United Explorer 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 islands.

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• The card offers a one-time 50% companion discount for a round-trip coach flight between Hawaii and North America, plus a $100 companion discount every year after.
• You'll earn 2x miles on everyday purchases like gas, dining, and groceries, not just on Hawaiian Airlines flights.
• The two free checked bags for the primary cardholder can save you $70 or more on a single round-trip flight, nearly offsetting the card's $99 annual fee (publisher-formulated estimate).

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Pros

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• The rewards program is flexible, allowing you to redeem miles for flights, hotel stays, and car rentals. Plus, a partnership with JetBlue expands your options for earning and redeeming rewards.
• It comes with a valuable welcome bonus for new members and has no foreign transaction fees, making it a good companion for international travel.

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Cons

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• Key benefits like the companion discount and free checked bags come with significant limitations; the initial, more valuable discount is a one-time offer, and the bag benefit doesn't extend to travel companions.
• The card is best suited for frequent Hawaii travelers, as the airline has limited nonstop routes from the mainland and redemptions for non-flight rewards can offer lower value.

Hawaiian Airlines® World Elite Mastercard® vs United Explorer

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Categories

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When considering which is better, United Explorer or Hawaiian Airlines World Elite, the answer depends heavily on your primary airline loyalty and travel patterns.

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• United℠ Explorer Card: This card is best for frequent travelers who are loyal to United Airlines. Its benefits are designed to enhance the travel experience on United, making it a strong choice for both domestic and international flyers within the Star Alliance network.
• Hawaiian Airlines® World Elite Mastercard®: This airline card is ideal for travelers who frequently fly to or from Hawaii, especially with a companion. It also offers rewards on everyday spending categories, making it valuable beyond just booking flights.

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Redemption

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United℠ Explorer Card: Points are primarily redeemed for flights with United and its Star Alliance partner airlines. You can also use points for other travel-related purchases like hotel stays, car rentals, and unique experiences available through the United MileagePlus program.

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Hawaiian Airlines® World Elite Mastercard®: Miles are best used for booking flights on Hawaiian Airlines, especially for travel to, from, and between the Hawaiian Islands. Cardholders can also redeem miles for flights with partner airlines or for other rewards like hotel stays and car rentals.

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Travel Perks

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• United℠ Explorer Card: This card's travel ecosystem is built around the United MileagePlus program. Cardholders have access to the United travel portal to book flights, hotels, and car rentals. It features no foreign transaction fees, making it a good option for international travel. Additionally, it provides two one-time United Club℠ passes each year for lounge access.
• Hawaiian Airlines® World Elite Mastercard®: The travel ecosystem for this card is centered on the HawaiianMiles program. Miles can be used through its portal for flights on Hawaiian Airlines and its partners, as well as for hotel stays and car rentals. Like the United card, it also comes with no foreign transaction fees. However, it does not offer complimentary lounge access as a regular benefit.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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To make an informed decision, you can use a tool like Kudos to compare top-rated cards based on your own spending habits.

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• Test Drive Cards: The platform's ‘Test Drive’ feature lets you simulate how a new card would perform using your real transaction history, projecting your potential rewards before you apply.
• Personalized Recommendations: By securely connecting your bank accounts, Kudos analyzes your spending patterns to match you with cards that offer the highest earning potential for your lifestyle.
• Approval Odds Analysis: Get a detailed breakdown of your chances of being approved for a card, based on your credit report, to help you apply with confidence.
• Automated Rewards Maximization: During online checkout, the Kudos browser extension can automatically select the best card from your wallet for that specific purchase to ensure you’re always earning maximum rewards.
• Extra Rewards: Earn additional rewards through features like Kudos Boost, which provides extra cash back on top of your regular card earnings when shopping at partner stores.

Who Should Choose the United Explorer?

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The United℠ Explorer Card is a strong choice for frequent United flyers, as the free checked bag benefit for the cardholder and a companion can easily offset the annual fee with just one round-trip flight. It also appeals to international travelers who want to avoid foreign transaction fees and those looking to save time with credits for programs like TSA PreCheck® or Global Entry. Ultimately, this card is designed for the budget-conscious traveler who wants valuable airline perks like priority boarding and lounge passes without committing to a premium travel card's higher annual fee.

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

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The Hawaiian Airlines® World Elite Mastercard® is tailor-made for frequent flyers to the Aloha State, especially those who often travel with a companion. Cardholders can maximize value through a generous companion ticket discount and accelerated rewards, earning 3 miles per dollar on Hawaiian Airlines purchases and 2 miles on gas, dining, and grocery store purchases. With additional perks like two free checked bags for the primary cardholder and flexible redemption options, this card is a strong contender for anyone looking to make their Hawaiian travels more rewarding, as detailed in this NerdWallet review.

Alternatives to Consider

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If the United Explorer vs Hawaiian Airlines World Elite comparison has shown you that neither card is the right fit, don't worry. There are several other excellent travel rewards cards that might be a better co-pilot for your adventures.

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Tips for Application Success

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Before You Apply

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• Check your credit score – Most travel cards, like the United℠ Explorer Card, require good to excellent credit for approval.
• Plan your spending – Ensure you can meet any welcome offer requirements without forcing unnecessary purchases.
• Review the benefit rules – Some perks, like free checked bags, may require you to purchase tickets directly from the airline with your card.

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Application Strategy

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• Know the issuer’s rules – Be aware of issuer-specific guidelines, like Chase’s application rules, which can impact your approval odds.
• Align the card with your habits – An airline card is most valuable if you frequently fly with that carrier, such as United for the United℠ Explorer Card.
• Look for unique perks – Some cards, like the Hawaiian Airlines® World Elite Mastercard®, offer valuable companion ticket discounts that can justify the card.

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 frequent flyers to Hawaii?

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The Hawaiian Airlines World Elite Mastercard is generally more beneficial for those who fly to and from Hawaii often, offering specific perks tailored to the airline. The United Explorer Card can also be valuable if you prefer flying with United and its extensive partner network.

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Do both cards offer free checked bags?

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Yes, both cards typically offer a free checked bag for the primary cardholder and sometimes for a companion on the same reservation. This benefit applies only when flying with the respective airline, so you'd get it on United flights with the Explorer card and Hawaiian flights with the World Elite card.

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What kind of travel benefits can I expect beyond flights?

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Both cards often come with additional travel protections like trip cancellation insurance and auto rental collision damage waivers. The United Explorer Card also includes benefits like a statement credit for a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee.

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