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HSBC Star Alliance Credit Card: Star Alliance Gold Status (with $4,000 Minimum Spend in 90 Days), $0 Annual Fee First Year

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HSBC Star Alliance Credit Card: Star Alliance Gold Status (with $4,000 Minimum Spend in 90 Days), $0 Annual Fee First Year
Go to Deal
JHoliday on 15/11/2022 - 13:43 hsbc.com.au (6115 clicks)
Last edited 14/11/2023 - 15:54 by 3 other users

Gold status in one of Star Alliance's 'Status Airline' programs will get you reciprocal Virgin Australia perks such as domestic lounge access and priority check-in!

  • Global lounge access - Airport Lounge Access at over 1,000 lounges world-wide
  • Priority at airports - Priority Airport Check-in, Priority Boarding and access to Gold Track – priority airport security lanes
  • Baggage benefits - Priority Baggage Handling and Extra Baggage Allowance on eligible flights

  • Priority waitlists - Priority Reservations Waitlist and Priority Airport Stand-by

  • Earn 1 Star Alliance Point per $1 spent on eligible purchases, up to $3,000 per statement period and 0.5 Star Alliance Points per $1 spent on eligible purchases thereafter.

  • Points earned are transferred to your Star Alliance rewards account monthly.
  • Convert your Star Alliance Points to award miles or points in your chosen Frequent Flyer Program of a participating Star Alliance member airline.
  • Complimentary insurance benefits. Enjoy Domestic and International Travel Insurances with Rental Vehicle Excess Insurance in Australia, Transit Accident Insurance, Extended Warranty Insurance, and Purchase Protection Insurance.

For a limited time, $0 annual fee in the first year ($450 thereafter).

See https://www.pointhacks.com.au/news/hsbc-star-alliance-credit… for all the details.

Financial Airline Status Credit Card VISA

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Comments

        • Local Bogan on 07/02/2023 - 23:49

          Did you manage to get it?

  • burningrage on 31/12/2022 - 18:00

    Got the status upgrade 3 days ago so for Krisflyer, you do need to wait 14 + 14 days after you have hit the welcome spend threshold.

    Krisflyer will tell you first and then Star Alliance will tell you 2 or 3 days later.

  • Anotherozbargainer on 14/01/2023 - 10:57

    Has anyone gotten an email saying "We are sorry to inform you that your request for Star Alliance Gold Status with KrisFlyer Singapore Airlines Group was not successful."
    Been impossible to contact anyone from Star Alliance to try and fix the problem

    • burningrage on 16/01/2023 - 23:01
      +1

      I emailed them about the issue regarding the time it took for SIA to process a request. That email was answered almost immediately.

      The email I used was [email protected]

  • Miso on 20/01/2023 - 14:44
    +1

    Here's my experience

    Applied late December - bit of a nightmare. Went through the whole process only to be given an 'cannot continue' error as their system shit itself. Couldn't retrieve via the ID I got. Gave it a day thinking that I'd give it another go but then got the notice I was approved. So it all seemed to go through in the backend. Shit system.

    Card came fast and linked my existing krisflyer details easily as my preferred SA partner.

    Got the spend in the first months just now in fact. Bought SIA tickets which covered over 50%. Tokyo/Bangkok here I come.

    Day after the statement received email saying I qualify for Gold and have 2 weeks to confirm my partner (which is in there already)

    So far so good. Trip is late may and have 4 SIA flights, looking forward to those Gold benefits (free seat selection specifically)

    • burningrage on 22/01/2023 - 23:58

      "Day after the statement received email saying I qualify for Gold and have 2 weeks to confirm my partner (which is in there already)"

      This part will be the most nail biting bit.

  • burningrage on 30/01/2023 - 11:44

    For those of you who have successfully registered your Krisflyer Gold Elite via Star Alliance Gold, you have additional perks if flying via Scoot

    What benefits am I entitled to as a PPS Club / KrisFlyer Elite Gold / Elite Silver Member?

    ANSWER
    As a PPS Club / KrisFlyer Elite Gold / Elite Silver Member, you will get to enjoy the following benefits on Scoot:
    Complimentary 5kg Baggage upgrade with purchase of any baggage
    Complimentary Standard seat selection*
    BoardMeFirst (with Priority check-in) *
    Booking flexibility waiver (one-time flight/date change fee waiver) (only applicable for PPS Club members)*
    *Applicable for all passengers in the booking

  • Miso on 03/02/2023 - 14:38

    And email from KrisFlyer saying I'm now Gold. Went into the SQ app and yup; Gold.

    Pretty easy

    EDIT - added my ref to SIA wesbite. Easy. Added seats, no cost. Benefits working already

    • harley on 23/02/2023 - 11:01

      Hello, when did you get the notification from Star Alliance after you completed the spending? I got the card on 20.2. Completed spend the same day. Last payment pending in statement ended today 23.2. We are travelling on 25.3.23, so am hoping that their within 30 days after completing eligibity criteria happens automatically and we don't have to wait a few days more or after first statement. TIA.

      • harley on 24/02/2023 - 10:01

        Update: got the star alliance email today 24.2 in the spam folder. They gave me until 10.3 (2 weeks) to change my preferred airline. Looks like we are good to go.

        We are a family of 4: 2 adults 2 kids (4 years +) so had to get one card each adult as they only let in one guest per gold status.

        • harley on 10/03/2023 - 15:16
          +1

          Got Gold Status notified by email on 10.03. So took us 18 days from spending criteria reached.

        • tunzafun001 on 14/04/2023 - 11:40

          Thought you take a child for free? Is it a guest or child?

          • harley on 21/04/2023 - 03:25

            @tunzafun001: One guest for free. A child is considered a guest.

        • harley on 30/04/2023 - 05:23

          Having just got back from CDG (Paris). I really think that the effort for getting this card was worth it with young kids. Being one of the busiest airports in Europe the lines snaked outside of gate entry into the departure area, then another long one at immigration, and carry-on bag check. The approximate 2+ hrs wait for economy was cut down to 1 hr (probably be less if the express lane was more obviously signed/directed). Remember to enquire of attendants if there are express lanes at each point as they're not obvious when really busy. I'm not looking forward to next year when the perks ends for our travels.

  • Jetkuma on 06/02/2023 - 19:42

    I applied for this card mainly for *A Gold. The process is pretty manual. I just asked for an email and sent them documents instead of uploading them via that retrieve link. The screen just keeps on loading and shit itself. I am already Platinum with VA. However, I am going to be aiming for *A Gold with Asiana so I thought this would be a great way to start my 2 flights to South Korea and Tokyo. After that, I just need to do a round trip to London or Barcelona with Asiana to obtain *A Gold. I'm betting that VA will join SA and Asiana will join SkyTeam so that would cover the majority of airlines in Asia, Europe and the US.

    • nightelves on 01/05/2023 - 15:40

      Can I ask how when you're gold status expires with Asiana? I heard their very generous with their elite status.

      • Jetkuma on 01/05/2023 - 15:50

        I am currently *A Gold with Aeroplane. I haven't taken flights with Asiana yet. I will be doing that next week in May and in early July. I will probably squeeze in a London trip with Asiana to reach *A Gold with them and then cancel my card prior to the annual fee.

        In terms of Asiana, it is very generous with achieving the status timeline. You have 2 years to reach a status. If you reach it early, you will have remaining of that 24 months and 24 months to keep that status.

        Here is the link to get more information about it.

        https://flyasiana.com/C/AU/EN/contents/elite-membership-elig…

        • nightelves on 01/05/2023 - 16:06

          Yeah I did read an article from Prince of Travel that mentioned it was quite generous. But it might be leaving Star Alliance as Korean Air has taken over so why I'm up in the air as well.

  • HazzerPM007 on 06/03/2023 - 12:45

    If the card is in my name, would it be fine to apply the Gold Status to my wife's frequent flyer account, even if she has a different last name? i.e. Does it check if the frequent flyer account you nominate for Gold status is actually yours?

    • QFFlyer on 15/04/2023 - 02:49

      Yes it does, I attached my SQ account and it did go through a verification process (well, it appeared to on screen) to check it was mine.

  • maverick1 on 25/04/2023 - 11:12

    Has anyone opted for points instead of the status? I've a couple of flights with SG air later this year and have enjoyed gold in the past, but now I'm torn between getting the points and status. I'm leaning towards points vs gold just because I need points for future travel instead of express check in at airport, don't forecast carrying more than 25/30kg so don't value the extra free bag and have other cards for lounge access but would rate SG lounges slightly higher.
    And being a serial churner, I just don't see myself holding onto this card for 12m to maintain SA Gold. Wouldn't be putting 50k on this card either.

    Edit - Seems if you currently aren't gold then you can't opt for points?

    • freestyle18 on 02/05/2023 - 09:43

      Can you credit status to another program instead? (I'm trying to do that - see comment below…)

  • Nimit on 30/04/2023 - 12:12

    Hello,

    I tried to link this card to PayPal, and received error stating that my bank didn't allow to connect. Anyone faced this issue before?

  • freestyle18 on 02/05/2023 - 09:02

    If I hold gold with a Star alliance airline I assume it's fine to set another to credit my gold status to?

  • pman54 on 17/06/2023 - 10:42

    Any help is greatly appreciated.

    I am thinking about getting this card just for the star alliance gold just for the added benefits of extra baggage allowance and lounge access.

    I have got Amex velocity platinum card which grants me two passes to the Centurion lounge in Melbourne. We are three people travelling together.

    My question is how can we all three get into the same lounge as either of them allow only one additional person.

    • abs898 on 09/07/2023 - 18:04

      Whoa re you flying with

      • pman54 on 09/07/2023 - 23:40

        Wife and Mother-in-law

        • abs898 on 10/07/2023 - 08:32

          Airlines

          • pman54 on 10/07/2023 - 10:34

            @abs898: Ah sorry!!

            Singapore Airlines

            • abs898 on 10/07/2023 - 11:19

              @pman54: Kris lounge in Melbourne is much better than Centurion, if you are flying economy they will only allow 1 guest. U less your 3rd person is a child who enter free.

  • Amaris on 25/07/2023 - 11:13

    The T&Cs state that 'business expenses' don't count towards the yearly spending threshold to keep status and also for the $4000 to get Gold status.
    Does anyone know if they could detect and classify paying tax to the ATO via pay.com.au as a 'business expense'?
    Before the mandatory question….No, I did not ask them. I would like to see what the OZB community felt/thought/ experienced before calling the HSBC call centre.

    Thanks

    • abcdefcuk on 25/07/2023 - 18:21
      +1

      Following this too - just got my card approval email today. already have a two council rates invoices waiting to get me across that $4K spent in first 90 days.

      also thinking what could help me with the $60K p.a. spent to keep the Gold SA status in the next year (no dramas if nothing which means i'd just churn out to somewhere and not have to worry the $450 annual fee next year).

      For those already on this program, do you get to see any form of tracker on how you're progressing on the $60K?

      • Amaris on 27/07/2023 - 15:20
        +1

        I spoke to pay.com.au and they said one of their clients uses this card and has not noted any issue with accruing points/ spending.
        BTW, which airline program did you nominate? Krisflyer?

        • abcdefcuk on 28/07/2023 - 10:05
          +1

          so i am assuming as long as i pay via pay.com.au (eg: mortgage?), it can look like an eligible charges to HSBC?

          Yes, i've nominated KF as i fly with them most..

          • mitmiu on 14/11/2023 - 19:59

            @abcdefcuk: Do you have 50K bonus point to KF or this offer only for aeroplan?

            • abcdefcuk on 15/11/2023 - 01:28

              @mitmiu: Nope, didnt get 50K bonus pts on KF. think the 50K only offered by aeroplan

      • puffinfresh on 30/07/2023 - 10:53

        Do council rates count, or are they "government charges"?

        • abcdefcuk on 30/07/2023 - 14:26

          Thats also what I am looking to find out …

        • abcdefcuk on 10/08/2023 - 14:29

          Confirming my council rates (tax invoice with a credit card payment option) were accepted (it just turned from 'pending') on my HSBC CCOL portal. I also just received an email from StarAlliance Rewards overnight stating I'm eligible for their SA Gold status and can choose the status airline within the next 14 days (already nominated in my SA profile)

          • puffinfresh on 10/08/2023 - 15:12

            @abcdefcuk: Nice! Thanks for trying and letting me know.

            • abcdefcuk on 10/08/2023 - 17:02

              @puffinfresh: no worries ! if you do end up getting yourself a HSBC SA cc too, could you share any experiences on expenses passing through the card as eligible spending which you thought were 50/50? I think that would help existing (and potential future) cardholders :D

              • puffinfresh on 10/08/2023 - 23:29
                +1

                @abcdefcuk: I've got the card and this far everything has counted, but I've only done 'normal' spending. I got slightly more points than what I spent, so I believe foreign transaction fees also earn points.

                My rates or car insurance will get me over the $4k, then I'm going to move to the Citi Prestige if they accept my application. I'm just giving it a few more days because I only just closed my Virgin Money and Suncorp cards, and a CommBank one a couple of weeks ago. I'm really pushing it with the churning.

  • 0224HOG on 15/08/2023 - 11:58
    +1

    Can confirm council rates in NSW count towards spend requirement, received an e-mail this morning notifying I am now eligible for status.

    Have a question if anyone has been in a similar situation, here are the points below:
    1. One of my parents is a flying a Star Alliance flight of which was booked not under my e-mail (which would be linked to my Status Airline frequent flyer programme)
    2. I am unable to add my frequent flyer programme number to their booking which was booked outside my account (it tries to validate it when I add but cannot validate, I suspect it is attempting to match passenger name / e-mail with my the name and e-mail under my frequent flyer programme)

    Question: Is it possible to call the reservation centre and manually add their booking to my e-mail / account despite the initial e-mail for that booking being under my parent's e-mail (of which there is no frequent flyer account attached) - so I can possibly give them the Star Alliance Gold benefits as a listed passenger under my frequent flyer programme account?

    • abcdefcuk on 15/08/2023 - 14:06
      +1

      I don't believe you can "share" your SA Gold benefits with your parents if you (the actual SA Gold member) are not one of the traveling party. Everyone must be on the same booking order.

      I'm not a frequent flyer so my understanding could be wrong though, happy for anyone to correct me and even better, to advise/teach if there's any work around :)

      • 0224HOG on 15/08/2023 - 14:25
        +1

        Thanks, this answer also aligns with a response I received from PointHacks (i.e. myself as status owner should also be on the travel itinerary with the other passenger seeking the perk).

    • puffinfresh on 15/08/2023 - 14:09
      +1

      It won't be trying to match emails, but it certainly will be trying to match that the name of the passenger matches the frequent flyer number. As mentioned above, you can't list your number on someone else's ticket. The best you can do is have your parents use their own FF account and transfer their points to you after they arrive if they aren't going to use them.

      • 0224HOG on 15/08/2023 - 14:25

        Thanks for the advice regarding the points claim and transfer, will let them know.

        • maverick1 on 18/08/2023 - 14:58

          If they are flying Singapore air which earns Kris miles, then do note Kris miles can’t be transferred.

    • booze101 on 10/09/2023 - 08:26

      Unrelated question, but how long after the email notification, was your gold status confirmed with SA?

      • puffinfresh on 10/09/2023 - 12:54
        +2

        Mine was spot on 2 weeks

        • abcdefcuk on 10/09/2023 - 19:26

          Same here. It took exactly 14 days (unaffected by weekends/non pub holidays)

  • booze101 on 10/09/2023 - 08:25

    Got an email for being eligible for star alliance gold 5 days ago and to choose airline. Chose krisflyer but no gold status confirmed yet. How long does this take?

  • puffinfresh on 10/09/2023 - 12:55

    If we cancel the card, we lose gold, yeah?

    • maverick1 on 11/09/2023 - 23:52

      Don’t think anyone has tried that yet, but that’s the assumption.

  • alecsmart on 11/09/2023 - 10:30

    Hi All.

    A couple of questions:

    • How long after a credit card transaction has been processed (and is no longer pending), do the corresponding points show up on the Star Alliance Rewards website? Or do they only show up after the monthly statement is issued by HSBC?

    I have made a couple of retail transactions mid last week and they are no longer pending on the HSBC portal, but the corresponding points haven't yet reflected on the Star Alliance Rewards website.

    Thanks in advance.

    • burningrage on 14/11/2023 - 16:30

      They changed the way they award you points around September 2023.

      You only earn the Star Alliance points at the point of statement issuance (it used to be progressively earned as you spend and awarded at statement) after plus and minus. The end point result will then be reflected almost immediately after your statement has been issued in Star Alliance portal.

  • sundevils on 24/09/2023 - 10:14

    Has anyone chosen United Airlines? Curious to know if you can use their Club lounges when flying domestically on UA.

    • pman54 on 08/10/2023 - 12:25

      Any one who got Singapore Airlines gold managed link Shangri-La circle membership and received Shangri-La circle jade membership?

      • abcdefcuk on 09/10/2023 - 15:36

        you need to book & stay with Shangri-La in what they perceive as a "qualifying stay" for at least a night to activate that jade membership.

    • smokeymr on 08/10/2023 - 13:01
      +1

      You can’t access the United club as a United Gold when on a domestic-only itinerary. You still have Club access if your domestic leg is a part of an international itinerary. See the TPG link:https://thepointsguy.com/guide/ultimate-guide-united-club-access/

  • woolton on 14/11/2023 - 15:41

    Please correct me if I am wrong, but I understand that if you choose Air Canada Aeroplan then if you apply in Jan 2024 you get Gold status until Dec 2025.

    • doddles on 15/11/2023 - 03:20

      That should be correct. I got it earlier this year and it says my status expires Dec 2024.

  • woolton on 14/11/2023 - 15:42

    And that gets you into Virgin lounges.

    • burningrage on 14/11/2023 - 16:21

      This is correct. I have tested this. You must fly VA to get into VA lounge as SQ FF.

  • Bargaing on 14/11/2023 - 15:51

    Does Loungepass only apply for card holder or do you get a +1?

    • djtech on 14/11/2023 - 17:59

      You get lounge access as part of Gold Status. Entitles you +1 guest in most circumstances.

  • nadesico123 on 14/11/2023 - 16:07

    HSBC is the single worst bank that I've ever dealt with… I won't jump on any of their deals.

  • syswong on 14/11/2023 - 16:16

    This is only useful for those who fly Star Alliance airlines and fly a lot.

    For average holiday makers or those who fly a lot but price hunt for cheapest flight this status is almost useless as most of the time they will not be flying a Star Alliance airline.

    • fivespice on 14/11/2023 - 16:19

      Maybe the status but not the points.. Perth to Singapore business class one way is less than 50k Aeroplan Points with plenty of availability.

    • burningrage on 14/11/2023 - 16:28

      It depends how much you value the benefits. This is an example if you take up SQ Krisflyer as your chosen FF.

      I have done this 2x. One with one of my kids and one travelled as VA customer.

      For SQ flights, the priority check in and boarding are very very good (especially if you are leaving Australian ports which are reknown to be difficult bunch of people forcing you to use the automatic checkin systems), let alone the lounge. SQ lounge is 300% better than VA lounge. At Melbourne Airport, you also skip queue with security as well (not well known but it is a feature). If you are arriving into Mel Airport, the priority baggage handling is almost godsent because of the very long quarantine queue so if you can grab your luggage quickly, it would save a lot of time.

      But I will admit, price hunt wise, you probably can't beat IWTF prices unless you are lucky. Flight Centre told me it is cheaper to buy SQ flights online.

      For VA flights as SQ Customers, you also get Priority Checkin/Boarding/Lounge/Priority Baggage Handling. Flight is meh.

      • syswong on 14/11/2023 - 16:41

        Well I am not a lounge person to start and never understand why.

        80% my flight plans never had enough time for lounging. Also many lounges can now access with discounted online voucher/booking. With that give you the flexibility to fly non Star Alliance and the saving on that can be huge.

        • burningrage on 14/11/2023 - 16:47

          I think you need to try it once and experience it yourself. I had my doubts too before trying it.

          It really does matter but ofc, if you are the type (like me) who don't want to go to airport early, the benefit would be as above minus the lounge.

          It's free for 1 year, you have nothing to lose. I am about to be slugged $450 and tbh, even I am finding the benefit marginal if charged at $450 but at $0 for 12 months, it's very nice.

          • syswong on 14/11/2023 - 17:42

            @burningrage:

            It's free for 1 year, you have nothing to lose.

            It occupy that amount of credit in my pool which I plan to use in bonus point cards, Just haven't decided which one to go for……

  • dom on 14/11/2023 - 17:41
    +5

    https://www.aircanada.com/au/en/aco/home/aeroplan/credit-car…
    https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/802518

    Reminder to select Air Canada as status airline - 50k bonus points at the moment

    • MELso on 15/11/2023 - 04:48

      And said status is recognised by Virgin for lounge access etc. And Aeroplan offers regular deals when buying miles.

  • spammingb on 14/11/2023 - 21:28
    +3

    Isn't this the exact same deal but better?

    https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/802518

    • whyisave on 14/11/2023 - 22:12

      That deal is linked to Air Canada,
      whereas in this deal, you can choose your Star Alliance member.

  • Tollery on 14/11/2023 - 22:14

    The mobile banking app is crap, old and slow. Fingerprint? will need two passwords.

  • lawyerz on 14/11/2023 - 23:48
    +1

    Wait, doesn't this give bonus points AND gold status?

    https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/802518

    Edit just saw the above posts

  • eltito on 15/11/2023 - 09:47

    Commenting as I’m unable to give it a + due to the age of the deal

  • lawyerz on 15/11/2023 - 09:59

    does anyone know if you need to keep this credit card open to maintain the gold status?

    • Kroftyy on 15/11/2023 - 13:48

      I believe this was confirmed by another commenter on a forum post - you definitely lose your status almost immediately if you close the card.

  • burningrage on 29/11/2023 - 13:25

    Got the first anniversary notification. You now have a chance to attach your Star Alliance Gold to another participating HSBC Airlines FF program (which I am sure AirCanada would be popular) but obviously will lose the existing Gold status of the one you are currently in. 2 weeks to do this.

  • flrozen on 09/01/2024 - 21:36

    Does anyone know how long it takes to be approved for this card? This is the first time in a while that it wasn't instant/a couple of days at most.

    • abcdefcuk on 10/01/2024 - 13:07
      +1

      not sure how relevant my experience was but my application was back in 17 July 2023 (Monday) and got approved on 25 July 2023 (Tuesday) so a grand total of one week and abit…

    • Charybdia on 15/01/2024 - 20:33
      +1

      Card took around 3 days to get approved including some additional check they did for some non-employment income.

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