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The Points Guy believes that credit cards can transform lives, helping you leverage everyday spending for cash back or travel experiences that might otherwise be out of reach. That's why we publish a variety of editorial content and card comparisons: to help you find a great card to turn your goals into reality.
Our site may earn compensation when a customer clicks on a link, when an application is approved, or when an account is opened with our partners, and this may impact how or where these products appear. While we don't cover all available credit cards, our editorial team creates and maintains all of the analysis of these cards, and our content is not influenced nor subject to review by any credit card company, bank or partner prior to (or after) publication. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
Reviews
Hawaiian Airlines World Elite Business Mastercard review: Earn bonus Hawaiian Airlines miles
When Ryan worked as a TPG credit cards writer, he oversaw refreshes of card reviews and card offer stories. He enjoyed racking up cash back and helping readers maximize their points and miles for their next big trip.
also contributed to this story
February 3, 2025 • 8 min read
ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUY
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Quick summary
The Hawaiian Airlines business card offers a welcome bonus and some yearly perks tied to high spending thresholds.
Ongoing benefits are limited, with no free checked bags or priority boarding, and the card is less rewarding compared to other business travel options.
HawaiianMiles are valued at 1.2 cents each as of January 2025 per TPG's valuations, and can be transferred 1:1 to Alaska Mileage Plan or redeemed with select partners.
The upcoming merger with Alaska Airlines will eventually lead to a shared loyalty program, which may change how benefits and redemptions work.
What to consider
Anniversary bonus miles require significant annual spending to unlock, making them impractical for many businesses.
The companion fare discount is valid for 13 months but excludes taxes and fees.
Award pricing is dynamic and subject to change as the loyalty program merges with Alaska Airlines.
What you'll miss from the article
A detailed comparison of competing business travel cards and strategies for maximizing HawaiianMiles value.
Generated by AI with support from our editorial team.
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
The Hawaiian Airlines® World Elite Business Mastercard® is a business travel rewards card issued by Barclays. The card has some yearly perks based on spending, but beyond that, it offers little incentive to keep it in your wallet long-term. Card rating*: ⭐⭐½
*Card rating is based on the opinion of TPG’s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.
Hawaiian Airlines isn’t part of any of the "Big Three" airline alliances, and it operates a limited network of flights, which further hinders the value you can get from Hawaiian Airlines’ loyalty program. However, that’s not to say Hawaiian Airlines HawaiianMiles are worthless.
TPG's January 2025 valuations place them at a value of 1.2 cents each, and if you can snag a solid welcome bonus on one of the carrier’s credit cards, you may be able to get some decent value from the program.
One such card is the Hawaiian Airlines Business Mastercard, which has a $99 annual fee and a recommended credit score of 670. I’ll analyze the card’s details to see how it compares to other top airline credit cards and whether it deserves a spot in your credit card arsenal.
Before we continue, it's important to note that Hawaiian Airlines merged with Alaska Airlines in 2024. While each airline will maintain its respective brand, it was announced the two would eventually operate under a shared loyalty program. Because of this, further changes to the Hawaiian Airlines loyalty program may occur in the future.
The information for the Hawaiian Airlines World Elite Business Mastercard has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Hawaiian Airlines Business Mastercard pros and cons
Pros
Cons
Potential to earn anniversary bonus miles each year
Has an annual fee
Limited benefits
Limited earning rates
Hawaiian Airlines Business Mastercard welcome offer
Currently, new Hawaiian Airlines Business applicants can earn 50,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 in purchases within the first 90 days of card membership.
Per TPG's January 2025 valuation of HawaiianMiles at 1.2 cents each, this welcome offer is worth $600.
THE POINTS GUY
As part of the card's welcome bonus, you'll also get a one-time 50% discount on a coach companion fare between Hawaii and North America. The discount companion fare is valid for 13 months from opening the account, and the discount does not apply to taxes or fees.
The Hawaiian Airlines Business card is woefully low on useful benefits. It doesn’t even come with basic perks, like free checked bags or priority boarding.
That being said, you can earn up to 40,000 bonus miles every year you keep the card if you hit the following spending thresholds:
Earn 20,000 bonus miles with $50,000-$99,999 in annual purchases
Earn 40,000 bonus miles (in total) with $100,000 or more in annual purchases
That higher bonus tier is worth up to $480 (according to TPG's January 2025 valuations), but it requires such a huge amount of spending that it doesn’t make sense to earn. As you’ll see, there are much more rewarding options for your business spending.
ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUY
The other ongoing benefits include the ability to share miles between Hawaiian Airlines accounts without a fee. You also won't pay foreign transaction fees on purchases made outside the U.S.
The information for the Hawaiian Airlines World Elite Mastercard has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Earning miles on the Hawaiian Airlines Business Mastercard
Aside from the welcome offer and the annual bonus miles (if you meet the spending requirements), you’ll earn:
3 miles per dollar on eligible Hawaiian Airlines purchases
2 per dollar miles on gas, dining and office supply store purchases
1 mile per dollar on everything else
ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUY
This equates to 3.6%, 2.4% and 1.2% return on sending, respectively, based on TPG's January 2025 valuations.
If you’re fiercely loyal to Hawaiian Airlines, this could offer a decent return, but again, other cards out there are better suited for these particular bonus categories.
Redeeming miles on the Hawaiian Airlines Business Mastercard
Hawaiian Airlines prices awards dynamically but publishes an award chart that provides the price ranges into which awards will fall. Given Hawaiian's incoming joint loyalty program with Alaska Airlines, changes to how you redeem HawaiianMiles may continue as the merger goes on.
For now, you can easily convert miles at a 1:1 ratio between HawaiianMiles and Alaska Mileage Plan. Furthermore, you can redeem HawaiianMiles for JetBlue, Japan Airlines, Virgin Australia and Korean Air flights.
Each partner has a separate award chart, and you can view them all here.
CLINT HENDERSON/THE POINTS GUY
You can also convert your HawaiianMiles to Marriott Bonvoy points at a 2:1 ratio. TPG's January 2025 valuations place Marriott points at 0.85 cents each, so you'll get far less value from this option than from redeeming your points for flights on Hawaiian Airlines or its partners.
Which cards compete with the Hawaiian Airlines Business Mastercard?
Several cards can provide more value than the Hawaiian Airlines Business:
If you want more Hawaiian Airlines perks: The personal Hawaiian Airlines World Elite Mastercard comes with similar earning rates to the Hawaiian Airlines Business Mastercard, plus the added benefit of two free checked bags. To learn more, read our full review of the Hawaiian Airlines card.
If you want to receive more perks: A better bet for your company is . When you book airfare and prepaid hotels through AmexTravel.com, you’ll earn 5 Membership Rewards points per dollar. These points can be transferred to any of Amex's transfer partners, including Hawaiian Airlines. To learn more, read our full review of the Amex Business Platinum.
If you want no annual fee: is the perfect business credit card with no annual fee (see rates and fees). It earns 2 Membership Rewards points per dollar on the first $50,000 in purchases each calendar year (then 1 point per dollar). To learn more, read our full review of the Blue Business Plus.
Is the Hawaiian Airlines Business Mastercard worth it?
The Hawaiian Airlines Business card has a welcome offer worth considering, but it lacks the ongoing benefits to make it a smart card to hold onto long term. And even if you love earning Hawaiian Airlines miles, other cards are more rewarding.
Bottom line
The Hawaiian Airlines Business card has mediocre earning rates and too few benefits to justify the card's annual fee. Business owners will do better with a card like the or the , both of which earn Membership Rewards points that you can transfer to Hawaiian Airlines at a 1:1 ratio.
