United will let you book roundtrip economy saver awards to Hawaii today for just 36,000 miles — 20% off the usual price of 45,000 miles. Travel is permitted during this sale between January 7 and March 10.

MileagePlus describes it as their way “of saying “mahalo” for our 70 years of service in Hawaii.”

This is great for anyone that would use their United miles for coach travel to Hawaii. And of course Chase points transfer instantly to United. But here’s what you should do instead.

Andaz Maui

You can fly United economy to Hawaii for fewer miles every day no sale required.

That’s because Singapore Airlines is a United partner and you can use Singapore’s KrisFlyer miles to fly United to Hawaii. They charge just 35,000 miles roundtrip as their regular price. (First class redemptions cost 60,000 roundtrip.)

You can transfer Chase (or Citi or American Express) points to Singapore, though the transfers aren’t instant, they usually take 12-48 hours.

However if you’re using Chase points you can fly to Hawaii for even fewer miles that that because Chase points transfer to Korean.

• Korean Air’s US-Hawaii awards cost 30,000 miles roundtrip in coach and 60,000 miles in first class on Alaska Airlines. They allow a stopover on the award as well.

• Korean Air’s US-Hawaii awards cost 30,000 miles roundtrip in coach and 60,000 miles in first class on Hawaiian Airlines.

  Unlike with Korean Air awards for travel on Alaska, these awards do not include connecting flights, which are charged at extra mileage. So New York JFK – Honolulu – Maui – Honolulu – New York JFK would be 40,000 miles roundtrip in coach (since Honolulu – Maui is 10,000 miles roundtrip in coach and the pricing is additive).

Hyatt Regency Maui

And if you’re on the West Coast of the US transfer Chase or American Express points to British Airways and their cost is 25,000 points roundtrip on either American Airlines or Alaska.

But before you redeem miles to Hawaii consider that:

• Several times a year you’ll see Hawaii on sale, under $600 from the East Coast and perhaps even under $300 from the West Coast – keep your eye on TheFlightDeal.com

• Alaska Airlines has a $99 + tax companion ticket that comes with their Bank of America Alaska Airlines Visa. It’s good for any Alaska Airlines flights, and offers last seat availability in economy.
  So one paid ticket, the second one a little over $100.