Southwest Rapid 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 why we think the Hawaiian Airlines® World Elite Mastercard® is a strong choice for island-bound travelers.

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• The card offers accelerated miles on Hawaiian Airlines purchases and on everyday spending categories like gas, dining, and groceries.
• While it comes with an annual fee (See Rates & Fees), it also includes valuable perks like companion ticket discounts and no foreign transaction fees.
• The two free checked bags benefit for the primary cardholder can offset most of the annual fee with just one round trip (publisher-formulated estimate).

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Pros

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• Includes valuable companion ticket discounts for travel between Hawaii and North America.
• Offers free checked bags for the primary cardholder on Hawaiian Airlines flights and charges no foreign transaction fees.
• Earns bonus miles on everyday spending categories like gas, dining, and groceries, not just on airfare.

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Cons

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• The card has an annual fee, which may not be suitable for travelers who don't fly Hawaiian Airlines often enough to maximize the benefits.
• Its rewards structure and perks are most valuable for those who frequently travel to and from Hawaii, limiting its appeal for general travelers.
• Key benefits, including the companion discount and free checked bags, come with notable restrictions that can limit their value.

Hawaiian Airlines® World Elite Mastercard® vs Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier

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Categories

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When deciding which is better Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier or Hawaiian Airlines World Elite, it's important to first understand what type of card each one is and who it's designed for.

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• Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier: This is a mid-tier airline credit card designed for semifrequent Southwest flyers. It offers a balance of perks for travelers who want some benefits without committing to a premium card.
• Hawaiian Airlines® World Elite Mastercard®: This is an airline credit card created for frequent travelers to and from Hawaii on Hawaiian Airlines. It's also a good fit for those looking for travel rewards and companion ticket benefits.

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Redemption

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Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier: Points earned with this card are primarily redeemed for flights on Southwest Airlines. Redemptions are also available for other travel, like hotels and car rentals, through the airline's portal.

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Hawaiian Airlines® World Elite Mastercard®: Miles are best used for booking award flights on Hawaiian Airlines, including to the neighbor islands and the mainland. Cardholders can also redeem miles for flight upgrades and travel with partner airlines.

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Travel Perks

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• Foreign Transaction Fees: Both the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier card and the Hawaiian Airlines® World Elite Mastercard® are solid choices for international travel, as neither charges a foreign transaction fee on purchases made abroad.
• Companion Travel: The Hawaiian Airlines® World Elite Mastercard® includes a companion ticket offer for travel between Hawaii and North America. The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier card, on the other hand, allows you to earn points that count toward the Southwest Companion Pass®, which lets a designated companion fly with you for only the cost of taxes and fees.
• Airline-Specific Perks: Cardholders of the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier receive anniversary bonus points and two EarlyBird Check-In® credits each year. The Hawaiian Airlines® World Elite Mastercard® provides a free first checked bag for the primary cardmember when flying with the airline.
• Lounge Access: If airport lounge access is a priority, you'll need to look elsewhere. Neither of these cards includes complimentary lounge access as a benefit.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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To make sure you're choosing the right card for your spending habits, a tool like Kudos can help you compare top-rated cards side-by-side.

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• Test drive a credit card before you apply, using your real spending data to see personalized projections of your potential earnings.
• Get matched with cards that will earn you the most rewards based on your actual spending history.
• Understand your chances of approval with a detailed analysis based on your credit report.
• Earn extra rewards with Kudos Boost when shopping at your favorite stores, which stack on top of your regular credit card rewards.
• Take advantage of a welcome offer guarantee, where Kudos will match a better offer if you find one within three months of applying.
• Manage all your cards in one place, track spending, and monitor transactions to stay on top of your finances.

Who Should Choose the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier?

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The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card is tailored for semi-frequent to frequent Southwest Airlines flyers who want to earn Rapid Rewards points and value airline-specific travel perks. As a mid-tier card, it offers a solid balance between its annual fee and benefits, making it ideal for those seeking more than the entry-level Plus card but not needing all the features of the top-tier Priority card. According to a full card review, typical users leverage the card to earn points toward the Companion Pass or A-List status while enjoying day-of-travel benefits.

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

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The Hawaiian Airlines® World Elite Mastercard® is tailor-made for individuals who regularly travel to or from Hawaii, especially those who fly with a companion. Its value is most apparent through benefits like a one-time 50% companion discount and an annual $100 companion ticket discount, which directly reward paired travel. Beyond these perks, the card appeals to those looking to earn miles on everyday purchases like gas and groceries, not just flights, and take advantage of two free checked bags, as detailed in NerdWallet’s review.

Alternatives to Consider

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After reviewing the Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier vs Hawaiian Airlines World Elite comparison, you may feel that neither card is the perfect choice for you. Fortunately, there are other compelling travel credit cards to consider that could offer more value for your specific travel patterns.

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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 - Most rewards cards require good to excellent credit for approval.
• Review application rules - Be aware of issuer-specific restrictions, like Chase's 5/24 rule, that could affect your eligibility.
• Align benefits with your lifestyle - Ensure the card’s perks, like companion tickets or free checked bags, match your travel habits.

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Application Strategy

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• Time your application - Apply before a large planned purchase to help meet spending requirements for a welcome offer.
• Know the issuer rules - Be mindful of policies like Chase's 5/24 rule which can lead to an automatic denial.
• Understand benefit requirements - Some perks, like free checked bags, may require purchasing directly with the airline.

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 domestic US travel?

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The Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Card is generally the superior choice for domestic travel within the contiguous U.S. due to Southwest's extensive route network. In contrast, the Hawaiian Airlines World Elite Mastercard is more specialized for travelers focusing on flights to, from, and between the Hawaiian islands.

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What are the companion pass options for these cards?

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Southwest offers its famous Companion Pass after earning a high threshold of qualifying points, which allows a designated companion to fly for only the cost of taxes and fees. The Hawaiian Airlines card provides an annual $100 discount on a companion ticket for roundtrip travel between Hawaii and North America after you meet a spending requirement.

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Can I transfer points from other loyalty programs to Southwest or Hawaiian?

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Yes, both airlines partner with major flexible rewards programs. You can transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards points to Southwest Rapid Rewards, and American Express Membership Rewards points to the Hawaiian Airlines HawaiianMiles program.

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