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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 Mastercard review: Best for Hawaiian loyalists and Alaska partner redemptions
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
March 28, 2025 • 8 min read
PEKIC/GETTY IMAGES
The cards we feature here are from partners who compensate us when you are approved through our site, and this may impact how or where these products appear. We don't cover all available credit cards, but our analysis, reviews, and opinions are entirely from our editorial team. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
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Quick summary
A cobranded airline card focused on Hawaiian Airlines offers solid value for frequent flyers of the carrier, especially after its merger with Alaska Airlines.
Key benefits include two free checked bags, companion discounts, and the ability to transfer miles to Alaska Airlines at a 1:1 ratio.
The card lacks some common airline perks such as priority boarding and complimentary seat upgrades, making it less appealing for those seeking a full suite of travel benefits.
Its earning structure is above average for airline-specific cards, with enhanced rates at select merchants and discounted award redemptions.
What to consider
You must fly Hawaiian Airlines regularly to maximize value from checked bag and companion benefits.
Miles can be transferred to Alaska Airlines and used with Oneworld alliance partners starting in 2026.
Discounted award rates are available for cardholders, but some typical airline card perks are missing.
What you'll miss from the article
A detailed comparison of alternative cards and strategies to maximize value from the Alaska-Hawaiian merger and loyalty program changes.
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 Mastercard® from Barclays offers an above-average return for a cobranded airline card but lacks many noteworthy benefits. Those who regularly check bags with Hawaiian and can maximize the partner award possibilities will get the most value from this card. Card rating*: ⭐⭐⭐
*Card rating is based on the opinion of TPG's editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.
The Hawaiian Airlines World Elite Mastercard is one of the credit cards that doesn't consistently get a lot of attention. However, lately, the card has become a hot topic since the merging of Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines, which also includes their loyalty programs.
In this article, we'll take a closer look at the Hawaiian Airlines Mastercard, with its $99 annual fee and recommended credit score of 670. Here's what you need to know.
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.
Hawaiian Airlines Mastercard pros and cons
Pros
Cons
Solid earnings rates
Hawaiian Airlines-specific benefits
Miles transfer to Alaska Airlines
Has an annual fee
Lack of common airline card benefits, like priority boarding or complimentary seat upgrades
Hawaiian Airlines Mastercard welcome offer
New Hawaiian Airlines Mastercard cardholders can earn a welcome bonus of 70,000 bonus miles after spending $2,000 on the card in the first 90 days of account opening.
Based on TPG's March 2025 valuations of HawaiianMiles, that bonus is worth $840.
THE POINTS GUY
With some cards offering welcome bonuses of 100,000 points or more, this bonus might not sound too exciting initially, but the spending requirement is also much lower than on most travel rewards cards.
Plus, you'll get a one-time 50% discount on a round-trip fare between Hawaii and North America for a companion. You'll get this discount even if you don't hit the spending requirement for the welcome offer.
All of the card's perks revolve around flying Hawaiian Airlines. The card offers a unique feature that lets cardholders transfer miles between family and friends, yet it lacks some run-of-the-mill perks that most cobranded airline cards offer, such as priority check-in and boarding. Benefits include:
A one-time 50%-off companion discount for round-trip travel between Hawaii and North America
An annual $100 companion discount for a travel companion on round-trip travel between Hawaii and North America after each account anniversary
Two free checked bags for the primary cardholder when they use the card to purchase tickets directly from Hawaiian Airlines
Discounted award flights on Hawaiian Airlines
ERIC ROSEN/THE POINTS GUY
If you don't fly with Hawaiian Airlines frequently, it can be hard to justify holding this card. With its $99 annual fee, you must take advantage of the free checked bags or the companion discount this card offers each year to get any substantial value.
Earning miles with the Hawaiian Airlines Mastercard
The earning structure on the Hawaiian Airlines Mastercard is better than most cobranded airline credit cards.
The card offers 3 miles per dollar on Hawaiian Airlines purchases, whereas most of its counterparts offer 2 miles per dollar on airline spending.
Although not industry-leading, the card has an above-average return on the top everyday spending categories — 2 miles per dollar on gas, dining, and eligible grocery store purchases and 1 mile per dollar on everything else.
MICHAEL SILUK/UCG/UNIVERSAL IMAGES GROUP/GETTY IMAGES
Cardholders can also earn bonus miles at thousands of shops and restaurants through the HawaiianMiles Buy & Fly program.
Redeeming miles with the Hawaiian Airlines Mastercard
The most obvious use of HawaiianMiles is for Hawaiian Airlines award flights. The program publishes an award chart showing standard and discounted award prices. You're eligible to receive the discounted rate by holding the Hawaiian Airlines card.
The difference between rates can be as high as 17,500 miles for a Main Cabin 7 ticket between Hawaii and Japan, Korea, Australia and New Zealand.
CLINT HENDERSON/THE POINTS GUY
Although Hawaiian Airlines isn't currently part of the three major airline alliances, you can redeem your miles on partners such as JetBlue, Japan Airlines and Korean Air.
Like Hawaiian-operated flights, partner awards have fixed redemption rates — except for JetBlue — and in many cases, they can actually provide a decent value for your miles.
Most importantly, thanks to the new merger between Hawaiian and Alaska Airlines, your miles transfer 1:1 into your Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan account, which allows for many more redemptions with Oneworld alliance carriers and Alaska Airlines partner airlines. Hawaiian Airlines will join Oneworld via its merger with Alaska Airlines in 2026.
Which cards compete with the Hawaiian Airlines Mastercard?
If you want more airline perks or more flexible rewards, one of these cards may be a better match.
If you want flexible rewards: The earns American Express Membership Rewards points that can be transferred to Delta and other loyalty programs. While it doesn't have perks specific to Delta, it earns bonus points on flights booked directly with an airline and on restaurant worldwide and U.S. supermarket purchases (bonus points on restaurant and U.S. supermarket purchases are subject to spending caps). To learn more, check out our full review of the Amex Gold.
If you want a card from a bigger airline: The offers several valuable Delta perks. Cardmembers can earn 1 Medallion Qualification Dollar toward elite status for every eligible $20 spent. If you enjoy flying with Delta, this card is worth considering. To learn more, check out our full review of the Delta Platinum Amex.
If you want premium travel benefits: is a top-tier travel card with a host of premium benefits. Cardmembers enjoy perks like Centurion Lounge access, an up to $200 airline incidentals statement credit each calendar year and hotel elite status. Enrollment is required for select benefits; terms apply. To learn more, check out our full review of the Amex Platinum.
The Hawaiian Airlines Mastercard is valuable for those who often fly on the airline and want to take advantage of 1:1 transfers to Alaska Airlines. If you're a Hawaiian loyalist and can use enough of the card's perks to justify its annual fee, it's a great addition to your wallet and a great 'way' to earn Alaska miles.
Bottom line
The Hawaiian Airlines World Elite Mastercard isn't the best airline credit card for everyone.
However, if you can use the two free checked bags benefit, the companion discount, and maximize the relationship with Alaska Airlines partner redemptions, then the card makes a solid case for itself. The welcome bonus alone may be worth considering this card for, especially if you're planning a trip to or from Hawaii in the near future.
