HSBC Star Alliance credit card in Australia

[The Flying Schwartz]

Email.

It took close to the full 14 days but I am now gold.

So far very unimpressed with the whole AC experience ... multiple delays and cancellations. And even in 5+ hour flights in economy, all food is paid for ... and fairly eye-watering prices.

What kind of flights are you booking? We’re looking at reward seats in J between Aus and USA or Asia

 

[HSB44]

Does anyone know if SQ gold has any EK lounge benefits? I would assume not... But then I was very surprised to find that AC gold has partnership which allows entry to EK business lounge in Dubai (no guest).

I most frequently fly EK, QF, TAP... Mix of QF and VA in Aus.
So if I'm not going to be earning, flying or redeeming much on either SQ or AC...then it doesn't seem like SQ has any real benefit for me over AC?


Also - did someone confirm whether you need to attach the *A FF number to your booking when trying to access VA lounges? Or can you just show your *A card, then attach Velocity number to booking?

 

[HSB44]

Actually.. Now I dig into the Emirates fine print... It looks AC 50K members need to be flying from Canada to get EK lounge access.... How unfortunate

Aeroplan 50K, 75K, and Super Elites can enjoy Emirates Lounges in Dubai with a guest on routes that include travel between Dubai and Toronto

 

[k_sheep]

What kind of flights are you booking? We’re looking at reward seats in J between Aus and USA or Asia

MCY-xSYD-xYVR-xYYZ-xYDF return. In economy sadly.

Post automatically merged: Mar 27, 2024

see if you’re entitled to any compensation! Canada operates a scheme similar to EU261, but with a carve out for last-minute maintenance issues.

"weather" ... so that's their get out of jail free situation.

... weather was completely normal.

 

[Ausbt]

Also - did someone confirm whether you need to attach the *A FF number to your booking when trying to access VA lounges?

Weekend just gone I was SYD-MEL-SYD after dropping back to (gasp!) PS with VA. I left my VA number attached to the booking. At the lounge I simply flashed my phone with the Aeroplan 50K qc code (which they did not scan) and advised I'm entering as an AC 50K-er. No drama at all. I just checked my VA account and my two PS passes are still there, so pretty sure they didn't use them. Also noted I have 2 Amex Lounge passes listed. Here is a question - do I only have those due to holding an Amex Platinum card or are they a PS benefit? They expire in June and I used two Amex passes in Jan this year on the actual credit card.

 

[djkelly69]

do I only have those due to holding an Amex Platinum card or are they a PS benefit?

Looks like a VS benefit (see here). For Amex Plat you don't get passes, you just show your boarding pass and card.

 

[nthd_nthd]

Hi, Anyone here have data point on when the 50K deposit into AC account? Been waiting for a bit still nothing after got confirmed Gold. Thanks

 

[nthd_nthd]

Hope someone can answer me: Can I use this Gold AC status into any Lounge in ICN? I am Travelling with other airlines - not with Star Alliance. Thanks

 

[Ausbt]

Hi, Anyone here have data point on when the 50K deposit into AC account? Been waiting for a bit still nothing after got confirmed Gold. Thanks

I qualified mid-Jan and nothing for me yet. They quote 6 to 8 weeks and we are pretty much on that now. I'll chase them up in another two weeks I think.

Also if you are at ICN and not flying Star Alliance, I can't see how Gold SA is going to get you into a lounge there.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Hi, Anyone here have data point on when the 50K deposit into AC account? Been waiting for a bit still nothing after got confirmed Gold. Thanks

I think mine took about 6 weeks.

 

[HSB44]

Weekend just gone I was SYD-MEL-SYD after dropping back to (gasp!) PS with VA. I left my VA number attached to the booking. At the lounge I simply flashed my phone with the Aeroplan 50K qc code (which they did not scan) and advised I'm entering as an AC 50K-er. No drama at all. I just checked my VA account and my two PS passes are still there, so pretty sure they didn't use them. Also noted I have 2 Amex Lounge passes listed. Here is a question - do I only have those due to holding an Amex Platinum card or are they a PS benefit? They expire in June and I used two Amex passes in Jan this year on the actual credit card.

Thanks.. So the key point of difference between the choice of schemes is for those ppl who want to earn that FF currency from flights and then book rewards.

If you just want to flash your gold at the lounge and attach your Velocity #, then the only difference between the schemes seems to be the eligibility qualification requirements and timeliness to maintain gold (plus some marginal benefits around lounge passes)
?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Hope someone can answer me: Can I use this Gold AC status into any Lounge in ICN? I am Travelling with other airlines - not with Star Alliance. Thanks

You'd need to see if the airline you're flying is a partner of Aeroplan, and if yes, what benefits accrue.

 

[Ausbt]

Thanks.. So the key point of difference between the choice of schemes is for those ppl who want to earn that FF currency from flights and then book rewards.

If you just want to flash your gold at the lounge and attach your Velocity #, then the only difference between the schemes seems to be the eligibility qualification requirements and timeliness to maintain gold (plus some marginal benefits around lounge passes)
?

I was actually expecting the VA lounge to change my FF to Aeroplan if I was intending to use that to get into the lounge, but they did not. So to me this seems a benefit: fly VA collect SCs & points but get lounge access via Aero 50K. Particularly useful when you lose status. I'm in two minds about best place to deposit points. I don't think I'm going to be able to rebuild status with VA, so really crediting Aero might make the most sense to me anyway to add to the 50K points that are due. Certainly *A Gold looks like it is going to pay off for an upcoming Euro trip I have later this year.

 

[leyy]

suggestions on best use of 50K AC points?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

suggestions on best use of 50K AC points?

Ow Sydney to Bangkok in business class

 

[Detlef7]

Hi, Anyone here have data point on when the 50K deposit into AC account? Been waiting for a bit still nothing after got confirmed Gold. Thanks

Here is my complete timeline for your benefit and for others who are thinking of applying:

• 15th Jan - Applied HSBC online
• 16th Jan - Email from HSBC that I was conditionally approved. Provided bank login details for income verification. Did not have to physically show up at HSBC branch nor AusPost
• 17th Jan - Call from HSBC to confirm application details
• 22th Jan - Email from HSBC that I was approved
• 25th Jan - Received credit card in post
• 2nd Feb - Crossed 4k spend threshold. This is when the qualifying purchase got posted NOT when it got spent
• 3rd Feb - Email from Star Alliance that I am now eligible for Gold status and to choose your airline by 17th Feb. Chose AC
• 18th Feb - Email from Star Alliance that Gold status has been confirmed
• 20th Feb - Email from Aeroplan that I earned 50K status and to choose your benefits
• 28th or 29th Mar - Noticed 50k points landed in my Aeroplan account backdated to 17th Feb. I've been checking my Aeroplan every other day. I got my bonus points within 6 weeks. Nevertheless, I think the 8 week wait is merely just a guideline and it seems like they process the 50k in batches

 

[I love to travel]

Here is my complete timeline for your benefit and for others who are thinking of applying:

• 15th Jan - Applied HSBC online
• 16th Jan - Email from HSBC that I was conditionally approved. Provided bank login details for income verification. Did not have to physically show up at HSBC branch nor AusPost
• 17th Jan - Call from HSBC to confirm application details
• 22th Jan - Email from HSBC that I was approved
• 25th Jan - Received credit card in post
• 2nd Feb - Crossed 4k spend threshold. This is when the qualifying purchase got posted NOT when it got spent
• 3rd Feb - Email from Star Alliance that I am now eligible for Gold status and to choose your airline by 17th Feb. Chose AC
• 18th Feb - Email from Star Alliance that Gold status has been confirmed
• 20th Feb - Email from Aeroplan that I earned 50K status and to choose your benefits
• 28th or 29th Mar - Noticed 50k points landed in my Aeroplan account backdated to 17th Feb. I've been checking my Aeroplan every other day. I got my bonus points within 6 weeks. Nevertheless, I think the 8 week wait is merely just a guideline and it seems like they process the 50k in batches

So you apply for the card first and then choose your airline?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

So you apply for the card first and then choose your airline?

Yes. But only Air Canada comes with the 50k bonus.You do need to sign up for a star alliance ID however at the beginning.

 

[I love to travel]

Yes. But only Air Canada comes with the 50k bonus.You do need to sign up for a star alliance ID however at the beginning.

Does this happen as you are applying for the credit card or something seperate?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Does this happen as you are applying for the credit card or something seperate?

It is a promotion linked to HSBC. But works through the star alliance portal.

So you sign up for the card, get a star alliance ID, then once you have completed the spend, you get to nominate your preferred airline for status.

If you choose air canadia, you get 50k points from them. If you choose another airline, you don’t get the bonus points.