United Gateway 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’re fans of the Hawaiian Airlines® World Elite Mastercard®.

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• You'll earn 3X miles on eligible Hawaiian Airlines purchases and an elevated 2X miles on gas, dining, and grocery store purchases.
• Cardholders receive a valuable companion ticket discount each year and pay no foreign transaction fees, though the card does have an annual fee.
• The two free checked bags benefit for the primary cardholder can offset the annual fee with just two round-trip flights per year (publisher-formulated estimate).

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Pros

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• Valuable travel perks like an annual companion ticket discount and free checked bags for the primary cardholder.
• Earns bonus miles on everyday purchases like gas, dining, and groceries, not just on travel with the airline.
• No foreign transaction fees, plus a partnership with JetBlue that expands travel flexibility.

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Cons

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• Key travel benefits, such as free checked bags, apply only to the primary cardholder and not to travel companions.
• The card's rewards and perks are heavily focused on Hawaiian Airlines, offering limited value for those who don't fly the airline regularly.
• It doesn't include premium perks like airport lounge access that are sometimes offered by other airline credit cards.

Hawaiian Airlines® World Elite Mastercard® vs United Gateway

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Categories

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Deciding which is better, United Gateway or Hawaiian Airlines World Elite, depends entirely on your travel habits and goals. Each card caters to a different type of flyer, offering distinct advantages for specific loyalties.

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• United Gateway℠ Card is an entry-level card designed for occasional United Airlines flyers or credit card beginners. It's a good fit for budget-conscious travelers who want to earn miles without committing to an annual fee.
• Hawaiian Airlines® World Elite Mastercard® is ideal for those who frequently travel to Hawaii, particularly with a companion. The card offers the most value to travelers loyal to the airline who want to maximize their rewards on flights and everyday spending.

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Redemption

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United Gateway℠ Card: Miles earned can be redeemed for flights on United and its extensive network of Star Alliance partner airlines. You can also use miles for other travel-related purchases, such as hotel stays and car rentals.

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Hawaiian Airlines® World Elite Mastercard®: Miles are primarily redeemed for flights on Hawaiian Airlines, making it easy to book award travel to the islands and other destinations. Cardholders can also use miles for flight upgrades, hotel stays, car rentals, and merchandise.

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Travel Perks

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• United Gateway℠ Card: This card operates within the United Airlines and Star Alliance ecosystem. Perks include no foreign transaction fees and 25% back as a statement credit on in-flight purchases aboard United flights. However, it does not offer airport lounge access.
• Hawaiian Airlines® World Elite Mastercard®: Centered on the Hawaiian Airlines network, this card's main advantages are travel-specific benefits with the airline. It features no foreign transaction fees, a free first checked bag for the primary cardmember, a one-time 50% off companion discount for roundtrip travel between Hawaii and North America, and an annual $100 companion ticket discount for a similar itinerary. This card does not include airport lounge access.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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To find the best card for your wallet, a tool like Kudos can help you compare nearly 3,000 credit cards using your own spending data for personalized, data-driven recommendations.

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• Test drive a credit card: Before you apply, you can simulate how much you would earn with a new card based on your actual transaction history, without a hard credit pull or commitment.
• Get approval odds: Receive a detailed analysis of your likelihood of being approved for a card based on your credit report.
• Maximize and track rewards: The platform helps you discover which card will earn you the most, tracks sign-up bonuses, and lets you stack extra rewards when shopping at certain stores.
• Welcome offer guarantee: If you find a better public welcome offer for a card you got through Kudos within three months of approval, the platform will match it.

Who Should Choose the United Gateway?

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The United Gateway℠ Card is a strong contender for occasional United Airlines flyers and credit card beginners looking to earn travel rewards without paying an annual fee. It's particularly well-suited for budget-conscious individuals who can maximize rewards on everyday purchases like gas and local transit, or for international travel since it has no foreign transaction fees. As this card review explains, existing Chase customers may also find it a convenient addition to their wallet.

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 frequently travel to or from Hawaii, particularly those who fly with a companion and can take advantage of the annual companion discount. Beyond airfare, its rewards structure also benefits cardholders on the ground, offering accelerated miles on everyday purchases like gas, dining, and groceries. Ultimately, it's a valuable tool for loyal Hawaiian Airlines customers looking to maximize rewards across their travel and daily spending, as detailed in NerdWallet's review of the card's features.

Alternatives to Consider

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Perhaps our comparison of the United Gateway℠ Card vs. the Hawaiian Airlines® World Elite Mastercard® has you convinced that neither card is the right choice. If so, let's explore a few other top-tier travel cards that could 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 to ensure you meet the typical good-to-excellent credit requirements.
• Plan your spending to ensure you can naturally meet any minimum spend for a welcome offer.
• Review airline partners to understand how you can maximize your miles, like with Hawaiian Airlines and JetBlue.

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Application Strategy

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• Know the issuer's rules - Some issuers have strict application guidelines that can affect your approval.
• Read the fine print for benefits - Some perks, like the free checked bags on the Hawaiian Airlines® World Elite Mastercard®, require booking directly with the airline.
• Match the card to your travel style - Choose an entry-level card like the United Gateway℠ Card for occasional travel or a premium card for more frequent trips.

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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Which card is better for someone who doesn't fly often?

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For infrequent travelers, the United Gateway Card is generally the better option as it comes with no annual fee. You can accumulate miles on everyday purchases without the pressure of offsetting a yearly cost.

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Do both cards charge foreign transaction fees?

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No, neither the United Gateway Card nor the Hawaiian Airlines World Elite Mastercard charges foreign transaction fees. This makes both cards suitable options for purchases made outside the United States.

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Can I get free checked bags with either card?

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The Hawaiian Airlines World Elite Mastercard offers the primary cardmember their first two checked bags free on eligible flights. The United Gateway Card does not include a free checked bag benefit.

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