Hawaii fares headed up

Maui

Expect to start paying more for flights to Hawaii. So best to use those frequent-flier miles for Hawaii flights while you can, advises Joe Brancatelli, publisher of JoeSentMe.com, a newsletter for business travelers.

The three big players — United, Hawaiian and Alaska Airlines — are cutting back on seats this fall, Brancatelli reports. That likely means higher ticket prices and fewer seats available for award travel.

Competition between Hawaiian Airlines and Alaska has been intense in the Pacific Northwest and the Bay Area, resulting in deals for passengers but weaker profits on some routes.

Alaska Airlines spokeswoman Marianne Lindsey confirmed that the airline will cut capacity nearly 7 percent in the next five months, mainly by reducing daily flights from Oakland and San Jose to the Big Island and Kauai.

Allegiant Air is putting Hawaii flights from Boise, Spokane and Eugene on seasonal hiatus the week of Aug. 14. Flights from Bellingham to Honolulu and Maui won’t be affected.

Speaking of Alaska Airlines, what's behind its mileage partnership break-up between Kenmore Air? Read about it in my Sunday Travel Wise column for The Seattle Times.