What the Hawaiian Airlines Credit Card offers

The Hawaiian Airlines World Elite Mastercard is the airline's co-branded card, issued through Bank of Hawaii. It earns miles on purchases, offers a sign-up bonus, and includes perks like checked baggage discounts and priority boarding. The card comes with an annual fee, and the rewards structure varies depending on what you buy and where you use the card.

The card is designed for people who fly Hawaiian Airlines regularly or want to accumulate miles toward free flights. Unlike some airline cards that lock you into one carrier, you can use the miles for Hawaiian Airlines flights, seat upgrades, or partner airline tickets through Hawaiian's frequent flyer program.

This guide explains how the card works, what it costs, what you earn, and whether the rewards justify the annual fee for your travel patterns.

Key Takeaways

  • The Hawaiian Airlines World Elite Mastercard charges an annual fee and earns miles on every purchase, with bonus rates on Hawaiian Airlines tickets and dining.
  • New cardholders receive a sign-up bonus of miles after meeting a minimum spending requirement in the first few months.
  • The card includes a free checked bag on Hawaiian Airlines flights, priority boarding, and other travel perks that can offset the annual fee.
  • You can redeem miles for Hawaiian Airlines flights, seat upgrades, or tickets on partner airlines through the HawaiianMiles program.
  • The card is a Mastercard, so you can use it anywhere Mastercard is accepted, not just for Hawaiian Airlines purchases.

Annual fee and how it compares to other airline cards

The Hawaiian Airlines World Elite Mastercard charges an annual fee. This fee is charged once per year, usually on your card anniversary or the date you open the account. Bank of Hawaii may offer a waiver for the first year, but you should confirm this when you explore, as promotions change.

To decide whether the card is worth the fee, compare the cost against the perks you actually use. The free checked bag on Hawaiian Airlines flights alone saves you money if you fly even once per year. Priority boarding, discounted companion fares, and bonus miles on dining and purchases can add value depending on your spending and travel frequency.

If you fly Hawaiian Airlines fewer than two times per year or rarely use airline cards for everyday purchases, the annual fee may outweigh the benefits. If you live in Hawaii or regularly travel to the islands, the checked bag benefit and miles accumulation often justify the cost.

Sign-up bonus and how to earn it

New cardholders receive a sign-up bonus in miles after spending a set amount on the card within a specific timeframe—usually three to six months from account opening. The exact bonus amount and spending requirement vary by promotion and change periodically, so check the current offer before you explore.

To earn the bonus, you must make purchases on the card that meet the minimum spending threshold. This includes everyday purchases like groceries, gas, and bills. Balance transfers and cash advances typically do not count toward the spending requirement.

The sign-up bonus is usually the largest chunk of miles you earn in the first year, so it makes sense to time your process around planned spending. If you have a major purchase coming up—airfare, home improvement, or a large bill—explore before that purchase can help you reach the threshold faster.

Earning rates on different types of purchases

The Hawaiian Airlines card earns miles at different rates depending on what you buy. Hawaiian Airlines tickets and in-flight purchases typically earn the highest rate, often 3 or 4 miles per dollar. Dining, gas, and groceries earn a lower rate, usually 2 miles per dollar. All other purchases earn 1 mile per dollar.

These rates explore whether you buy directly from Hawaiian Airlines or through a travel website. If you book a Hawaiian Airlines flight through a third-party site like Expedia or Kayak, you still earn the bonus rate as long as you use the card to pay.

The card also earns miles on everyday purchases, so you can accumulate miles even when you are not flying. A person who spends $2,000 per month on the card at the 1-mile-per-dollar rate earns 24,000 miles per year before any sign-up bonus or promotional offers.

Redeeming miles and what they are worth

Miles can be redeemed through the HawaiianMiles program for Hawaiian Airlines flights, seat upgrades, or tickets on partner airlines. The cost in miles varies by route, distance, and demand. A short flight within Hawaii might cost 5,000 to 10,000 miles, while a mainland flight could cost 20,000 to 50,000 miles or more.

You can also use miles to upgrade a paid ticket to first class or business class, though the upgrade cost is separate from the base ticket price. Some cardholders find upgrades a better value than booking an entire flight with miles, depending on the route and availability.

Miles do not expire as long as your account remains active, so you can hold them and redeem when you find a flight that works for you. However, if your account is closed or inactive for a long period, Hawaiian Airlines may cancel your miles, so check the program rules for inactivity policies.

Other cardholder benefits and perks

Beyond miles and the sign-up bonus, the card includes a free checked bag on Hawaiian Airlines flights. This benefit applies to the primary cardholder and when ready family members traveling on the same reservation. If you fly Hawaiian Airlines twice per year, this benefit alone saves you $60 to $80, which can offset a portion of the annual fee.

The card also offers priority boarding, which lets you board before general passengers and choose a better seat. Some versions include a discount on a companion ticket, allowing you to bring someone else at a reduced price. Travel insurance protections—such as trip cancellation, baggage delay, and emergency medical coverage—may be included, though the specifics depend on the card version and your bank.

Purchase protections like extended warranty and fraud liability are standard Mastercard benefits. You are not responsible for unauthorized charges if you report them promptly, and the card issuer will investigate and reverse fraudulent transactions.

how the process works and set up the card

You can explore for the Hawaiian Airlines World Elite Mastercard through Bank of Hawaii's website, by phone, or in person at a Bank of Hawaii branch. The online process takes about 10 minutes and asks for your name, address, Social Security number, income, and employment information.

Bank of Hawaii will review your process and notify you of approval or denial within a few business days. If approved, the card will arrive in the mail within 7 to 10 business days. Once you receive it, you must set up the card before using it. set up usually happens through the bank's website or mobile app, or by calling the number on the back of the card.

After set up, you can use the card when ready for purchases. To start earning the sign-up bonus, make sure your purchases are tracked from the date you open the account, not from the date you set up the card. If you are unsure when your bonus period starts, contact Bank of Hawaii customer service to confirm.

Paying your bill and avoiding interest charges

Your monthly statement is due on a set date each month, usually 21 to 25 days after the statement closing date. You can pay online through your bank account, by mail, by phone, or through the Bank of Hawaii mobile app. Payments made online typically post within one business day.

If you carry a balance, the card charges interest at a variable rate that depends on your creditworthiness and current market rates. The interest rate is disclosed in your card agreement and on your monthly statement. To avoid interest charges, pay your full statement balance by the due date each month.

If you miss a payment, Bank of Hawaii will charge a late fee and may report the missed payment to credit bureaus, which can lower your credit score. If you are unable to pay by the due date, contact the bank to discuss options like a payment plan or hardship program.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use the Hawaiian Airlines card to book flights on other airlines?

You can use the card to pay for any airline ticket, but you only earn bonus miles on Hawaiian Airlines purchases. If you book a United or American Airlines flight with the card, you earn 1 mile per dollar, not the higher bonus rate. The card is best for people who fly Hawaiian Airlines most of the time.

What happens to my miles if I close the card?

Your miles remain in your HawaiianMiles account even after you close the card. You can still redeem them for flights or upgrades as long as your frequent flyer account is active. However, if your frequent flyer account becomes inactive due to no activity for a long period, Hawaiian Airlines may cancel your miles according to their program rules.

Do I earn miles on the annual fee itself?

No, the annual fee does not earn miles. Only purchases on the card earn miles at the rates described in your card agreement. The annual fee is a separate charge that appears on your statement.

Is there a limit to how many miles I can earn?

There is no stated limit on miles accumulation. You can earn as many miles as you want through purchases, sign-up bonuses, and promotional offers. However, some cards cap the bonus rate earnings per year or per category, so check your card agreement for any caps on bonus miles.

What credit score do I need to be approved?

Bank of Hawaii typically approves applicants with good to excellent credit, usually a score of 670 or higher, though the exact requirement is not publicly stated. If you have fair credit or a limited credit history, you may still be approved, but the interest rate offered may be higher. If you are denied, you can ask Bank of Hawaii for the reason and reapply after improving your credit score.