IHG One Rewards Premier 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 closer look at what makes the Hawaiian Airlines® World Elite Mastercard® a compelling choice for frequent flyers to the Aloha State.

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• The card offers elevated rewards on everyday spending categories like gas, dining, and groceries, not just on Hawaiian Airlines purchases.
• While it comes with an annual fee, it waives foreign transaction fees and provides valuable companion ticket discounts.
• Cardholders can offset the annual fee by using the two free checked bags benefit on just one round-trip flight (publisher-formulated estimate).

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Pros

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• Offers a valuable companion ticket discount for travel between Hawaii and North America.
• Cardholders earn bonus miles on everyday spending categories, including gas, dining, and groceries.
• No foreign transaction fees on purchases made outside the United States.

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Cons

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• Comes with an annual fee.
• 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.
• Major benefits like the free checked bags and companion discount come with significant restrictions.

Hawaiian Airlines® World Elite Mastercard® vs IHG One Rewards Premier

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Categories

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Deciding which is better, IHG One Rewards Premier or Hawaiian Airlines World Elite, comes down to your specific travel patterns and priorities. One card is built for hotel loyalists, while the other caters to those frequently flying to a specific island destination.

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• IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card is best for frequent travelers who regularly stay at IHG Hotels & Resorts. It is particularly suited for those who value hotel elite status and take longer hotel stays to maximize rewards.
• Hawaiian Airlines® World Elite Mastercard® is ideal for individuals who travel to or from Hawaii often, especially with a companion. The card is most valuable for those seeking companion ticket discounts and benefits on everyday spending categories.

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Redemption

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IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card: Points earned with this card are primarily redeemed for stays across IHG's extensive portfolio of hotels and resorts. Cardholders can use their points for reward nights, effectively reducing the cost of their hotel stays.

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Hawaiian Airlines® World Elite Mastercard®: Miles are redeemed for flights on Hawaiian Airlines, which can be particularly valuable for trips to, from, and between the Hawaiian Islands. The card also offers benefits like companion discounts on airfare.

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Travel Perks

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• Foreign Transaction Fees: Both cards are excellent choices for international travel, as neither charges foreign transaction fees on purchases made abroad.
• Loyalty Status & Perks: The primary distinction is in their loyalty ecosystems. The IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card automatically grants cardholders IHG One Rewards Platinum Elite status, which comes with perks like complimentary room upgrades, late check-out, and an anniversary free night. In contrast, the Hawaiian Airlines® World Elite Mastercard® is centered on flight benefits, offering a one-time companion discount, an annual companion discount, and a free first checked bag for the primary cardmember on Hawaiian Airlines flights.
• Airport Expediting Programs: The IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card provides a statement credit for the application fee for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or NEXUS, a benefit not offered by the Hawaiian Airlines card.
• Lounge Access: Neither card offers complimentary membership to a broad airport lounge network like Priority Pass. Their travel benefits are focused on other areas.
• Redemption Value: While both cards use their respective brand portals for redemption, the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card offers a significant advantage for longer stays: a fourth reward night free when you redeem points for a consecutive four-night stay.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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For a more personalized comparison, a tool like Kudos can help by analyzing your spending habits to find the best card for you.

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• Test drive a credit card: Simulate potential earnings from different credit cards using your real spending data before you apply, giving you a clear projection of annual rewards.
• Personalized recommendations: Receive card recommendations based on your actual transaction history, not generic advice.
• Exclusive benefits: Access member benefits like a welcome offer guarantee, detailed approval odds based on your credit report, and a $100 Kickstart+ reward for adding eligible cards.
• Sign-up incentives: Get a $20 bonus after making an eligible purchase of $30 or more with the code GET20.
• Maximize rewards: Stack rewards by letting Kudos automatically select the best card in your wallet at checkout.

Who Should Choose the IHG One Rewards Premier?

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This card is tailor-made for loyalists of IHG brands—like Holiday Inn, InterContinental, and Kimpton—who can maximize its value. Travelers who appreciate the perks of automatic Platinum Elite status and can leverage the fourth-night-free benefit on award stays will find it especially rewarding. For many, the annual free night alone justifies the annual fee, making it a clear winner for frequent guests.

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

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The Hawaiian Airlines® World Elite Mastercard® is best suited for individuals who frequently travel to or from Hawaii, particularly those who often fly with a companion. These travelers can maximize value through the card's companion ticket discounts, free checked bags for the primary cardholder, and accelerated mileage earning on gas, dining, and grocery purchases. Ultimately, the card offers the most benefits to loyal Hawaiian Airlines customers who can take full advantage of its travel-centric perks and redemption options, as detailed in a NerdWallet review.

Alternatives to Consider

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If neither option in our IHG One Rewards Premier vs. Hawaiian Airlines® World Elite Mastercard® comparison strikes the right chord, other travel cards might be a better match. Let's look at a few alternatives that could be a perfect fit for your wallet.

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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.}

Tips for Application Success

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Before You Apply

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• Check your credit score to ensure you meet the general requirements for approval.
• Review the card’s benefits and confirm they align with your travel and spending habits.
• Understand issuer-specific rules that may impact your eligibility for a new card or welcome offer.

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Application Strategy

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• Be mindful of issuer-specific policies, like limits on the number of cards you've recently opened.
• Apply before a large planned purchase to help meet the spending requirement for a welcome offer.
• Evaluate if the card's ongoing perks, such as companion fares or elite status, match your travel habits.

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 points between IHG One Rewards and HawaiianMiles?

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No, you cannot directly transfer points between the IHG One Rewards program and the HawaiianMiles program. Each card earns rewards exclusively for its respective loyalty program.

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Which card offers better travel protections?

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Both cards offer a range of travel protections, but the specific benefits can differ. You should review each card's guide to benefits to see which one better aligns with your travel habits and needs.

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Do I need to fly to Hawaii often to benefit from the Hawaiian Airlines card?

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While the Hawaiian Airlines World Elite Mastercard is most valuable for those who frequently fly with the airline, its benefits can still be useful for occasional travelers. The card also earns miles on everyday purchases that can be redeemed for future flights.

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