Hawaii residents who bounce between islands just got a sweeter deal from Southwest Airlines. On April 28, 2026, the carrier rolled out an upgraded ʻOhana Rewards package that guarantees at least 1,000 Rapid Rewards points for every one-way interisland flight and makes some award redemptions available starting at 4,000 points. The revamp keeps two free checked bags for Hawaii residents, adds a quarterly promo code for discounted bookings, and scraps blackout dates for reward travel, all pitched as a way to keep island-to-island trips simpler and more affordable for locals.
Local coverage and the airline's own materials spell out the fine print. Residents enrolled in ʻOhana Rewards get a guaranteed minimum of 1,000 Rapid Rewards points per one-way interisland segment, can redeem some one-way flights for 4,000 points, and receive a quarterly discount code that can knock up to 25% off points bookings, according to Maui Now.
Southwest's Hawaii information page lays out the resident-only perks in more detail: two free checked bags for qualifying travelers, including sports equipment, plus one promo code per quarter for Rapid Rewards members with a primary Hawaii mailing address on file. The airline notes that the discounts can be applied to Basic and Choice fares and can cover up to eight passengers on a single reservation, according to Southwest.
How the points math adds up
For frequent island hoppers, the earning-and-burning equation is fairly straightforward. With a floor of 1,000 Rapid Rewards points per one-way interisland flight and some award seats pricing at 4,000 points, a traveler who flies four one-way segments under the program could net enough for a one-way award redemption. Cardholders can also unlock deeper discounts on paid fares, up to 20%, while both members and cardholders can shave up to 25% off points bookings when they plug in their quarterly promo code, as reported by Maui Now.
Why Hawaiian's move changes the local loyalty play
Southwest is not the only airline turning up the heat in Hawaii. Hawaiian Airlines has joined the oneworld alliance, a move that expands Atmos Rewards' partner reach and gives Hawaii-based flyers more ways to earn and redeem points across a global network. The alliance welcome is detailed on oneworld, and Atmos' standing among U.S. loyalty programs has been highlighted in industry rankings such as WalletHub.
The market backdrop
All of this plays out against a shifting financial backdrop for the major players. Southwest returned to profitability in the first quarter, reporting $227 million in net income on record revenue, according to PR Newswire. Alaska Air Group, Hawaiian's parent company, reported a $193 million GAAP net loss for the same period and has suspended full-year guidance, as detailed in its own earnings release via PR Newswire.
Who qualifies and how to join
Signing up for ʻOhana Rewards does not cost anything for Rapid Rewards members who list a primary Hawaii mailing address on their account, and those who qualify should see their quarterly promo codes appear in the My Account section of the program. The airline publishes the full terms, including the schedule for the one-time-use promo codes and the specific baggage rules tied to the offer, according to Southwest.
The refreshed ʻOhana Rewards lineup drops into an already tense island-market faceoff. As Hawaiian widens its global footprint through oneworld and Atmos Rewards, Southwest is doubling down on resident perks to keep locals on its short-haul routes between the islands. For additional local context on the loyalty chess match, see coverage from the Honolulu Star-Advertiser.
