Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant 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 option.

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• Cardholders receive valuable companion ticket discounts, making it a great choice for those who frequently travel with a partner.
• You can earn extra miles on everyday spending categories like gas, dining, and groceries, in addition to Hawaiian Airlines purchases.
• While the card does have an annual fee, it waives foreign transaction fees, which is ideal for international travel.

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Pros

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• Includes a one-time companion discount and an annual companion discount for travel to and from Hawaii.
• A generous free checked bag allowance for the primary cardholder on eligible flights.
• Partnership with JetBlue expands your options for earning and redeeming miles.

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Cons

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• The card includes an annual fee.
• Key perks, like the free checked bag allowance, are restricted to the primary cardholder and do not extend to companions.
• Its value is highly dependent on flying Hawaiian Airlines, which may not suit travelers who aren’t loyal to the airline or its limited routes.

Hawaiian Airlines® World Elite Mastercard® vs Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express®

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Categories

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Deciding which is better, Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant or Hawaiian Airlines World Elite, depends entirely on your travel habits and brand loyalty. One card is a high-end hotel card packed with luxury perks, while the other is tailored for frequent flyers to a specific island destination.

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• Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card: This premium travel card is built for frequent travelers loyal to Marriott properties who want to maximize luxury hotel benefits and elite status perks. It's a high-end option for those who value premium travel experiences.
• Hawaiian Airlines® World Elite Mastercard®: This card is best for individuals who regularly travel to or from Hawaii, particularly those who fly with a companion. It focuses on earning miles and receiving benefits specific to Hawaiian Airlines.

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Redemption

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Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card: Points are primarily redeemed for free nights at the vast portfolio of hotels and resorts under the Marriott Bonvoy umbrella. You can also transfer points to numerous airline partners, offering flexibility for booking flights.

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Hawaiian Airlines® World Elite Mastercard®: Miles are best used for award flights on Hawaiian Airlines, especially for travel to, from, and between the Hawaiian Islands. Cardholders can also redeem miles for flights with partner airlines, hotel stays, and car rentals.

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Travel Perks

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• Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card: This card is built for the globetrotter, offering complimentary access to a vast network of airport lounges through a Priority Pass Select membership and access to The Centurion Lounge. It also eliminates foreign transaction fees, a key benefit for spending abroad. Cardholders can also take advantage of statement credits that can be applied to eligible purchases at restaurants worldwide.
• Hawaiian Airlines® World Elite Mastercard®: The ecosystem for this card is tightly woven around its namesake airline. It also features no foreign transaction fees. Its standout perks are airline-specific, including a significant one-time companion discount on a flight between Hawaii and North America, followed by an annual companion discount. It also offers free first checked bags for the primary cardmember on eligible flights. However, it does not provide broad, complimentary lounge access comparable to the Marriott card.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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To cut through the noise and find the card that truly matches your spending, a tool like Kudos can help you compare thousands of options based on your own data.

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• Test Drive: Before you apply, you can test drive a card to see a personalized projection of your potential annual rewards based on your actual spending history, without impacting your credit score.
• Personalized Matching: The platform analyzes your spending habits to recommend cards that will maximize your earnings.
• Approval Odds: Get a detailed analysis based on your credit report to understand your chances of being approved for a card before you apply.
• Kudos Boost: Earn extra rewards on top of your credit card rewards when you shop at participating stores through the platform.
• Welcome Offer Guarantee: If you find a better public welcome offer for a card you got through Kudos within three months, they will match it.
• Smart Wallet: At checkout, Kudos can automatically suggest and fill in the best card from your wallet to use for that specific purchase, ensuring you never miss out on rewards.

Who Should Choose the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express®?

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The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card is best suited for frequent travelers who are loyal to the Marriott portfolio and want to maximize their stays with automatic Platinum Elite status. This card also appeals to individuals who dine out regularly, as they can take full advantage of the up to $25 monthly dining credit, and those who appreciate luxury travel perks like airport lounge access and an annual Free Night Award. Ultimately, this card is for consumers who can leverage its premium benefits to offset the annual fee, as detailed in this comprehensive review.

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

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The Hawaiian Airlines® World Elite Mastercard® is primarily designed for individuals who regularly travel to or from Hawaii, especially those who often fly with a companion. For these travelers, the card's value lies in its specific airline perks, such as the annual companion ticket discount and two free checked bags for the primary cardholder. Beyond just flights, it's also a strong option for those looking to accumulate miles on everyday spending categories like gas, dining, and groceries for future trips to the Aloha State.

Alternatives to Consider

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If our Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant vs Hawaiian Airlines World Elite comparison has you feeling like neither card is the perfect travel companion for your wallet, don't worry. There are several other excellent travel rewards cards on the market that might be a better fit 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 premium travel cards require a good to excellent score.
• Review your spending habits – Ensure the card’s bonus categories align with where you spend most.
• Confirm your eligibility for the welcome offer – Many issuers have rules based on your card history.

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Application Strategy

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• Time your application strategically – Align it with large planned purchases to more easily meet a welcome offer's spending requirement.
• Evaluate your travel habits – Choose a card that rewards your loyalty, whether it's to a specific hotel chain or airline.
• Assess the card’s core benefits – Make sure you can realistically use the main perks, such as monthly credits or annual companion discounts.

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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Should I get a hotel credit card or an airline credit card?

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This depends on your travel habits and brand loyalty. If you consistently stay with one hotel chain, a hotel card provides direct value through perks like free nights and upgrades, whereas an airline card is better if you frequently fly with a specific carrier.

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Can I use points from a hotel card for flights?

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While many hotel loyalty programs let you transfer points to airline partners, the transfer ratios are often unfavorable. You will typically get significantly more value by redeeming your points for hotel stays rather than converting them for flights.

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Are the annual fees on co-branded travel cards worth it?

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Premium co-branded cards often have annual fees, but they are designed to be offset by valuable benefits like annual statement credits, free night awards, or complimentary elite status. It's crucial to weigh the fee against the perks you will realistically use each year.

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How do I decide which co-branded card is right for me?

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Analyze your spending habits and which brands you naturally gravitate toward when you travel. The best card will align with the airline or hotel you already use most, allowing you to maximize your rewards and enjoy the most relevant benefits.

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