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​

---

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.

 

[Nate-Dawg]

No further details on the second year sign-up offers it seems. I opened the card in February this year, spent the $4k, received AC status until December 2027 and got my 30k Aeroplan points. With a February 2027 anniversary date, it seems if I get to $38k spend before 18th November, I will get my AC status until December 2028.

 

[TerBear]

My card anniversary is on 29/10/2026, do I need to hit 38,000 spending or $48,000 to get the Star Alliance gold status?

 

[k_sheep]

Excellent news! I think my card anniversary is Feb 27, am with Air Canada, so Gold til end 2028 by my reading.

Only $1811 spend left for me to get to the target! Should be easy enough. Will prepay a bit of the private health if needed.

 

[SeatBackForward]

My card anniversary is on 29/10/2026, do I need to hit 38,000 spending or $48,000 to get the Star Alliance gold status?

$48k is the spend requirement for Gold status.

EDIT. no its not!

 

[MEL_Traveller]

$48k is the spend requirement for Gold status.

Didn’t I read it was reduced because of the early closing? As in 38k? (I could be wrong!!)

 

[SeatBackForward]

Didn’t I read it was reduced because of the early closing? As in 38k? (I could be wrong!!)

Oh yes sorry, my bad:

The two conditions for that are:

1. You spent $38,000 or more (reduced from $48,000) in the current Qualification Period (ending 17 November 2026),

and

2. Your Card Anniversary occurs after 17 November 2026

 

[Beer_budget]

Oh yes sorry, my bad:

The two conditions for that are:

It is still $48k for @TerBear though, their card anniversary date is in October.

 

[Beer_budget]

I am curious too. this will leave a gaping hole. I am looking at the Virgin ones, and keeping amex and the dragon for now.

Still trying to figure this out. Him Indoors is on top of Qantas earn, so my focus is SQ (via Velocity as required), and the devaluation means that my Bank of Melbourne Visa won't be worth the annual fee. Also have Amex Explorer which I'm happy with.

Probably NAB next? With points earn diminished across most options, I'll probably put more weight on e.g. free forex transactions, travel insurance etc.

 

[sudoer]

It is still $48k for @TerBear though, their card anniversary date is in October.

Agree. In theory they could spend $38k in the few weeks after their anniversary date for an extra year of status.

 

[kamchatsky]

Want me to write you an invoice for my advice ?

Don't forget to add 1.6% surcharge on your invoice (assuming pay by 30th September!).

 

[Beer_budget]

Agree. In theory they could spend $38k in the few weeks after their anniversary date for an extra year of status.

Might take some planning, but then the interest rate drops to 12.99pa after that, so maybe test it as a slightly lousy unsecured car loan?

 

[sudoer]

Might take some planning, but then the interest rate drops to 12.99pa after that, so maybe test it as a slightly lousy unsecured car loan?

Some flexible flight bookings would also be an interesting experiment.

 

[kpc]

Some flexible flight bookings would also be an interesting experiment.

But the refund will go to a cancelled card

 

[kamchatsky]

But the refund will go to a cancelled card

Wouldn't that be very messy? I always find it a hassle to get refund through other credit cards/bank accounts rather than the cancelled card.

 

[Beer_budget]

It'd be okay if you were prepared to use them as flight credits. And a naive reading suggests that the 6 month interest free period (any existing payment plan) might still apply? You'd have to have the credit limit to cover it though

 

[N860CR]

Doing my final BKK lounge crawl. I will miss the star gold

Although it does seem that hitting 38K is doable. My anniversary is 20th Nov so thats convenient.