IHG One Rewards Traveler vs Hawaiian Airlines World Elite: Which Is Better In 2025?

Hawaiian Airlines® World Elite Mastercard® Breakdown

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Why We Like It

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Here’s a closer look at what makes the Hawaiian Airlines® World Elite Mastercard® a compelling choice for certain travelers.

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• The card offers elevated rewards on everyday spending categories like gas, dining, and groceries, not just on Hawaiian Airlines purchases.
• While it comes with an annual fee, it has no foreign transaction fees, making it a good option for international travel.
• Cardholders can offset the annual fee by using the two free checked bags benefit on just two round-trip flights per year (publisher-formulated estimate).

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Pros

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• Annual companion ticket discount for travel between Hawaii and North America.
• Flexible rewards program with redemption options for flights, hotels, car rentals, and more.
• Partnership with JetBlue allows you to earn and redeem miles on a wider network.

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Cons

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• Key benefits like the free checked bags and companion ticket discount have notable restrictions and don't extend to travel partners.
• The card’s value is heavily skewed towards frequent flyers on Hawaiian Airlines, limiting its appeal for travelers with more diverse destinations.
• Lacks some premium travel perks found on competing cards, and reward redemptions outside of flights may offer lower value.

Hawaiian Airlines® World Elite Mastercard® vs IHG One Rewards Traveler

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Categories

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Deciding which is better IHG One Rewards Traveler or Hawaiian Airlines World Elite depends entirely on your travel habits and goals.

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• IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card - This card is ideal for occasional IHG hotel guests and budget-conscious travelers looking to earn rewards and receive basic travel protections without an annual fee.
• Hawaiian Airlines® World Elite Mastercard® - This card is best suited for those who frequently travel to Hawaii, particularly with a companion, and want to benefit from airline-specific perks like companion ticket discounts and free checked bags.

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Redemption

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IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card: Points earned with this card are primarily redeemed for stays across IHG's global portfolio of hotels. Cardholders can also use their points for other travel experiences and merchandise.

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Hawaiian Airlines® World Elite Mastercard®: Miles are mainly redeemed for flights on Hawaiian Airlines and its partner carriers. You can also use your miles for seat upgrades or to book vacation packages.

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Travel Perks

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• The IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card includes a foreign transaction fee, making it less suitable for purchases abroad. Conversely, the Hawaiian Airlines® World Elite Mastercard® does not charge foreign transaction fees.
• As a card with no annual fee, the IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card does not offer airport lounge access. The Hawaiian Airlines® World Elite Mastercard® also lacks complimentary lounge access, though it may provide opportunities to purchase discounted passes to Hawaiian Airlines Premier Clubs.
• Each card's travel ecosystem is distinct. The IHG card centers on the IHG One Rewards program, where points are redeemed for stays across its global hotel portfolio via its portal. The Hawaiian Airlines card's ecosystem is built around the airline and its partners, with miles used for flights, upgrades, and vacation packages booked through the airline.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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Kudos is a platform designed to help you compare top-rated credit cards by matching them to your actual spending habits, ensuring you maximize your rewards.

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• Test drive credit cards: Use your real spending data to simulate how much you could earn with a new card before you apply, complete with projections for annual rewards and net value.
• Personalized recommendations: Get card suggestions based on your unique spending patterns, not generic advice.
• Approval odds analysis: Receive a detailed analysis of your approval chances based on your credit report.
• Exclusive offers and guarantees: Access special bonuses, a welcome offer guarantee, and extra rewards through Kudos Boost.
• Track your progress: Monitor your spending, credit score, and progress toward sign-up bonuses all in one place.

Who Should Choose the IHG One Rewards Traveler?

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The IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card is an excellent choice for occasional IHG hotel guests who want to earn points on their stays and everyday purchases without committing to an annual fee. It's also well-suited for budget-conscious travelers and those new to hotel loyalty programs who are looking for basic travel protections and a way to test the rewards waters. As detailed in our IHG Traveler Card review, travelers who frequently book stays of four nights or more can also maximize value by taking advantage of the fourth-reward-night-free benefit.

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

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The Hawaiian Airlines® World Elite Mastercard® is a strong option for those who regularly travel to or from the Aloha State, especially if they bring a plus-one. The card's most compelling features are travel-focused, offering an annual companion discount and two free checked bags for the primary cardholder, as covered in NerdWallet's 5 Things to Know about the card. With a $99 annual fee, it also provides value through accelerated rewards on everyday spending, including 2 miles per dollar on gas, dining, and grocery store purchases.

Alternatives to Consider

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If our IHG One Rewards Traveler vs. Hawaiian Airlines® World Elite Mastercard® comparison has left you feeling like neither card is the right fit, don't worry. There are several other excellent travel rewards cards to consider.

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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.}

Tips for Application Success

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Before You Apply

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• Check your credit score – Most travel rewards cards require good to excellent credit for approval.
• Plan your spending – Make sure you can comfortably meet the minimum spending requirement for the welcome offer.
• Review the card’s benefits – See if perks like companion tickets or hotel elite status align with your travel habits.

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Application Strategy

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• Align your application with a planned large purchase to easily meet the minimum spend.
• Know how you’ll use your rewards by researching transfer partners and redemption options.
• Understand the issuer’s application guidelines, as some have specific rules for approval.

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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What is a co-branded credit card?

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A co-branded credit card is a partnership between a card issuer, like a bank, and a specific brand, such as a hotel or airline. These cards offer rewards and perks tailored to that partner brand.

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How do I choose between a hotel card and an airline card?

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Your choice should align with your travel patterns and brand loyalty. Consider whether you spend more on flights with a particular airline or stays with a specific hotel chain to maximize your rewards.

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Can I have both a hotel and an airline credit card?

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Yes, you can absolutely hold both types of cards simultaneously. Many travelers do this to earn rewards across different categories of their travel spending, maximizing benefits from both their preferred airline and hotel.

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