What the Hawaiian Airlines Barclays card is and who it's for
The Hawaiian Airlines Barclays card is a co-branded credit card that earns rewards in the form of Hawaiian Airlines miles. You use it like any other credit card — swipe it at stores, online, or over the phone — but instead of cash back, purchases add up to miles you can redeem for flights, seat upgrades, or other travel perks on Hawaiian Airlines.
The card makes sense if you fly Hawaiian Airlines regularly, live in Hawaii, or plan trips there often enough that the miles add up faster than they expire. If you fly other airlines most of the time or rarely travel by air, a different rewards card might give you more value.
Barclays is the bank that issues the card, handles your account, and sets the terms. Hawaiian Airlines is the airline partner — they set the mile values and redemption rules. Understanding which company controls which part of your account matters when you need help.
Key Takeaways
- The card charges an annual fee (the amount varies by card version), and you earn miles on every purchase, with bonus miles for signing up and higher earning rates on Hawaiian Airlines tickets and certain categories.
- Miles never expire as long as your account stays open and you use the card at least once every 24 months, but closing the account ends the miles.
- You redeem miles directly through Hawaiian Airlines' website or by calling their reservations line, not through Barclays.
- The card's value depends on how often you fly Hawaiian Airlines and whether the miles you earn cover the annual fee before they expire.
Annual fee and what you get for it
The Hawaiian Airlines Barclays card charges an annual fee. The exact amount depends on which version of the card you hold — Barclays offers more than one — so check your card agreement or call Barclays customer service at the number on the back of your card to confirm your specific fee.
The card typically includes a statement credit or bonus miles after your first year, which offsets part or all of the annual fee for new cardholders. After that first year, the full annual fee applies each year on your card's anniversary date unless you close the account.
To decide whether the card is worth keeping, calculate how many miles you earn in a year and what those miles are worth to you. If you fly Hawaiian Airlines once or twice a year, the miles you earn might cover the fee. If you rarely fly, they probably won't.
How you earn miles and how fast they add up
You earn miles in three main ways: a one-time bonus when you open the account (usually after you spend a certain amount in the first few months), miles on every purchase you make with the card, and bonus miles in certain categories like Hawaiian Airlines tickets or dining.
The earning rate varies. You might earn one mile per dollar on most purchases, but two or three miles per dollar on Hawaiian Airlines flights or specific categories like dining or gas. Check your card agreement for the exact rates, because they differ between card versions.
Miles add up faster if you use the card for everyday spending — groceries, gas, utilities — not just travel. A person who spends $2,000 a month on the card at a one-mile-per-dollar rate earns 24,000 miles a year before any bonus categories. That's often enough for a domestic flight within Hawaii or a short flight to the mainland, depending on the route and how far in advance you book.
When miles expire and how to keep them active
Hawaiian Airlines miles do not expire as long as your account stays open and you use the card at least once every 24 months. "Use" means any purchase — even a small one — so a $1 coffee counts. If your account sits untouched for two years, Hawaiian Airlines will close it and your miles disappear.
If you close the card yourself, your miles are gone when ready. Downgrading to a no-annual-fee version of the card (if Barclays offers one) keeps the miles alive, but closing the account entirely ends them. Before you close an account, check your mile balance and decide whether to redeem them first.
The 24-month rule means you need a plan for using the card if you want to keep the miles. If you travel only once every three years, you'll need to make a small purchase with the card between trips to keep the account active.
How to redeem miles for flights and other rewards
You redeem miles through Hawaiian Airlines directly, not through Barclays. Log into your Hawaiian Airlines frequent flyer account on their website, search for a flight, and choose to pay with miles instead of money. You can also call Hawaiian Airlines reservations at 1-800-367-5250 and book over the phone.
Miles can cover the full cost of a ticket or part of it — you can pay the rest with a credit card or cash. The number of miles required depends on the route, how far in advance you book, and how busy the flight is. A short flight within Hawaii might cost 5,000 miles; a mainland flight might cost 25,000 or more.
Beyond flights, some Hawaiian Airlines frequent flyer programs let you redeem miles for seat upgrades, baggage fees, or partner rewards, though the options change. Check the Hawaiian Airlines website for current redemption choices before you assume your miles can only buy tickets.
Interest rates, late fees, and how the card works like other credit cards
The Hawaiian Airlines Barclays card is a standard credit card, so it charges interest on balances you don't pay in full each month. The interest rate (called the APR) varies based on your credit score and current market rates. Check your card agreement or Barclays' website for your specific rate.
If you miss a payment, Barclays charges a late fee. If you go over your credit limit, you may face an over-limit fee. These fees are separate from the annual fee and can add up quickly, so set up automatic payments or calendar reminders to pay on time.
The card reports your payment history to the three credit bureaus — Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion — so on-time payments help your credit score, and late payments hurt it. If building or rebuilding credit matters to you, this card works like any other: pay on time, keep your balance low, and avoid closing the account once you've had it open for a while.
Comparing this card to other airline cards and cash-back options
Other airlines offer co-branded cards with Barclays and other banks. American Airlines, Southwest, and United all have Barclays cards with similar structures: annual fees, sign-up bonuses, and miles that don't expire as long as you use the card. The main difference is which airline you fly and how much the miles are worth on that airline's routes.
If you don't fly Hawaiian Airlines often, a cash-back card might be simpler. Cash back is money you can use anywhere, not miles tied to one airline. A 2% cash-back card gives you $40 back on $2,000 in spending, with no annual fee and no expiration date on the rewards. The trade-off is that airline miles are often worth more per dollar if you fly frequently, but only if you actually use them.
To decide, ask yourself: Do I fly Hawaiian Airlines at least twice a year? Do I have a plan to use the miles before they expire? Is the annual fee worth the miles I'll earn? If you answer no to any of these, a different card probably fits better.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens to my miles if I close the card?
Your miles disappear when ready when you close the account. Before you close the card, redeem any miles you want to use. If you want to keep the miles but don't want to pay the annual fee, ask Barclays if you can downgrade to a no-annual-fee version of the Hawaiian Airlines card instead of closing it.
Can I transfer my miles to someone else?
Hawaiian Airlines allows mile transfers between frequent flyer accounts, but the rules and fees vary. Contact Hawaiian Airlines directly to ask about transferring miles to a family member or friend. Barclays does not handle transfers — Hawaiian Airlines does.
How do I know how many miles I have?
Log into your Hawaiian Airlines frequent flyer account on their website, or call Hawaiian Airlines at 1-800-367-5250. Your Barclays statement shows miles earned each month, but Hawaiian Airlines' website is the official record of your total balance.
What if I dispute a charge on the card?
Contact Barclays at the number on the back of your card. Barclays handles disputes and chargebacks, not Hawaiian Airlines. You have the right to dispute unauthorized charges or charges for items you didn't receive, and Barclays will investigate while you wait.
Do I earn miles on the annual fee itself?
No. Annual fees do not earn miles. Only purchases you make with the card earn miles.