The Hawaiian Airlines card gives you miles on every purchase, free checked bags, and priority boarding
Hawaiian Airlines offers two main credit cards through Bank of Hawaii: the Hawaiian Airlines World Mastercard and the Hawaiian Airlines World Elite Mastercard. Both cards earn miles on purchases and give you perks like free checked bags and priority boarding. The main difference is that the World Elite card costs more per year but gives you higher earning rates and additional benefits like seat upgrades and lounge access.
The cards work like most airline cards: you spend money, earn miles, and redeem those miles for flights or other rewards. The annual fee ranges depending on which card you choose, and that cost is something to weigh against how much you actually fly and spend.
Key Takeaways
- Both Hawaiian Airlines cards earn miles on every purchase, with the World Elite card earning at a higher rate on certain categories like dining and gas.
- Cardholders get one free checked bag per flight, which saves money if you travel more than once or twice a year.
- The World Elite card includes priority boarding and seat upgrades, while the standard card offers priority boarding only.
- Annual fees vary by card tier, so compare the cost against your expected travel and spending to decide if the card pays for itself.
- Miles do not expire as long as your account remains open and you use the card at least once every 24 months.
Earning rates and how miles add up
The Hawaiian Airlines World Mastercard earns 1 mile per dollar spent on all purchases. The World Elite version earns 2 miles per dollar on dining, gas, and groceries, and 1 mile per dollar on everything else. You also earn bonus miles when you first open the card — the amount changes, so check the current offer before you explore.
Miles accumulate in your Hawaiian Airlines frequent flyer account. You can redeem them for flights to Hawaii, the mainland, and international destinations that Hawaiian Airlines serves. You can also use miles for seat upgrades, checked bags, or partner airline tickets, though redeeming for flights is usually the best value.
If you spend $3,000 a month on the card, you earn 36,000 miles per year with the standard card, or 48,000 miles per year with the World Elite card if you hit the bonus categories. A one-way flight within Hawaii typically costs 5,000 to 12,000 miles depending on the route, so your spending alone can cover several trips per year.
Checked bags, boarding, and seat upgrades
Both cards include one free checked bag on Hawaiian Airlines flights. If you travel twice a year, that benefit alone saves you $60 to $70 in baggage fees, which can offset part or all of the annual fee on the standard card.
Priority boarding comes with both cards, which means you board before general passengers and can find overhead bin space. The World Elite card also includes complimentary seat upgrades on a space-available basis, which can mean moving from economy to extra comfort or business class if seats open up.
These perks explore only to flights you book with your card or pay for with miles earned on the card. They do not extend to companions or family members unless they also hold the card.
Annual fees and when the card makes financial sense
The Hawaiian Airlines World Mastercard has an annual fee that varies; the World Elite card has a higher annual fee. Both cards waive the first-year fee in some offers, though that changes. You can find the current fee structure on the Bank of Hawaii website or by calling their customer service line.
To decide if the card pays for itself, add up what you expect to spend in a year, multiply by your earning rate, and estimate how many miles you will redeem and what those flights are worth. If you fly to Hawaii once a year and spend $2,000 per month on the card, you earn roughly 24,000 miles annually on the standard card. A round-trip flight to Hawaii costs 10,000 to 25,000 miles depending on the island, so you could cover one trip per year from spending alone, plus the free checked bag saves you money.
If you rarely fly or spend less than $1,000 per month on the card, the annual fee may not be worth it. In that case, a cash-back card with no annual fee might serve you better.
How to use miles and what they are worth
Log into your Hawaiian Airlines frequent flyer account to search for award flights. You can filter by date, route, and cabin class. Prices in miles vary by demand — a flight might cost 5,000 miles on a Tuesday and 12,000 miles on a Friday for the same route.
You can also transfer miles to Hawaiian Airlines partners, though the exchange rate is usually unfavorable compared to booking Hawaiian Airlines flights directly. Redeeming for flights on Hawaiian Airlines is almost always the best use of your miles.
Miles do not expire as long as you keep your account active. Your account stays active if you earn or redeem miles at least once every 24 months. Using the credit card counts as account activity, so if you keep the card open and use it occasionally, your miles will not disappear.
Comparing the standard and World Elite cards
| Feature | World Mastercard | World Elite Mastercard |
|---|---|---|
| Earning rate (general purchases) | 1 mile per dollar | 1 mile per dollar |
| Earning rate (dining, gas, groceries) | 1 mile per dollar | 2 miles per dollar |
| Free checked bag | Yes, one per flight | Yes, one per flight |
| Priority boarding | Yes | Yes |
| Complimentary seat upgrades | No | Yes, space-available |
| Lounge access | No | Yes, with World Elite status |
| Annual fee | Lower | Higher |
The World Elite card makes sense if you spend heavily in bonus categories (dining, gas, groceries) or fly frequently enough to use seat upgrades. The standard card is better if you fly occasionally or spend most of your money outside the bonus categories.
Things to know before you open the card
Your credit score matters. Both cards require good to excellent credit, which typically means a score of 670 or higher. If your score is lower, you may be denied or offered a card with a higher interest rate.
The card carries an interest rate on balances you do not pay off each month. That rate varies based on your creditworthiness and market conditions. If you carry a balance, interest charges will quickly outpace any miles you earn, so treat the card like a debit card and pay the full balance each month.
Sign-up bonuses are temporary offers that change. Before you open the card, check the current bonus miles offer and any waived-fee periods. These bonuses can be worth hundreds of dollars in flight value, so timing matters.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use miles for flights on other airlines?
Hawaiian Airlines has a few partner airlines, and you can transfer miles to them, but the exchange rate is usually poor. Booking Hawaiian Airlines flights directly with your miles almost always gives you better value than transferring to partners.
What happens to my miles if I close the card?
Your miles stay in your Hawaiian Airlines frequent flyer account even after you close the card. However, your account becomes inactive if you do not earn or redeem miles within 24 months, and inactive accounts may lose their miles. Keep the account active by redeeming miles occasionally or using a Hawaiian Airlines card if you open one later.
Do I earn miles on the annual fee itself?
No. The annual fee does not earn miles. Only purchases and sign-up bonuses earn miles.
Can I use the free checked bag benefit if someone else books my flight?
The free checked bag applies only to flights you book yourself or that are booked with your card. If a family member books your ticket on their card or through a travel agent, you do not get the free bag unless you pay for it separately.
What is the difference between the Mastercard and World Elite versions?
The World Elite card earns more miles in bonus categories (dining, gas, groceries), includes complimentary seat upgrades, and offers lounge access. The standard Mastercard earns 1 mile per dollar on all purchases and costs less per year. Choose based on how much you spend in bonus categories and how often you fly.