I used to get those kinds of fares regularly, but this year seems different. The fares started high

I have been checking rates and hoping they go down. Are there any 'codes' available to me that would make for a cheaper fare? We have 100,000 FF miles with Capital One but that does not even get one ticket. Is there anything I'm missing ? We will be leaving from Ohio. Thank you.
Flights on United to Hawaii for Feb (or March, when we go) are much more expensive for 2013 than usual. Typically, we can get tickets from Seattle to Lihue for $600-800 each. This year they've been above $1100 each since the seats were first released for sale. In my experience in past years, the best prices were 10-11 months in advance or about two months hard rock hotel and casino in advance if they have a sale. We ended up deciding to fly Alaska as their fares are more reasonable and we could get a companion ticket for $99 by getting the Alaska credit card. Hawaiian Air also has reasonably priced tickets.
I don't care about earning those few miles as much as getting hard rock hotel and casino a good fare, and we've been very lucky with the Alaska credit card companion tickets. Two years in a row, once October and once September, nonstop from the Bay Area (albeit not SFO) (once to Lihue and once to Kahului) both for approximately $700 R/T for two in coach (something like $580 for one + $99 for the companion, plus of course whatever annual fee we pay for the card).
I used to get those kinds of fares regularly, but this year seems different. The fares started high and have just stayed there. Also, before the merger, We got upgraded on our flights to/from Hawaii 3 out of 4 times. This year (right at the time of the merger) - no upgrades. To ensure first class seats, it was easy to fly Alaska and not have to connect at SFO.