Marriott Bonvoy Boundless 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 why we think the Hawaiian Airlines® World Elite Mastercard® is a strong choice for island-bound travelers.

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• It offers a solid rewards rate on everyday spending categories like gas, dining, and groceries, not just on airline purchases.
• While the card carries an annual fee, it waives foreign transaction fees, making it a good companion for international travel.
• The value from the two free checked bags on a single round-trip flight can nearly offset the card's annual fee (publisher-formulated estimate).

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Pros

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• Offers annual companion ticket discounts for travel between Hawaii and North America.
• Flexible redemption options for flights, hotel stays, car rentals, and more.
• Partnership with JetBlue expands your travel network.

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Cons

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• Key benefits, such as the checked bag allowance, are limited to the primary cardholder.
• The introductory companion ticket discount is a one-time offer that becomes less substantial after the first year.
• The card has an annual fee, and its perks are best suited for travelers who fly Hawaiian Airlines regularly.

Hawaiian Airlines® World Elite Mastercard® vs Marriott Bonvoy Boundless®

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Categories

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Deciding which is better, the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless or Hawaiian Airlines World Elite, depends entirely on your travel style and brand loyalty.

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• Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card - This card is designed for frequent travelers who often stay at Marriott properties. It's a strong choice for those looking to earn hotel-specific rewards and benefits.
• Hawaiian Airlines® World Elite Mastercard® - This airline credit card is ideal for travelers who frequently fly to and from Hawaii. It's best suited for those loyal to Hawaiian Airlines who want to earn miles and enjoy airline-specific perks.

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Redemption

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Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card: Points earned with this card are primarily redeemed for free nights at hotels and resorts within the extensive Marriott Bonvoy portfolio. Cardholders can also transfer points to numerous airline partners for flight awards.

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Hawaiian Airlines® World Elite Mastercard®: Miles are best used for booking award flights on Hawaiian Airlines, especially for travel to and from the Hawaiian islands. You can also redeem miles for flight upgrades and travel with partner airlines.

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Travel Perks

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• Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card: This card's travel ecosystem is centered on the vast Marriott Bonvoy portfolio. It features no foreign transaction fees, making it a good companion for international travel. While it doesn't offer airport lounge access, its strength lies in the ability to transfer points to numerous airline partners, providing significant redemption flexibility beyond hotel stays.
• Hawaiian Airlines® World Elite Mastercard®: The ecosystem for this card revolves around Hawaiian Airlines. It also comes with no foreign transaction fees. Cardholders may receive discounted access to Hawaiian Airlines Premier Club lounges. The primary perk is using miles for flights on Hawaiian Airlines and its partners, which is especially valuable for frequent travelers to the islands.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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

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• Test drive credit cards using your real spending data to see personalized reward projections before you apply.
• Receive a detailed analysis of your approval odds based on your credit report.
• Unlock a $100 Kudos Kickstart+ reward, get a welcome offer guarantee, and track your progress toward sign-up bonuses.
• Earn extra rewards with Kudos Boost when shopping at your favorite stores and let the platform autofill the best card for you at checkout.

Who Should Choose the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless®?

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The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card is an excellent choice for frequent travelers who regularly stay at Marriott properties, whether for business or leisure. It also appeals to value-focused travelers looking to maximize the annual free night award and status seekers aiming for perks like automatic Silver Elite status. As detailed in a comprehensive card review, even everyday spenders can benefit by earning 3X points on the first $6,000 spent annually on combined grocery, gas, and dining purchases.

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

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The Hawaiian Airlines® World Elite Mastercard® is an excellent choice for individuals who regularly travel to or from Hawaii, especially those who fly with a companion. Its primary value comes from leveraging the significant companion ticket discounts and earning accelerated miles on Hawaiian Airlines purchases, gas, dining, and groceries. As detailed in a NerdWallet review, perks like two free checked bags for the primary cardholder make it particularly beneficial for travelers loyal to the airline seeking to reduce their travel costs.

Alternatives to Consider

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So, the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® vs. Hawaiian Airlines® World Elite Mastercard® comparison didn't yield a winner for your wallet? Not to worry—plenty of other excellent travel rewards cards might be a better match for your spending habits and travel goals.

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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 and rewards cards require good to excellent credit for approval.
• Plan your spending – Ensure you can naturally meet any welcome offer spending requirements without forcing purchases.
• Review issuer rules – Be aware of application restrictions, as some issuers limit approvals based on how many cards you've recently opened.

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Application Strategy

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• Match co-branded cards to your existing travel loyalty.
• Evaluate unique perks like anniversary nights or companion discounts.
• Consider cards that also reward everyday spending on gas, dining, or groceries.

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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Can I transfer points between Marriott Bonvoy and HawaiianMiles?

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Yes, Marriott Bonvoy points can be transferred to the HawaiianMiles program, typically at a 3:1 ratio. This allows you to use points earned from hotel stays for flights on Hawaiian Airlines.

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Do these cards offer automatic elite status?

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The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card grants cardholders complimentary Silver Elite Status in the Bonvoy program. The Hawaiian Airlines® World Elite Mastercard® does not offer automatic elite status but allows you to earn tier-qualifying flight segments through spending.

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Is the Hawaiian Airlines card useful if I don't fly to Hawaii?

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The value of the Hawaiian Airlines® World Elite Mastercard® is maximized when flying with the airline, as its benefits center on earning and redeeming HawaiianMiles. If your travel doesn't involve their routes, a more general travel rewards card may be a better fit.

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