Dreaming of a tropical escape to Hawaii? With airfare to the islands often costing $500–$1,000 per person, finding the Best Airline Credit Card for Hawaii Travel can make your vacation more affordable. Whether you’re a family planning a week in Maui, a frequent flyer heading to Honolulu, or a budget-savvy traveler chasing free flights to Hawaii, the right travel rewards card can help you save big. This guide compares top airline credit cards, focusing on miles, perks, and companion fares tailored for Hawaii travel. Let’s explore the best airline credit card for Hawaii to ensure your next island getaway is both memorable and cost-effective.
What to Look for in a Hawaii Travel Credit Card
Choosing the best airline credit card for Hawaii requires understanding key features that maximize value for your trip. Here’s what to prioritize:
- Airline Partnerships: Cards tied to airlines like Hawaiian Airlines, Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, or Delta offer direct routes to Hawaii from major U.S. cities.
- Rewards Structure: Look for cards earning 2–3x miles on travel and dining, plus generous welcome bonuses (50,000+ miles) to cover Hawaii flights.
- Welcome Bonus Value: A strong bonus can often cover a round-trip economy ticket to Hawaii (20,000–40,000 miles, depending on the airline).
- No Foreign Transaction Fees: If your Hawaii trip includes international stopovers (e.g., Asia or Australia), avoid cards with 3% foreign fees.
- Travel Perks: Free checked bags, priority boarding, seat upgrades, or companion passes can enhance your Hawaii vacation with credit card rewards.
Best Airline Credit Cards for Hawaii: Top Picks
Here’s a comparison of four top cards that shine for Hawaii travel rewards. Each offers unique perks for vacationers, families, and frequent flyers.
Alaska Airlines Visa® Credit Card
- Welcome Bonus: 60,000 miles after spending $3,000 in the first 90 days, plus a $99 companion fare.
- Rewards: 3x miles on Alaska Airlines purchases, 2x on gas, EV charging, local transit, and select streaming services, 1x on everything else.
- Perks: Annual $99 companion fare (plus taxes/fees), free first checked bag for you and up to six companions, priority boarding.
- Why It’s Great for Hawaii: Alaska Airlines operates frequent flights to Honolulu, Maui, Kona, and Lihue from West Coast hubs like Seattle, Portland, and Los Angeles. The companion fare is a standout for couples or families, potentially saving $300–$500 per trip. A round-trip economy flight to Hawaii starts at 15,000 miles each way.
Hawaiian Airlines® World Elite Mastercard®
- Welcome Bonus: 70,000 miles after spending $2,000 in the first 90 days.
- Rewards: 3x miles on Hawaiian Airlines purchases, 2x on gas, dining, and groceries, 1x on other purchases.
- Perks: Two free checked bags, $100 companion discount (once annually), 10% off Hawaiian Airlines flights, priority boarding.
- Why It’s Great for Hawaii: Ideal for loyal Hawaiian Airlines flyers, this card offers robust perks for direct flights from cities like Los Angeles, Seattle, and New York. The $100 companion discount and free checked bags make it a top pick for airline miles for Hawaii.
American Express® Gold Card
- Welcome Bonus: 60,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $4,000 in the first 6 months.
- Rewards: 4x points on dining and U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000/year), 3x on flights booked directly with airlines or Amex Travel, 1x on other purchases.
- Perks: Up to $120 dining credit, up to $120 Uber Cash annually, no foreign transaction fees.
- Why It’s Great for Hawaii: Flexible Membership Rewards points transfer to partners like Delta or British Airways, which can book flights to Hawaii. Great for travelers who want credit cards with airline points for multiple airlines, not just one.
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
- Welcome Bonus: 60,000 Ultimate Rewards points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months.
- Rewards: 5x points on travel through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming, and online groceries, 2x on other travel, 1x on everything else.
- Perks: No foreign transaction fees, 25% bonus when redeeming points through Chase Travel℠, transfer points to partners like United or Southwest.
- Why It’s Great for Hawaii: Points transfer to airline partners like United or British Airways, which offer Hawaii routes. Perfect for those seeking best credit cards for flights with flexibility beyond a single airline.
Best Credit Card for Hawaiian Airlines Flyers
The Hawaiian Airlines® World Elite Mastercard® is the go-to for travelers loyal to Hawaiian Airlines. Its 70,000-mile welcome bonus (after $2,000 spend in 90 days) can cover one or two round-trip economy tickets from the U.S. mainland (starting at 20,000 miles each way). Exclusive perks include:
- Two free checked bags per person, saving $70–$140 per round trip.
- $100 companion discount annually, perfect for couples or families.
- 10% off Hawaiian Airlines flights, ideal for inter-island hops.
- Priority boarding and discounts on in-flight purchases.
Hawaiian Airlines operates direct flights from major cities like Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, and New York to Honolulu, Maui, Kona, and Lihue. While its route network is smaller than Alaska’s, it’s perfect for those who prioritize Hawaii vacation with credit card perks and fly Hawaiian Airlines consistently.
Alaska Airlines Visa® – Best for Companion Fare to Hawaii
The Alaska Airlines Visa® Credit Card shines for its $99 companion fare, a game-changer for companion fare to Hawaii. After spending $3,000 in 90 days, you earn 60,000 miles plus the companion fare, which allows a second traveler to fly for just $99 (plus taxes/fees, typically $22–$44). For a $500 ticket to Hawaii, this saves $400+ per trip, making it ideal for couples or families.
Alaska Airlines offers frequent flights to Hawaii from West Coast cities like Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, and Los Angeles, with routes to Honolulu, Maui, Kona, and Lihue. Economy awards start at 15,000 miles each way, and the free checked bag perk (for you and up to six companions) saves $60–$120 per round trip. This card is a top choice for travel perks for Hawaii flights, especially for West Coast travelers.
Should You Use a Flexible Points Card Instead?
If you’re not loyal to one airline, a flexible points card like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® or American Express® Gold Card may be better for best credit cards for flights. These cards earn versatile points that transfer to multiple airline partners, offering flexibility for Hawaii travel:
- Chase Ultimate Rewards: Transfer to United, Southwest, or British Airways (for American Airlines flights). A 60,000-point bonus can cover a round-trip ticket (20,000–40,000 points) via partners.
- Amex Membership Rewards: Transfer to Delta, British Airways, or Flying Blue (Air France/KLM, which partners with Delta). The 60,000-point bonus can secure free flights to Hawaii with strategic transfers.
Flexible cards are ideal for travelers who fly from airports with varied airline options or want to pair flights with hotel rewards. However, they lack airline-specific perks like companion fares or free checked bags, so weigh your priorities.
Tips to Maximize Your Airline Card for Hawaii Travel
To get the most from your best airline credit card for Hawaii, follow these strategies:
- Leverage the Welcome Bonus: A 60,000–70,000-mile bonus can cover one or two round-trip economy tickets to Hawaii (20,000–40,000 miles, depending on the airline).
- Book Early: Hawaii flights are popular, and award seats fill fast. Book 6–12 months in advance to secure free flights to Hawaii with points.
- Pair with a Hotel Card: Combine your airline card with a hotel card (e.g., Hilton Honors or Marriott Bonvoy) to cover flights and stays for a complete Hawaii vacation with credit card rewards.
- Use Airline Portals: Earn extra miles by booking through the airline’s shopping or dining portal, boosting your airline miles for Hawaii.
- Maximize Companion Perks: Use companion fares or discounts to save on family or group travel.
FAQs
Can I really get a free flight to Hawaii with points?
Yes! Most cards in this guide offer 60,000–70,000-mile bonuses, enough for one or two round-trip economy tickets to Hawaii (20,000–40,000 miles, depending on the airline). Book early to snag award seats.
Which card gives the best companion fare for Hawaii?
The Alaska Airlines Visa® offers the best deal with its $99 companion fare (plus taxes/fees), saving $400–$500 on a MCU to a second Hawaii ticket. The Hawaiian Airlines® Mastercard’s $100 companion discount is also valuable but less flexible.
What credit score do I need for these airline cards?
Most airline credit cards, like the Alaska Airlines Visa® and Hawaiian Airlines® Mastercard, typically require a good to excellent credit score (670–850). Flexible cards like Chase Sapphire Preferred® or Amex Gold may require slightly higher scores (700+).
Is it better to use a flexible rewards card or airline-specific?
It depends on your travel habits. Airline-specific cards (Alaska, Hawaiian) offer perks like companion fares and free bags but limit you to one airline. Flexible cards (Chase, Amex) provide more options via transfer partners but lack airline-specific benefits. Choose based on your preferred airline and travel frequency.
Do airline cards work on inter-island flights in Hawaii?
Yes, cards like the Hawaiian Airlines® Mastercard offer perks (e.g., free checked bags, 10% flight discounts) on inter-island flights with Hawaiian Airlines. Alaska Airlines Visa® perks apply to Alaska’s limited inter-island routes. Check airline routes before booking.
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Conclusion
The best airline credit card for Hawaii depends on your travel needs. The Alaska Airlines Visa® Credit Card is perfect for West Coast travelers and families thanks to its $99 companion fare and frequent Hawaii routes. The Hawaiian Airlines® World Elite Mastercard® suits loyal Hawaiian Airlines flyers with its generous bonus and exclusive perks. For flexibility, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® or American Express® Gold Card offers versatile points for multiple airlines. Consider your home airport, budget, and airline preference when choosing. Apply strategically to maximize Hawaii travel rewards, and you’ll be sipping mai tais on the beach with miles to spare. Plan ahead, and your island getaway will be both unforgettable and affordable!
