Amex Business Gold vs Hawaiian Airlines World Elite: Which Is Better In 2026?

Hawaiian Airlines® World Elite Mastercard® Breakdown

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Why We Like It

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Here’s a look at why we’re fans of the Hawaiian Airlines® World Elite Mastercard®.

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• It offers valuable companion travel discounts for those flying to and from Hawaii.
• Cardholders can earn bonus miles on everyday purchases, not just on Hawaiian Airlines flights.
• The card provides a generous free checked bag allowance and flexible reward redemption options.

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Pros

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• A valuable companion ticket discount for travel between Hawaii and North America.
• Bonus rewards on everyday spending categories, including gas, dining, and groceries.
• A free checked bag allowance for the primary cardholder and no foreign transaction fees.

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Cons

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• The companion ticket discount becomes less generous after the initial cardmember year.
• The free checked bag allowance does not extend to travel companions.
• Usefulness is limited for travelers who do not frequently fly Hawaiian Airlines' routes.

Hawaiian Airlines® World Elite Mastercard® vs American Express® Business Gold Card

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Categories

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When deciding which is better Amex Business Gold or Hawaiian Airlines World Elite, it's crucial to understand the primary purpose each card serves.

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• American Express® Business Gold Card - This card is built for business owners and companies with significant and variable business expenses. It is designed for growing businesses that need flexibility.
• Hawaiian Airlines® World Elite Mastercard® - As an airline credit card designed for travel rewards, this option is ideal for people who regularly travel to or from Hawaii, especially with a companion.

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Redemption

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American Express® Business Gold Card: Points earned with this card offer significant flexibility, with options to book travel, transfer to various airline and hotel partners, or cover business expenses via statement credits. Terms apply.

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Hawaiian Airlines® World Elite Mastercard®: Rewards earned with this card are primarily redeemed for flights with Hawaiian Airlines, but can also be used for seat upgrades and other travel-related perks with the airline.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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To make a data-driven decision, you can use a financial companion tool like Kudos to compare top-rated cards based on your unique spending habits.

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• Test Drive Cards: The platform's "Test Drive" feature lets you simulate potential earnings from different cards using your actual spending data, all without a hard credit pull.
• Approval Odds: Get a detailed analysis of your approval odds for various cards based on your credit report.
• Welcome Offer Guarantee: Kudos will match a better welcome offer if you find one within three months of approval.
• Financial Monitoring: Track your transactions, spending habits, and credit score all in one place.
• Exclusive Rewards: Unlock sign-up incentives and earn extra rewards through the Kudos Boost program when shopping at participating stores.

Who Should Choose the American Express® Business Gold Card?

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The American Express® Business Gold Card is tailored for growing companies with variable expenses and annual business spending of over $50,000. It's particularly valuable for businesses that can maximize the 4X Membership Rewards® points on their top two spending categories each billing cycle, which applies to the first $150,000 in combined purchases annually before dropping to 1X. Ultimately, this card suits entrepreneurs who prioritize flexible rewards and whose spending in areas like U.S. advertising, U.S. shipping, or with select U.S. technology providers can easily offset the $375 annual fee (Terms Apply).

Who Should Choose the Hawaiian Airlines® World Elite Mastercard®?

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The Hawaiian Airlines® World Elite Mastercard® is tailor-made for frequent flyers to the Aloha State, especially those who travel with a companion. Its value shines through its companion ticket discounts, making it a strong choice for couples or families, while also rewarding everyday spending on gas, dining, and groceries with bonus miles. Furthermore, travelers who value redemption flexibility for hotels and car rentals or can leverage the airline's partnership with JetBlue will find this card particularly beneficial.

Alternatives to Consider

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If our Amex Business Gold vs. Hawaiian Airlines World Elite comparison has left you feeling that neither card is the right fit, don't worry. There are plenty of other excellent rewards cards on the market that might be a better match.

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[[ COMPARE_CARD * {"ids": ["509", "118"], "bestCategoryIds":["17", "18", "19"], "bestForTexts":["Exceptional Value", "Generous Travel Rewards"]} ]]

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_{Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.}

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Tips for Application Success

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Before You Apply

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• Check your credit score - Most rewards cards require good to excellent credit for approval.
• Review your spending habits - Ensure the card’s bonus categories and benefits align with your typical purchases.
• Know the issuer’s rules - Many issuers have application restrictions that could affect your eligibility for a welcome offer.

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Application Strategy

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• Time your application strategically - Apply before a large planned purchase to help meet the minimum spend for a welcome offer.
• Choose the right card type for your needs - Consider whether a business card for your company, a co-branded airline card, or a general travel card is the best fit.
• Read the fine print before you submit - Always review the card’s terms and conditions to understand all benefits and obligations.

Our Methodology

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We evaluate nearly 3,000 credit cards across the U.S. market — far more than the ~150 cards commonly featured on sites that focus only on products tied to affiliate commissions. Our goal is to provide a comprehensive, unbiased view of the credit card landscape so you can make confident, data-driven decisions.

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Our editorial team combines deep industry experience with rigorous verification standards. While our experts surface the most relevant recommendations in our guides, you can also explore the full dataset yourself through our card explorer tool, which includes thousands of cards — more than 95% of which do not provide us with commissions.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Which card is better for earning flexible rewards?

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The American Express® Business Gold Card earns Membership Rewards® points, which can be transferred to numerous airline and hotel partners, offering greater flexibility (Terms apply). The Hawaiian Airlines card earns HawaiianMiles, which are primarily used for flights on Hawaiian Airlines and its partners.

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Can I transfer points from the American Express Business Gold Card to Hawaiian Airlines?

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Yes, Hawaiian Airlines is a transfer partner of the American Express Membership Rewards® program (Terms apply). This means you can convert your points from the Business Gold Card into HawaiianMiles, often at a 1:1 ratio.

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Does the Hawaiian Airlines World Elite card offer benefits on other airlines?

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The Hawaiian Airlines® World Elite Business Mastercard®'s primary airline-specific benefits, such as free checked bags and companion discounts, are exclusive to travel on Hawaiian Airlines. While the miles can sometimes be redeemed with partner airlines, the core perks do not extend to other carriers.

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