HSBC Star Alliance credit card in Australia

[SYD]

Not sure if it’s been discussed already but presumably if you took out the card in say Dec and met the *G min spend, if you then took UA MP Gold in the New Year, that would be good to 2024? (caveat on the the need to maintain the card to maintain status?) Or will it work differently? Similar question for SQ - I’m not familiar with their membership/status years.

Some further details here. My quick interpretation is UA *G might be a sweet spot? Yes/no?

FAQ | Star Alliance Rewards

 

[SeaWolf]

My mistake. Coles have 3 cards. The No Annual Fee card and Low Rate cards have no forex fees.

Isn't it the other way around? The No Annual Fee and Low Rate do have forex fees and the Rewards card doesn't.
Compare Credit Cards | Coles Credit Cards

+The International Transaction Fee for Retail Purchases is waived on the Coles Rewards Mastercard

 

[Viridis]

Some further details here. My quick interpretation is UA *G might be a sweet spot? Yes/no?

So, just to clarify, do you mean UA *G is a sweet spot in preference to the other carriers participating in the programme (say, for eg, SQ). If so, why?

I'm already SQ Gold and in Yr2 won't have the spend on this card to retain it because everything goes on the Amex Plat. But will generate enough residual spend from places that don't take Amex to get Silver.

Are you suggesting it would be better to direct that to UA rather than SQ?

 

[prozac]

Isn't it the other way around? The No Annual Fee and Low Rate do have forex fees and the Rewards card doesn't.
Compare Credit Cards | Coles Credit Cards

You're absolutely right. $99 annual fee on Rewards card.

 

[blacksultan]

Has anyone applied and been approved for this card ? What was the application process like ?

 

[levelnine]

Has anyone applied and been approved for this card ? What was the application process like ?

Early reports suggest it is a debacle for some: HSBC Star Alliance Credit Card: Star Alliance Gold Status (with $4,000 Minimum Spend in 90 Days), $0 Annual Fee First Year

 

[Mr H]

I was briefly tempted because I am looking for a new home for my regular credit card - and one without sign up bonuses means I would not be missing out by not churning it. I had thought UA as a good partner as I had thought UA had good redemption rates that would offset the poor earn rate, and the UA website suggests they are sanguine about crazy long routes for redemptions. But I see that the routes I was interested in have gone up to crazy expensive, I would not retain (or even use) the benefits of Star Gold, and the annual fee is astronomical.

Yeah nah.

 

[SYD]

So, just to clarify, do you mean UA *G is a sweet spot in preference to the other carriers participating in the programme (say, for eg, SQ). If so, why?

I'm already SQ Gold and in Yr2 won't have the spend on this card to retain it because everything goes on the Amex Plat. But will generate enough residual spend from places that don't take Amex to get Silver.

Are you suggesting it would be better to direct that to UA rather than SQ?

My premise is for someone with no or only Silver looking for that first bump up *might* be better with UA *G. If they meet the first 90 day spend requirement early next year, they will get *G “within 10 business days” for “at least 12 months”.

The way UA normally works, if you attain *G you get status for the remainder of that calendar year plus the next year (so end of 2024, if not a spare month or two into 2025). During which time, you might be able to maintain status through flying on UA etc.

My question is whether it will work that way?

SQ seemed a bit more prescriptive and linked to card anniversary. If I read that correctly. But again, if you have SQ/VA points and/or looking for SQ/VA Gold then SQ route is an easy option.

 

[dairyfloss]

My hesitation to nominate UA would be for loss of the lounge benefit in the U.S.
UA *G is good for recognition & lounges everywhere else, but if you travel to the U.S. you still need to buy your way in to the United Club (unless you have a same day international connection on a *A airline), whereas any other *G membership would get you in. I guess it depends on your most likely travel patterns.

 

[SYD]

My hesitation to nominate UA would be for loss of the lounge benefit in the U.S.
UA *G is good for recognition & lounges everywhere else, but if you travel to the U.S. you still need to buy your way in to the United Club, whereas any other *G membership would get you in. I guess it depends on your most likely travel patterns.

Yes, that’s true and a good point. Manageable if you’re flying in/out on long haul with domestic connections but not on standalone domestic flights.

 

[prozac]

Yes, that’s true and a good point. Manageable if you’re flying in/out on long haul with domestic connections but not on standalone domestic flights.

To save me reading the entire thread could you explain UA*G please?

 

[Mr H]

To save me reading the entire thread could you explain UA*G please?

Star Alliance Gold Tier through a United Airlines membership.

 

[SYD]

To save me reading the entire thread could you explain UA*G please?

Star Alliance Gold status via United Airlines “Premier Gold”.

http://www.united.com/ual/en/AU/fly/mileageplus/premier.html

 

[prozac]

@Mr H and @SYD, thank you both.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Application wasn't too onerous apart from a few pages extremely slow to load - provisionally approved just had to upload proof of Income etc

 

[blacksultan]

As per points guy .com if you decline the gold status you can get 40 k reward points instead .

 

[SYD]

Application wasn't too onerous apart from a few pages extremely slow to load - provisionally approved just had to upload proof of Income etc

As per points guy .com if you decline the gold status you can get 40 k reward points instead .

@Cruiser Elite is this why you’re taking up the card? I presume you’re already getting KF miles / status already.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

I am Elite Gold but that will expire - I still don’t spend enough to get back there - fee free first year will do the job

 

[oz_mark]

As per points guy .com if you decline the gold status you can get 40 k reward points instead .

I don't think you actively decline it. This will happen if you either don't choose a status partner, or.you are already gold in the program by another means.

 

[SYD]

I am Elite Gold but that will expire - I still don’t spend enough to get back there - fee free first year will do the job

Pity none of these programs then have the lower bar to requal after year 1….