additional costs due to fewer months for this airline as a partner.

• Priority Services– People of the club enjoyed priority boarding by zoning into Zone 2 and getting preferred seating. They had the option of boarding their flights sooner and finding better locations to sit on the plane. They enjoyed a 24-hour per day priority reservations desk, 25% off purchases on the Pau Hana Cart, etc.

• Additional Benefits– They received discounts on redeeming award entries for their future flights and two complimentary Plumeria Lounge passes each year. The members also got discounts on quarterly costs for clear+ membership, allowing easier access to security lines.

Effects on Current Members 

The airline ensures that current Premier Club participants do not get negatively impacted during this transition. Their membership remains in place until it expires. In the meantime, feel free to continue to enjoy all the normal benefits. 

Complimentary Upgrades to Pualani Gold 

They will be providing you with an upgrade to Pualani Gold status at no charge. This begins when your membership expires and continues through December 31, 2025. Being a Pualani Gold member improves your travel experience with extra benefits. The upgrades include increased lounge access, priority check-in, and more free checked bags on flights. This upgrade is a useful introduction to the new program while recognizing your past support. 

Continued Access to the Lounge

You will have access to any of the Hawaiian Airlines Premier Club lounge in Honolulu each time you fly with this airline. This access was valid until September 30, 2025. At any club lounge, members showed the front desk their membership card or Hawaiian Miles number. After September 30, 2025, the access policy changed and applied to elite Pualani members, or First Class passengers. Don’t worry, you can still qualify to use the lounges as a Pualani Gold member throughout all of 2025. 

Way to the New Loyalty Program

HawaiianMiles merged into Atmos Rewards from October 1, 2025. Your miles balance and status automatically transferred over to Atmos Rewards. Customers will not need to take any action. When you fly Hawaiian Airlines in 2025, your details for flying will count towards Atmos status. You will need to fly 30 segments to achieve Atmos Silver status, & 60 segments to get Atmos Gold status. Achieving either of these statuses will allow you access to lounges within the Alaska and Hawaiian networks. 

Greater Merger Benefits and Miles Program Transition

Alaska & Hawaiian announce a major merger, which is expected to provide travelers with additional flight options as well as better connectivity. Each airline will have its respective brand identity, but there will be shared resources to enable companies to merge faster & provide better service. 

Complete Merger into Atmos Rewards Program

HawaiianMiles will join Alaska’s program to create Atmos Rewards, which started on October 1, 2025. Your mileage will transfer to the new program at one-for-one with no minimization. Elite status will also transfer from Hawaiian direct to Atmos levels. You will earn points the same as before, but now across both airlines and partners. Credit cards will rebrand, with Alaska Visas becoming Atmos Visas and Hawaiian cards maintaining their preferred partner perks. The program also brings new benefits. You will earn points faster for flying, shopping, and booking hotels, which adds to your reward experience. 

Matching Status and New Earning Options

You can match your status with ease. Pualani Platinum becomes Atmos Platinum, with all the same benefits you enjoy today. In 2026, you will have choices to earn mileage. This works for different types of travelers. The OneWorld alliance will also start in 2026; thus, you can redeem your mileage on any global partners.

Lounge and Other Benefit Additions

Atmos continues to expand lounges for you. There will be new lounges in Honolulu and San Diego in a few years. Hawaiian will continue its local feel with other amenities, such as the local Huaka’i partnership. You will now have free bags, priority boarding, and about $99 companion fare options on more flights, too. 

Options For Those Seeking the Same Benefits

Do you miss the Premier Club Hawaiian Airlines membership? You’re in luck. The merger with Alaska has provided additional options to obtain those benefits. Travelers now get better benefits through the new Atmos Rewards program, paid memberships, and some smart credit cards. Check out some of the best options.

Join Atmos Rewards for Elite Status

Sign up for Atmos Rewards, which combines HawaiianMiles and the former Alaska program status into one program. You can earn status points quickly with both flights. 

• Achieve Silver for a 50% points bonus plus free upgrades, and all the benefits of Amber / Ruby status in oneworld. 
• A quick 40,000 points will earn you Gold status, which includes two free checked bags and a 100% points bonus, etc. 
• Platinum earns you three free checked bags and access to first-class member lounges worldwide. 
• Gold and higher members can use the Plumeria Lounge on international trips, while Huaka’i members can use the Premier Clubs. 

Get an Alaska Lounge+ Membership

With Alaska Lounge+, you pay for the membership and gain access to a large network of lounges. 

• You gain access to nine Alaska Lounges as well as nearly 90 partner lounges. 
• You’ll also be permitted to bring family to the lounges at no charge. 
• If you’re an elite member, you’ll receive a discount on the annual membership fee.
• The frequent flyer community supports the Alaska Lounge+ when they are taking a trip. 
• If you want to give it a try, you can buy single-day passes for $65 each. 
• If you fly First Class, the long-haul flights with Hawaiian usually also offer a day pass for the lounge.

Use Priority Pass for Hawaiian Lounges

Lastly, if you’re a member of a card program that offers Priority Pass, you can also gain access to Hawaiian’s Plumeria Lounge in Honolulu. Also, the Premier Clubs in Kahului, as well as the IASS Hawaii Lounge. 

• You must arrive early, approximately two hours. 
• They will allow you to bring kids under the age of two for free, but space fills up fast, especially during busy times. 
• The good thing about the lounges is you’ll still be able to enjoy snacks & beverages from the Hawaiian Airlines premier club menu, and Wi-Fi. 
• They have travelers who will couple their Premium Pass card membership with an additional card or card to cover lounges globally.

Pick Up the Atmos Rewards Summit Card

Utilize the new Atmos Rewards Summit Visa Infinite Card to take full advantage of built-in perks similar to those we offered at the Premier Club. 

• The card comes with an annual fee and provides you with eight Alaska Lounge passes. 
• Each pass allows one guest over 21 plus two children to enjoy complimentary beverages and snacks in the Alaska Lounge. 
• For travelers within or to Hawaii, it is worth it just for the lounge visits. 

Is it Worth the Cost Versus Value?

These options have increased in price compared to the previous $99 Premier Club. Expanded networks and extras, however, more than outweigh the costs. 

• Atmos status is valuable to frequent flyers or travelers, Lounge+ is just for pretty much the Lounge, and Priority Pass is for those who use more general travel credit cards periodically. 
• The Summit Card combines everything mentioned above and gets paid if you earn monthly with it for a family of four. It is easy to save $200+ annually on checking luggage alone. Try it based on your own trips.

Final Thoughts!

All the updates represent a major change for travelers, especially the discontinuation of the Hawaiian Airlines Premier Club. The comfort of the lounges, complimentary checked bags, priority boarding, and comfort all made travel easier. But as they merge with Alaska, the fasciitis linked with the merged airline offers many opportunities. The Atmos Rewards program offers access to elite status to unlock better benefits, including global lounge access and upgrades. With options such as the Alaska Lounge+ or the Summit Card, the premium feeling won’t go away. Own the changes, pick a new option, and be on your way. 

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