Hawaiian Airlines Credit Card Review
Key Takeaways
The 60,000 welcome bonus, combined with the 50% companion discount, can significantly reduce the cost of a trip to Hawaii. You may have enough points for multiple flights, inter-island travel, or even premium cabin redemptions depending on timing. If you visit Hawaii regularly, the ongoing perks can justify the $99 annual fee, making this a potential long-term keeper.
Why This Card Could Be Right For You
You can earn a pretty good 60,000 point welcome bonus with this card, requiring only $1,000 in spending during the first 90 days of card ownership. Another significant benefit is the one-time 50% off companion discount for a roundtrip coach flight between Hawaii and North America. This benefit remains valid for 13 months from account opening, making it particularly valuable if you're planning a trip to Hawaii with someone else within the next year.
With the merger of Hawaiian and Alaska Airlines, all points earned with this card are Atmos Rewards, which is the combined loyalty program for both airlines. Points can be used for flights on either airline or their partners.
The card has a $99 annual fee, but for those who fly to Hawaii annually, keeping the card may make sense for these ongoing benefits:
- Two free checked bags on eligible flights
- $100 companion discount annually (for roundtrip travel between Hawaii and North America or roundtrip North America coach travel on Alaska Airlines operated flights)
- 3x miles on eligible Hawaiian Airline purchases
- 2x miles on gas, dining, and grocery store purchases
- 1x miles on everything else
- Share Miles feature allowing you to send and receive Hawaiian Miles from family and friends
When The Usual Advice Doesn't Apply
This card might not be suitable if:
- You don't have a definite trip to Hawaii planned
- You're traveling to Hawaii alone, which would make the companion discount benefit unused
What to Know About Atmos Rewards
Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines have some great sweet spots, but understanding their award charts is key.
- A key factor in their value is whether either airline flies from your home airport.
- Alaska often has the best pricing available for international business class. Using an award search tool will help maximize.
- Their award chart also allows for some great finds on short-haul domestic flights.
- The one downfall of the program is that only Bilt and Marriott are transfer partners, making collecting points or topping up more difficult
- One-way award tickets with a stopover allows you to visit two destinations for the price of one.
How The Hawaiian Airlines Credit Card Fits In The Atmos Rewards Ecosystem
This is Hawaiian Airlines’ only personal co-branded card. There is also a Hawaiian Airlines Business card, which can make sense if you’ve reached your 5/24 limit.
- Business Card Comparison: The business version offers a lower bonus (50,000) with a higher spending requirement ($4,000 vs. $1,000). It has the same $99 annual fee and includes the 50% companion discount, but lacks free checked bags and the $100 annual companion discount.
- Limited Upside: The business card’s only unique perk is the ability to earn 40,000 bonus miles after $50,000 in spend, which we do not find compelling compared to earning multiple sign-up bonuses with less spend.
Hawaiian and Alaska now share the Atmos Rewards program. Points earned with this card can be used across both airlines and their partners. Alaska also offers multiple cards that earn Atmos points, giving you additional ways to build your balance.
Card Information
Bonus Extra
Differentiating Perks
Rules
Card Extras
No extras to display for this card.
Historical Card Offers
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Estimated Next Offer
Hawaiian Airlines Application Rules
Barclay will deny you for a seventh card if you have opened six new personal cards in the past 24 months.
Card approval not subject to 5-personal-cards-in-24-months rule
You're more likely to be declined on a Barclay application if you currently have a Barclay card that has not been used in the past 6 months
