What the Hawaiian Airlines credit card offers

The Hawaiian Airlines World Elite Mastercard is a co-branded card issued by Bank of Hawaii in partnership with Hawaiian Airlines. It earns points on every purchase you make, with bonus points on Hawaiian Airlines tickets and at Hawaiian Airlines partners. You get a one-time bonus of miles after you meet a spending threshold in your first few months, plus an annual companion fare certificate that lets a second person fly free (or at a steep discount) once per year.

The card costs $99 per year. That annual fee is charged on your account anniversary — the date you open the card — every year you keep it open. The card is a Mastercard, so you can use it anywhere Mastercard is accepted, not just for airline purchases.

The points you earn are called HawaiianMiles. You can use them to book Hawaiian Airlines flights, upgrade existing reservations, or transfer them to Hawaiian Airlines partners. You can also redeem them for gift cards, merchandise, or hotel stays through the Hawaiian Airlines rewards program.

Key Takeaways

  • The card earns 3 HawaiianMiles per dollar on Hawaiian Airlines tickets and 1 mile per dollar on all other purchases.
  • New cardholders receive a one-time bonus of miles after spending a set amount within the first few months — the exact bonus and spending requirement change periodically.
  • You get an annual companion fare certificate each year you hold the card, allowing a travel companion to fly for a reduced price on most Hawaiian Airlines routes.
  • The $99 annual fee is charged every year, so you should calculate whether the companion certificate and rewards earnings justify the cost for your travel patterns.
  • Points do not expire as long as your account remains open and active, but closing the card ends your membership in the rewards program.

How the rewards structure works

You earn HawaiianMiles at different rates depending on where you spend. On Hawaiian Airlines tickets purchased directly from the airline, you earn 3 miles per dollar. On all other purchases — groceries, gas, restaurants, online shopping — you earn 1 mile per dollar. Some Hawaiian Airlines partners, like certain hotels or car rental companies, may offer bonus earning rates, but those vary and change over time.

The miles you earn are deposited into your HawaiianMiles account, which is separate from your credit card account. You can check your balance through the Hawaiian Airlines website or mobile app. There is no limit to how many miles you can accumulate, and miles do not expire as long as you keep your account active — which means making at least one earning or redemption activity every 24 months.

The one-time welcome bonus is the largest chunk of miles most new cardholders receive. The current bonus structure changes periodically, so you should check the card's offer page before opening an account to see what bonus is being offered right now and what spending you need to hit to receive it.

The annual companion fare certificate explained

Every year you hold the card, you receive one companion fare certificate. This certificate lets a second passenger fly on the same Hawaiian Airlines flight as you for a reduced price. The companion does not fly free — they pay a discounted base fare, usually $99 to $149 depending on the route, plus taxes and fees. You pay the full price for your own ticket.

The certificate is valid for one year from the date you receive it. You can use it on any Hawaiian Airlines flight, including interisland flights within Hawaii and flights to the mainland. Some blackout dates may explore during peak travel periods, though Hawaiian Airlines has historically had fewer blackout dates than some other airline cards.

If you do not use the certificate before it expires, it is forfeited — you cannot carry it over to the next year or convert it to miles. To use it, you book your own ticket first, then add your companion using the certificate code. The certificate must be used in the same calendar year it is issued.

Annual fee versus rewards value

The $99 annual fee is a real cost you need to weigh against what you get back. The companion fare certificate alone can be worth $100 to $300 if you use it on a route where the companion would normally pay that much. If you take at least one trip per year where you can use the certificate, the card may pay for itself through that benefit alone.

Beyond the certificate, the rewards you earn need to cover the remaining fee. If you spend $10,000 per year on the card and earn 1 mile per dollar on most purchases, you earn 10,000 miles. The value of those miles depends on what you redeem them for. Hawaiian Airlines typically values miles at 1 to 1.5 cents each when you use them for flights, which means 10,000 miles might be worth $100 to $150 in flight value.

The math works differently if you spend heavily on Hawaiian Airlines tickets. If you buy $5,000 in Hawaiian Airlines tickets per year, you earn 15,000 miles at the 3x rate, which could be worth $150 to $225. Add the companion certificate, and the total value could easily exceed the $99 fee. If you rarely fly Hawaiian Airlines or rarely use the companion certificate, the card may cost you money overall.

Who should consider this card

This card makes sense if you live in Hawaii, fly Hawaiian Airlines regularly, or take at least one trip per year to Hawaii. The companion certificate is the strongest benefit, so you need to be able to use it. If you take two Hawaiian Airlines trips per year and use the certificate on one of them, you are likely to come out ahead financially.

The card is less valuable if you live on the mainland and fly to Hawaii only once every few years, or if you prefer other airlines. The rewards rate of 1 mile per dollar on non-airline purchases is competitive with some other airline cards, but not exceptional. If you are comparing this card to a general cash-back card, the cash-back card may be simpler unless you specifically want to accumulate Hawaiian Airlines miles.

The card also requires a credit score in the good to excellent range — typically 670 or higher — to be approved. Bank of Hawaii will review your credit history, income, and existing debts as part of the decision.

How to redeem your miles

You redeem HawaiianMiles through the Hawaiian Airlines website or mobile app. Log into your HawaiianMiles account, search for the flight you want, and select "Book with Miles" instead of paying with a credit card. The number of miles required depends on the route, the time of year, and how far in advance you book. Peak travel dates cost more miles than off-peak dates.

You can also use miles to upgrade an existing reservation from economy to first class, though the cost in miles varies. Some flights may not allow upgrades with miles, or upgrades may only be available at certain times.

If you do not want to use your miles for flights, you can redeem them for gift cards to retailers, merchandise through the Hawaiian Airlines shop, or hotel stays at partner properties. These redemptions typically offer lower value per mile than flight bookings, so most frequent flyers focus on redeeming for flights.

Comparing this card to other airline cards

Other airline cards offer similar structures: an annual fee, a welcome bonus, an annual companion certificate or travel credit, and ongoing rewards. The main difference is which airline you are earning with and what the earning rates are on different purchase categories.

If you fly multiple airlines equally, a general travel rewards card or cash-back card might be simpler because you are not locked into one airline's program. If you are loyal to Hawaiian Airlines specifically, this card is designed for you. If you split your flying between Hawaiian Airlines and one other carrier, you might consider holding two airline cards — one for each airline — though that means paying two annual fees.

The companion certificate is a valuable benefit that many airline cards offer, but the value depends on whether you actually use it. If you travel alone or always travel with the same person who has their own card, the certificate may not help you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my HawaiianMiles on flights other than Hawaiian Airlines?

You can transfer your miles to certain Hawaiian Airlines partners, including some hotel chains and car rental companies, but you cannot use them directly on other airlines. Hawaiian Airlines does not have a traditional airline alliance like Star Alliance or OneWorld, so your options for partner redemptions are limited compared to some other airline programs.

What happens to my miles if I close the card?

Your miles do not disappear when ready when you close the card. However, your HawaiianMiles account will become inactive if you do not have any earning or redemption activity for 24 months. Once inactive, the account and any remaining miles may be forfeited. If you close the card but want to keep your miles, you need to maintain some activity in the rewards program.

Is there a limit to how many times I can use the companion fare certificate?

You receive one companion fare certificate per year, and each certificate can be used once. You cannot split it across multiple trips or use it for multiple passengers on the same flight. Once you use it, you must wait until the next year to receive another one.

Do I earn miles on the annual fee itself?

No. The annual fee is not a purchase, so you do not earn miles on it. You only earn miles on actual purchases you make with the card.

What credit score do I need to be approved?

Bank of Hawaii typically approves applicants with a credit score of 670 or higher, though approval is not may provide at any score. The bank also considers your income, existing debts, and credit history. If you are denied, you can contact the bank to ask what factors led to the decision.