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Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express Card vs Hawaiian Airlines World Elite Mastercard

Both are well-respected travel cards. The Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express Card comes from American Express at $125/yr; the Hawaiian Airlines World Elite Mastercard from Bank of America at $99/yr. Below: side-by-side specs, an opinionated verdict, and the FAQs people actually ask before applying.

Bottom line

For most people the Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express Card is the stronger pick today — the sign-up bonus is meaningfully larger ($520 more in estimated value) than the Hawaiian Airlines World Elite Mastercard's. Get the Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express Card first; revisit the Hawaiian Airlines World Elite Mastercard after you've earned that bonus.

FeatureMarriott Bonvoy Business American Express CardHawaiian Airlines World Elite Mastercard
Annual fee$125$99
Sign-up bonus3 free nights70,000 miles
Bonus value (est.)$1,500$980
Min spend to unlock bonus$6,000 in 6 mo$2,000 in 3 mo
IssuerAmerican ExpressBank of America
Card categoryhotelairline
Best earning category (Marriott)6x1x
Transfer partnersmarriott-bonvoyhawaiian-miles
Headline benefits
  • Annual 35k Free Night Award
  • 15 elite nights/year
  • 6x at Marriott
  • Silver status
  • $100 companion discount
  • Free checked bag
  • 5k anniversary miles
  • Hawaii routing
Read the full review
Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express Card
$125/yr · 3 free nights
Read the full review
Hawaiian Airlines World Elite Mastercard
$99/yr · 70,000 miles

Editorial take: Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express Card

The Marriott business card pulls its weight on the annual Free Night cert alone — a 35k cat-property is routinely $250-400/night cash. Add 15 elite night credits and the dining stipend and the $125 fee is easy.

Editorial take: Hawaiian Airlines World Elite Mastercard

Niche card unless you fly Hawaii regularly. Note: Hawaiian + Alaska have merged loyalty into Atmos Rewards in 2025; the long-term direction of this card is in transition. Worth tracking if you're Hawaii-bound multiple times a year.

Common questions

Which card has the bigger sign-up bonus, Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express Card or Hawaiian Airlines World Elite Mastercard?
The Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express Card has the bigger bonus — 3 free nights, worth roughly $1,500, versus 70,000 miles (~$980) on the Hawaiian Airlines World Elite Mastercard.
Is the Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express Card's $125 annual fee worth it compared to the Hawaiian Airlines World Elite Mastercard?
At $125/yr, the Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express Card is in the mid-fee tier. Compare its specific perks (lounge access, travel credits, primary rental insurance) to the Hawaiian Airlines World Elite Mastercard's — pick the one whose perks you'll actually use.
Can I have both the Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express Card and Hawaiian Airlines World Elite Mastercard?
Yes, since they're from different issuers (American Express and Bank of America) 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 Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express Card or the Hawaiian Airlines World Elite Mastercard first?
Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express Card: $6,000 spend in 6 months. Hawaiian Airlines World Elite Mastercard: $2,000 in 3 months. 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.