Hawaiian Airlines Introduces New VISA® Credit Card

HONOLULU, July 16, 2003 -- Hawaiian Airlines, the nation's first airline to offer a credit card program allowing its frequent flyer members to pool their miles, announced today the company is introducing a VISA credit card from Bank of America that offers unique flexibility and mileage earning power.

The new Hawaiian Airlines VISA credit card replaces a previously offered MasterCard. For current cardholders, the transition to VISA will be seamless with no interruption in service or earning of miles.

New enrollees qualifying for the Hawaiian Airlines credit card program will earn 10,000 bonus miles with first purchase and payment for the Platinum card, and 5,000 miles with first purchase and payment for the Classic card.

Company officials cited VISA's widespread popularity with consumers in Hawaii, VISA's track record of strong marketing partnerships, and Bank of America's experience in co-branding with airline frequent flyer programs as key reasons for making the switch.

“We are excited to be able to offer our members the universal acceptance of VISA backed by the superior security and customer service of Bank of America,” Mark B. Dunkerley, president and chief operating officer of Hawaiian Airlines. “Along with our mileage earning and pooling opportunities, this will be the only card they'll want to use.”

“At Bank of America, we are committed to higher standards in all we do,” said James Sebo, senior vice president Partnership Marketing, Bank of America. “Our partnership with Hawaiian Airlines, consistently ranked one of the most popular carriers in the industry, demonstrates that commitment. Bank of America is excited to offer customers a great opportunity to earn valuable frequent flyer miles on an airline that exemplifies our higher standards philosophy.”

By using the VISA card for everyday purchases, HawaiianMiles members will continue to receive the exceptional benefits they have always associated with the frequent flyer program, including earning free award travel. Members earn one bonus mile for every dollar spent using the card, two bonus miles for every dollar spent with the card when purchasing a ticket directly from Hawaiian Airlines, and additional bonus miles per dollar spent at participating HawaiianMiles “Supercharged” merchants that range from shopping, restaurants, activities, and services. A unique mileage-pooling feature allows Hawaiian Airlines Visa credit cardholders to combine miles with other HawaiianMiles members for faster award redemption, and they can pool miles themselves on the airline's Web site at www.HawaiianAir.com.

In addition, they also can earn HawaiianMiles when flying on America West Airlines, Alaska Airlines, and Northwest Airlines.

The new VISA card's colorful design was created by Hawaiian Airlines employee Ernest Lee, who also designed the company's Web site and other HawaiianMiles features.

About Bank of America
One of the world's leading financial services companies, Bank of America is committed to making banking work for customers and clients like it never has before. Bank of America provides individuals, small businesses and commercial, corporate and institutional clients across the United States and around the world new and better ways to manage their financial lives.

Shares of Bank of America (ticker: BAC), the second largest banking company in the United States by market capitalization, are listed on the New York, Pacific and London stock exchanges. The company's Web site is www.bankofamerica.com. News, speeches and other corporate information may be found at www.bankofamerica.com/newsroom.

About Hawaiian Airlines
Founded in Honolulu 73 years ago, Hawaiian Airlines is Hawaii's longest-serving and largest airline. The nation's 12th largest carrier, it is the second-largest provider of passenger service between the West Coast and Hawaii and offers nonstop service to Hawaii from more mainland U.S. gateways (nine) than any other airline. Hawaiian also provides approximately 100 daily jet flights among the six Hawaiian Islands, as well as weekly service to American Samoa and Tahiti.

The company takes pride in its innovative service programs that deliver on the promise, “Hawaii Starts Here.” Hawaiian has earned numerous awards in recent years, including the 2001 Zagat Survey's award for Best Overall U.S. Airline in the Premier category, and the 2001 Diamond Award for In-Flight Service from Onboard Services magazine. Hawaiian's service was rated fifth highest in a recent ranking of the Top 10 U.S. Airlines by Travel + Leisure magazine.

Additional information on Hawaiian Airlines, including previously issued company news releases, is available on the airline's Web site at www.HawaiianAir.com.