Credit Card Review: Barclays Hawaiian Airlines
Despite its status as Hawaii's largest airline, Hawaiian Airlines tends to be overshadowed by major carriers, largely due to its more restricted route network. While it partners through code-sharing agreements with JetBlue and various international airlines, Hawaiian Airlines often remains under the radar for many travelers until they plan a trip to Hawaii. My personal experience with Hawaiian Airlines, facilitated by the use of HawaiianMiles through the Barclays Hawaiian Airlines card and its business counterpart, has been positive. Although the Barclays Hawaiian Airlines card might be considered a niche option, it becomes highly attractive for those eyeing a vacation to the Aloha state, thanks to its enticing sign-up bonus and benefits. Here is my review of the Barclays Hawaiian Airlines card:
The Barclays Hawaiian Airlines credit card could be a savvy addition to the wallet for those considering trips to Hawaii.
Sign-Up Bonus & Multipliers
The Barclays Hawaiian Airlines card currently offers a sign-up bonus of 60,000 HawaiianMiles after spending $2,000 in the first 90 days. This is a limited-time offer, and with a 0.9 cents per mile valuation, the sign-up bonus is worth $540. Before you hit the apply button, be aware of Barclays' credit card application rules. You won't be eligible for this elevated offer if you’ve received a sign-up bonus for the Barclays Hawaiian Airlines card within the last 24 months.
Barclays occasionally presents enhanced sign-up bonuses. If time is on your side, it might be advantageous to wait for a more lucrative offer. Photo by Barclays.
The Barclays Hawaiian Airlines card offers a rewards structure where you earn 3X HawaiianMiles on eligible Hawaiian Airlines transactions and 2X HawaiianMiles on expenditures for gas, dining, and groceries. All other purchases will earn 1X HawaiianMiles. The reward rates are considered one of the card's least attractive features. Despite the benefit for regular Hawaiian Airlines customers of receiving an equivalent of 2.7% back on flight purchases, this return falls short when compared to the potential value of more flexible rewards currencies, such as Citi's ThankYou points or Chase's Ultimate Rewards points. These alternatives can significantly increase in value when transferred to various airline or hotel partners. Nonetheless, I maintain that the card's sign-up bonus alone justifies its value.
Annual Fee & Benefits
The annual fee of the Barclays Hawaiian Airlines card is $99. Sometimes, the annual fee is waived with a limited-time offer, which could be a great opportunity to try out the card.
50% Companion Travel Discount
Booking a round-trip coach ticket from Hawaii to North America with your Barclays Hawaiian Airlines card entitles you to a singular 50% companion discount. Please note that this discount does not cover taxes and fees, and the coupon remains valid for 13 months following the opening of your account. Leveraging this discount could result in substantial savings, particularly for those residing on the East Coast.
The travel companion voucher can provide considerable savings, especially when used for trips to Hawaii on special occasions. Photo by Sacha Verheij on Unsplash.
$100 Companion Discount
At every account anniversary, Barclays Hawaiian Airlines cardholders qualify for a $100 companion discount on roundtrip flights between Hawaii and North America via Hawaiian Airlines. The $100 discount voucher remains valid for 12 months following the account anniversary date. Although the discount may seem modest, it can notably enhance savings for those flying from the West Coast, where flights to Hawaii tend to be more affordable, making a considerable impact on travel costs.
Two Free Checked Bags
Barclays Hawaiian Airlines cardholders are allowed to check up to two bags for free when they book their tickets directly through Hawaiian Airlines using their card. Fortunately, the benefit applies to reward tickets as long as the taxes and fees are paid with the Barclays Hawaiian Airlines card. For travelers heading to Hawaii from the mainland with two checked bags, non-card members would typically incur a fee of $40 for the first bag and $45 for the second bag. For a roundtrip, the total amounts to $170, significantly surpassing the card's annual fee ($99) in savings. The free checked bag benefit becomes even more valuable for those traveling with multiple family members, where baggage fees can quickly accumulate, offering a substantial opportunity for savings.
The complimentary checked baggage perk can significantly add up over time—even after just one round trip from North America. Photo by Hawaiian Airlines.
Shared HawaiianMiles
Primary cardholders have the freedom of transferring HawaiianMiles to friends and family up to 10 times each calendar year without incurring any fees. The mileage-sharing benefit stands in stark contrast to major airlines such as Delta, United, and American Airlines, which, although permitting mile transfers, attach hefty fees to these transactions, rendering the option practically futile unless the transfer is indispensable. I have frequently leveraged this feature with Hawaiian Airlines to supplement mileage for reward ticket bookings and can confirm that these transfers are processed instantaneously.
Transferring HawaiianMiles is a straightforward and immediate process. Photo by Hawaiian Airlines.
Redeeming HawaiianMiles
The most straightforward use of HawaiianMiles is for booking award flights on Hawaiian Airlines. With 60,000 HawaiianMiles, you can secure a roundtrip ticket in the main cabin and still retain a balance of miles. With some luck, you might even find a first-class roundtrip ticket within this mileage range. Typically, one-way first-class tickets require between 40,000 to 80,000 HawaiianMiles, depending on availability and timing.
HawaiianMiles offer solid value when utilized for flights on Hawaiian Airlines. Photo by Hawaiian Airlines.
Although Hawaiian Airlines is not part of the three major aviation alliances (SkyTeam, Star Alliance, and Oneworld), it codeshares with five airlines:
Japan Airlines
JetBlue Airways
Korean Air
China Airlines
Virgin Australia
Except for JetBlue, the other four partner airlines publish award charts, and you can score some fantastic deals, especially when traveling between Asian countries.
Summary
The Barclays Hawaiian Airlines card presents a sign-up offer of 60,000 HawaiianMiles after a spend of $2,000 within the initial 90 days. With a modest annual fee of $99, the card also boasts a suite of perks that can easily justify this cost. Key benefits include up to two complimentary checked bags for primary cardholders—a service that could amount to $170 for two bags on a roundtrip flight between North America and Hawaii. Additionally, on each card anniversary, members are rewarded with a voucher granting a 50% discount on a companion ticket. The ability to share HawaiianMiles with friends and family at no extra charge is another advantage, especially useful for pooling miles or completing the mileage needed for award ticket bookings. While the card's rewards rates may not match those of some other travel cards, its value, particularly for those planning a Hawaiian getaway, lies in its generous sign-up bonus and an array of benefits, making it a worthy contender for your wallet.
