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Hawaiian Airlines World Elite Mastercard review: A small annual fee for frequent travelers to paradise

Dori Zinn
·Contributing writer
Updated 5 min read

Regular travelers to and from Hawaii and who frequently fly on Hawaiian Airlines may want to consider the Hawaiian Airlines? Bank of Hawaii World Elite Mastercard?. The first two checked bags are free and you can share miles with friends and family. Even though there’s an annual fee, the welcome offer and rewards of this travel credit card outweigh the cost.

  • Annual fee: $99

  • Welcome offer: Earn 70,000 bonus miles after you spend $2,000 in the first 3 months of opening your new card

  • Rewards:

    • 3x miles on eligible Hawaiian Airlines purchases

    • 2x miles on gas, dining and grocery store purchases

    • 1x miles on all other purchases

  • Card details: Get two free checked bags every time you book on Hawaiian Airlines with your card; one-time 50% off companion ticket discount; no foreign transaction fee

The APR ranges from 21.24% to 29.99% for purchases and balance transfers, depending on your creditworthiness and approval. The cash advance APR is 29.99%.

The Hawaiian Airlines World Elite Mastercard charges a $99 annual fee.

Earn 70,000 bonus HawaiianMiles when you spend $2,000 in your first three months of opening your new card.

  • 3x miles on all eligible Hawaiian Airlines purchases

  • 2x miles on gas, dining, and grocery store purchases

  • 1x miles on everything else

You can earn rewards every time you shop and use your card wherever Mastercard is accepted, which is most places around the world. Since there’s no foreign transaction fee, you won’t be charged an additional fee if you use your card overseas.

One of the easiest ways to redeem rewards is to put them towards future Hawaiian Airlines flights. You’ll need at least 7,500 miles to redeem one-way flights. The amount you need for redemption increases depending on where you sit in the cabin, like the main cabin or first class. You could pay upwards of 30,000 miles for a first-class redemption one-way.

You can also redeem rewards on partner airlines, including Japan Airlines, JetBlue, Korean Air, Virgin Atlantic, and Virgin Australia. In some cases, you can earn HawaiianMiles from flying other airlines and using their frequent flyer programs. For instance, if you use American Airlines’ AAdvantage, you can redeem AAdvantage miles on Hawaiian Airlines flights.

There are other ways to redeem your HawaiianMiles, including:

  • For car rentals

  • With select hotel partners

  • For dining, shopping, and grocery stores

  • For gift cards

Miles never expire as long as your card is in good standing and doesn’t close.

  • One-time companion discount at 50% off

  • One free companion flight valued at $100 or less every year on your card anniversary

  • Two free checked bags every time you fly

  • No foreign transaction fees

  • Miles never expire

The Hawaiian Airlines World Elite Mastercard is best for frequent flyers of Hawaiian Airlines, especially those who travel to and from Hawaii and the mainland. It’s also a great option for travelers who may need to use other airlines and can maximize rewards through partner airlines and other airline redemption options.

  • Many types of redemption opportunities between Hawaii Airlines and partner airlines.

  • Two free checked bags every time you fly

  • Free annual companion pass

  • No foreign transaction fees

  • Generous welcome bonus

  • Transfer miles to friends and family for no charge

  • Unlimited earning potential

  • Annual fee of $99

  • Some other fees apply, including late payment and returned payment fees (up to $40 each), balance transfer fee, and cash advance fee

To maximize your earning potential, use your Hawaiian Airlines World Elite Mastercard when booking flights on Hawaiian Airlines as well as when you upgrade your seat and in-flight purchases. You can also use your card at grocery stores, restaurants, and gas stations to earn 2x miles for every dollar you spend.

You can earn miles on all your purchases, dollar for dollar, whenever you use your Hawaiian Airlines World Elite Mastercard. You can use it wherever Mastercard is accepted around the world and without facing foreign transaction fees when you do.

  • Mobile app. You can manage your Hawaiian Airlines World Elite Mastercard through the Hawaiian Airlines mobile app to make a payment or set up automatic payments.

  • Online. Visit HawaiianBOHCard.com and log in to add banking information and set up autopay on your card.

  • Over the phone. You can call the number on the back of your Hawaiian Airlines World Elite Mastercard to make a payment.

  • Through the mail. You’ll send your payment directly to Barclays to one of the addresses below that’s listed on your statement:

Card Services

P.O. Box 13337

Philadelphia, PA 19101-3337

-or-

Card Services

P.O. Box 60517

City of Industry, CA 91716-0517

You can contact credit card customer support for your Hawaiian Airlines World Elite Mastercard at 1-877-523-0478. You can also log into your account and find specific support-related options there.

The Hawaiian Airlines World Elite Mastercard is issued through Barclays. For questions or concerns about your card, you can also call 877-523-0478. Barclays phone support is available 24/7.

If you have questions about Hawaiian Airlines specifically, you can text them at 38285 or call 1-800-367-5320 for 24/7 support.

The Hawaiian Airlines World Elite Mastercard might be a great choice for some, but take some time to compare alternative cards to see if it makes sense for you.

  • Annual fee
    $95
  • Welcome offer
    Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months (that's $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel?)
  • Card type(s)
    Travel
  • Ongoing Purchases APR
    21.49% - 28.49% Variable
  • Recommended credit score
    Excellent/Good
  • Rewards rate
    • 5x points on travel purchased through Chase Travel
    • 3x points on dining, select streaming services, and online groceries
    • 2x points on all other travel purchases
    • 1x points on all other purchases
  • Benefits
    • Points are worth 25% more when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Travel
    • Earn up to $50 in annual statement credits for hotel stays purchased through Chase Travel
    • On every account anniversary, earn bonus points equal to 10% of your total purchases made the previous year

Why we like it: The Chase Sapphire Preferred card has a similar annual fee at $95, but you can use and redeem points in many more ways compared to the Hawaiian Airlines World Elite Mastercard. You’ll get 5x points on travel shopping through Chase, 3x points on dining, online grocery shopping, and select streaming services. Plus get 2x points on all other travel shopping and 1x points on everything else.

  • Annual fee
    $325
  • Welcome offer
    Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards? points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases in the first 6 months, plus 20% back on restaurant spending worldwide (up to $100 in statement credits) for new cardmembers through November 6, 2024
  • Card type(s)
    Travel, Rewards
  • Ongoing Purchases APR
    See Pay Over Time APR
  • Recommended credit score
    Excellent/Good
  • Rewards rate
    • 4x Membership Rewards Points at restaurants worldwide (on up to $50,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1x)
    • 4x Membership Rewards points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1x)
    • 3x Membership Rewards points on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com
    • 2x Membership Rewards points on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com
    • 1x Membership Rewards points on all other eligible purchases
  • Benefits
    • NEW: Five Guys is now eligible for $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits each month when you pay with your American Express Gold Card at Five Guys, Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, and Wine.com (enrollment required)
    • NEW: Up to $100 in annual statement credits ($50 semi-annually) when you use your American Express Gold Card on eligible purchases at U.S. restaurants on the Resy app or Resy.com
    • NEW: Up to $84 per year ($7/month) in statement credits after using your American Express Gold Card to pay at more than 9,000 Dunkin’? locations nationwide

Why we like it: With the American Express Gold card, you’ll earn points at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets, and points when you book flights through American Express Travel. You’ll also get extra American Express perks, including credits for Uber Cash and dining credits.

  • Annual fee
    $95
  • Welcome offer
    Enjoy a $250 Capital One Travel credit, plus earn 75,000 miles after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months
  • Card type(s)
    Travel
  • Purchase APR
    19.99% - 29.99% variable
  • Recommended credit score
    Good, Excellent
  • Rewards rate
    • 5x miles on hotels, vacation rentals, and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
    • 2x miles on all other purchases
  • Benefits
    • Receive up to a $100 statement credit for Global Entry or TSA Precheck application fees
    • Receive a $50 experience credit, room upgrades, and early check-in at eligible hotels
    • Access Hertz's Five Star membership tier, offering free upgrades, a wider selection of vehicles, and more

Why we like it: If you’re just starting out on your traveling rewards journey, the Capital One Venture Rewards credit card might be right for you. You’ll earn unlimited 5x miles on hotels and rental cars when you book through Capital One Travel plus unlimited 2x miles on everything else. There are also no foreign transaction fees.

This article was edited by Rebecca McCracken

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