Best Credit Cards for Hawaii Travelers
Every card vetted through a Hawaii lens. Real strategies for travelers flying out of HNL — no mainland-centric advice, ever.
Advertiser disclosure: Hawaii Reward Travel may receive a commission when you apply for cards through our links — at no extra cost to you. We only feature cards we genuinely recommend for Hawaii travelers. Our editorial opinions are our own and have not been reviewed or approved by any card issuer.
The card most Hawaii-based travelers should start with. Chase Ultimate Rewards transfer directly to United, Hyatt, and Southwest — exceptional for flying on and off the island and booking Hawaii hotels for free. The welcome bonus alone can cover a round-trip flight for two from HNL.
How our community books ANA First Class and JAL business class from Honolulu. Amex transfers to ANA, JAL, and Singapore Airlines — the holy trinity for Hawaii-to-Asia premium cabin awards. The $695 fee is worth it for Hawaii travelers flying 3+ times a year.
Best everyday-spending card for Hawaii families. 4× at grocery stores — and in Hawaii where food costs run high, that adds up fast. Pair with the Platinum for one of the strongest two-card combinations for building Membership Rewards toward premium cabin awards from HNL.
Capital One transfers to Air Canada Aeroplan — one of the best programs for booking Star Alliance business class from Honolulu. The $395 fee is nearly offset by the $300 travel credit and 10,000 anniversary miles. Scottie loves pairing this with an Amex card for maximum transfer partner coverage.
The premium upgrade from the Preferred. The $300 travel credit and Priority Pass lounge access make the higher fee easier to justify if you're a frequent flyer out of HNL. Same great Ultimate Rewards transfer partners — United, Hyatt, Southwest — but with 3× on travel instead of 2×.
If you're paying rent in Hawaii, this card turns one of your biggest monthly expenses into points — for free. Bilt points transfer to United, Alaska, and Hyatt. No annual fee makes this an easy add to any Hawaii traveler's wallet, especially early in your points journey.
The best business card for Hawaii-based small business owners getting started with points. One of the highest welcome bonuses available for $95/year, and the same Ultimate Rewards transfer partners as the Sapphire cards. If you have a side business or sole proprietorship, this is worth adding to your sequence.
A straightforward 2× miles on all purchases with a solid welcome bonus. Good entry point into the Capital One ecosystem if the Venture X feels like too big a step. Transfers to the same partners including Aeroplan for Star Alliance awards out of HNL.
Real result from the HRT community"Scottie showed me how transfer partners and bonuses open up way better options. My family booked ANA First Class from Honolulu to Tokyo for under 45,000 points each — a $13,000 experience we'll never forget."
— Josh Cabanero, Honolulu $13,000 first-class trip · 45,000 pts per person
Why Hawaii Travelers Trust HRT
Every card evaluated through a Hawaii lens — what routes and redemptions actually work from HNL. No mainland-centric advice.
Strategies Hawaii families have used to fly ANA First Class to Japan, business class to Korea, and coast-to-coast for free.
Every affiliate relationship is disclosed. Commission never determines which cards appear here. Scottie's guidance is based on what works.
Not sure where to start? The free 'Ohana program guides you to the right card at the right time — based on your goals.
Don't know which card to get first?
Scottie will tell you.
Join the free 'Ohana program and get a personalized card roadmap built for your travel goals, your spending habits, and the best Hawaii redemptions right now. Over 400 Hawaii families have earned $5,000–$9,000 in free travel in their first year.
Join the 'Ohana — it's free ✈