HSBC closing retail business in Australia over next 18 months

Following the surcharges move by the RBA, there is next to zero chance that Star Alliance would look to re-establish their pilot with a card partner in Australia, unless AmEx chirps up. The changes are a massive loss for just about anyone in or around the travel and loyalty rewards game. But hey, at least I know my coffee will actually be $6.00 and not $6.06, right! 😝 (Hint: I never looked, or cared)
I don't think you can blame everything on the RBA changes. Some years ago Macquarie had the HHonors Visa Card which gave you Hilton Gold. If you spent iirc 40K pa, you got Hilton Diamond! I qualified Diamond for a while via this card but then Macquarie just cancelled this partnership with Hilton. I cancelled the card.

As far as I'm aware, the only Australian card now which gives Hilton Diamond is Amex Centurion...still waiting for my invitation ;)

Then I heard about the US Amex Aspire Hilton card which gives Diamond for US$550 pa.

I spent months reading that long thread about getting a US Amex card...I got this card 18 months ago with a lot of effort and patience, and haven't looked back since!
 

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