Hawaiian Airlines baggage fees and how to avoid paying them

The most recent baggage fee information has been added to this post.

There is a unique policy regarding checked baggage fees and carry on guidelines for Hawaiian Airlines. There are a number of ways to avoid paying baggage fees on Hawaiian Airlines.

It is possible to avoid those fees if you have elite status or carry a Hawaiian Airlines World Elite Mastercard. The guide will tell you everything you need to know about the baggage policy.

The Points Guy did not collect the information for the Hawaiian Airlines World Elite Mastercard. The card issuer did not review or provide the card details on this page.

Hawaiian Airlines carry-on guidelines

Hawaiian Airlines carry-on guidelines are easy to understand and customer friendly.

Customers who purchase Hawaiian's version of basic economy, Main Cabin Basic, are entitled to bring one personal item and one carry-on bag. A personal item should fit under the seat in front of the passenger. Personal items include backpacks, purses, briefcases and laptops.

The carry-on bag must be no bigger than 22 by 14 by 9 inches. The bag should not weigh more than 25 pounds.

How to upgrade your seat on an airline.

Hawaiian Airlines baggage policy

The Hawaiian Airlines checked bag policy is one of the most generous in the industry.

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Depending on your point of origin, Hawaiian Airlines check bag fees can be different. Hold the Hawaiian Airlines World Elite Mastercard or have status with Hawaiian Airlines will help you avoid these fees.

Hawaiian Airlines baggage fees within North America

You don't have to use a calculator to figure out how much your bag will cost. Low baggage fees are also found.

The baggage weight limit is 50 pounds per bag for active U.S. military members and their dependents on official travel.

Unique destination rules

The baggage policy for international travel in Hawaii has a unique quirk. On international flights, the first two checked bags are free, but how much you pay for a third bag is different. The full list of foreign airports can be found on the Hawaiian website.

Overweight and oversize baggage fees

Hawaiian Airlines charges an overweight fee that can add up quickly. There are overweight and baggage oversize fees in Hawaii.

• Overweight fee: Starting at $35 per bag weighing between 51 and 70 pounds and $70 per bag weighing between 71 and 100 pounds.
• Oversize fee: Starting at $35 per bag between 62 and 80 linear inches, including wheels and handles.

If you fly to or from Australia or New Zealand you don't have to pay an overweight fee.

Excess baggage fees

All excess bags will cost, according to the baggage policy.

• Neighbor island flights: $50 per bag.
• Other North American flights: $100 per bag.
• International flights: $150 per bag.

Sporting equipment

Hawaiian Airlines has customer-friendly rules if you want to bring surfboards, wakeboards, or kiteboards.

You can take sporting items as checked baggage, but there may be additional fees. Hawaiian will waive oversize fees in certain situations. Hawaiian will not charge an additional fee for scuba tanks as checked baggage.

The requirements for checking sports equipment can be found on the Hawaiian Airlines website.

How to change or cancel a flight.

How to avoid Hawaiian Airlines baggage fees

If you want to bring checked baggage on your next flight, there are a number of ways to avoid paying baggage fees.

Elite status allowances

The HawaiianMiles program offers checked bag benefits, but they are more restrictive than other airlines.

• Pualani Gold members receive a free first and second checked bag on all flights for themselves only.
• Pualani Platinum members can check up to three bags for free on all flights for themselves only.

The checked bag benefit can't be extended to other travelers on their reservation.

Credit card

Customers who hold the Hawaiian Airlines World Elite Mastercard as a primary cardmember get a checked baggage allowance on select flights when purchasing tickets directly from Hawaiian Airlines. Members can bring two checked bags of standard size and weight on flights between North America and Hawaii for free.

The benefit is slightly different for Pualani Platinum, Pualani Gold and premier club members. Hawaiian loyalists who are also primary card members of the Hawaiian Airlines World Elite Mastercard can bring one extra checked bag free of charge when flying between North America and Hawaii.

Credit cards can give you free checked bags.

Fly first class

You will receive your first and second checked bags for free if you are flying in first class.

There are many ways to redeem points on Hawaiian Airlines.

Use card travel credits to cover fees

Annual statement credits are included on several travel rewards cards. The Chase Sapphire Reserve® has a $300 annual travel credit that can be used for travel purchases.

The Platinum Card from American Express has an annual credit for airline fees. If you enroll in this benefit and choose Hawaiian, your baggage fees could be eligible for reimbursement.

Checked baggage fees on major domestic airlines can be avoided.

Bottom line

The Hawaiian Airlines baggage policy is more customer friendly than many other airlines.

The baggage policy of Hawaiian Airlines is more restrictive than other airlines.

The benefit doesn't apply to other travelers on the same reservation, only the elite member and primary cardholder. Most other airlines give this benefit to up to eight people travelling with an elite member.

Hawaiian's carry-on policy of allowing a full-size carry-on bag and a personal item on all tickets sets it apart from most other airlines.

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