Kudos has partnered with CardRatings and Red Ventures for our coverage of credit card products. Kudos, CardRatings, and Red Ventures may receive a commission from card issuers. Kudos may receive commission from card issuers. Some of the card offers that appear on Kudos are from advertisers and may impact how and where card products appear on the site. Kudos tries to include as many card companies and offers as we are aware of, including offers from issuers that don't pay us, but we may not cover all card companies or all available card offers. You don't have to use our links, but we're grateful when you do!
Capital One Savor vs Hawaiian Airlines World Elite: Which Is Better In 2026?
July 1, 2025
Editor's Picks
- Capital One Savor Cash Rewards: This card is ideal for those who spend frequently on dining, entertainment, streaming services, and at grocery stores.
- Hawaiian Airlines® World Elite Mastercard®: This card is best suited for frequent travelers to Hawaii who also want a card for everyday spending on gas, dining, and groceries.
Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Breakdown
[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "3041", "isExpanded": "true", "bestForCategoryId": "4", "bestForText": "Food and Entertainment", "headerHint" : "Enliven your Tastebuds" } ]]
Why We Like It
This section breaks down the key reasons why we're fans of the Capital One Savor Cash Rewards .
- It offers strong cash back potential on popular spending categories like dining out, entertainment, and select streaming services.
- The card is a great companion for international travel, as it doesn't charge foreign transaction fees.
- Cardholders get special access to exclusive entertainment events and experiences.
Pros
- Cashing in your rewards is straightforward, with flexible options and no minimum amount required to redeem.
- The card comes with a suite of travel and purchase protections, plus access to security and credit monitoring tools for extra peace of mind.
Cons
- A good to excellent credit score is generally required for approval.
- Bonus rewards for spending at grocery stores don’t apply to purchases from superstores (like Walmart® and Target®) or wholesale clubs.
- Cash back can only be converted to travel miles if you also have a qualifying Capital One travel rewards card.
Hawaiian Airlines® World Elite Mastercard® Breakdown
[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "2297", "isExpanded": "false", "bestForCategoryId": "15", "bestForText": "Frequent Travelers", "headerHint": "Hawaiian Airlines Flyers"} ]]
Why We Like It
Here's a breakdown of why we like the Hawaiian Airlines® World Elite Mastercard®.
- It offers valuable and rare companion travel benefits that can significantly reduce the cost of flying with a partner.
- Cardholders can earn rewards on everyday purchases like gas and dining, not just on flights with the airline.
- The card includes useful travel perks like free checked bags and flexible redemption options through airline partnerships.
Pros
- Offers a significant companion ticket discount annually.
- Earns miles on everyday spending categories, not just airfare.
- Includes travel-friendly perks like a free checked bag allowance and no foreign transaction fees.
Cons
- An annual fee is required.
- The airline’s limited route network means the card is most beneficial for travelers on specific routes to and from Hawaii.
- Key travel perks, like the companion fare and free checked bag allowance, have notable restrictions and do not fully extend to travel companions.
Hawaiian Airlines® World Elite Mastercard® vs Capital One Savor Cash Rewards
Categories
Deciding which is better Capital One Savor or Hawaiian Airlines World Elite depends entirely on your spending habits and travel preferences.
- Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card: This is a cash back card best suited for those who spend frequently on dining, entertainment, and at grocery stores.
- Hawaiian Airlines® World Elite Mastercard®: This is a co-branded airline travel card designed for frequent flyers, especially those who regularly travel to or from Hawaii.
Redemption
Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card: Rewards are earned as cash back, which you can redeem for a statement credit or a check.
Hawaiian Airlines® World Elite Mastercard®: You'll earn miles that can be redeemed for flights through the airline's loyalty program and with its partners.
Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos
If you're looking to make a data-driven decision, a tool like Kudos can help you compare thousands of credit cards to find the best fit for your spending habits.
- Test drive credit cards using your real spending data to see potential earnings before you apply.
- Receive a welcome offer guarantee, where Kudos will match a better offer if you find one within three months.
- Get a detailed analysis of your approval odds based on your credit report.
- Unlock a $100 Kudos Kickstart+ reward when you add select approved cards to your Kudos Wallet.
Who Should Choose the Capital One Savor Cash Rewards?
The Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card is an excellent choice for those whose spending heavily leans towards dining, entertainment, popular streaming services, and grocery stores, allowing them to earn unlimited 3% cash back. It's also a great companion for international travelers, as it charges no foreign transaction fees on purchases made abroad. Ultimately, this card is best suited for individuals and families who value a straightforward cash back program without the hassle of rotating categories or complicated redemption rules.
Who Should Choose the Hawaiian Airlines® World Elite Mastercard®?
The Hawaiian Airlines® World Elite Mastercard® is an excellent choice for frequent travelers to the Aloha State, especially those who typically fly with a partner or companion. Its standout features are the companion fare discounts, offering a one-time 50% off discount and an annual $100 discount, which can provide significant savings on trips for two. Cardholders also earn accelerated miles on everyday spending categories like gas, dining, and groceries, making it a rewarding card both in the air and on the ground.
Alternatives to Consider
If the Capital One Savor vs Hawaiian Airlines World Elite comparison has left you undecided, it's worth looking at other options. Neither the Capital One Savor Cash Rewards nor the Hawaiian Airlines® World Elite Mastercard® is a perfect fit for everyone, so here are a few alternatives.
[[ COMPARE_CARD * {"ids": ["509", "118"], "bestCategoryIds":["17", "18", "19"], "bestForTexts":["Exceptional Value", "Generous Travel Rewards"]} ]]
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.
Tips for Application Success
Before You Apply
- Check your credit score - Most rewards cards require good to excellent credit for approval.
- Review the benefits - Make sure the card’s rewards and perks align with your spending habits.
- Know the issuer's rules - Some issuers have restrictions on how many cards you can have or how often you can apply.
Application Strategy
- Time your application around large purchases to help meet the welcome offer spending requirement.
- Choose a card that rewards your most frequent spending categories.
- Look beyond reward rates to consider valuable perks like travel credits or companion passes.
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
Which card is better for frequent flyers of Hawaiian Airlines?
The Hawaiian Airlines World Elite Mastercard is designed for those who fly Hawaiian Airlines often, offering direct mileage earning and airline-specific benefits.
Is the Capital One Savor card good for travel?
While the Capital One Savor card is primarily a cash back card focused on dining and entertainment, its rewards are flexible and can be redeemed as a statement credit to cover any travel purchase.
How do the rewards programs differ?
The Capital One Savor card offers cash back on purchases, while the Hawaiian Airlines card earns HawaiianMiles, which are redeemable within the airline's loyalty program for flights and other rewards.
Can I use Capital One Savor rewards on Hawaiian Airlines?
You cannot transfer cash back from the Savor card to the HawaiianMiles program, but you can use your cash back rewards as a statement credit to pay for Hawaiian Airlines flights you've purchased with your card.
Unlock your extra benefits when you become a Kudos member
Turn your online shopping into even more rewards
Join over 400,000 members simplifying their finances
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.
.webp)
