Did My Miles Disappear Along With Aloha Airlines?

Dear Tim,

I live in Hawaii and have accumulated frequent flyer miles with the AlohaPass Program. I just read your recent article on the closing of Aloha. However, I cannot find any information online, on the phone, or in the media about what happens to my miles. Are they gone? Can I transfer them to United? I am a Mileage Plus member.

Tom

Dear Tom,

Over the past 10 years, we’ve seen many airlines declare bankruptcy and a few shut down completely. But for the most part, consumers’ frequent flyer miles have remained intact.

Unfortunately, Aloha is an exception to that rule. (Another is ATA, which ceased operations shortly after Aloha.)

Miles which remained in members’ AlohaPass accounts when the airline stopped flying are almost certainly lost forever. They cannot be redeemed for awards. And no provisions were made for the miles to be transferred to another carrier.

One does have to allow for a slight glimmer of hope. The miles cannot categorically be counted out because there is a small chance that when Aloha’s assets are auctioned off, another airline might purchase the AlohaPass program and fold the members, and their miles, into an ongoing program. But given the small size of Aloha’s program, and its limited geographic focus, I’d put the probability of such a rescue as close to zero.

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news. I hope you didn’t lose too many miles.