HSBC 50k + organically earning 35k Eupgrade strategy

[bigal1990]

Hoping someone here can clarify this question for me.

I have recently got the HSBC Star Alliance credit card. Haven’t spent the minimum $4k to get the upgrade to 50k.

I’m flying to Canada and back on Air Canada in a few weeks. I will earn 25k when I arrive in Canada and 35k when I get back to Australia. I have more Canada travel later in the year on AC.

Option 1 - Get the HSBC 50k before I go) Get 20ups + 10 early recognition eups and select the 50% bonus point as the other select

Option 2 - Wait until I get back to Aus and then get HSBC 50k) Earn 25k status get 20eups + 5 Eups, then earn 35k earn another 20 eups + 10 eups and then get HSBC 50k to earn another 20 euros + 10 eups? Is this correct? Or do you not get the extra 20eups when moving from 25k to 35k.

Thanks!

 

[nthd_nthd]

I too was wondering about how the upgrade worked.

 

[jackra]

do they still have the gold + 50k offer?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

do they still have the gold + 50k offer?

Unfortunately that’s long passed! The current offer is from United, to get 20k united miles.

The offer for gold is still there of course, just a different bonus point partner.

 

[jackra]

Unfortunately that’s long passed! The current offer is from United, to get 20k united miles.

The offer for gold is still there of course, just a different bonus point partner.

snap

20k united isn't even close to appealing

 

[kangarooflyer88]

Very interesting strategy and as a former P25K member who actually managed to use their eUpgrade to secure an upgrade from economy to business (Toronto to SF on the 787 if you must know) here are my thoughts:

• The number of eUpgrade credits required depends on where you are travelling to and fare class booked with standard fares requiring the most credits (and possibly a cash co-payment on top) to Economy Latitude or Premium Economy Flexible (which always require the least number of credits)
• If you book anything other than Economy Latitude or Premium Economy Flexible you’ll be placed on an upgrade waitlist which will clear a couple of days prior to departure first starting with the highest tier super elites working its way down to P25Ks
• If you book Latitude or Premium Economy Flexible your upgrade will clearly immediately when there is upgrade space available. Furthermore, you can specify eUpgrade as a search parameter during search, showing you which flights have upgrade space available.
• You can use Aeroplan points or cash to book these fares, so a costly latitude fare to Sydney from say Toronto may not be as much in Aeroplan points. Furthermore, if you can find a space where there is upgrade space available you could in practice book the flight as a Latitude using a nominal number of Aeroplan points and use a small number of credits to push into business class