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.

 

[pauldab]

I see. What would you actually gain from Kris Flyer over and above your Aeroplan status? I know you cannot switch, so it is academic, but I am curious whether there would be any meaningful additional benefit, even flying Y.

The only thing I can think of is the free wifi being automatically available for Y/Y+ pax based off their KF membership number.
That doesn't matter anymore as if the check fails due to the booking having a different FF program attached you can click through and use your KF membership to get a free voucher number to login anyway.

 

[kamchatsky]

The only thing I can think of is the free wifi being automatically available for Y/Y+ pax based off their KF membership number.
That doesn't matter anymore as if the check fails due to the booking having a different FF program attached you can click through and use your KF membership to get a free voucher number to login anyway.

Another thing is able to advanced select seats for free for most areas for KF Gold For Y fares, especially the Y Lite. You do not get this benefit for non-KF Gold as I couldn’t pick seats for free on SQ Y Lite DAD-SIN and I am AC Gold.

 

[repete]

I have tried searching this up but wasn't 100% sure - hope you don't mind me posting here.
I am currently United Gold through this card, with a renewal date around Feb next year. I understand from HSBC comm's I'll be given another year gold at that point if I spend the 38K. But what if I change programs to Aeroplan? T's & C's talk about being able to do that once and it'll apply at your next renewal. I'm just curious to confirm if I'd need to change my FFP close to Nov 17 (as there is a 2 week time limit or something?) or close to Feb?? (within 2 weeks of renewal) Any thoughts? Thanks.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I have tried searching this up but wasn't 100% sure - hope you don't mind me posting here.
I am currently United Gold through this card, with a renewal date around Feb next year. I understand from HSBC comm's I'll be given another year gold at that point if I spend the 38K. But what if I change programs to Aeroplan? T's & C's talk about being able to do that once and it'll apply at your next renewal. I'm just curious to confirm if I'd need to change my FFP close to Nov 17 (as there is a 2 week time limit or something?) or close to Feb?? (within 2 weeks of renewal) Any thoughts? Thanks.

Dunno about the nomination timing, but for the validity, aeroplan will give you the rest of the year plus the year after, ending on 31 December.

 

[pauldab]

I have tried searching this up but wasn't 100% sure - hope you don't mind me posting here.
I am currently United Gold through this card, with a renewal date around Feb next year. I understand from HSBC comm's I'll be given another year gold at that point if I spend the 38K. But what if I change programs to Aeroplan? T's & C's talk about being able to do that once and it'll apply at your next renewal. I'm just curious to confirm if I'd need to change my FFP close to Nov 17 (as there is a 2 week time limit or something?) or close to Feb?? (within 2 weeks of renewal) Any thoughts? Thanks.

I read that document heaps of times and decided to change from SQ to AC and still have SQ KF Gold until that expires whenever it does.

I didn't want to risk moving things around too late and missing the cut-offs so I just bit the bullet and made the change already.

I already have AC showing as my beneficial airline in the Star Alliance Rewards portal which tells me I'll get those benefits once the final switch over happens in Jan/Feb

If I miss out then so be it, I do enough travel to justify being choosy on who I fly with to make the most of my various statuses.

 

[repete]

I read that document heaps of times and decided to change from SQ to AC and still have SQ KF Gold until that expires whenever it does.

I didn't want to risk moving things around too late and missing the cut-offs so I just bit the bullet and made the change already.

I already have AC showing as my beneficial airline in the Star Alliance Rewards portal which tells me I'll get those benefits once the final switch over happens in Jan/Feb

If I miss out then so be it, I do enough travel to justify being choosy on who I fly with to make the most of my various statuses.

I might do the same - thanks!

 

[Globalbusinessera]

I thought this card is no longer available - I nominated and got SQ gold should I have done AC instead ?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I thought this card is no longer available - I nominated and got SQ gold should I have done AC instead ?

The card is no longer available and will close permanently in 17 November.

SQ gold gives you one year.

Air Canada /aeroplan gives you up to two years… the remainer of the current year plus the full year thereafter. So if you qualified for gold in January 2026, you’d have gold for all 2026 and 2027.

Can’t think of a reason for SQ gold over Aeroplan, save maybe for seat selection on SQ.

 

[sudoer]

Can’t think of a reason for SQ gold over Aeroplan, save maybe for seat selection on SQ.

Free wifi for SQ members, and arguably a better chance of waitlists clearing for KFEG (but I've also picked AC)

 

[RooFlyer]

Anyone else have their points crediting late this month? Mine credit on 25th of each month - and nothing yet, to the 31st (not even '0 earn') - and it will be a big earn for me.

 

[bernardblack]

Anyone else have their points crediting late this month? Mine credit on 25th of each month - and nothing yet, to the 31st (not even '0 earn') - and it will be a big earn for me.

Mine usually credit within a few hours of my statement being issued, which is around the 3rd or 4th of each month. October statement and points were credited on the normal schedule.

I guess we'll see in a couple of days whether the problem you describe is happening to me too.

(If it goes as I expect, I will get my statement and points about Wednesday this week, and then I will get a statement and points a month later, albeit for transactions I am only able to make for about two more weeks.)



Now for my question:
Has anyone who already hit the 38k annual target in the last couple of months, received confirmation that their status will be reissued after the card anniversary? I believe I should qualify, and I was at $39k at my last statement, but I haven't received anything over and above the normal notifications yet.

 

[serfty]

Free wifi for SQ members, and arguably a better chance of waitlists clearing for KFEG (but I've also picked AC)

The SQ app will provide you with a Krisflyer member wifi code in flight, even if the KrisFlyer number is not in the booking.

I have used this several times while travelling under my VA credentials.

 

[Lizzi]

Now for my question:
Has anyone who already hit the 38k annual target in the last couple of months, received confirmation that their status will be reissued after the card anniversary? I believe I should qualify, and I was at $39k at my last statement, but I haven't received anything over and above the normal notifications yet.

Not yet - and I reached it a couple of months ago.

 

[pauldab]

Not yet - and I reached it a couple of months ago.

All depends on the original anniversary date

https://www.staralliance.com/en/web/rewards/au/faqs?category=21

How do I claim Star Alliance Silver or Gold status if I requalified and my Status Start Date would be on or after 18 November 2026?​

You will be notified by email after the HSBC Star Alliance Credit Card closure date (18 November 2026) if you achieve a Star Alliance Premium Status prior to that date. If you haven’t selected a Status Airline at that time, you will be prompted to do so via the Star Alliance Rewards Portal.

You must select your Status Airline within 14 days of receiving a notification (unless you already claimed status with a Status Airline within the same qualification period).

If you do not select your Status Airline within the 14-day window, the following will apply:

• Your existing Status Airline selection will be used if you have previously selected a Status Airline for a preceding Star Alliance Silver or Gold status qualifications.
• You will automatically receive bonus Star Alliance Points if you haven’t previously selected a Status Airline and don’t select one within the 14-day window. These bonus points are subject to the same terms as all Star Alliance Points and can be converted to a Participating Frequent Flyer Program.

If the anniversary date is before 18 November the prior rules apply before the cessation of the program.

 

[kpc]

After even more use, I now need to only spend 3.2K by Nov 17.

I have prepaid so many things....went to try and prepay more of my private health insurance tonight.....not allowed as already prepaid 14 months in advance!

PS: don't suggest GCs as I already have a ridiculous amount but all bought at a discount

Made it past 38 K with 16 days to spare

Paying for very expensive elderly in laws yearly oveerseas travel insurance got me over the line