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Side-by-side

Hilton Honors American Express Card vs Hawaiian Airlines World Elite Mastercard

Both are well-respected travel cards. The Hilton Honors American Express Card comes from American Express at $0/yr; the Hawaiian Airlines World Elite Mastercard from Barclays at $99/yr. Below: side-by-side specs, an opinionated verdict, and the FAQs people actually ask before applying.

Bottom line

These cards are close on the fundamentals (similar bonus value, similar fee). The right pick depends on which category you spend the most in and which transfer partners best fit your travel goals.

FeatureHilton Honors American Express CardHawaiian Airlines World Elite Mastercard
Annual fee$0$99
Sign-up bonusNot advertised
Bonus value (est.)--
Min spend to unlock bonus--
IssuerAmerican ExpressBarclays
Card categorytravelcashback
Best earning category (Hilton_hotels)7x1x
Transfer partnersNoneNone
Headline benefits
      Read the full review
      Hilton Honors American Express Card
      $0/yr ·
      Read the full review
      Hawaiian Airlines World Elite Mastercard
      $99/yr ·

      Editorial take: Hilton Honors American Express Card

      Editorial take: Hawaiian Airlines World Elite Mastercard

      Common questions

      Which card has the bigger sign-up bonus, Hilton Honors American Express Card or Hawaiian Airlines World Elite Mastercard?
      Neither card has a publicly advertised sign-up bonus today. Watch for limited-time offers from each issuer.
      Is the Hilton Honors American Express Card's $0 annual fee worth it compared to the Hawaiian Airlines World Elite Mastercard?
      The Hilton Honors American Express Card has no annual fee, so the question is whether the Hawaiian Airlines World Elite Mastercard's $99 fee is justified by its perks. If you'll use enough of the Hawaiian Airlines World Elite Mastercard's benefits to clear $99 in value annually, it's worth it; otherwise stick with the Hilton Honors American Express Card.
      Can I have both the Hilton Honors American Express Card and Hawaiian Airlines World Elite Mastercard?
      Yes, since they're from different issuers (American Express and Barclays) the application rules don't conflict. Many points enthusiasts hold both, they pair well when one earns flexible bank points and the other earns a different currency.
      Should I get the Hilton Honors American Express Card or the Hawaiian Airlines World Elite Mastercard first?
      Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. Hilton Honors American Express Card: no published min spend. Hawaiian Airlines World Elite Mastercard: no published min spend. Pick the easier minimum spend if you're new to points; pick the larger bonus if you have planned big purchases coming up.

      Card details on this page reflect the most recent data we've verified against the issuer's own site. Sign-up bonuses and fees can change at any time, confirm the current offer on the issuer's page before applying.