Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority vs Hawaiian Airlines World Elite: Which Is Better In 2025?

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 what makes the Hawaiian Airlines® World Elite Mastercard® a compelling choice.

‍

• You'll earn 3X miles on eligible Hawaiian Airlines purchases and 2X miles on gas, dining, and grocery store purchases.
• The card has an annual fee (See Rates & Fees) but no foreign transaction fees, making it a good option for international travel.
• With two free checked bags on a single round-trip flight, you could save enough to nearly cover the annual fee (publisher-formulated estimate).

‍

Pros

‍

• Earns bonus miles on everyday spending categories, including gas, dining, and groceries, in addition to Hawaiian Airlines purchases.
• Offers valuable companion travel discounts and free checked bag benefits for the primary cardholder.
• Provides travel flexibility with no foreign transaction fees and access to an expanded route network through an airline partnership.

‍

Cons

‍

• The card’s value is concentrated for travelers who frequently fly to Hawaii, as the airline has a limited nonstop route network from the U.S. mainland.
• Key benefits, including the companion discount and free checked bags, come with significant restrictions and don’t extend to everyone in your travel party.
• Redeeming miles for non-flight rewards like hotels or car rentals may not provide the best value.

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

‍

Categories

‍

Deciding which is better, Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority or Hawaiian Airlines World Elite, comes down to your travel habits and airline loyalty. Both cards offer compelling perks for frequent flyers, but they cater to very different types of travelers.

‍

• Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card: This card is built for dedicated Southwest flyers. It provides the most value to those who are loyal to the airline and want to maximize rewards and benefits on their flights.
• Hawaiian Airlines® World Elite Mastercard®: As an airline-specific card, this is a strong option for individuals who regularly travel to or from Hawaii. It is especially beneficial for those who tend to travel with a companion.

‍

Redemption

‍

Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card: Points earned with this card are redeemed through the Southwest Rapid Rewards program, primarily for flights on Southwest Airlines. You can also use points for other travel-related purchases, though the best value is typically found in airfare.

‍

Hawaiian Airlines® World Elite Mastercard®: Miles are redeemed through the HawaiianMiles program for flights on Hawaiian Airlines and its partners. A key feature is the ability to receive a companion discount, making it particularly valuable for those traveling with another person.

‍

Travel Perks

‍

• Foreign Transaction Fees: Both the Hawaiian Airlines® World Elite Mastercard® and the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card are well-suited for international travel, as neither charges foreign transaction fees on purchases made abroad.
• Airport Lounge Access: A notable travel perk missing from both cards is complimentary airport lounge access. This benefit is more commonly associated with general-purpose premium travel cards rather than these specific airline-affiliated options.
• Travel Ecosystem: Each card operates exclusively within its co-branded airline's ecosystem. Cardholders book travel directly through the respective loyalty program—the HawaiianMiles program for the Hawaiian Airlines card and the Rapid Rewards program for the Southwest card—instead of a broader, multi-airline travel portal.

‍

Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

‍

To make the right choice, you can use a tool like Kudos to compare top-rated cards based on your own spending habits.

‍

• Test drive credit cards using your real spending data to see personalized reward projections before you apply.
• Get a detailed analysis of your approval odds based on your credit report.
• Receive personalized card recommendations based on your unique spending history.
• Take advantage of a welcome offer guarantee, where Kudos will match a better offer if you find one within three months.
• Earn extra rewards through Kudos Boost on top of your credit card rewards when shopping at your favorite stores.

Who Should Choose the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority?

‍

The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card is tailor-made for frequent Southwest flyers who can fully leverage the annual travel credit and upgraded boarding perks. It's also an excellent tool for loyal customers looking to fast-track their way to A-List status or the highly sought-after Companion Pass®. Essentially, if you and your family fly Southwest several times a year, this card is designed to maximize your rewards and improve your travel experience.

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

‍

The Hawaiian Airlines® World Elite Mastercard® is primarily designed for frequent flyers to and from Hawaii, particularly those loyal to the airline who often travel with a companion. Its main draw is the companion fare discount, which offers significant savings on round-trip flights between Hawaii and North America. Beyond air travel, the card also appeals to those looking to accumulate miles on everyday spending, offering accelerated rewards on gas, dining, and grocery purchases, making its various features valuable for regular use.

Alternatives to Consider

‍

After reviewing the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority vs. Hawaiian Airlines® World Elite Mastercard® comparison, you might find that neither card aligns with your travel style. Fortunately, the world of travel rewards cards is vast, and other options could be a perfect match.

‍

[[ COMPARE_CARD * {"ids": ["118", "510"], "bestCategoryIds":["17", "18", "19"], "bestForTexts":["Generous Travel Rewards", "$300 Annual Travel Credit"]} ]]

‍

_{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

‍

Before You Apply

‍

• Check your credit score to ensure you have a good to excellent rating before applying.
• Plan your spending in advance to ensure you can meet any welcome offer requirements naturally.
• Research card benefits so you know how you’ll use unique perks like companion passes or airline transfer partners.

‍

Application Strategy

‍

• Know the issuer's rules as some banks have restrictions on how many cards you can open.
• Time your application to maximize time-sensitive benefits like companion passes or introductory offers.
• Look for elevated offers and be patient if the current public offer is lower than historical highs.

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

‍

Which card is better for family travel?

‍

The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card is often favored for family travel due to the airline's famous Companion Pass, which allows a designated person to fly with you for nearly free. The Hawaiian Airlines® World Elite Mastercard® can also be a strong contender if your family frequently travels to or between the Hawaiian islands, offering discounts on companion travel.

‍

Do the points from these cards expire?

‍

Southwest Rapid Rewards points do not expire, which offers great flexibility for cardholders. HawaiianMiles, on the other hand, will expire if there is no account activity for 18 consecutive months.

‍

Can I transfer points between Southwest Rapid Rewards and HawaiianMiles?

‍

No, you cannot directly transfer points or miles between the Southwest Rapid Rewards and HawaiianMiles loyalty programs. Each program operates independently, so rewards earned in one must be redeemed within that same program.

‍