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AAdvantage Aviator Red World Elite Mastercard vs Hawaiian Airlines World Elite Mastercard

Both are airline travel cards. The AAdvantage Aviator Red World Elite Mastercard comes from Barclays at $99/yr; the Hawaiian Airlines World Elite Mastercard from Bank of America at $99/yr. Below: side-by-side specs, an opinionated verdict, and the FAQs people actually ask before applying.

Bottom line

These cards are close on the fundamentals (similar bonus value, similar fee). The right pick depends on which category you spend the most in and which transfer partners best fit your travel goals.

FeatureAAdvantage Aviator Red World Elite MastercardHawaiian Airlines World Elite Mastercard
Annual fee$99$99
Sign-up bonus60,000 miles70,000 miles
Bonus value (est.)$840$980
Min spend to unlock bonus$0 in 1 mo$2,000 in 3 mo
IssuerBarclaysBank of America
Card categoryairlineairline
Best earning category (American)2x1x
Transfer partnersaadvantagehawaiian-miles
Headline benefits
  • Single-purchase 60k bonus
  • Free bag for 5 travelers
  • 10% mile rebate on redemptions
  • $25 wifi credit
  • $100 companion discount
  • Free checked bag
  • 5k anniversary miles
  • Hawaii routing
Read the full review
AAdvantage Aviator Red World Elite Mastercard
$99/yr · 60,000 miles
Read the full review
Hawaiian Airlines World Elite Mastercard
$99/yr · 70,000 miles

Editorial take: AAdvantage Aviator Red World Elite Mastercard

The bag fee waiver alone covers the $99 fee for any AA traveler who takes a checked bag once a year. The 60k sign-up bonus is one of the easier ones in the industry — only requires a single purchase.

Editorial take: Hawaiian Airlines World Elite Mastercard

Niche card unless you fly Hawaii regularly. Note: Hawaiian + Alaska have merged loyalty into Atmos Rewards in 2025; the long-term direction of this card is in transition. Worth tracking if you're Hawaii-bound multiple times a year.

Common questions

Which card has the bigger sign-up bonus, AAdvantage Aviator Red World Elite Mastercard or Hawaiian Airlines World Elite Mastercard?
The Hawaiian Airlines World Elite Mastercard has the bigger bonus — 70,000 miles, worth roughly $980, versus 60,000 miles (~$840) on the AAdvantage Aviator Red World Elite Mastercard.
Is the AAdvantage Aviator Red World Elite Mastercard's $99 annual fee worth it compared to the Hawaiian Airlines World Elite Mastercard?
At $99/yr, the AAdvantage Aviator Red World Elite Mastercard is in the mid-fee tier. Compare its specific perks (lounge access, travel credits, primary rental insurance) to the Hawaiian Airlines World Elite Mastercard's — pick the one whose perks you'll actually use.
Can I have both the AAdvantage Aviator Red World Elite Mastercard and Hawaiian Airlines World Elite Mastercard?
Yes, since they're from different issuers (Barclays and Bank of America) the application rules don't conflict. Many points enthusiasts hold both — they pair well when one earns flexible bank points and the other earns a different currency.
Should I get the AAdvantage Aviator Red World Elite Mastercard or the Hawaiian Airlines World Elite Mastercard first?
Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. AAdvantage Aviator Red World Elite Mastercard: $0 spend in 1 months. Hawaiian Airlines World Elite Mastercard: $2,000 in 3 months. Pick the easier minimum spend if you're new to points; pick the larger bonus if you have planned big purchases coming up.

Card details on this page reflect the most recent data we've verified against the issuer's own site. Sign-up bonuses and fees can change at any time — confirm the current offer on the issuer's page before applying.