What the Hawaiian Airlines Credit Card Offers

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, with bonus points on Hawaiian Airlines tickets and at partner merchants. The card comes with a sign-up bonus, an annual fee, and access to Hawaiian Airlines perks like checked baggage discounts and priority boarding on certain fare types.

The card is designed for people who fly Hawaiian Airlines regularly or want to accumulate points toward free flights and upgrades. Unlike some airline cards that restrict earning to specific categories, this card earns on all spending, though at different rates depending on where you shop.

Before you open an account, you should understand what the card costs, how points work, and whether the benefits justify the annual fee for your travel patterns. The card's value depends entirely on how often you fly and how you use the points.

Key Takeaways

  • The Hawaiian Airlines card earns points on all purchases, with higher earning rates on Hawaiian Airlines tickets and at partner merchants.
  • The card charges an annual fee, which you pay whether or not you use the card that year.
  • A sign-up bonus offers points after you spend a certain amount within the first few months of opening the account.
  • Points can be redeemed for Hawaiian Airlines flights, seat upgrades, and other travel-related purchases through the HawaiianMiles program.
  • The card includes benefits like checked baggage discounts and priority boarding, though these vary by fare type and membership status.

How Points Earning Works

The Hawaiian Airlines card earns HawaiianMiles on every dollar you spend. The earning rate varies by purchase type. You earn more points per dollar on Hawaiian Airlines tickets than on everyday purchases like groceries or gas. Partner merchants—such as certain hotels, rental car companies, and restaurants—also offer bonus earning rates.

Points do not expire as long as your account remains open and active. An account is considered active if you use the card or have account activity at least once every 24 months. If your account closes and reopens, your points may be forfeited, so keeping the card open matters even if you do not use it frequently.

You can check your current points balance through the Hawaiian Airlines website or mobile app. Points accumulate in your HawaiianMiles account, which is separate from your credit card account but linked to it.

The Sign-Up Bonus and Annual Fee

New cardholders receive a sign-up bonus after meeting a spending requirement within a set timeframe—usually three to six months. The bonus is a fixed number of points, not a percentage of what you spend. You must reach the full spending threshold to receive the bonus; partial credit is not given.

The card charges an annual fee, assessed on the anniversary of your account opening. This fee is charged regardless of whether you use the card. Some versions of the card waive the first-year fee, but you should confirm the current offer before opening an account, as promotions change.

To decide whether the card makes financial sense, compare the annual fee against the value of the sign-up bonus and the points you expect to earn in a year. If you fly Hawaiian Airlines infrequently or do not plan to use the card for everyday spending, the annual fee may outweigh the benefits.

Redeeming Points for Flights and Upgrades

Points are redeemed through the HawaiianMiles program for Hawaiian Airlines flights, seat upgrades, and partner airline tickets. You can redeem points directly on the Hawaiian Airlines website or by calling their reservations line. The number of points required for a flight depends on the route, travel date, and how far in advance you book.

Seat upgrades—from economy to premium cabin classes—can also be purchased with points. The cost in points varies by flight and cabin. You can use points to upgrade a ticket you purchased with cash or a ticket you booked with points.

Partner airlines and other redemption options may be available through the HawaiianMiles program, though the point values and availability differ from Hawaiian Airlines flights. Check the program's redemption chart on the Hawaiian Airlines website to see current rates before you book.

Card Benefits Beyond Points

The Hawaiian Airlines card includes a checked baggage discount, which typically waives the first checked bag fee for the cardholder and one companion on Hawaiian Airlines flights. This benefit applies to flights booked with the card or with HawaiianMiles points. The discount does not explore to basic economy fares on some routes, so review the terms before booking.

Priority boarding is another benefit, though it applies only to certain fare types. Basic economy fares may not may have access to for priority boarding even with the card. You should check your specific fare type at booking to confirm whether priority boarding is included.

The card may also offer other perks such as travel insurance, purchase protection, or access to airport lounges, depending on the current card version. These benefits change periodically, so review the full benefits guide on the Bank of Hawaii website or the Hawaiian Airlines website before opening an account.

How to Open and Manage Your Account

You can open a Hawaiian Airlines credit card account online through the Bank of Hawaii website or by visiting a Bank of Hawaii branch in person. The online process takes about 10 minutes and asks for your name, address, Social Security number, income, and employment information. Bank of Hawaii will run a hard inquiry on your credit report, which temporarily lowers your credit score by a few points.

You will receive a decision when ready or within a few business days. If you are approved, your card will arrive by mail within 7 to 10 business days. You must set up the card before using it, either by calling the number on the back of the card or through the Bank of Hawaii website.

Once your account is open, you can manage it online through your Bank of Hawaii account portal. You can view your balance, make payments, redeem points, and update your contact information. Payments can be made online, by phone, or by mail. The minimum payment is due on the date shown on your statement, typically 21 to 25 days after the statement closes.

Comparing the Hawaiian Airlines Card to Other Airline Cards

The Hawaiian Airlines card is one option among several airline credit cards. Other carriers offer co-branded cards with similar structures: a sign-up bonus, annual fee, points earning on all purchases, and airline-specific perks. The main differences are the earning rates, the annual fee amount, the sign-up bonus size, and the perks included.

If you fly Hawaiian Airlines exclusively or most of the time, the Hawaiian Airlines card makes sense because you earn bonus points on your most frequent purchase. If you split your flying between Hawaiian and other carriers, a general travel rewards card might offer better value because points can be redeemed with multiple airlines.

Before opening any airline card, calculate whether the annual fee is worth it based on your expected spending and travel frequency. A card with a higher annual fee but larger sign-up bonus and better earning rates may still be cheaper than a card with a lower fee if you do not use it enough to offset the cost.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens to my points if I close the card?

Your points are forfeited if your account closes. Points belong to the HawaiianMiles program, not the credit card account, but closing the card typically triggers account closure in the HawaiianMiles system as well. If you want to keep your points, you must keep the card open, even if you do not use it.

Can I transfer points to another person?

Points cannot be transferred between HawaiianMiles accounts. However, you can use your points to book a flight for someone else by purchasing a ticket in their name. The ticket is non-refundable but can usually be changed to a different date or passenger.

Do I earn points on the annual fee?

No. Annual fees and other card fees do not earn points. Only purchases of goods and services earn HawaiianMiles.

What credit score do I need to open this card?

Bank of Hawaii does not publish a minimum credit score requirement. Generally, airline cards require good to excellent credit, meaning a score of 670 or higher, though approval is not may provide at any score. Your actual approval depends on your full credit profile, income, and existing debts.

Can I use this card outside Hawaii?

Yes. The card works anywhere Visa is accepted, both in the mainland United States and internationally. You earn points on all purchases regardless of location. Foreign transactions may include a currency conversion fee, which is charged by Bank of Hawaii and does not earn points.