HSBC Star Alliance credit card in Australia

[MEL_Traveller]

I think the conditions state card needs to be open for second year . Also some reports that gold status is withdrawn as soon as card is cancelled . I will be able to report myself by early Jan .

Post automatically merged: Dec 8, 2023

Yes having qualified in Jan this year I can confirm that my status is currently valid until end of 2024 .
However I am not sure what will happen when I close my card next month .

Yes… so the plan was to qualify for the 4k spend and *G with aeroplan in Jan 24, taking me through to the end of 2025.

Keeping the card open and paying the $450 for the second year, offset by the value of the miles I’ll accrue.

I was confused by the general terms and conditions which stated *G only for the first year.

The main benefit - I hope - will be priority access to aeroplan call centre. That would be worth $$$ in itself!

 

[doctorstrangelove]

I've just been reading some of the above statements with alarm... My impression is that the anniversary date was when you qualified for the card i.e. I made the $4000 spend on 21st November this year: I would then enjoy until November 24 on Aeroplan without paying the first year card fee, then pay the annual HSBC fee that month to continue having Aeoplan 50K/Star Alliance Gold until November 2025.

Have I misinterpreted this? Given the fact that people are strategizing timing their qualification for January 24 I am wondering if there's something I've missed? Having qualified now in November of this calendar year does this mean I only get a few weeks out of this year as my 'first year' in the programe, then have to pay the annual HSBC fee in January 24 for my 'second year' of Aeroplan 50K?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I've just been reading some of the above statements with alarm... My impression is that the anniversary date was when you qualified for the card i.e. I made the $4000 spend on 21st November this year: I would then enjoy until November 24 on Aeroplan without paying the first year card fee, then pay the annual HSBC fee that month to continue having Aeoplan 50K/Star Alliance Gold until November 2025.

Have I misinterpreted this? Given the fact that people are strategizing timing their qualification for January 24 I am wondering if there's something I've missed? Having qualified now in November of this calendar year does this mean I only get a few weeks out of this year as my 'first year' in the programe, then have to pay the annual HSBC fee in January 24 for my 'second year' of Aeroplan 50K?

Well… according to the rules it should be the remainder of 2023, then all of 2024.

It operates the same way as qantas does, status for the remainder of her year, plus year after.

 

[blacksultan]

Well… according to the rules it should be the remainder of 2023, then all of 2024.

It operates the same way as qantas does, status for the remainder of her year, plus year after.

Except that aeroplan goes by calendar year .

 

[doctorstrangelove]

Except that aeroplan goes by calendar year .

Lesson learned: read the small print.

 

[blacksultan]

I've just been reading some of the above statements with alarm... My impression is that the anniversary date was when you qualified for the card i.e. I made the $4000 spend on 21st November this year: I would then enjoy until November 24 on Aeroplan without paying the first year card fee, then pay the annual HSBC fee that month to continue having Aeoplan 50K/Star Alliance Gold until November 2025.

Have I misinterpreted this? Given the fact that people are strategizing timing their qualification for January 24 I am wondering if there's something I've missed? Having qualified now in November of this calendar year does this mean I only get a few weeks out of this year as my 'first year' in the programe, then have to pay the annual HSBC fee in January 24 for my 'second year' of Aeroplan 50K?

Your second or actually first ( as first year is free ) annual fee should only be due around Nov 24

 

[Danger]

Yes… so the plan was to qualify for the 4k spend and *G with aeroplan in Jan 24, taking me through to the end of 2025.

Keeping the card open and paying the $450 for the second year, offset by the value of the miles I’ll accrue.

I was confused by the general terms and conditions which stated *G only for the first year.

The main benefit - I hope - will be priority access to aeroplan call centre. That would be worth $$$ in itself!

Retaining the gold status in year two requires both paying the second year's annual fee and spending a minimum of $60K in year one.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Retaining the gold status in year two requires both paying the second year's annual fee and spending a minimum of $60K in year one.

That was my question above. I thought aeroplan was slightly different. The gold was granted per Aeroplan’s rules, which is for the remainder of the year in which it is attained, and all of the next year. That seems consistent with reports, above, in ost 520… qualified in 2023 and status is valid until end 2024.

Unkess blacksultan already spent 60k?

 

[blacksultan]

That was my question above. I thought aeroplan was slightly different. The gold was granted per Aeroplan’s rules, which is for the remainder of the year in which it is attained, and all of the next year. That seems consistent with reports, above, in ost 520… qualified in 2023 and status is valid until end 2024.

Unkess blacksultan already spent 60k?

Good point . No I haven’t and I won’t . But I read other reports that state status is lost as soon as card is cancelled .

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Good point . No I haven’t and I won’t . But I read other reports that state status is lost as soon as card is cancelled .

I’m not worried about status and card being cancelled.

I’m willing to pay the $450 for year two to continue status with aeroplan, if they give me - effectively - two years.

I’ll find out on 1 Jan! (or 15th rather, will nominate on 1 Jan)

 

[auflier]

Having experienced with Aeroplan and also reading its review Compare 353 Aeroplan Reviews & Experiences (2023) makes me concerned. I might choose singapore instead, won’t be bothered for a 2 year gold with that much uncertainty ahead

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Having experienced with Aeroplan and also reading its review Compare 353 Aeroplan Reviews & Experiences (2023) makes me concerned. I might choose singapore instead, won’t be bothered for a 2 year gold with that much uncertainty ahead

Errr…. I’ve just read the first page of those reviews. They don’t reflect reality. Just looks like people not understanding the program. At least TWO posters bought miles thinking they could redeem and award ticket rather than paying cash, and were then disappointed they couldn’t. They didn’t even check before buying their miles.

Of course they are upset because they contacted and wrote to aeroplan to ask for a refund, but didn’t get one.

 

[MooTime]

I’m not worried about status and card being cancelled.

I’m willing to pay the $450 for year two to continue status with aeroplan, if they give me - effectively - two years.

I’ll find out on 1 Jan! (or 15th rather, will nominate on 1 Jan)

But maybe your digital card will still say expiry 31st Dec 2024..... And won't update to 31st Dec 2025 until 1st year expires end of 2024 & obviously fee paid. If you know what I mean.

Bit if uncertainty until somebody can confirm with experience.

 

[I love to travel]

Errr…. I’ve just read the first page of those reviews. They don’t reflect reality. Just looks like people not understanding the program. At least TWO posters bought miles thinking they could redeem and award ticket rather than paying cash, and were then disappointed they couldn’t. They didn’t even check before buying their miles.

Of course they are upset because they contacted and wrote to aeroplan to ask for a refund, but didn’t get one.

I may be misunderstanding your post but are you inferring that if you buy Aeroplan points you can't use those points to get award flights on Star Alliance airlines?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I may be misunderstanding your post but are you inferring that if you buy Aeroplan points you can't use those points to get award flights on Star Alliance airlines?

They thought there would be guaranteed seats on any flight they wanted. And they thought miles were like for like with cash. They thought the 100% bonus from aeroplan meant paying $1000 and getting $2000 back. Which they could just use like normal cash.

Errr. Yup. That’s why they’re leaving one star!

 

[I love to travel]

They thought there would be guaranteed seats on any flight they wanted. And they thought miles were like for like with cash. They thought the 100% bonus from aeroplan meant paying $1000 and getting $2000 back. Which they could just use like normal cash.

Errr. Yup. That’s why they’re leaving one star!

Thanks for the clarification

 

[doctorstrangelove]

I have just received confirmation of my Star Alliance Gold and Aeroplan 50K status. Does anyone know how they check for this when seeking lounge access at airports e.g. if I'm flying Virgin Domestic? Will Star Alliance or Aeroplan send me out a card with my status, or will the information be stored on my HSBC credit card in some way?

 

[Thibault]

I have just received confirmation of my Star Alliance Gold and Aeroplan 50K status. Does anyone know how they check for this when seeking lounge access at airports e.g. if I'm flying Virgin Domestic? Will Star Alliance or Aeroplan send me out a card with my status, or will the information be stored on my HSBC credit card in some way?

You will have to add your Aeroplan number to your booking to get access to the lounges and priority benefits.

Unsure if you can keep the Velocity number on the booking and enter by showing your Aeroplan 50k Card (ie. to invoice Air Canada for lounge usage).

 

[doctorstrangelove]

You will have to add your Aeroplan number to your booking to get access to the lounges and priority benefits.

Unsure if you can keep the Velocity number on the booking and enter by showing your Aeroplan 50k Card (ie. to invoice Air Canada for lounge usage).

Thanks Thibault - Aeroplan will send out a card automatically or do you need to request it? That's effectively what I'm looking to do - I want to earn with Velocity on the flight but still wish to know if it's possible to get lounge access with AC if you don't have your Aeroplan Number attached to the booking. Does anyone have any data points on this?

 

[Thibault]

Thanks Thibault - Aeroplan will send out a card automatically or do you need to request it? That's effectively what I'm looking to do - I want to earn with Velocity on the flight but still wish to know if it's possible to get lounge access with AC if you don't have your Aeroplan Number attached to the booking. Does anyone have any data points on this?

You should be able to get the Aeroplan Card via the Air Canada app and you can then import your card to Wallet or Google Wallet.
I've received my physical card via mail later on automatically - show the digital card to get access in the meantime.

I'll let someone chime else regarding the Velocity number into the booking and flashing the AC card to get into the lounge - haven't tried it yet.