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​

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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.

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

 

[Beer_budget]

Has anyone received a pro rated refund of their annual fees? I haven't seen it yet

Yep, got $457 of mine back on the 19th - originally charged in June but card anniversary was back in April.

 

[RooFlyer]

Welcome to AFF @reinhast86

 

[reinhast86]

Star alliance/HSBC has confirmed, in writing, that any status granted by the airlines will be honoured.

That’s the official line (see a screenshot earlier in this thread).

I wouldn’t worry about chasing either star or HSBC at this stage. What more can they do other than the written confirmation?

FWIW, I had star gold with air canada, cancelled the card, and i was soft landed to silver. So my status is still active, even though my card is closed, and has been for the best part of a year. status and card closure can exist independently.

Welcome to AFF

Thank you!

Yea, I've seen that. I'm just paranoid they'd try to pull a fast one haha

In any event, I received this from them this afternoon:

Your Aeroplan Elite status commenced within three days of your selection and is valid for the remainder of the current calendar year and the entire following calendar year.

Based on this, your current Elite status will remain valid through 31 December 2027.

Good for us because now we know what kind of perks we can utilize, especially because we are adding our first little passenger for these trips.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Thank you!

Yea, I've seen that. I'm just paranoid they'd try to pull a fast one haha

In any event, I received this from them this afternoon:

Good for us because now we know what kind of perks we can utilize, especially because we are adding our first little passenger for these trips.

Being paranoid isn’t going to change the outcome!

 

[reinhast86]

Being paranoid isn’t going to change the outcome

I'm aware of that

It would've changed what I did with the card though, since I'll need a replacement when it kicks the bucket!

 

[k_sheep]

Oh dear I have to sort this out. I'm not far off the spend required for gold, but they haven't notified if that will be honored have they? Arrrgh and I need to transfer my points somewhere ....... urgh why did this happen when I'm traveling and don't have time to deal with it humph.

 

[huwcar]

Oh dear I have to sort this out. I'm not far off the spend required for gold, but they haven't notified if that will be honored have they? Arrrgh and I need to transfer my points somewhere ....... urgh why did this happen when I'm traveling and don't have time to deal with it humph.

Pretty sure the Gold status will be honored (I just had my UA renewed), and you don't need to rush to transfer your points that can happen later as they are in your Star Alliance account, not HSBC.

 

[RisingPhoenix]

Pretty sure the Gold status will be honored (I just had my UA renewed), and you don't need to rush to transfer your points that can happen later as they are in your Star Alliance account, not HSBC.

I probably should've chosen UA instead of AirCanada when I got my renewal, just to try and get a sneaky status match for American, but, live and learn. Big question is, where to dump the points for this card. ex Australia, I think Singapore is probably the best option? Thoughts?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I probably should've chosen UA instead of AirCanada when I got my renewal, just to try and get a sneaky status match for American, but, live and learn. Big question is, where to dump the points for this card. ex Australia, I think Singapore is probably the best option? Thoughts?

Depends how many points you got.

I out mine with aeroplan because they have cheap miles offers, and access to more airlines for redemptions. And often cheaper, too.

 

[RisingPhoenix]

Depends how many points you got.

I out mine with aeroplan because they have cheap miles offers, and access to more airlines for redemptions. And often cheaper, too.

Interesting, thanks for the heads up. I think every time I've checked I haven't been able to find any redemption seats on Aeroplan at all. That's likely because I'm out of Brisbane though?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Interesting, thanks for the heads up. I think every time I've checked I haven't been able to find any redemption seats on Aeroplan at all. That's likely because I'm out of Brisbane though?

I’m flying in to Brisbane next year in SQ. When I was booking to europe there were daily departures available (I booked about 10 months out). Also should be availability on airlines such as EVA to Taipei, Thai to bangkok, VA to Doha, and of course you can connect with VA to any aussie port… often for no additional points.

 

[k_sheep]

Pretty sure the Gold status will be honored (I just had my UA renewed), and you don't need to rush to transfer your points that can happen later as they are in your Star Alliance account, not HSBC.

Oh good point - good don't need to sweep points! That's commbank I have to do.

 

[SeatBackForward]

fWIW it's now been over a month since I met the spend criteria to get Gold. But my status with my chosen airline remains at Silver, suspect it'll only be updated (or maybe even only processed) on the cards anniversary date next week.