What the Barclays Hawaiian Airlines Card Offers

The Barclays Hawaiian Airlines credit card earns points on every purchase and gives you a free checked bag on Hawaiian Airlines flights. You earn 3 points per dollar on Hawaiian Airlines purchases, 1 point per dollar on everything else, and the card comes with an annual fee of $89. The card also includes a statement credit toward Hawaiian Airlines purchases each year, which can offset part of the annual fee depending on how much you spend with the airline.

The card's main draw is the free checked bag benefit, which saves you $30 to $35 per round trip if you fly Hawaiian Airlines regularly. Points don't expire as long as your account remains open, and you can redeem them for flights, seat upgrades, or other travel purchases through Hawaiian Airlines' rewards program. There is no foreign transaction fee, which matters if you travel internationally or make purchases abroad.

Key Takeaways

  • You earn 3 points per dollar on Hawaiian Airlines purchases and 1 point per dollar on all other spending, with no annual cap on rewards.
  • The $89 annual fee is offset by a statement credit toward Hawaiian Airlines purchases, though the exact amount varies by year.
  • The free checked bag benefit applies to your first checked bag on Hawaiian Airlines flights, saving money on frequent trips to Hawaii or between islands.
  • Points never expire as long as your account stays open, and you can redeem them for flights, seat upgrades, or other travel within the Hawaiian Airlines program.
  • This card makes the most sense if you fly Hawaiian Airlines at least once or twice per year and want to earn rewards on everyday spending.

How the Rewards and Annual Fee Work Together

The $89 annual fee is the main cost to consider. Barclays typically provides a statement credit toward Hawaiian Airlines purchases each year—the amount has varied, so check your welcome materials or contact the issuer to confirm the current benefit. If you spend enough with Hawaiian Airlines to use this credit fully, the net cost of the card drops significantly.

The 3 points per dollar on Hawaiian Airlines purchases adds up quickly if you book flights, pay for seat upgrades, or buy food and drinks on the airline's website. A $500 flight purchase earns 1,500 points. The 1 point per dollar on all other purchases means you're earning rewards on groceries, gas, and everyday expenses, even if you don't fly often. Over a year, a household that spends $30,000 across all categories would earn roughly 33,000 points (assuming $5,000 on Hawaiian Airlines and $25,000 elsewhere).

The Free Checked Bag and Other Travel Benefits

The free first checked bag applies to you and anyone traveling on the same reservation under your name. On a round trip to Hawaii, that's $60 to $70 in savings per person. If you travel with a family of four twice a year, the checked bag benefit alone saves $240 to $280 annually, which nearly covers the annual fee.

The card also waives foreign transaction fees, so you won't pay extra when you use it abroad or make purchases from foreign merchants. You get access to Hawaiian Airlines' priority boarding and other perks tied to the airline's frequent flyer program, though these vary based on your tier status. There is no trip cancellation insurance or baggage delay coverage listed as a standard benefit, so review your cardholder agreement for the complete list of protections.

Who Benefits Most From This Card

This card works best for people who fly Hawaiian Airlines at least once or twice per year. If you live in Hawaii, travel to Hawaii regularly, or fly between islands, the free checked bag benefit pays for itself quickly. The 3x points on Hawaiian Airlines purchases also reward you for booking directly with the airline rather than through a third-party site.

The card is less valuable if you rarely fly Hawaiian Airlines or prefer other carriers. If you fly multiple airlines equally, a general travel rewards card with 2x points on all travel purchases might earn you more. Similarly, if you don't check bags or travel light, the free checked bag benefit won't move the needle on your decision.

How to Redeem Points and What They're Worth

Points redeem through Hawaiian Airlines' HawaiianMiles program for flights, seat upgrades, extra baggage allowance, or other travel-related purchases. The value of a point depends on what you redeem it for—a flight that costs $400 might require 40,000 points (worth 1 cent per point), while a premium cabin upgrade might offer better value at 1.5 cents per point or higher.

You can also transfer points to Hawaiian Airlines' partner airlines and hotels, though the transfer rate and value vary. Redeeming for flights on Hawaiian Airlines is usually the most straightforward option. Points never expire as long as your account remains open and active, so you can accumulate them over time without pressure to use them when ready.

Comparing This Card to Other Airline Cards

The Barclays Hawaiian Airlines card is one of the few cards that offer rewards specifically tied to Hawaiian Airlines. If you're comparing it to a general travel rewards card, the Hawaiian card's 3x points on the airline plus the free checked bag make it stronger for Hawaiian Airlines loyalty. A card like the Chase Sapphire Preferred earns 2x points on travel purchases and offers more flexibility to use points across multiple airlines, but it costs $95 annually and doesn't include a free checked bag.

If you fly Hawaiian Airlines exclusively and want to maximize rewards, this card is a natural fit. If you split your flying between Hawaiian and other carriers, a general travel card might give you more value because you'd earn consistent rewards across all airlines. The decision comes down to how much of your travel spending goes to Hawaiian Airlines specifically.

Annual Fee and When It Makes Sense to Keep the Card

The $89 annual fee renews each year on your account anniversary. To decide whether to keep the card, add up the statement credit you receive, the value of the free checked bags you use, and the rewards you earn on Hawaiian Airlines purchases. If that total exceeds $89, the card pays for itself.

For example: a statement credit of $50, two round trips with checked bags ($60 value), and $2,000 in Hawaiian Airlines purchases earning 6,000 points (worth roughly $60 at 1 cent per point) totals $170 in value against the $89 fee. If your usage is lighter—one trip per year and minimal Hawaiian Airlines spending—the card may not cover its cost. Review your spending patterns before the annual fee hits, and contact Barclays if you want to downgrade to a no-annual-fee card or close the account.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to fly Hawaiian Airlines to get value from this card?

No. You earn 1 point per dollar on all purchases, so the card generates rewards on groceries, gas, and everyday spending even if you never fly. However, the free checked bag and the 3x points on Hawaiian Airlines purchases are the card's main benefits, so you get more value if you do fly the airline at least once or twice per year.

What happens to my points if I close the card?

Points expire if your account closes. You should redeem any remaining points before closing the card, or transfer them to Hawaiian Airlines' HawaiianMiles program if that option is available. Check your cardholder agreement or contact Barclays for the exact policy on your account.

Can I use the free checked bag if someone else is flying on my ticket?

The free checked bag applies to you and anyone traveling on the same reservation under your name. If you book a flight for yourself and a family member on one reservation, you both get the free checked bag. If you book separate reservations, only your reservation includes the benefit.

How do I know how many points my redemption is worth?

Hawaiian Airlines shows the point cost for each flight or upgrade when you search for redemptions on their website. You can compare the point cost to the cash price to estimate the value—a 40,000-point flight that costs $400 in cash is worth about 1 cent per point. Premium cabin upgrades and partner airline transfers often offer higher value per point.

Is there a sign-up bonus when I open this card?

Barclays occasionally offers sign-up bonuses for the Hawaiian Airlines card, such as bonus points after you spend a certain amount in the first few months. Check the current offer on Barclays' website or the card's landing page, as bonuses change and are not always available.