Barclays Hawaiian Airlines Credit Card Review (2025.8 Update: 80k Offer)

Overview

The Hawaiian Airlines® World Elite Mastercard®, issued by Barclays, is designed for travelers loyal to Hawaiian Airlines and Alaska Airlines, now integrated under the Atmos Rewards program as of October 1, 2025. With a $99 annual fee, the card offers a strong welcome bonus, travel perks like free checked bags, and a rewards structure suited for those traveling to or from Hawaii. Its alignment with the Oneworld alliance enhances redemption options, but its value is tied to specific airline routes.

Welcome Offer

• Current Offer: Earn 80,000 Atmos Rewards points after spending $2,500 on purchases within the first 90 days of account opening.
• Valuation: Atmos Rewards points (formerly HawaiianMiles) are valued at approximately 1.2–1.6 cents each (per The Points Guy and US Credit Card Guide, August 2025), making the bonus worth $960–$1,280.
• Additional Perk: Receive a one-time 50% off companion discount for round-trip coach travel between Hawaii and North America on Hawaiian Airlines, valid for 13 months from account opening (taxes and fees not included).
• Eligibility Notes:
  • Ineligible if you’ve received a bonus for this card in the past 24 months.
  • Barclays’ 6/24 rule: You may be rejected if you’ve opened 6 or more new accounts in the past 24 months (soft rule, reconsideration possible).
  • Recommended to apply with fewer than 6 hard pulls in the past 6 months and at least 1 year of credit history.
  • A targeted 85,000-point offer may be available via email or in-flight links (requires a 6-digit promo code, e.g., “000150”).

Annual Fee

• $99, not waived for the first year.

Rewards Structure

• Earning Rates:
  • 3X points on eligible Hawaiian Airlines and Alaska Airlines purchases (e.g., tickets, vacation packages).
  • 2X points on gas, dining, and eligible grocery store purchases.
  • 1X point on all other purchases (no mileage caps).
• Point Valuation: At 1.2–1.6 cents per point, this yields a 3.6–4.8% return on Hawaiian/Alaska purchases, 2.4–3.2% on gas/dining/groceries, and 1.2–1.6% on other purchases (per TPG’s January 2025 valuations).
• Note: Points earned after October 1, 2025, are Atmos Rewards points, transferable at a 1:1 ratio to Alaska Mileage Plan.

Redemption Options

• Primary Use: Redeem points for flights on Hawaiian Airlines, Alaska Airlines, or Oneworld partners (e.g., American Airlines, Japan Airlines, Cathay Pacific) and other partners like JetBlue or Korean Air. Examples:
  • Hawaiian/Alaska: Hawaii to West Coast for 15,000–17,500 points one-way in economy.
  • Cathay Pacific: Business class to Asia for 75,000 points one-way with a stopover.
  • JetBlue: TrueBlue redemptions via Hawaiian’s award chart, though less valuable.
• Point Sharing: Share miles with family/friends via HawaiianAirlines.com without a fee, a valuable perk for pooling points.
• Flexibility: No blackout dates on Hawaiian or Alaska flights. Partner redemptions depend on availability and may incur fees (e.g., British Airways fuel surcharges).

Key Benefits

• Free Checked Bags: Free first checked bag for the primary cardholder (includes sports equipment) when purchasing tickets directly from Hawaiian Airlines or Alaska Airlines with the card (~$35–$40 savings per flight).
• Companion Discount:
  • One-time 50% off companion fare for round-trip coach travel between Hawaii and North America (valid 13 months).
  • $100 annual companion discount for round-trip travel between Hawaii and North America after each account anniversary.
• No Foreign Transaction Fees: Ideal for international purchases.
• 0% Intro APR: 0% introductory APR for 15 months on balance transfers made within 45 days of account opening, then a variable APR of 20.24%–29.99% (balance transfer fee applies).
• Travel Protections: Includes baggage delay coverage (up to $100/day for 3 days if delayed 4+ hours) and standard Mastercard benefits (e.g., purchase protection).
• Contactless Payments: Supports secure tap-to-pay transactions.
• Note: Existing cardholders can continue using the card post-October 1, 2025, with points earned as Atmos Rewards points. There’s uncertainty about new applications after this date, but Barclays has confirmed the card will persist for now.

Disadvantages

• Annual Fee: The $99 fee may not be justified for infrequent Hawaiian/Alaska flyers or those outside their hubs (e.g., Seattle, Honolulu).
• Limited Route Network: Hawaiian Airlines’ focus on Hawaii routes and limited partner redemption value make it less versatile than cards like the Capital One Venture.
• Low Base Earning Rate: 1X points on non-bonus categories is below competitors like the Capital One VentureOne (1.25X miles) or Chase Freedom Unlimited (1.5X points).
• No Elite Status Benefits: Unlike the BoA Alaska Atmos Summit, it offers no direct path to elite status via spending.
• Application Restrictions:
  • 6/24 Rule: Risk of rejection with 6+ new accounts in 24 months.
  • Double-Dipping: Barclays may deny approval if you’ve recently had this card, though some have received bonuses after 6 months.
• Complex Approval Process: Barclays pulls TransUnion (or Experian if frozen) and is sensitive to recent applications. Reconsideration (866-408-4064) may be needed.
• Merger Uncertainty: While the card continues post-October 2025, it may eventually convert to an Alaska-branded product, potentially altering benefits.

Recommended Application Time

• Apply with less than 6 hard pulls in the past 6 months and at least 1 year of credit history.
• Consider the 85,000-point targeted offer if available via email or in-flight (use any 6-digit code like “000150”).
• Apply before October 1, 2025, to maximize the welcome bonus, as the card’s future availability is uncertain post-merger.
• Check application status at Barclays’ website or call the reconsideration line (866-408-4064).

Who Should Get This Card?

The Barclays Hawaiian Airlines card is ideal for:

• Hawaii Travelers: Frequent flyers to/from Hawaii who can use the 50% companion discount and free checked bags.
• Alaska/Hawaiian Loyalists: Those who fly these airlines or Oneworld partners and can leverage the 80,000-point bonus for high-value redemptions (e.g., Cathay Pacific business class).
• Moderate Spenders: The $2,500 spending requirement for the bonus is achievable for those with regular expenses in gas, dining, or groceries (2X categories).
• International Spenders: No foreign transaction fees make it suitable for overseas purchases.

It’s less suitable for:

• Non-Hawaii Travelers: Limited value if you don’t fly Hawaiian or Alaska regularly, as the route network is niche.
• High Spenders: The 1X base rate and lack of premium perks (e.g., lounge access) lag behind cards like the BoA Alaska Atmos Summit.
• Fee-Averse Users: The $99 fee may not justify the benefits for low spenders or those outside the airlines’ hubs.

Comparison to Alternatives

Given your prior inquiries (e.g., Capital One VentureOne, BoA Alaska Atmos Business/Summit, cred.ai Unicorn), here’s how it stacks up:

• Capital One VentureOne ($0 annual fee): Earns 1.25X miles on all purchases, 5X on Capital One Travel bookings, with a 20,000-mile + $100 credit offer. More flexible redemptions but no airline-specific perks. Better for Budget-Conscious Spenders.
• BoA Alaska Atmos Business ($95 annual fee): Offers 80,000–85,000 points and a $99 Companion Fare, with free checked bags for up to 7 people. Better for business owners and Alaska/Hawaiian loyalists.
• BoA Alaska Atmos Summit ($395 annual fee): Provides 100,000 points + 25,000-point Companion Award, 8 lounge passes, and elite status benefits. Ideal for Premium Perks Seekers but requires higher spending.
• cred.ai Unicorn Card ($0 annual fee): Focuses on credit building with no rewards or travel perks. Suits Credit Builders, not travel-focused users.

Your Money Style Fit

Based on your interest in travel rewards (VentureOne, Atmos cards) and credit-building options (cred.ai), you likely blend Travel Enthusiast, Rewards Maximizer, and possibly Budget-Conscious Spender styles. This card fits if:

• You’re a Travel Enthusiast flying Hawaiian or Alaska often, especially to/from Hawaii, leveraging the 80,000-point bonus and companion discounts.
• You’re a Rewards Maximizer spending in gas, dining, or groceries (2X categories) and can use Oneworld redemptions for high value.
• You’re comfortable with a $99 fee, unlike your interest in no-fee cards like VentureOne or cred.ai.

If you don’t fly Hawaiian/Alaska frequently or prefer no-fee options, the Capital One VentureOne may better suit your budget-conscious side. For premium perks, consider the Atmos Summit if you’re open to a higher fee.

Bottom Line

The Barclays Hawaiian Airlines World Elite Mastercard offers a strong 80,000-point welcome bonus (worth $960–$1,280) and valuable perks like free checked bags and a 50% companion discount, making it a great pick for Hawaii travelers and Alaska/Hawaiian loyalists. The $99 annual fee is reasonable for frequent flyers, but the card’s niche route network and modest 1X base rate limit its appeal for others. With the Atmos Rewards transition, it remains a viable option post-October 2025, but potential product changes loom. If you fly to Hawaii often or can maximize Oneworld redemptions, this card delivers solid value; otherwise, explore more flexible options like the Capital One VentureOne.

Note: Verify terms on Barclays or Hawaiian Airlines websites, or call the reconsideration line (866-408-4064) for application issues.