Credit Card Offers 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!​

Learn more and apply for this card:

HSBC Star Alliance Credit Card Guide

The HSBC Star Alliance credit card is the first of its kind, allowing Australian cardholders to earn Star Alliance Points and Gold status.

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

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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 $450 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:

HSBC Star Alliance Credit Card Guide

The HSBC Star Alliance credit card is the first of its kind, allowing Australian cardholders to earn Star Alliance Points and Gold status.

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

AFF members are welcome to discuss this card in this thread.

 

[BJReplay]

Had the same issue. Except they managed to find emails and phone numbers from the early 2000s

Reminds me of

• CBA
• NAB
• Latitude
• CitiBank

I am in the middle of a farcical situation with Commbank / Commsec trying to change closed email addresses for dormant accounts for cash management accounts for chess sponsorships in the name of AS TRUSTEE FOR accounts. Commsec say it is a bank issue, the bank say it is a broker issue.

Because, for two of the directors, both the emails and home numbers are disconnected, they won't let anyone update the records without in person visits - from 90 year old pensioners. But if you go to a branch they

 

[VPS]

Does anyone know if DEFT payments count towards spend on this card please?

Thanks

 

[aerokrisflyer]

Hey flyers - I'm thinking of applying to this credit card. I've moved to Sydney recently, I'll be making cross-continent flights 6-8 times a year between Aus & EU, Asia, North America and flying 2-3 times/month within Australia. I have been an AC for a long time - my family is there and I have a balance of 65K miles there. But I'm tempted to link the card with SQ and start from scratch as a Krisflyer as I like Singapore's experience/ product so much more. Any tips? Have seen the AC status can last 2 years - how does that happen / when does one need to apply?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Hey flyers - I'm thinking of applying to this credit card. I've moved to Sydney recently, I'll be making cross-continent flights 6-8 times a year between Aus & EU, Asia, North America and flying 2-3 times/month within Australia. I have been an AC for a long time - my family is there and I have a balance of 65K miles there. But I'm tempted to link the card with SQ and start from scratch as a Krisflyer as I like Singapore's experience/ product so much more. Any tips? Have seen the AC status can last 2 years - how does that happen / when does one need to apply?

Hi and welcome to AFF!

AC gives status for the remained of the current year, PLUS the year after. So qualifying now wouod give the remainder of 2025, plus 2026.

If you applied midway through 2025, you’d get only 18 months.

Selecting SQ has advantages such as access to first class awards, but miles have a hard three-year expiry. It doesn’t matter if you keep earning, anything you earn today will expire in three years. If it takes you longer to dpsave than that, you’ll have a hard time redeeming.

AC on the other hand has access to SQ business and economy awards, often at cheaper prices than SQ themselves. And you can easily buy AC miles during one of their generous promotions (roughly 6 times a year).

Buying miles through aeroplan works out to around $1800 return to Asia, $4400 return to Europe, $3200 return to the USA. plus government taxes (no fuel surcharges).

Booking early I flew to Europe and back on SQ business, and will be doing the same next month. All booked through aeroplan.

Your star gold on aeroplan will still get you pretty much the same benefits as krisflyer.

The only thing with thr two years of status on Aeroplan is that unless you spend $60k on the card, you’ll be up for the annual fee in the second year. I’ve chosen to lay that as it gives you almost instant access to the call centre… which I highly value.

 

[aerokrisflyer]

Hi and welcome to AFF!

AC gives status for the remained of the current year, PLUS the year after. So qualifying now wouod give the remainder of 2025, plus 2026.

If you applied midway through 2025, you’d get only 18 months.

Selecting SQ has advantages such as access to first class awards, but miles have a hard three-year expiry. It doesn’t matter if you keep earning, anything you earn today will expire in three years. If it takes you longer to dpsave than that, you’ll have a hard time redeeming.

AC on the other hand has access to SQ business and economy awards, often at cheaper prices than SQ themselves. And you can easily buy AC miles during one of their generous promotions (roughly 6 times a year).

Buying miles through aeroplan works out to around $1800 return to Asia, $4400 return to Europe, $3200 return to the USA. plus government taxes (no fuel surcharges).

Booking early I flew to Europe and back on SQ business, and will be doing the same next month. All booked through aeroplan.

Your star gold on aeroplan will still get you pretty much the same benefits as krisflyer.

The only thing with thr two years of status on Aeroplan is that unless you spend $60k on the card, you’ll be up for the annual fee in the second year. I’ve chosen to lay that as it gives you almost instant access to the call centre… which I highly value.

this is soooo helpful, thank you. The other consideration is getting my dad from YXE to SYD at some point - not a nice option via SQ and difficult to do the routing. This makes a lot of sense to me the way you laid it out - I'll stick with AC. Merci.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

this is soooo helpful, thank you. The other consideration is getting my dad from YXE to SYD at some point - not a nice option via SQ and difficult to do the routing. This makes a lot of sense to me the way you laid it out - I'll stick with AC. Merci.

But all of these carriers are star alliance, so holding status in one doesn’t restrict you from flying another. If you held gold with SQ you could still redeem points to route your father on United or Air Canadia from YXE.

You’re probably already aware but AC has moved to dynamic pricing, which means their awards can be prohibitively expensive. Hence travel on United or another partner where it will be a fixed price.

 

[aerokrisflyer]

Thanks for coming back to me. I hadn't realised that AC has gone to dynamic pricing for its rewards. Does that information change your initial advice about AC's better value?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Thanks for coming back to me. I hadn't realised that AC has gone to dynamic pricing for its rewards. Does that information change your initial advice about AC's better value?

You either have to find an air canada flight at its lowest level, OR, you fly any star alliance partner.

Or you might have to break the award, flying to YVR on west jet or something, followed by a star alliance award out of YVR.

SQ doesn’t allow you to buy miles. It really depends on your spending and how many points you think you’re going to earn through other methods.

And what class you are going to fly your father.

One of the perks of Aeroplan 50k is that you can choose ‘gold for a day’, in which you can attach gold status to anyone for a trip on Air canada. If you were to buy your father economy, by attaching the benefit he’d have priority checkin, priority security, lounge access, etc.

Aeroplan doesn’t require you to log in to check award availability and pricing, so you could have a play around.

 

[aerokrisflyer]

You either have to find an air canada flight at its lowest level, OR, you fly any star alliance partner.

Or you might have to break the award, flying to YVR on west jet or something, followed by a star alliance award out of YVR.

SQ doesn’t allow you to buy miles. It really depends on your spending and how many points you think you’re going to earn through other methods.

And what class you are going to fly your father.

One of the perks of Aeroplan 50k is that you can choose ‘gold for a day’, in which you can attach gold status to anyone for a trip on Air canada. If you were to buy your father economy, by attaching the benefit he’d have priority checkin, priority security, lounge access, etc.

Aeroplan doesn’t require you to log in to check award availability and pricing, so you could have a play around.

hey one more query for you, MEL, and again, thanks heaps for your help: does getting AC Gold status through this card also require flying on a certain number of AC flights? Moving up AC status rungs generally needs a minimum of activity flying on AC planes and spending with them in addition to what be earned via Star Alliance. Any idea?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

hey one more query for you, MEL, and again, thanks heaps for your help: does getting AC Gold status through this card also require flying on a certain number of AC flights? Moving up AC status rungs generally needs a minimum of activity flying on AC planes and spending with them in addition to what be earned via Star Alliance. Any idea?

Under the HSBC offer you can select from several participating airlines and receive instant gold. This is your after spending $4000 on the card within an initial period. No flying or minimum segments are required.

To requalify for gold after the initial yea (or up to two years) you either need to qualify through flying (regular AC requirements for gold); spend $60k on the card, or, where you are given two years from the start, keep your card active and open by paying the $450 annual fee.

For the third year onwards you either need to spend $60k or qualify by flying.

 

[nightelves]

Under the HSBC offer you can select from several participating airlines and receive instant gold. This is your after spending $4000 on the card within an initial period. No flying or minimum segments are required.

To requalify for gold after the initial yea (or up to two years) you either need to qualify through flying (regular AC requirements for gold); spend $60k on the card, or, where you are given two years from the start, keep your card active and open by paying the $450 annual fee.

For the third year onwards you either need to spend $60k or qualify by flying.

I’ve cancelled my HSBC card on the 13th October and still have Gold status atm. I know a few people in the same situation as well. Not sure how long it’ll last though. But definitely grateful for it.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I’ve cancelled my HSBC card on the 13th October and still have Gold status atm. I know a few people in the same situation as well. Not sure how long it’ll last though. But definitely grateful for it.

What was your membership year? Did it run Oct-Oct? So you have until Jan 31 2026, or did you get two full yeas plus until Jan 2026?

 

[flyingmachine]

I’ve cancelled my HSBC card on the 13th October and still have Gold status atm. I know a few people in the same situation as well. Not sure how long it’ll last though. But definitely grateful for it.

Lucky you! My AC status dropped back to nothing within a few days of closing the card

 

[BJReplay]

I’ve cancelled my HSBC card on the 13th October and still have Gold status atm. I know a few people in the same situation as well. Not sure how long it’ll last though. But definitely grateful for it.

Almost identical situation and dates.

 

[nightelves]

What was your membership year? Did it run Oct-Oct? So you have until Jan 31 2026, or did you get two full yeas plus until Jan 2026?

-I applied for the card in November 2023
-Met the spend at the beginning of 2024
-Gold status said expiry in December 2025
-Cancelled the card in October 2024 and expecting downgrade
-Gold status still showing expiry in December 2025.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

-I applied for the card in November 2023
-Met the spend at the beginning of 2024
-Gold status said expiry in December 2025
-Cancelled the card in October 2024 and expecting downgrade
-Gold status still showing expiry in December 2025.

Well done!

I’m in the boat timing wise, just paid the $450 renewal. hoping the status sticks!

 

[VPS]

I asked before but no response - does anyone know if DEFT payments count as spend please

 

[Zanzaid]

My last day to choose a partner Airline is tomorrow and for the moment I've gone with Singapore Airlines because it felt like it made most sense with my situation/plan, but sounds like AeroPlan 50k might be just as good, if not better? I'm a little confused by the different setups.

I applied for and met the spending requirement in December, then got the email on the 20th to choose a partner Airline. If i went with AeroPlan 50k, would that mean i have it for 2025/2026? or does it goes back to approval/spending date and hence 2024/2025? Assuming i paid the next annual fee for 2026 if required.

2025 will see me travel on Virgin, Eva Air and Singapore Airlines at least, I'm mostly just wanting lounge access more than anything. 2026 isn't planned so I'm not to worried, but a trip to Canada is a maybe, plus Virgin at least.

I often book rewards flights (Y and J), depending on the situation, so i'm drawn to Singapore more because of the Virgin transfer, more so now with the changes to Velocity redemptions coming up. It's unlikely i'll ever actually earn enough points with AC AeroPlan to get much out of it though, but maybe i need to read up more on it.

Any thoughts on the better option? Thanks!

 

[Zanzaid]

My last day to choose a partner Airline is tomorrow and for the moment I've gone with Singapore Airlines because it felt like it made most sense with my situation/plan, but sounds like AeroPlan 50k might be just as good, if not better? I'm a little confused by the different setups.

I applied for and met the spending requirement in December, then got the email on the 20th to choose a partner Airline. If i went with AeroPlan 50k, would that mean i have it for 2025/2026? or does it goes back to approval/spending date and hence 2024/2025? Assuming i paid the next annual fee for 2026 if required.

2025 will see me travel on Virgin, Eva Air and Singapore Airlines at least, I'm mostly just wanting lounge access more than anything. 2026 isn't planned so I'm not to worried, but a trip to Canada is a maybe, plus Virgin at least.

I often book rewards flights (Y and J), depending on the situation, so i'm drawn to Singapore more because of the Virgin transfer, more so now with the changes to Velocity redemptions coming up. It's unlikely i'll ever actually earn enough points with AC AeroPlan to get much out of it though, but maybe i need to read up more on it.

Any thoughts on the better option? Thanks!

Decided to leave with SA, should be fine! It mentions Gold until December 9th so that probably answers my question of what would have happened with AeroPlan 50k