Kudos has partnered with CardRatings and Red Ventures for our coverage of credit card products. Kudos, CardRatings, and Red Ventures may receive a commission from card issuers. Kudos may receive commission from card issuers. Some of the card offers that appear on Kudos are from advertisers and may impact how and where card products appear on the site. Kudos tries to include as many card companies and offers as we are aware of, including offers from issuers that don't pay us, but we may not cover all card companies or all available card offers. You don't have to use our links, but we're grateful when you do!
Chase Freedom Flex vs Hawaiian Airlines World Elite: Which Is Better In 2025?
July 1, 2025
Editor's Picks
- The Chase Freedom Flex® is a versatile cash back card, ideal for maximizing rewards on rotating quarterly categories, dining, and drugstore purchases.
- The Hawaiian Airlines® World Elite Mastercard® is perfect for frequent flyers to Hawaii, offering companion ticket discounts and bonus miles on gas, dining, and grocery store purchases.
Chase Freedom Flex® Breakdown
[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "2883", "isExpanded": "true", "bestForCategoryId": "52", "bestForText": "No-Fee Card Seekers", "headerHint" : "No Annual Fee" } ]]
Why We Like It
Here’s a closer look at what makes the Chase Freedom Flex® a standout choice.
- It offers a powerful combination of 5% cash back on rotating quarterly categories, up to $1,500 in combined purchases per quarter upon activation, and fixed bonus rates on dining and drugstore purchases.
- For a card with no annual fee, it comes packed with valuable perks like a complimentary three-month DashPass subscription and cell phone protection.
- By maximizing the rotating 5% cash back categories each quarter, a cardholder can earn $300 back annually from that feature alone (publisher-formulated estimate).
Pros
- Offers flexible reward redemptions, allowing you to choose between straightforward cash back or converting your earnings into Chase Ultimate Rewards® points for potentially greater value when pooled with other Chase cards.
- Comes with a solid package of consumer benefits, including purchase protection and extended warranty protection, which add security to your spending.
Cons
- Cardholders must activate the rotating bonus categories each quarter to earn the top rewards rate.
- It’s not ideal for international travel, as it charges a foreign transaction fee.
- The highest cash back rewards rate is subject to a quarterly spending cap.
Hawaiian Airlines® World Elite Mastercard® Breakdown
[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "2297", "isExpanded": "false", "bestForCategoryId": "15", "bestForText": "Frequent Travelers", "headerHint": "Hawaiian Airlines Flyers"} ]]
Why We Like It
Here’s a closer look at why we think the Hawaiian Airlines® World Elite Mastercard® is a strong choice for frequent flyers to the Aloha State.
- The card offers valuable companion discounts, including a one-time 50% off a round-trip flight and an annual $100 discount thereafter.
- You can earn 2x miles on everyday purchases like gas, dining, and groceries, making it easy to accumulate rewards even when you're not traveling.
- The two free checked bags for the primary cardholder can save you $70 or more on a single round trip, nearly offsetting the card's $99 annual fee (publisher-formulated estimate).
Pros
- Offers valuable companion ticket discounts for travel between Hawaii and North America.
- Enjoy complimentary checked bags for the primary cardholder when booking directly with the airline.
- Earn bonus miles on everyday purchases like gas, dining, and groceries, with flexible redemption options and a partnership with JetBlue.
Cons
- Some of the card's main perks, like the companion discount and free checked bag, have significant limitations and don't fully extend to travel companions.
- Hawaiian Airlines has a limited number of nonstop routes to the U.S. mainland, which could mean inconvenient layovers for many travelers.
- While miles can be used for more than just flights, their redemption value can be lower for things like hotels and car rentals.
Hawaiian Airlines® World Elite Mastercard® vs Chase Freedom Flex®
Categories
When considering which is better Chase Freedom Flex or Hawaiian Airlines World Elite, the answer depends entirely on your spending habits and financial goals. Each card is designed for a different type of consumer, excelling in its own specific category.
- Chase Freedom Flex® - As a top-tier cash back card, this is an excellent choice for no-fee card seekers. It’s built for those who want to maximize rewards on everyday spending through a combination of rotating and fixed bonus categories.
- Hawaiian Airlines® World Elite Mastercard® - This is a classic airline credit card designed for travelers who frequently fly with Hawaiian Airlines. Its value comes from airline-specific benefits that reward brand loyalty.
Redemption
Chase Freedom Flex®: Rewards are earned as points that can be redeemed for cash back, travel, gift cards, and more. This flexibility makes it a versatile option for a wide range of redemption goals.
Hawaiian Airlines® World Elite Mastercard®: Miles earned with this card are primarily used for booking flights with Hawaiian Airlines and its partners. The redemption structure is designed to directly benefit loyal customers of the airline.
Travel Perks
- Chase Freedom Flex®:
- Travelers can book flights, hotels, and car rentals through the comprehensive Chase Ultimate Rewards® portal.
- This card includes a foreign transaction fee, making it less ideal for international travel.
- Airport lounge access is not a feature of this card.
- Hawaiian Airlines® World Elite Mastercard®:
- Cardholders redeem miles directly with Hawaiian Airlines for flights, rather than using a general travel portal.
- A key benefit for international travelers is that this card does not charge foreign transaction fees.
- This card does not offer complimentary airport lounge access.
Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos
For a data-driven approach, a financial companion like Kudos can help you compare top-rated cards using your own spending habits.
- Test drive a credit card: See exactly how much a new card could earn you based on your real spending data before you apply, with no impact on your credit score.
- Welcome offer guarantee: If you find a better public welcome offer for a card you got through Kudos within three months, Kudos will match it.
- Comprehensive approval odds: Get a detailed analysis of your chances of being approved for a card based on your credit report.
- Personalized recommendations: The platform provides card matching based on your spend history to help you maximize rewards.
Who Should Choose the Chase Freedom Flex®?
The Chase Freedom Flex® is an excellent choice for savvy spenders who enjoy maximizing rewards by taking advantage of rotating bonus categories. This card is particularly beneficial for those who frequently dine out or make drugstore purchases, as it offers elevated rewards in those areas. As detailed in this comprehensive review, it's also a powerful tool for users looking to pair it with other Chase cards to pool Ultimate Rewards® points.
Who Should Choose the Hawaiian Airlines® World Elite Mastercard®?
The Hawaiian Airlines® World Elite Mastercard® is primarily designed for individuals who regularly travel to or from Hawaii, especially those who fly with a companion. This card offers significant value through its companion ticket discounts and accelerated mileage earning on Hawaiian Airlines purchases. Beyond air travel, it also appeals to savvy spenders who want to accumulate miles on everyday purchases like gas, dining, and groceries, as detailed in NerdWallet's guide on five things to know about the card.
Alternatives to Consider
If this Chase Freedom Flex® vs. Hawaiian Airlines® World Elite Mastercard® comparison makes it clear that neither card is the right choice for your wallet, there are other excellent options to consider. We've highlighted a few alternatives that might better align with your spending habits and financial goals.
[[ COMPARE_CARD * {"ids": ["2894", "509"], "bestCategoryIds":["17", "18", "19"], "bestForTexts":["2% Cash Back", "Exceptional Value"]} ]]
Tips for Application Success
Before You Apply
- Check your credit score - Most rewards cards require a good to excellent credit score for approval.
- Plan for the welcome offer - Make sure you can meet the initial spending requirement without changing your normal habits.
- Know the issuer’s rules - Some issuers have application restrictions that could affect your eligibility.
Application Strategy
- Be mindful of application velocity rules - Some issuers, like Chase, may limit approvals based on how many cards you've recently opened.
- Understand co-branded card perks - Benefits on airline or hotel cards often require booking directly with the partner to receive them.
- Look for elevated welcome offers - Be patient and try different channels to find the best available bonus for your chosen card.
Our Methodology
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.
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
Can I transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards points to Hawaiian Airlines?
Yes, Hawaiian Airlines is a transfer partner of the Chase Ultimate Rewards program. To transfer points earned with your Chase Freedom Flex®, you will need a premium Chase card like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card or Chase Sapphire Reserve®.
Which card is better for everyday spending?
The Chase Freedom Flex® is generally better for everyday spending due to its rotating 5% cash back categories and bonus rewards on dining and drugstore purchases. The Hawaiian Airlines® World Elite Mastercard® primarily rewards spending on Hawaiian Airlines flights.
Does the Hawaiian Airlines card come with elite status?
The Hawaiian Airlines® World Elite Mastercard® does not automatically grant Pualani Elite status. However, cardmembers can earn elite qualifying flight segments by meeting certain annual spending thresholds on the card.
Unlock your extra benefits when you become a Kudos member
Turn your online shopping into even more rewards
Join over 400,000 members simplifying their finances
Editorial Disclosure: Opinions expressed here are those of Kudos alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
.webp)
.webp)
.webp)
.webp)
