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Amex Green vs Hawaiian Airlines World Elite: Which Is Better In 2025?
July 1, 2025
Editor's Picks
- The American Express® Green Card is ideal for travelers and foodies, offering 3X Membership Rewards® points on eligible travel, transit, and restaurant purchases worldwide; Terms apply.
- The Hawaiian Airlines® World Elite Mastercard® is best suited for frequent flyers of the airline and those who spend on gas, dining, and groceries.
American Express® Green Card Breakdown
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Why We Like It
Here’s a closer look at the features that make the American Express® Green Card (See Rates & Fees) a top choice for travel rewards.
- It offers generous rewards on a wide range of travel and dining purchases worldwide.
- The points you earn are highly flexible and can be transferred to numerous airline and hotel partners.
- Cardholders receive valuable statement credits that can cover the cost of popular travel services.
Terms apply.
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.
Pros
- Bonus rewards apply to a uniquely broad definition of travel and transit, including everything from airfare and hotels to rideshares and parking.
- Valuable statement credits are available for travel-related services like expedited airport security and lounge access.
- No foreign transaction fees on purchases made abroad.
Cons
- The annual fee can be steep if you don't maximize the card's travel credits and benefits.
- Getting the best value from your points requires some effort, as a NerdWallet review notes that some redemption options are less valuable than others.
- Statement credits are tied to specific services that may not be useful for every traveler, and one of the key lounge access benefits is being discontinued.
Hawaiian Airlines® World Elite Mastercard® Breakdown
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Why We Like It
Let's dive into the specific features that make the Hawaiian Airlines® World Elite Mastercard® a compelling option, especially for frequent flyers to the islands.
- The card offers a valuable companion ticket discount, making it more affordable to travel with a friend or family member.
- You can earn bonus miles not just on flights, but also on everyday purchases like gas, dining, and groceries.
- Cardholders benefit from travel-friendly perks, including a free checked bag allowance and no foreign transaction fees.
Pros
- Offers a recurring companion ticket discount, a rare benefit among airline credit cards.
- Primary cardholders get a free checked bag allowance when flying with Hawaiian Airlines.
- The rewards program is flexible, offering bonus miles on everyday spending and a partnership with JetBlue, according to a NerdWallet card review.
Cons
- The card’s value is heavily tied to flying with Hawaiian Airlines, making it less ideal for travelers who aren't loyal to the airline or who don't frequently visit Hawaii.
- Key benefits, such as the free checked bag allowance, are limited to the primary cardholder and do not extend to companions on the same booking.
- Redeeming miles for non-flight rewards like hotels or merchandise may result in a lower value per mile compared to booking flights.
Hawaiian Airlines® World Elite Mastercard® vs American Express® Green Card
Categories
When considering which is better Amex Green or Hawaiian Airlines World Elite, it's crucial to understand their core purpose. Each card is designed for a different type of spender, excelling in distinct reward categories.
- American Express® Green Card: This card is best categorized as a travel and dining rewards credit card. It is positioned as a strong choice for earning rewards on travel and restaurant purchases worldwide.
- Hawaiian Airlines® World Elite Mastercard®: This is an airline credit card specifically designed for travel rewards. It is a strong option for those who regularly travel to or from Hawaii, particularly with a companion.
Redemption
American Express® Green Card: The points earned with this card are highly flexible and can be transferred to numerous airline and hotel loyalty programs. Cardholders also have the option to redeem their points for travel, statement credits, and gift cards.
Hawaiian Airlines® World Elite Mastercard®: The miles you earn are primarily redeemed for award flights on Hawaiian Airlines, offering significant value for those who fly the airline often. Miles can also be used for flights with partner airlines or for upgrades on your Hawaiian Airlines trips.
Travel Perks
- American Express® Green Card: The travel ecosystem for this card is broad, designed for the flexible traveler. It includes access to the American Express travel portal for bookings. For airport convenience, it offers an annual statement credit for CLEAR Plus membership and a separate credit for purchasing lounge access through LoungeBuddy. A key benefit for international travelers is that it does not have any foreign transaction fees. Terms apply.
- Hawaiian Airlines® World Elite Mastercard®: This card's ecosystem is tightly integrated with Hawaiian Airlines. Benefits are maximized when booking and flying with the airline, including a significant one-time companion ticket discount for travel between Hawaii and North America. Cardmembers also get their first checked bag free on eligible flights. While it doesn't offer ongoing lounge access, it does provide a one-time discount for a Premier Club lounge pass. This card also comes with no foreign transaction fees.
Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos
To make an informed decision, you can use a tool like Kudos, which helps you compare top-rated credit cards based on your own spending habits.
- Test Drive a Card: The platform’s “Test Drive” feature allows you to simulate your potential earnings with a new card by analyzing your actual transaction history. This provides a personalized projection without requiring an application or impacting your credit score.
- Personalized Recommendations: By securely connecting your accounts, Kudos offers data-driven recommendations, matching you with cards that align with your unique spending patterns to maximize rewards.
- Approval Odds Analysis: Before applying, you can receive a detailed analysis of your approval odds based on your credit report, helping you make more confident decisions.
- Reward Maximization: Kudos helps you stack rewards through its Kudos Boost program and automatically suggests the best card to use at checkout to ensure you never miss out on points.
Who Should Choose the American Express® Green Card?
The American Express® Green Card is a great fit for frequent travelers and diners who are willing to put in the effort to maximize rewards. It’s designed for those who spend significantly on travel and restaurants worldwide, leveraging the 3x points by transferring them to valuable airline and hotel partners. The ideal cardholder will also take full advantage of the annual statement credits, such as up to $209 for a CLEAR® Plus membership, to easily offset the $150 annual fee.
Who Should Choose the Hawaiian Airlines® World Elite Mastercard®?
The Hawaiian Airlines® World Elite Mastercard® is a strong option for anyone who regularly travels to or from the Aloha State, particularly those who often fly with a companion. Its value is rooted in perks tailored for Hawaiian Airlines flyers, such as a significant companion ticket discount and two free checked bags for the primary cardholder. Beyond the islands, the card also appeals to everyday spenders with accelerated rewards on gas, dining, and groceries, and its partnership with JetBlue expands travel options for those not based near a Hawaiian Airlines hub.
Alternatives to Consider
So, after diving into the Amex Green vs Hawaiian Airlines World Elite comparison, you've decided neither card is the one for you. That's perfectly fine—let's look at a couple of other top-tier travel cards that could be a better fit.
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Tips for Application Success
Before You Apply
- Check your credit score - Most premium rewards cards require a good to excellent credit history for approval.
- Plan your spending - Ensure you can meet any welcome offer requirements through your normal spending habits.
- Review the benefits - Understand how you will use key perks like annual credits or airline transfer partners before you commit.
Application Strategy
- Know the issuer's rules - Some issuers have restrictions on how many cards you can have or how often you can earn a welcome offer.
- Align the card with your lifestyle - Select a card that rewards your most frequent spending categories, like the American Express® Green Card for dining, or one that fits specific travel patterns, like a co-branded airline card.
- Evaluate long-term value - Consider ongoing benefits like annual statement credits or companion travel discounts that can provide value year after year.
Our Methodology
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.
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
Can I transfer points from the American Express® Green Card to Hawaiian Airlines?
Yes, you can transfer American Express Membership Rewards points earned with the Amex Green card to the HawaiianMiles program. You should always confirm the current transfer ratio and terms on the American Express website before initiating a transfer.
Is the Hawaiian Airlines World Elite Mastercard® worth it if I don't live in Hawaii?
This card can still be a great value for those who fly to Hawaii at least once per year, thanks to its companion discount and free checked bag benefits on Hawaiian Airlines. However, its value diminishes significantly if you don't regularly fly with the airline.
Which card offers better travel protections?
Both cards come with a suite of travel protections, but the specific coverages for things like trip delays, car rentals, and lost luggage can differ. It's best to review the guide to benefits for each card to determine which one's protections are a better fit for your travel style.
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Editorial Disclosure: Opinions expressed here are those of Kudos alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
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