Capital One Quicksilver vs Hawaiian Airlines World Elite: Which Is Better In 2026?

Hawaiian Airlines® World Elite Mastercard® Breakdown

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Why We Like It

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Here’s a closer look at why we recommend the Hawaiian Airlines® World Elite Mastercard®.

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• The card offers valuable benefits for those who frequently travel to Hawaii with a companion.
• Cardholders can earn rewards on everyday spending categories in addition to airline purchases.
• A partnership with JetBlue and flexible redemption options provide added versatility for travelers.

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Pros

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• Annual companion ticket discount for travel between Hawaii and North America.
• Earn bonus miles on eligible airline purchases and in everyday spending categories.
• Flexible redemption options and a partnership with JetBlue provide more ways to use your miles.

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Cons

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• The card has an annual fee and is most valuable for travelers who frequently fly Hawaiian Airlines’ routes.
• Key benefits, including the companion ticket discount and free checked bag allowance, come with significant restrictions.

Hawaiian Airlines® World Elite Mastercard® vs Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards

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Categories

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Deciding which is better, Capital One Quicksilver or Hawaiian Airlines World Elite, depends entirely on your spending habits and travel goals. These cards cater to different types of users, from those who prefer straightforward cash back to frequent flyers loyal to a specific airline.

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• Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card - This card is best for earning simple, flat-rate cash back on all your everyday purchases. It's ideal for users who value simplicity and don't want to track different spending categories.
• Hawaiian Airlines® World Elite Mastercard® - This card is designed for frequent travelers to Hawaii who want to earn airline-specific miles and enjoy travel perks. It's particularly useful for those who travel with a companion and want to maximize rewards on Hawaiian Airlines flights.

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Redemption

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Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card: Rewards are earned as cash back, which you can redeem at any time and for any amount. You can get your rewards as a statement credit or a check, offering simple and flexible options.

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Hawaiian Airlines® World Elite Mastercard®: Miles are redeemed through the HawaiianMiles program for award flights on Hawaiian Airlines and its partners. You can also use miles for flight upgrades, hotel stays, car rentals, and merchandise.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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To make the best choice, a tool like Kudos can help you compare thousands of credit cards based on your personal spending habits, not just the ones with affiliate links.

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• Test drive credit cards: Before you apply, you can simulate your potential earnings with a new card using your actual spending data, giving you a personalized rewards projection without a hard credit pull.
• Personalized card matching: Get matched with cards that are most likely to maximize your earnings based on your transaction history.
• Approval odds analysis: Understand your chances of being approved for different cards with a detailed analysis based on your credit report.
• Welcome offer guarantee: If you find a better public welcome offer within three months of approval, Kudos will match it.
• Kudos Boost: Earn extra rewards on top of what your credit card offers when you shop at participating stores through Kudos.

Who Should Choose the Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards?

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The Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card is an excellent choice for individuals who prioritize straightforward value over complex reward strategies. Its unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase makes it ideal for everyday spenders who don't want to track rotating categories, and the absence of foreign transaction fees adds significant value for those who travel abroad. Ultimately, this card is best suited for the set-it-and-forget-it consumer who wants a no-annual-fee card that consistently earns rewards on all spending without any extra effort.

Who Should Choose the Hawaiian Airlines® World Elite Mastercard®?

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The Hawaiian Airlines® World Elite Mastercard® is a strong choice for frequent travelers to and from the Aloha State, particularly those who often fly with a companion. Its value is most apparent for users who can take advantage of the companion fare discounts and earn bonus miles on everyday spending categories like gas, dining, and groceries. Ultimately, the card best serves loyal Hawaiian Airlines customers or those who can leverage the JetBlue partnership to maximize their travel rewards between Hawaii and North America.

Alternatives to Consider

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If our Capital One Quicksilver vs Hawaiian Airlines World Elite comparison has led you to the conclusion that neither card is right for you, you're in the right place. Let's explore a few other cards that might be a better match for your financial goals.

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_{Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.}

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Tips for Application Success

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Before You Apply

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• Check your credit score - Most rewards cards require good to excellent credit for approval.
• Plan for the welcome offer - Make sure you can meet the minimum spending requirement without overspending.
• Understand the benefits - Know how you'll use the card's unique perks and redemption options.

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Application Strategy

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• Know the issuer's rules, as some may pull your credit report from all three bureaus.
• Time your application to coincide with large planned purchases to help meet spending requirements.
• Understand the approval process, as some issuers let you accept or decline an offer before a hard inquiry.

Our Methodology

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We evaluate nearly 3,000 credit cards across the U.S. market — far more than the ~150 cards commonly featured on sites that focus only on products tied to affiliate commissions. Our goal is to provide a comprehensive, unbiased view of the credit card landscape so you can make confident, data-driven decisions.

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Our editorial team combines deep industry experience with rigorous verification standards. While our experts surface the most relevant recommendations in our guides, you can also explore the full dataset yourself through our card explorer tool, which includes thousands of cards — more than 95% of which do not provide us with commissions.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Which card is better for everyday spending?

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The Capital One Quicksilver is generally better for everyday spending, as it offers a flat rate of 1.5% cash back on every purchase. The Hawaiian Airlines card's rewards are more focused on travel-related spending with Hawaiian Airlines.

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Is the Capital One Quicksilver a good card for international travel?

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Yes, the Capital One Quicksilver can be a good choice for international travel because it charges no foreign transaction fees. This feature allows you to make purchases abroad without incurring extra charges.

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How does the Hawaiian Airlines World Elite Mastercard's companion discount work?

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Cardholders receive a one-time 50% discount on a companion ticket for roundtrip coach travel between Hawaii and North America. After your first year, you can receive a $100 discount on a companion ticket annually.

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