Chase Sapphire Reserve vs Hawaiian Airlines World Elite: Which Is Better In 2025?

Hawaiian Airlines® World Elite Mastercard® Breakdown

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Why We Like It

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Here's a quick breakdown of why we're fans of the Hawaiian Airlines® World Elite Mastercard®.

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• The card offers valuable companion fare discounts, including a one-time 50% off coupon and an annual $100 discount, which can easily offset the annual fee.
• You'll earn 2x miles on everyday purchases like gas, dining, and groceries, making it easy to rack up rewards even when you're not traveling.
• With two free checked bags for the primary cardholder on Hawaiian Airlines flights, you could save over $70 on a single round trip, nearly covering the card's $99 annual fee in one go (publisher-formulated estimate).

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Pros

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• Offers significant companion travel discounts for flights between North America and Hawaii.
• Earns bonus miles on common spending categories like gas, dining, and groceries, not just on airline purchases.
• Cardholders receive a free checked bag allowance on Hawaiian Airlines flights and pay no foreign transaction fees.

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Cons

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• The card’s value is heavily tied to flying with Hawaiian Airlines, making it less suitable for travelers who aren’t loyal to the airline or its routes.
• Some key benefits, such as the checked bag allowance, only apply to the primary cardholder and not to travel companions.
• It comes with an annual fee and lacks some premium perks like airport lounge access that are sometimes found on competing travel cards.

Hawaiian Airlines® World Elite Mastercard® vs Chase Sapphire Reserve®

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Categories

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Deciding which is better, Chase Sapphire Reserve or Hawaiian Airlines World Elite, depends entirely on your travel habits and spending patterns. One is a premium travel card with broad benefits, while the other is tailored for a specific airline and destination.

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• Chase Sapphire Reserve® is a premium travel rewards card designed for frequent travelers. It offers a wide range of benefits that can be maximized by those who travel often and value comprehensive travel protections.
• Hawaiian Airlines® World Elite Mastercard® is an airline-specific card best suited for those who frequently fly to or from Hawaii. Its perks are most valuable for loyal Hawaiian Airlines customers, especially those who travel with a companion.

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Redemption

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Chase Sapphire Reserve®: Points are highly flexible, offering redemptions for travel through the Chase portal, transfers to various airline and hotel partners, or cash back. This versatility makes them valuable for travelers who aren't loyal to a single airline.

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Hawaiian Airlines® World Elite Mastercard®: Miles are primarily redeemed for flights on Hawaiian Airlines and its partners. This is ideal for travelers who frequently fly to and from the Hawaiian Islands and want to earn award flights on that specific airline.

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Travel Perks

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• Chase Sapphire Reserve®: This card offers a comprehensive travel ecosystem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®. Key benefits include access to a flexible travel portal, a complimentary Priority Pass™ Select membership that grants entry to a global network of airport lounges, and a flexible annual travel credit. The card also has no foreign transaction fees. It's important to note that points on travel purchases are earned only after the annual travel credit has been fully used.
• Hawaiian Airlines® World Elite Mastercard®: This card’s travel ecosystem is built around the airline itself. While it lacks a general travel portal, it provides significant value for Hawaiian Airlines flyers, such as a one-time companion discount on roundtrip flights and free first checked bags. The card also features no foreign transaction fees, but its lounge access benefits are generally limited to specific airline club offers rather than a broad network.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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To make the right choice, a tool like Kudos can help you compare top-rated cards using your own spending data.

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• Test drive credit cards using your real spending data to see personalized earnings projections before you apply.
• Receive a detailed analysis of your approval odds based on your credit report.
• Earn additional rewards on top of your credit card rewards when you shop at your favorite stores.
• Track your progress toward credit card sign-up bonuses for free.
• Get personally matched with cards that will earn you the most based on your spending history.

Who Should Choose the Chase Sapphire Reserve®?

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The Chase Sapphire Reserve® is tailored for frequent travelers and high-spenders who can fully leverage its premium benefits to justify the annual fee. This persona includes individuals who will maximize the $300 annual travel credit, value unlimited airport lounge access, and want robust travel protections. It's an excellent fit for points enthusiasts who transfer rewards to airline and hotel partners for elevated value, as a Chase Sapphire Reserve review details.

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

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According to an in-depth look at the card, the Hawaiian Airlines® World Elite Mastercard® is primarily designed for individuals who frequently travel to and from Hawaii, particularly those who often fly with a companion. Cardholders can maximize value through benefits like the annual companion ticket discount and by earning 3 miles per dollar on eligible Hawaiian Airlines purchases. Beyond flights, the card also appeals to everyday spenders by offering 2 miles per dollar on gas, dining, and grocery store purchases, making it a well-rounded choice for those loyal to the airline.

Alternatives to Consider

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If our Chase Sapphire Reserve® vs Hawaiian Airlines® World Elite Mastercard® comparison has you thinking neither card is the right fit, don't worry. There are plenty of other excellent travel rewards cards to consider.

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Tips for Application Success

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Before You Apply

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• Check your credit score: Most premium cards require a good to excellent credit history for approval.
• Plan your spending: Ensure you can naturally meet any minimum spending requirements for the welcome offer.
• Understand the benefits: Research the card’s perks and any enrollment requirements to make sure they fit your lifestyle.

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Application Strategy

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• Time your application: Apply before a large planned purchase to help meet any spending requirements.
• Know the issuer's rules: Be aware of any application restrictions, such as Chase's 5/24 rule, before you apply.
• Call for reconsideration: If your application isn't instantly approved, you can call the issuer to have them review it again.

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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Can I transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards points to Hawaiian Airlines?

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Yes, Chase Ultimate Rewards points can be transferred to the Hawaiian Airlines HawaiianMiles program, typically at a 1:1 ratio. This gives Chase Sapphire Reserve® cardholders a flexible way to book award flights on Hawaiian Airlines.

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Which card offers better lounge access?

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The Chase Sapphire Reserve® includes a complimentary Priority Pass Select membership, which offers access to a global network of over 1,300 lounges. In contrast, the lounge benefits associated with the Hawaiian Airlines World Elite card are typically more limited.

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What kind of welcome bonus does each card typically offer?

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Both cards usually feature welcome bonuses for new cardmembers after meeting a minimum spending requirement within the first few months. The Chase Sapphire Reserve® offers a bonus in Ultimate Rewards points, while the Hawaiian Airlines card's bonus is awarded in HawaiianMiles.

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