Like a cat, airfares can be skinned many ways. Hawaii is no exception. On a per-mile basis, published First Class fares can be found as low as any fares world-wide; availability on mileage upgrades is very good; and a favorite pricing anomaly can sometimes net Hawaii for free.

Low published fares

Disproportionately low round-trip First Class fares from the East Coast, for example, include Boston-Honolulu at just $1,434 (AA & DL). If that sounds expensive consider this: Boston to London is almost half the distance to Hawaii, but can cost two to four times more. Many other fares are available in the $1,400 to $1,800 range.

Mileage upgrade availability for fall travel

We found a decent number of upgrade seats—not always an easy thing to locate—in Oct. and Nov. (minus Thanksgiving) on American, Continental, Delta, Northwest and United. It’s a great use of miles, usually about 30,000 to upgrade roundtrip, and you’ll earn a lot of miles and elite qualifying credit. Upgradeable fares can also be attractive, starting at $400 from the west and $600 from the east.

The Hula Loophole

Hawaii for free: Here’s a great little secret: If you’re flying First Class from the east to the west coast, you can sometimes tack on Hawaii for free. Here’s one example: The published Boston-Los Angeles fare these days is $1,608 round-trip on American, but the lowest First Class fare Boston-Honolulu is $1,434—that’s $194 LESS for twice the distance. Plus the fare allows a stop—wouldn’t you know it—in Los Angeles, San Francisco, or San Jose, for a delightful fee of $55.81. In otherwords, American Airlines pays you $138.29 to make a side-trip toHawaii.

California for free: Just reverse the deal. Go to Hawaii and get a stop-over in California. On American from Boston it costs $55.18.

The Hula Loophole works best with American, Continental, and Northwest.