What Bank of Hawaii credit cards offer

Bank of Hawaii issues three main credit cards: the Bank of Hawaii Visa Signature, the Bank of Hawaii World Elite Mastercard, and the Bank of Hawaii Business Visa. All three earn cash back on purchases, but the earning rates, annual fees, and perks differ enough that the right card depends on your spending pattern and whether you bank with them already.

The Visa Signature and World Elite Mastercard are consumer cards. The Visa Signature has no annual fee and earns 1% cash back on all purchases. The World Elite Mastercard carries a $95 annual fee and earns 2% cash back on purchases made with the card, plus additional benefits like travel protections and concierge services. The Business Visa is designed for business owners and earns 1.5% cash back on all purchases with no annual fee.

Bank of Hawaii is a regional bank headquartered in Honolulu, so these cards work best if you live in Hawaii or have a relationship with the bank already. If you do not bank with them, you can still open a card, but you will not see the account management tools or promotional offers that existing customers receive.

Key Takeaways

  • The Visa Signature has no annual fee and earns 1% cash back, making it a baseline option if you want to test the card without cost.
  • The World Elite Mastercard charges $95 per year but earns 2% cash back and includes travel insurance, airport lounge access, and concierge services.
  • The Business Visa earns 1.5% cash back with no annual fee and is intended for business owners, though personal use is permitted.
  • Bank of Hawaii is a regional issuer, so card benefits and promotional offers are most robust for existing Bank of Hawaii customers.
  • Cash back is redeemed as a statement credit or direct deposit to a linked Bank of Hawaii account, not as points or miles.

Comparing the Visa Signature and World Elite Mastercard

The choice between these two consumer cards hinges on whether the $95 annual fee pays for itself through the extra 1% cash back and the added perks. If you spend $10,000 per year on the World Elite card, you earn $200 in cash back versus $100 on the Visa Signature — a $100 gain that covers the fee and leaves $5 in your pocket. If you spend less than $10,000 annually, the Visa Signature is the better deal.

Beyond cash back, the World Elite Mastercard includes trip cancellation insurance, lost luggage reimbursement, emergency medical and dental coverage abroad, and access to Mastercard's concierge service. It also offers primary auto rental collision damage waiver, which can save money if you rent cars frequently. The Visa Signature includes basic travel protections but fewer of them.

Both cards offer fraud protection and zero liability for unauthorized charges, which is standard across the industry. Neither card has a foreign transaction fee, so both work for international travel without extra costs per transaction.

Cash back structure and redemption

All three Bank of Hawaii cards earn cash back on every purchase with no bonus categories, no rotating categories, and no caps. The cash back accrues as a statement credit that appears on your monthly bill, or you can request it be deposited directly into a linked Bank of Hawaii checking or savings account. There is no minimum redemption amount, so you can redeem $1 if you want to.

Cash back does not expire as long as your account remains open and in good standing. If you close the card, any unredeemed cash back is forfeited, so check your balance before you cancel. Bank of Hawaii does not allow you to transfer cash back to other accounts or convert it to gift cards or merchandise.

The cash back rate is fixed and does not change based on spending category, merchant type, or time of year. This simplicity means you do not have to track bonus categories or worry about earning less on certain purchases.

Annual fees and when they make sense

The Visa Signature and Business Visa have no annual fee, so there is no cost to hold them indefinitely even if you do not use them. The World Elite Mastercard charges $95 per year, assessed on your statement each anniversary of account opening.

Bank of Hawaii does not offer an annual fee waiver for the first year, so you pay the full $95 when ready. Some issuers waive the fee if you do not use the card in the first year, but Bank of Hawaii does not have this policy. If you open the card and decide it is not for you, you will still owe the $95 unless you close it within a very short window — check the terms when you open the account.

The fee is worth paying only if you will spend enough to earn back the $95 in extra cash back compared to the Visa Signature, or if you value the travel insurance and concierge services. If you travel rarely and spend less than $10,000 per year, the Visa Signature is the lower-cost choice.

Who should consider Bank of Hawaii cards

These cards are strongest for people who live in Hawaii or have an existing relationship with Bank of Hawaii. If you are a Bank of Hawaii customer, you may see promotional offers like bonus cash back for the first few months, waived fees for new accounts, or higher cash back rates during specific periods. These offers are not available to non-customers or are less generous.

The Visa Signature works for anyone who wants a straightforward, no-fee cash back card with no annual fee and no bonus categories to track. It is not the highest-earning card on the market — many competitors offer 1.5% or 2% cash back with no fee — but it is a solid baseline if you already bank with Bank of Hawaii or prefer to consolidate accounts with one institution.

The World Elite Mastercard appeals to frequent travelers who value trip insurance and concierge services and spend enough annually to offset the $95 fee. The Business Visa is designed for business owners who want to earn cash back on business expenses without paying an annual fee, though it can be used for personal purchases as well.

How to open a Bank of Hawaii credit card

You can open a Bank of Hawaii credit card online through their website, by phone, or in person at a Bank of Hawaii branch. If you are an existing customer, you can explore online and often receive a decision within minutes. If you are not a customer, you will need to provide personal information including your Social Security number, income, and employment details, and the bank will pull your credit report.

Bank of Hawaii typically requires a minimum credit score in the mid-600s to mid-700s range, though the exact threshold is not published. If you are denied, you can request reconsideration or ask what factors led to the decision. The bank does not offer a secured card option, so if your credit is limited, you may not be able to open an account.

Once approved, your card will arrive by mail within 7 to 10 business days. You can set up it online or by phone, and you can begin using it when ready for purchases. If you are an existing Bank of Hawaii customer, you can link the card to your online banking account right away.

Alternatives to consider

If you do not live in Hawaii or do not bank with Bank of Hawaii, you have many other options that may offer higher cash back rates or lower fees. The Citi Double Cash card earns 2% cash back with no annual fee and is available nationwide. The Capital One Quicksilver earns 1.5% cash back with no annual fee and includes travel protections similar to the World Elite Mastercard.

If you travel frequently and value insurance and concierge services, the Chase Sapphire Preferred earns 2% cash back on travel and dining, 1% on other purchases, and includes trip insurance and concierge services for a $95 annual fee. The American Express Gold Card earns 4% cash back on restaurants and 3% on travel for a $250 annual fee, which is higher but may pay for itself if you spend heavily in those categories.

The best card for you depends on your spending pattern, how much you value travel insurance, and whether you want to consolidate accounts with one bank. Bank of Hawaii cards are competitive for existing customers but may not be the best choice if you are shopping across issuers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I earn bonus cash back for opening a Bank of Hawaii credit card?

Bank of Hawaii occasionally offers promotional bonuses for new cardholders, but these vary by card and by time of year. Existing Bank of Hawaii customers are more likely to see these offers than non-customers. Check the Bank of Hawaii website or call their customer service line to ask about current promotions before you open an account.

Do Bank of Hawaii credit cards have foreign transaction fees?

No. Both the Visa Signature and World Elite Mastercard have no foreign transaction fees, so you can use them internationally without paying extra per transaction. The World Elite Mastercard also includes emergency medical and dental coverage abroad, which can be useful if you travel outside the United States.

What happens to my cash back if I close the card?

Any unredeemed cash back is forfeited when you close the account. Before you cancel, log into your account and redeem any balance as a statement credit or direct deposit. Once the account is closed, you cannot recover the cash back.

Can I use a Bank of Hawaii credit card if I do not live in Hawaii?

Yes. Bank of Hawaii issues cards to customers outside Hawaii, and you can open an account online without visiting a branch. However, you will not have access to in-branch services or some promotional offers that are reserved for local customers.

Is the World Elite Mastercard worth the $95 annual fee?

It depends on your spending and travel habits. If you spend at least $10,000 per year on the card, the extra 1% cash back covers the fee. If you travel frequently and value trip insurance and concierge services, the fee may be worth it even at lower spending levels. If you spend less than $10,000 annually and do not travel, the Visa Signature is the better choice.