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Side-by-side

Hawaiian Airlines World Elite Business Mastercard vs United Explorer Card

Both are well-respected travel cards. The Hawaiian Airlines World Elite Business Mastercard comes from Barclays at $99/yr; the United Explorer Card from Chase at $150/yr. Below: side-by-side specs, an opinionated verdict, and the FAQs people actually ask before applying.

Bottom line

For most people the United Explorer Card is the stronger pick today, the sign-up bonus is meaningfully larger ($1,040 more in estimated value) than the Hawaiian Airlines World Elite Business Mastercard's. Get the United Explorer Card first; revisit the Hawaiian Airlines World Elite Business Mastercard after you've earned that bonus.

FeatureHawaiian Airlines World Elite Business MastercardUnited Explorer Card
Annual fee$99$150
Sign-up bonusNot advertised70,000 miles + 10,000 AU bonus
Bonus value (est.)-$1,040
Min spend to unlock bonus-$3,000 in 3 mo
IssuerBarclaysChase
Card categorytravelairline
Best earning category (Airline)3x1x
Transfer partnersNoneNone
Headline benefits
    • Free checked bag
    • 2 United Club passes/year
    • Priority boarding
    • 25% back on inflight purchases
    Read the full review
    Hawaiian Airlines World Elite Business Mastercard
    $99/yr ·
    Read the full review
    United Explorer Card
    $150/yr · 70,000 miles + 10,000 AU bonus

    Editorial take: Hawaiian Airlines World Elite Business Mastercard

    Editorial take: United Explorer Card

    Solid for United flyers. The free checked bag and 2 United Club passes per year add up, and the 70k + 10k AU bonus is a great starting point for domestic award flights. $0 intro annual fee, then $150.

    Common questions

    Which card has the bigger sign-up bonus, Hawaiian Airlines World Elite Business Mastercard or United Explorer Card?
    The United Explorer Card has a public bonus (70,000 miles + 10,000 AU bonus, worth roughly $1,040), while the Hawaiian Airlines World Elite Business Mastercard doesn't advertise one right now.
    Is the Hawaiian Airlines World Elite Business Mastercard's $99 annual fee worth it compared to the United Explorer Card?
    At $99/yr, the Hawaiian Airlines World Elite Business Mastercard is in the mid-fee tier. Compare its specific perks (lounge access, travel credits, primary rental insurance) to the United Explorer Card's, pick the one whose perks you'll actually use.
    Can I have both the Hawaiian Airlines World Elite Business Mastercard and United Explorer Card?
    Yes, since they're from different issuers (Barclays and Chase) 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 Hawaiian Airlines World Elite Business Mastercard or the United Explorer Card first?
    Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. Hawaiian Airlines World Elite Business Mastercard: no published min spend. United Explorer Card: $3,000 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.