HSBC Star Alliance credit card in Australia

[Revenge]

There's more information here which shows multiple carriers involved, not just SQ -

Star Alliance Rewards

rewards.staralliance.com

Appears that points don't auto transfer, you can control them similar to Amex MR, etc.

Good find, interesting info.
Also interesting that there is an exhaustive list of participating *A airlines (AC, NZ, Eva Air, SQ, South African, Thai, UA), not all *A airlines.

 

[http_x92]

So it looks like 1 Star alliance point to 0.8 airline points for the participating airlines with the exception of Airpoints. 0.8 points for a Visa/MC up to $3000 spend ain’t bad, granted it’s a $450 annual fee after the first year.

The SUB for this card is basically *A gold on an airline instead of bonus points, which can be of good use.

 

[Thibault]

So for Australian flyers - either credit to SQ or UA for some benefits on VA flights. Pretty neat.
Star Alliance Rewards - rates

 

[Revenge]

So for Australian flyers - either credit to SQ or UA for some benefits on VA flights.

or AC

 

[Thibault]

or AC

Yes - absolutely. Forgot about AC.

 

[encryptededdy]

Useful FAQs: FAQ | Star Alliance Rewards

• It looks like if you already have *G, you can elect to get bonus points instead. How much is not detailed.
• You can get *Silver for $30,000 spend too
• On AirNZ you get "Airpoints Nominated Gold", not regular airpoints gold. Difference is unknown at this stage.

 

[Kangol]

The points transfer every month, so you can’t control expiry dates. Better if you could warehouse them.

Might as well use Citi. No 3k/month earning cap either.

 

[dairyfloss]

Good find, interesting info.
Also interesting that there is an exhaustive list of participating *A airlines (AC, NZ, Eva Air, SQ, South African, Thai, UA), not all *A airlines.

Given the pilot program is down under, it looks like they're starting with a number of *A airlines that fly their metal into Australia, and any missing might be by the airline's choice? Not all are into the co-brand thing, I guess. Who's missing on the roll call for metal into Australia? I think it's Air China, Air India, ANA & Asiana?

Cheers,
Matt.

 

[Bundy Bear]

Lets hope AirNZ and VA make up some stage in the future.

 

[blacksultan]

Online applications will be accepted from 15 Nov .

 

[mandja]

Might as well use Citi. No 3k/month earning cap either.

How does Citi help with Status?

 

[mandja]

Not sure if this distinction matters, but I believe you get Star Alliance Gold, not KrisFlyer Gold.
So wouldn’t the question be does Virgin recognise SA Gold?

Great question - currently the answer is.....yes. VA does recognize *A Gold (incl KF gold)

 

[mandja]

I already have KF Gold so no help for me in the new card.
For me the question is, given the flood of new *A Gold members, how do I status match to OW before that rush??

 

[blacksultan]

Is there any difference between having krisflyer gold and having krisflyer providing recognition as gold by virtue of being gold With another star alliance member ?

 

[Viridis]

Online applications will be accepted from 15 Nov .

Do you have a reference for this?

I have an HSBC Premier account and have heard nothing and can't see anything on their website. Was thinking of contacting my RM

It would be ideal for places that Amex is not accepted - especially with no Transaction Fees (wishful thinking, I know)

Was contemplating seeking a 'product swap' with my Premier Mastercard. The earn rate is certainly better

 

[Kangol]

How does Citi help with Status?

My post was related to points only.

 

[Viridis]

Sorry, I got that wrong. It’s KrisFlyer Gold Status you get.

Not sure that's quite correct.

From one of the articles .....

"The HSBC Star Alliance credit card will also include complimentary Star Alliance Gold status – in the case of Singapore Airlines, that’s KrisFlyer Elite Gold – after you spend $4,000 in the first year."

SQ was used as an example, not the only option. But given that the details have not been formally released by HSBC I guess we're all just speculating anyway

 

[encryptededdy]

But given that the details have not been formally released by HSBC I guess we're all just speculating anyway

The FAQ spells out all the status you can pick from. FAQ | Star Alliance Rewards

 

[blacksultan]

Do you have a reference for this?

I have an HSBC Premier account and have heard nothing and can't see anything on their website. Was thinking of contacting my RM

It would be ideal for places that Amex is not accepted - especially with no Transaction Fees (wishful thinking, I know)

Was contemplating seeking a 'product swap' with my Premier Mastercard. The earn rate is certainly better

My premier RM confirmed same . He was surprised I knew about it . They are just completing their training wrt to it .

 

[Revenge]

Not sure that's quite correct.

From one of the articles .....

"The HSBC Star Alliance credit card will also include complimentary Star Alliance Gold status – in the case of Singapore Airlines, that’s KrisFlyer Elite Gold – after you spend $4,000 in the first year."

SQ was used as an example, not the only option. But given that the details have not been formally released by HSBC I guess we're all just speculating anyway

I read it as you get the choice of *Gold equivalent status with one of the participating airlines, e.g. KrisFlyer Elite Gold or United Premier Gold.