Credit Card Offers HSBC Star Alliance Credit Card: Fast-Track to Star Alliance Gold Status

Fast track to Star Alliance Gold status with the HSBC Star Alliance credit card!​

Learn more and apply for this card:

HSBC Star Alliance Credit Card Guide

The HSBC Star Alliance credit card is the first of its kind, allowing Australian cardholders to earn Star Alliance Points and Gold status.

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

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What are the main benefits of this card?

1. Signup bonus: Fast Track to Star Alliance Gold Status, when you spend $4,000 or more on eligible purchases in the first 90 days from account opening
2. Keep your Star Alliance Gold status each subsequent year that you spend at least $60,000 on your card
3. Earn 1 Star Alliance Point per $1 on eligible purchases, up to $3,000 per statement period and 0.5 Star Alliance Points per $1 spent on eligible purchases thereafter, uncapped
4. No annual fee in the first year and $499 p.a. thereafter

Why we like the HSBC Star Alliance credit card

Launched in 2022, the HSBC Star Alliance credit card is the first of its kind anywhere in the world. You'll earn Star Alliance Points which are transferable to a choice of seven Star Alliance member airlines at a time of your choosing. You can also earn Star Alliance Silver or Gold status just by spending on the card, with no flying required!

Once you qualify for the welcome offer and are fast tracked to Star Alliance Gold status with any of the seven participating carriers, you’ll soon be enjoying perks like airport priority lanes and lounge access when flying across the whole Star Alliance network. It is the largest airline alliance in the world with 25 member airlines, including Air New Zealand, Singapore Airlines, United and Turkish Airlines.

Please note that the welcome offer is not available to existing HSBC customers transferring from another HSBC credit card, or if you have previously held a HSBC Star Alliance credit card within the last 18 months. Refer to the full T&C’s for more information:

HSBC Star Alliance Credit Card Guide

The HSBC Star Alliance credit card is the first of its kind, allowing Australian cardholders to earn Star Alliance Points and Gold status.

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

AFF members are welcome to discuss this card in this thread.

 

[RooFlyer]

How easy is it to get this card for someone who is retired? - looking to apply for my Dad.

Easier than most cards. You can interact with humans to put non-conforming documentation into your request.

I'm retired with a non-regular SMSF pension - I just withdraw what I need to live (and travel) on. I got a letter from my accountant showing a SMSF balance, which has maintained stable over 7 years, in spite of $X withdrawn every year. No pay slips etc. Went to an HSBC branch, submitted paperwork with a request that I be called about my documents. Got 2 calls (essentially asking the same Qs, then approved).

Your documentation may be different, but the thing is to go into a branch and specify want to be contacted.

 

[cove]

We use Kris Fiyer miles so this card is a winner.

 

[kkl]

Been advised by HSBC that I can’t transact higher than my credit limit in one transaction, even if I prepay the card

Anyone had this issue ?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Been advised by HSBC that I can’t transact higher than my credit limit in one transaction, even if I prepay the card

Anyone had this issue ?

Not being able to prepay is common. Something about credit cards not being ‘banks’ in that they can legally hold savings. Or something like that.

 

[Mqrko]

I applied yesterday and approved by the end of the day.
That was the easiest application I've had in a very long time

 

[prozac]

I applied yesterday and approved by the end of the day.
That was the easiest application I've had in a very long time

Will you select SQ or AP?

 

[mswindells]

I received my card on the 10th of Nov 2025, and my plan is to meet the 4K spend in the first few days of Jan 2026. I have a few questions for which I would really appreciate some expert advice:

1) Once I hit the spend, I aim to select Aeroplan. I assume it will be activated within the next two weeks? I would like to use the Gold status during a few upcoming trips starting late Jan onwards.

2) From what I understand, Gold status will be active from Jan 2026 till Dec 2027, as long as I pay the annual fee in 2027, right?

3) If my timeline is as per above, I would need to meet the 48K spend between Jan 2027 to Dec 2027 in order to continue being Gold in 2028, is that right?

Thanks a lot!

Much like the above, I'm doing the same - as I assume a few are. Have applied and am approved now, will spend in Jan 26 and nominate Aeroplan then to follow all of the above. One question I have is I just got an email "Resume your Star Alliance Rewards registration". Is it safe to complete that now, and it's just when I meet the $4k spend and then nominate for Gold that the 2 years kicks in?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Much like the above, I'm doing the same - as I assume a few are. Have applied and am approved now, will spend in Jan 26 and nominate Aeroplan then to follow all of the above. One question I have is I just got an email "Resume your Star Alliance Rewards registration". Is it safe to complete that now, and it's just when I meet the $4k spend and then nominate for Gold that the 2 years kicks in?

Yes, nothing happens until you meet the $4k spend and you get asked to nominate or confirm your choice for star gold.

Although it’s in your interests to do so asap once you’re in 2026 because the gold will only last to Dec 2027 (possibly extended to Jan 31 if they go by this and last year).

 

[Mqrko]

Will you select SQ or AP?

I can't find the redemption I was interested in for AP but it's available for SQ so I picked that instead.

 

[mswindells]

Yes, nothing happens until you meet the $4k spend and you get asked to nominate or confirm your choice for star gold.

Although it’s in your interests to do so asap once you’re in 2026 because the gold will only last to Dec 2027 (possibly extended to Jan 31 if they go by this and last year).

Perfect, thanks. And yeah spend will be met very quickly, have a few hotels and travel bookings to make that I'm holding off on!