Hilton Honors Aspire vs Hawaiian Airlines World Elite: Which Is Better In 2025?

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 closer look at why we think the Hawaiian Airlines® World Elite Mastercard® is a strong choice for island-bound travelers.

‍

• You'll earn bonus miles on Hawaiian Airlines purchases and on everyday spending categories like gas, dining, and groceries.
• While the card carries an annual fee, it offers a valuable companion ticket discount and has no foreign transaction fees.
• The free checked bags benefit can offset the card's annual fee in as little as two round-trip flights per year (publisher-formulated estimate).

‍

Pros

‍

• Provides a valuable companion ticket discount, a standout feature among airline cards.
• The partnership with JetBlue expands your travel options, and miles can be redeemed for flights, hotels, and car rentals.

‍

Cons

‍

• The card’s value is heavily concentrated for those who frequently fly to and from Hawaii, making it less appealing for travelers with different destinations.
• Major benefits like the companion ticket and free checked bags have notable limitations and don't apply to all travelers or booking situations.

Hawaiian Airlines® World Elite Mastercard® vs Hilton Honors American Express Aspire

‍

Categories

‍

Deciding which is better, Hilton Honors Aspire or Hawaiian Airlines World Elite, comes down to your specific travel patterns and brand loyalty. These cards cater to different travelers, with one focusing on premium hotel benefits and the other on a specific airline network.

‍

• Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card: This card is best for frequent Hilton travelers seeking top-tier elite status and luxury benefits, especially those who stay at resort properties.
• Hawaiian Airlines® World Elite Mastercard®: This card is ideal for individuals who regularly travel to or from Hawaii, particularly with a companion, and want to benefit from ticket discounts and free checked bags.

‍

Redemption

‍

Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card: Points earned with this card are most valuable when redeemed for stays across Hilton's global portfolio of hotels and resorts. Cardholders can also transfer points to airline partners or use them for exclusive on-property benefits and experiences.

‍

Hawaiian Airlines® World Elite Mastercard®: Miles are best used for booking award flights on Hawaiian Airlines, including inter-island travel and routes to the mainland U.S. and international destinations. You can also redeem miles with partner airlines or for non-flight rewards like hotel stays and car rentals.

‍

Travel Perks

‍

• Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card: This card provides a robust travel ecosystem, starting with complimentary Priority Pass Select membership for access to a global network of airport lounges. It eliminates foreign transaction fees, making international travel more cost-effective. Cardholders also benefit from an annual airline fee credit and a statement credit for stays at participating Hilton Resorts. Terms apply.
• Hawaiian Airlines® World Elite Mastercard®: The ecosystem for this card is tightly woven around its namesake airline. Key perks include a one-time 50% companion discount for roundtrip travel between Hawaii and North America and a free first checked bag for the primary cardmember on Hawaiian Airlines flights. Like its counterpart, it also comes with no foreign transaction fees.

‍

Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

‍

To make the best choice, you can use a tool like Kudos to compare top-rated credit cards based on your own spending habits.

‍

• Test Drive Cards: The platform’s “Test Drive” feature lets you simulate your potential earnings with a new card using your actual spending data, providing a personalized projection before you apply.
• Approval Odds Analysis: Get a detailed analysis of your approval chances for different cards based on your credit report.
• Welcome Offer Guarantee: Kudos will match a better public welcome offer if you find one within three months of being approved for a card through their platform.
• Personalized Recommendations: The tool analyzes your transaction history to match you with cards that will maximize your rewards.
• Kudos Boost: Earn extra rewards on top of your credit card points when you shop at participating stores.

Who Should Choose the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire?

‍

The Hilton Honors American Express® Aspire Card is tailored for frequent travelers loyal to the Hilton portfolio, especially those who can maximize its luxury travel perks. Ideal cardholders are those who value automatic top-tier Hilton Honors Diamond status and will consistently use the annual Free Night Reward, up to $400 in Hilton resort credits, and up to $200 in flight credits. Terms apply. In short, if you frequent Hilton resorts at least once or twice a year, the value derived from this premium card’s benefits can easily justify the annual fee.

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

‍

The Hawaiian Airlines® World Elite Mastercard® is an ideal choice for individuals who regularly travel to or from Hawaii, especially those who fly with a companion. Cardholders can maximize value through key benefits like the annual companion ticket discount and by earning accelerated miles on everyday spending categories like gas, dining, and groceries. Additionally, the card is a strong option for those who can leverage the airline's partnership with JetBlue, which expands access to Hawaii from more U.S. cities.

Alternatives to Consider

‍

If this Hilton Honors American Express® Aspire Card vs. Hawaiian Airlines® World Elite Mastercard® comparison leaves you looking for other options, you're in luck. There are several excellent alternative travel cards that might be a better match for your wallet and travel aspirations.

‍

[[ COMPARE_CARD * {"ids": ["118", "510"], "bestCategoryIds":["17", "18", "19"], "bestForTexts":["Generous Travel Rewards", "$300 Annual Travel Credit"]} ]]

‍

_{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 ScoreMost premium travel cards require a good to excellent credit history for approval.
• Plan Your SpendingEnsure you can naturally meet the spending requirement for the welcome offer without forcing purchases.
• Review the BenefitsUnderstand the card’s unique perks, like elite status or companion tickets, to confirm they align with your travel style.

‍

Application Strategy

‍

• Leverage Issuer-Specific Processes- Some issuers, like American Express, may show your personalized Welcome Offer before a hard credit inquiry.
• Time Your Application Strategically- Apply before a large planned purchase to help meet the spending requirement for the welcome offer.
• Understand Benefit Activation- Some perks, like companion passes or bag fee waivers, may require booking directly with the provider.

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 earning elite hotel status?

‍

The Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card automatically grants top-tier Diamond status, a significant perk for frequent Hilton guests. The Hawaiian Airlines card focuses on airline benefits and does not offer comparable hotel status perks.

‍

What are the annual fees for these cards?

‍

The Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card has a high annual fee, reflecting its premium travel benefits. The Hawaiian Airlines® World Elite Mastercard® typically has a more moderate annual fee, making it more accessible for a wider range of travelers.

‍

Is the Hawaiian Airlines card only good for flights to Hawaii?

‍

While the Hawaiian Airlines® World Elite Mastercard® is optimized for earning HawaiianMiles, these miles can also be redeemed with partner airlines for travel to other destinations. However, the card's primary benefits are most valuable for those who frequently fly with Hawaiian Airlines.

‍