How to Get the Most From the Hawaiian Airlines World Elite Mastercard

Use your card for companion fare discounts and travel perks to get the most out of this airline credit card.
Christie Olsen
By Christie Olsen 
Published
Edited by Mary M. Flory

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Hawaiian Airlines and Barclays Bank offer travelers a co-branded credit card that can get you on the fast track to the Aloha State. The Hawaiian Airlines® World Elite Mastercard® offers unique perks and rewards and is a great option for travelers who live near one of the 13 mainland airports that offer service to Hawaii and for islanders who regularly fly to the mainland, South Pacific or Asia.

Here are the top ways to get the most out of the Hawaiian Airlines® World Elite Mastercard®.

Earn the 50,000 bonus miles

Barclays is currently offering the following bonus: Earn 70,000 bonus miles after spending $2,000 on purchases in the first 90 days.. The annual fee is $99. If you plan to maximize the benefits of the card, the cost is worth it.

Fly with a companion

Some of the best perks of this card include companion discounts.

  • One-time 50% off companion discount: When you open your account, you will receive a one-time 50% discount toward a full coach round-trip fare for a companion. The offer is good for 13 months after the account is open and must be booked directly through Hawaiian Airlines. It is valid only for travel between Hawaii and North America and may not be used for neighboring island flights or international flights.

  • $100 companion discount: After every account anniversary, cardholders will receive an annual $100 discount for round-trip coach travel between Hawaii and the mainland.

Take advantage of the travel perks

Travel in style with discounted award travel, no foreign transaction fees, complimentary professional travel services, airport concierge services and upgrades on car, air and vacation packages.

As the primary cardholder, you’ll also qualify for a free checked bag when you use your card to purchase tickets directly from Hawaiian Airlines. Unfortunately, this offer does not apply to your travel companions.

This year, the card has new benefits, including the Mastercard Hotel Stay Guarantee. If your 3-star or higher-rated hotel is not working out, you’ll receive assistance from a Lifestyle Manager to help make things right. Another new perk includes the Lowest Rate Guarantee, where you’ll receive a refund for the difference if your prepaid hotel rate drops in price.

Capitalize on Mastercard benefits

Take advantage of the benefits travelers have come to expect from World Elite Mastercards, such as the Mastercard ID Theft Protection, Cell Phone Protection, Zero Liability Protection and Global Emergency Services.

Other benefits of this World Elite Mastercard include:

  • Lyft rides: Take five rides in a month and get a $10 credit once a month.

  • Boxed rewards: Earn 5% Cash Rewards to use on future Boxed purchases.

  • Postmates credit: Get $5 off every purchase of $25 or more when you use your card to place an order.

  • Free ShopRunner membership: Members currently receive free two-day shipping and free return shipping on purchases made with your card.

  • Fandango benefits: Get $5 off future movie tickets or at-home purchases for every two movie tickets purchased.

  • Onefinestay savings: Save 10% on rental homes and villas in major cities worldwide.

Become a Pualani Elite Member

For frequent Hawaiian Airlines travelers, you will receive additional benefits when you become a Pualani Elite member. Fly 20,000 miles with Hawaiian to become a Gold member and 40,000 miles to achieve Pualani Platinum status. Gold and Platinum members not only receive special treatment, but Hawaiian Airlines® World Elite Mastercard® holders are eligible to receive an in-flight purchase credit of $10 per day and up to $100 per year. The credit may be used to cover onboard entertainment, beverages and premium meals from the Pau Hana cart.

Share your miles

The Hawaiian Airlines® World Elite Mastercard® is one of the few airline cards that allow cardholders to share miles with friends and family at no cost. This unique benefit will let you transfer miles back and forth from another HawaiianMiles program member without a transaction fee or charge per mile. There’s no cap on the number of miles you can transfer, and you can share miles up to 10 times per calendar year.

Shop with your card to earn miles

Rack up rewards points when you shop with your card. There’s no limit to the miles you can earn as long as your account is open and in good standing. Cardholders will earn:

  • 3x HawaiianMiles for every dollar spent on eligible purchases made directly from Hawaiian Airlines.

  • 2x HawaiianMiles on gas, dining and grocery store purchases.

  • 1x HawaiianMiles on all other purchases made with your card.

  • Bonus miles when you shop online at the HawaiianMiles Marketplace.


How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2024, including those best for:

Travel Cards from Our Partners
Chase Sapphire Preferred Credit Card

on Chase's website

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
5.0
NerdWallet Rating
Rewards rate

1x-5x

5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases.

Points

Intro offer

60,000

Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

Points
Chase Freedom Unlimited Credit Card

on Chase's website

Chase Freedom Unlimited®
5.0
NerdWallet Rating
Rewards rate

1.5%-6.5%

Enjoy 6.5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel; 4.5% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and 3% on all other purchases (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year). After your first year or $20,000 spent, enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.

Cashback

Intro offer

$300

Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) - worth up to $300 cash back!

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

on Capital One's website

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
4.7
NerdWallet Rating
Rewards rate

2x-5x

Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day. Earn 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options.

Miles

Intro offer

75,000

Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel.

Miles
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