Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus 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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This section breaks down the key reasons why the Hawaiian Airlines® World Elite Mastercard® stands out.

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• Cardholders earn accelerated miles on Hawaiian Airlines purchases and bonus miles on everyday spending categories like gas, dining, and groceries.
• While the card carries an annual fee, it has no foreign transaction fees and provides valuable companion ticket discounts.
• The value from checking two free bags on just one round-trip flight can nearly offset the card's annual fee (publisher-formulated estimate).

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Pros

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• Offers a valuable companion discount, a rare perk among airline credit cards.
• Miles are flexible and can be redeemed for hotel stays and car rentals in addition to flights.
• Cardholders receive a free checked bag allowance and pay no foreign transaction fees.

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Cons

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• The card is most valuable for those who frequently fly to or from Hawaii.
• Some key benefits, like the free checked bag allowance, don't extend to travel companions.
• Redeeming miles for non-flight rewards like hotel stays or car rentals may result in a lower value.

Hawaiian Airlines® World Elite Mastercard® vs Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus

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Categories

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When deciding which is better, Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus or Hawaiian Airlines World Elite, it's important to consider your primary travel destinations and airline loyalty. Both cards cater to frequent flyers of their respective airlines, but they offer distinct benefits tailored to different travel styles.

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• Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card: This card is best for frequent travelers who are loyal to Southwest Airlines. It serves as an excellent entry-level option for those looking to earn Rapid Rewards points and enjoy travel-related perks.
• Hawaiian Airlines® World Elite Mastercard®: This card is ideal for travelers who regularly fly to or from Hawaii, particularly those who travel with a companion. It's designed for Hawaiian Airlines loyalists who want to maximize their rewards and benefits with the airline.

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Redemption

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Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card: Points earned with this card are primarily redeemed for flights on Southwest Airlines, with no blackout dates or seat restrictions. You can also use points for international flights, hotel stays, car rentals, and gift cards through the airline's travel portal.

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Hawaiian Airlines® World Elite Mastercard®: HawaiianMiles can be redeemed for flights on Hawaiian Airlines or with partner airlines, offering flexibility for travel beyond Hawaii. Members can also use miles for hotel stays, car rentals, and merchandise through the airline's program.

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Travel Perks

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• Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card: The travel ecosystem is focused on the domestic flyer. While it includes a travel portal for booking hotels, car rentals, and international flights with points, cardholders should note that a foreign transaction fee applies to purchases made abroad. This card does not include airport lounge access but does provide two EarlyBird Check-In® services each year and anniversary bonus points.
• Hawaiian Airlines® World Elite Mastercard®: Tailored for travelers heading to the islands and beyond, this card’s ecosystem shines with no foreign transaction fees, making it a strong choice for international use. It does not offer airport lounge access. However, its primary benefits include a one-time companion discount for a roundtrip flight and the ability to redeem miles for hotels and car rentals through the airline's program.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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To make an informed decision, 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 projected earnings before you apply.
• Receive personalized card recommendations to find the best match for your spending patterns.
• Stack rewards by earning Kudos Boost on top of your regular credit card rewards when shopping at participating stores.
• Get a detailed analysis of your approval odds for different cards based on your credit report.
• Benefit from a welcome offer guarantee, where Kudos will match a better offer if you find one within three months.

Who Should Choose the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus?

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The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card is an excellent choice for budget-conscious travelers and those new to rewards who fly with the airline a few times a year. It's also a strategic tool for Southwest loyalists aiming to earn the coveted Companion Pass, as all points earned from everyday spending count toward qualification. Ultimately, this card provides a low-fee entry point into the Southwest ecosystem, offering valuable perks without the commitment of a premium card, as detailed in this complete 2025 guide.

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. Its benefits are tailored to maximize value through companion fare discounts and accelerated mileage earning on everyday purchases like gas, dining, and groceries. Ultimately, travelers who can take full advantage of its Hawaii-centric perks, such as free checked bags and partner benefits, will find this card most rewarding, as detailed in this NerdWallet review.

Alternatives to Consider

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If our Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus vs. Hawaiian Airlines® World Elite Mastercard® comparison has left you unconvinced, don't worry. There are several other travel rewards cards that might be a better match for your spending habits and travel aspirations.

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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 airline cards require a good to excellent credit history for approval.
• Review the rewards program: Ensure the airline's routes and redemption options align with your travel goals.
• Understand the core benefits: Look past the welcome offer to see if perks like companion discounts or free checked bags fit your travel style.

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Application Strategy

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• Time your application: Align your application with a planned large purchase to help meet any spending requirements for a welcome offer.
• Check issuer rules: Be aware of bank-specific policies that may affect your eligibility for a new card or its welcome offer.
• Target unique perks: Prioritize cards with distinct benefits, like companion discounts or pass eligibility, that directly match your travel style.

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 are the annual fees for these cards?

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The Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus card has a lower annual fee, making it a more budget-friendly option. The Hawaiian Airlines World Elite Mastercard has a higher annual fee, which helps cover its more premium travel benefits.

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Can I transfer points between Southwest Rapid Rewards and HawaiianMiles?

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No, you cannot directly transfer points between the Southwest Rapid Rewards and HawaiianMiles loyalty programs. Each program operates independently, so points earned with one airline must be redeemed through that same airline.

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Do both cards offer a free checked bag benefit?

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The Hawaiian Airlines World Elite Mastercard offers a free checked bag benefit for the primary cardmember on qualifying flights. Southwest Airlines, however, already provides two free checked bags for all passengers, so this benefit is not a unique feature of its Rapid Rewards Plus card.

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