What the Hawaiian Airlines card does and who it's for
The Hawaiian Airlines credit card is a co-branded card issued by Bank of Hawaii in partnership with Hawaiian Airlines. It earns points on every purchase you make, and those points convert into free flights, seat upgrades, and other travel perks on Hawaiian Airlines. The card charges an annual fee, so it makes the most sense if you fly Hawaiian Airlines at least once or twice a year or spend enough on the card to earn back the fee's value in points.
The card comes in two versions: a standard card and a premium card with a higher annual fee but better earning rates and sign-up bonuses. Both versions earn points on everyday purchases like groceries and gas, not just flights. If you live in Hawaii, travel to Hawaii regularly, or use Hawaiian Airlines as your main carrier, the card's earning structure can offset its cost. If you rarely fly Hawaiian, the annual fee will likely cost you more than the rewards are worth.
Key Takeaways
- The Hawaiian Airlines card earns points on all purchases, and points redeem for flights and upgrades on Hawaiian Airlines only.
- Both versions charge an annual fee; the premium version costs more but earns points faster and offers a larger sign-up bonus.
- You need to do the math: if you don't fly Hawaiian Airlines at least once yearly or spend enough to earn back the annual fee in value, the card will cost you money.
- Points do not expire as long as your account stays open and you use the card at least once every 24 months.
- The card's value depends entirely on Hawaiian Airlines' route network and whether you can use the flights and upgrades it offers.
Annual fees and what you get for them
The standard Hawaiian Airlines card charges an annual fee of around $50 to $75 per year, depending on current offers. The premium card charges roughly $150 to $200 per year. These fees are not waived after the first year — you pay them every year the account is open. Some issuers offer a statement credit or bonus points after you spend a certain amount in the first year, but that is a one-time offer, not an ongoing benefit.
To decide whether the fee is worth it, calculate what you would spend on a Hawaiian Airlines ticket in a year. If you take one round-trip flight from the mainland to Hawaii, you are already looking at $300 to $600 in airfare. The points you earn on that single trip, plus points from everyday spending, often exceed the annual fee's cost. If you never fly Hawaiian Airlines or only fly it once every few years, the annual fee becomes a net loss.
How points are earned and what they're worth
The standard card typically earns 1 point per dollar spent on most purchases, with bonus earning rates on Hawaiian Airlines tickets and certain categories like dining or gas. The premium card earns 2 points per dollar on Hawaiian Airlines purchases and 1.5 points per dollar on other spending. A sign-up bonus — usually 30,000 to 50,000 points — is offered when you open the account and meet a spending requirement, typically $1,000 to $3,000 in the first three months.
Points redeem for flights at a rate that varies by route and demand. A short interisland flight (like Honolulu to Maui) might cost 5,000 to 10,000 points, while a mainland-to-Hawaii flight could cost 25,000 to 50,000 points or more during peak travel seasons. Points are worth roughly 1 to 1.5 cents each when redeemed for flights, which is lower than the value you get from premium travel cards that partner with multiple airlines. The value depends heavily on when you fly and which routes you choose.
Restrictions and blackout dates
Hawaiian Airlines does impose blackout dates — periods when you cannot redeem points for flights, typically during peak travel times like holidays and summer vacation. These blackout dates change each year and are announced by Hawaiian Airlines. You can still book paid flights during blackout dates, but redeeming points is not an option. This is a significant limitation if you travel during popular times.
Points can also be used for seat upgrades, checked baggage fees, and other Hawaiian Airlines services, which sometimes offers better value than redeeming for flights. You cannot transfer points to other airlines or use them outside the Hawaiian Airlines ecosystem. If you switch to a different airline or stop flying Hawaiian, your accumulated points become much harder to use.
How the card affects your credit and what happens if you carry a balance
Opening a new credit card temporarily lowers your credit score because the issuer performs a hard inquiry and adds a new account to your credit report. The impact is usually small — 5 to 10 points — and recovers within a few months if you pay on time. If you already have several recent credit applications or high credit card balances, opening this card will have a larger impact.
The Hawaiian Airlines card charges interest on any balance you carry from month to month. The interest rate (called the APR) varies based on your credit score and current market rates, but typically ranges from 15% to 25%. If you carry a $1,000 balance for a year, you could pay $150 to $250 in interest alone. The points you earn will not come close to covering that cost. To make the card worthwhile, you must pay the full statement balance every month.
Comparing the Hawaiian Airlines card to other airline cards
Most airline cards charge annual fees between $50 and $200, so the Hawaiian Airlines card's fee is in the middle range. The difference is in earning rates and partner benefits. Cards from larger airlines like United, American, and Southwest often earn points faster and offer more redemption options because those airlines have larger route networks. If you fly multiple airlines, a general travel rewards card (not tied to one airline) might give you more flexibility.
The Hawaiian Airlines card makes sense only if Hawaiian Airlines is your primary carrier or you live in Hawaii and fly there regularly. If you fly different airlines depending on price and schedule, a card that earns points across multiple airlines or converts to cash back will serve you better. Compare the sign-up bonus, annual fee, and earning rates against your actual travel plans before opening the account.
What to do with points before closing the account
If you decide to close the Hawaiian Airlines card, your points will remain in your account as long as you have an active Hawaiian Airlines frequent flyer account. However, if your frequent flyer account becomes inactive (typically after 24 months with no activity), Hawaiian Airlines may delete your points. Before closing the card, redeem any remaining points for flights, upgrades, or other rewards, or transfer them to a family member's Hawaiian Airlines account if the program allows it.
Points do not expire while your account is open and you use the card at least once every 24 months. This means you can accumulate points over time and use them for a larger redemption later. If you plan to keep the card but not use it frequently, make a small purchase every two years to keep the account active and preserve your points balance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use Hawaiian Airlines points to fly other airlines?
No. Hawaiian Airlines points can only be redeemed for Hawaiian Airlines flights, upgrades, and services. You cannot transfer points to other airlines or use them with partner airlines. This is one of the main limitations of airline-specific cards compared to general travel rewards cards.
What happens to my points if I close the card?
Your points stay in your Hawaiian Airlines frequent flyer account even after you close the credit card. However, if your frequent flyer account has no activity for 24 months, Hawaiian Airlines may close it and delete your points. Redeem your points before closing the card, or keep the frequent flyer account active by flying or earning points through other means.
Is the sign-up bonus worth the annual fee?
Usually yes, but only if you plan to use the points. A 40,000-point sign-up bonus is worth roughly $400 to $600 in flight value, which easily covers the annual fee. However, you must meet the spending requirement to earn the bonus, and you must actually redeem the points for flights. If the bonus sits unused, you've paid the annual fee for nothing.
Can I get the sign-up bonus more than once?
Most credit card issuers have rules about how often you can earn a sign-up bonus on the same card. You typically must wait 12 to 24 months between bonuses, and some issuers may never offer you another bonus if you've received one recently. Check the card's terms or contact Bank of Hawaii directly to confirm the current rules.
What if I have a low credit score?
Credit card issuers set their own approval standards. A low credit score makes approval less likely, and if you are approved, you may receive a higher interest rate. If you've been denied, you can reapply after improving your score by paying down existing balances and fixing any errors on your credit report. Checking your own credit score does not hurt it.