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Hawaiian Airlines World Elite Mastercard vs Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard

Both are airline travel cards. The Hawaiian Airlines World Elite Mastercard comes from Bank of America at $99/yr; the Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard from Citi at $595/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.

FeatureHawaiian Airlines World Elite MastercardCiti / AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard
Annual fee$99$595
Sign-up bonus70,000 miles70,000 miles
Bonus value (est.)$980$980
Min spend to unlock bonus$2,000 in 3 mo$7,000 in 3 mo
IssuerBank of AmericaCiti
Card categoryairlineairline
Best earning category (Hawaiian)3x1x
Transfer partnershawaiian-milesaadvantage
Headline benefits
  • $100 companion discount
  • Free checked bag
  • 5k anniversary miles
  • Hawaii routing
  • Admirals Club membership
  • Free bag for 9 travelers
  • 10k Loyalty Points after $40k
  • Global Entry credit
Read the full review
Hawaiian Airlines World Elite Mastercard
$99/yr · 70,000 miles
Read the full review
Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard
$595/yr · 70,000 miles

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.

Editorial take: Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard

Pure Admirals Club access card. If you spend more than ~$700/year on lounge passes or visit AA hubs frequently, the $595 fee is a layup. The free checked bag for 9 travelers is also massively undersold for family travelers.

Common questions

Which card has the bigger sign-up bonus, Hawaiian Airlines World Elite Mastercard or Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard?
The two cards offer comparable sign-up bonuses around $980. Pick based on which earning categories you actually use.
Is the Hawaiian Airlines World Elite Mastercard's $99 annual fee worth it compared to the Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard?
At $99/yr, the Hawaiian Airlines World Elite Mastercard is in the mid-fee tier. Compare its specific perks (lounge access, travel credits, primary rental insurance) to the Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard's — pick the one whose perks you'll actually use.
Can I have both the Hawaiian Airlines World Elite Mastercard and Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard?
Yes, since they're from different issuers (Bank of America and Citi) 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 Mastercard or the Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard first?
Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. Hawaiian Airlines World Elite Mastercard: $2,000 spend in 3 months. Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard: $7,000 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.