Booking tickets to Hawaii has never been easier, with Southwest Airlines now strengthening its partnership with Uplift and offering passengers more flexible payment options through January 24.
Hawaii is hands down one of the most popular sunny destinations all-year-round for mainland Americans, as well as overseas visitors, offering a number of activities ranging rom sightseeing to beach hopping.
Mainland Visitors Can Book Now, Pay Later With New Southwest Offer
Already one of the largest low-cost carriers serving Hawaii from the continental U.S., Southwest Airlines is set to further boost its competitiveness by allowing customers to book now and pay later in installments.
The interest-free promotion is valid for ticket fares as low as $49 one-way, and booked from now through next Monday (January 24) for trips through August 31. It means that travelers can take their flights as soon as tomorrow and choose to pay later in three or six-month installments, with no late fees or penalties incurred.
For those who are planning to visit Hawaii over spring break or during the peak of the summer months, they are also able to book now in advance and break down costs into smaller sums, to be paid in the months leading up to the flight.
As stated by Jonathan Clarkson, Southwest’s Vice President of Loyalty, Partnerships, and Products, “we know there is a strong travel demand to Hawaii and are excited to fly our customers to the Aloha State“.
The move is set to increase interest in Hawaiian vacations, especially at a time when the Pacific destination is tightening rules once again and requiring proof of a booster dose for tourists, as a result of the rising Omicron threat.
At this stage, Uplift has already been integrated into the Southwest booking process, permitting customers to secure their yearly sunny break while taking control of their budget:
“We are thrilled to expand our growing partnership with one of America’s most beloved airlines offering customers a budget-friendly way to experience the Aloha spirit of the Hawaiian Islands”, said Tom Botts, Chief Commercial Officer of Uplift.
In spite of the exciting news, readers should note not all U.S. states are eligible, with Iowa and West Virginia residents not covered in the deal. Additionally, a down payment may also be required, and travelers are always advised to check the terms and conditions of their booking before proceeding to payment.
Could Omicron Still Affect My Hawaii Travel Plans?
Since the Omicron variant overtook the Delta, various destinations around the world have tightened entry requirements for travelers. Despite being part of the United States, Hawaii has set its own travel rules for mainland Americans.
In order to visit the islands and qualify as fully vaccinated, sunseekers may soon have to provide proof of a booster shot upon arrival. Travelers are also required to upload their documents onto Hawaii’s Safe Travels platform before boarding their flight or cruise ship.
As for potential travel disruptions, passengers are advised to always take out travel insurance that covers Covid before traveling, even if their destination is domestic. With Omicron fast spreading across North America, the risk of testing positive while on vacation is becoming increasingly higher.
Travel insurance also helps in managing flight cancelations and any costs resulting from hotel quarantines or other unforeseen events. Recently, other factors such as the complex 5G rollout have spurred a wave of flight cancelations to and from the U.S., making travel insurance an even stronger necessity.
Which Airports In The Mainland And Hawaii Are Served?
Southwest offers direct flights to a number of destinations in Hawaii from several mainland airports, including Los Angeles – LAX, Long Beach – LGB, Sacramento – SMF, Oakland – OAK, San Jose – SJC, Las Vegas – LAS, San Diego – SAN, and Phoenix – PHX.
Customers are also able to use Southwest’s interactive map to find out whether their trip involves an interisland stopover. Among destinations served in Hawaii, main airports like Honolulu – HNL, Kona – KOA, Hilo – ITO, Kahului – OGG, and Lihue – LIH are listed.
