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There is also Visa and another Singaporean company involved in the card. This new article sums up nicely the 'brand test' Star Alliance is having in oz, and I probably agree that it will ultimately not be great but that doesn't matter much because HSBC will own the customer, and it will be a...

Observations... Fundamentally, HSBC is selling Star Gold for $450. To make real use of the elite status, you must fly internationally. SQ is likely to pick up the bulk of the elites, and they have their own lounges in most places, so costs are likely within a tolerable range. If VA joined Star...

VA wouldn't allow this card to be in the market if they had any intention of joining Star. Just like we won't see Star launch a card in USA, or Singapore, or New Zealand. Look at where HSBC has a strong presense and which of those markets do not have a local Star carrier - that's where future...

For those playing along at home.... this card launching oz is the nail in the coffin for VA joining Star.

Mid-December might be a nice time... things calm down, and I'll be in town ;)

Tentative for SIN Likely yes for KUL pre-whatevers

Good move. I have forced airlines to move me to the same product which I booked when they've swapped a/c. I am ok with airlines price gouging and charging top dollar -- but if they change something like a/c or really mess up something that is implied to be part of the experience they lose all...

Well, the loyalty program either does influence member behaviour (make people book flights unnecessarily), or it does not influence behaviour. If folks booked flights purely to retain status and were later told, "oh don't worry about it we have extended it anyway", this seems super shady...

Bait & Switch? Tell members they need to spend money to retain their status, and then give it for free anyway.

Dec 31 is the 'Elite Cliff' we've been waiting for, where most of the elites of the world will have not requalify as per program criteria and are pending downgrade. Qantas have painted itself into a dark corner with recent status extensions. Sadly, those who haven't been able to requalify on...

Some airlines make more margins on selling "award seats" than on selling cash tickets. With that in mind, also remember that the loyalty biz, for most airlines, is the single most valuable asset they own. Cash is king!

Is this you being quoted in the article? :p https://www.theshovel.com.au/2018/02/15/man-shaves-1-7-seconds-off-2-hour-flight-by-standing-up-as-soon-as-plane-lands/

737 example: I can see couples selecting 9A and 9C, paying a nominal fee to increase the chances that the middle seat stays free, and thus 'splitting' the shadow fee. Generally the first few rows of econ, exit rows etc are more popular and therefore less likely to have spare seats. Plenty more...

Real-world scenario, which would you prefer on a 737: - 6C with someone next to you - 18C with nobody next to you "preferred seats" don't mean much in the real world. The best seat on the plane is the one with nobody next to you.

In case anyone missed it, this is a stealth program devaluation. Fundamentally anyone will be able to pay an additional fee ($30++) for a spare seat next to them. Not guaranteed until boarding. In reality, it will play out as Gold/Plat++ members less likely to have a spare seat next to them...

I miss the 'old days' of the 3x and 5x Enrich elite/status credit offers ;)

Do you mean the status challenge offer? It should be processed within a week and you'll have temporary status that is tagged as such.

Offer available for USA & Chile residents.

Sounds like it's time to switch airlines...