HSBC Star Alliance Credit Card: 50,000 Aeroplan Points ($4,000 Spend in 90 Days), $0 1st Year Fee then $450/Yr @ Air Canada

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HSBC Star Alliance Credit Card: 50,000 Aeroplan Points ($4,000 Spend in 90 Days), $0 1st Year Fee then $450/Yr @ Air Canada
Go to Deal
LAcdc1001 on 29/09/2023 - 09:31 aircanada.com (14490 clicks)
Last edited 07/02/2024 - 06:58 by 3 other users

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.

Airline Perks
Enjoy premium 50K Status perks when you select Aeroplan as your status airline such as priority check in, extra baggage allowance, and cabin class upgrade credits.

NB: Your Aeroplan Elite status will be valid for the remainder of the current calendar year and next calendar year.

Annual Fee
Save with a $0 annual fee in the first year ($450 thereafter).

Short summary of Gold Status eligibility & existing HSBC customers waiting period — thanks to Acdc1001. Please carefully check the Terms & Conditions on Air Canada's web page.

Mod: Helpful info after signup.

Financial Airline Status Credit Card Frequent Flyer Reward Points VISA

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Comments

    • abs898 on 29/09/2023 - 10:26

      I got it last November, would be good to see what retention they offer considering I have already met the 60K spend criteria for Year 2.

      • nightelves on 29/09/2023 - 10:33

        So when you meet the 60k spend does your gold status then get upgraded to the following year?

        • abs898 on 29/09/2023 - 10:39
          +1

          Correct. After the first year, to retain the gold status you will need to have spent 30k for silver and 60 for gold

          • nightelves on 29/09/2023 - 13:08

            @abs898: Are you saying that if you meet the 60k spend and cancel the card then your gold status still remain?

            • burningrage on 04/10/2023 - 21:25

              @nightelves: No. Your status will be cancelled straight away. I think it's written there in T&C.

    • Acdc1001 on 29/09/2023 - 10:27

      Cheers up @Drakesy as there is always another good offer around the corner ;-)

  • Frukoz on 29/09/2023 - 10:31

    Can someone confirm, if I get this card and spend $4k in 90 days, I can get the following:

    • Gold status with Virgin Australia
    • 50,000 Aeroplan points that can be used to book domestic/international VA flights via the Air Canada website

    Thanks.

    • Drakesy on 29/09/2023 - 10:42
      -6

      Virgin isn't technically Star alliance so no
      I doubt Air Canada and VA have an agreement so no on that front as well

      Best bet would be with SIA

      • djtech on 29/09/2023 - 10:54
        +6

        Air Canada and VA DOES have an agreement. Aeroplan points can be redeemed on VA and vice versa for Velocity members. Similarly, status benefits for lounge access, priority and baggage are reciprocal.

        • Drakesy on 29/09/2023 - 11:12

          Well how about that, since 2021

    • djtech on 29/09/2023 - 10:44
      +4

      You get:
      - Aeroplan 50K status (Star Alliance Gold). Aeroplan partners with Virgin Australia. You will get EQUIVALENT BENEFITS to Velocity Gold when travelling on Virgin Australia in terms of lounge access, baggage allowance, priority check-in and boarding. Slight differences only apply in terms of guesting in lounge restrictions (i.e. children count as guest whereas it doesn't count for Velocity Gold).
      - Aeroplan points can be redeemed on VA flights with award availability via the Air Canada website (note there is. a $CAD39 fee for partner bookings, but no carrier surcharges)

      • Frukoz on 29/09/2023 - 10:49

        Thanks! And you have to nominate one airline for gold right? So Singapore I'm guessing is the best one for someone who flies domestic, UK, maybe some SE Asia?

        • djtech on 29/09/2023 - 10:53
          +12

          This sign up offer specifically states that you must nominate Aeroplan as your chosen star alliance program for the card. Then, you will get Star Alliance gold status on Aeroplan (which they call Aeroplan 50K status) and also the 50K Aeroplan points. Even though your star alliance gold status is administered by Air Canada, you will get the same benefits no matter what Star Alliance airline you fly. I.e. You should have the same lounge access rights when flying a star alliance airline whether you are a Star Alliance Gold member of Aeroplan or Singapore or United, etc etc. Some exceptions apply, but that is the general rule of thumb.

          A benefit of Aeroplan's Star Alliance Gold status for Australians is that Aeroplan also partners with Virgin Australia OUTSIDE of the star alliance, so lounge access benefits are also extended to when travelling on VA.

          • Frukoz on 29/09/2023 - 11:00

            @djtech: Really appreciate your help with this.
            That all makes sense.

            One final question - if I held Star Alliance Gold, and booked a flight directly with VA - do I still get lounge access? I'm guessing not.

            • djtech on 29/09/2023 - 11:03
              +2

              @Frukoz: You do. Just enter your Aeroplan number when you book with VA and you should be recognised as a Partner Gold member and be given the long access benefits + other benefits.

              • Frukoz on 29/09/2023 - 11:04

                @djtech: Amazing - cheers!

              • heineken016 on 29/09/2023 - 11:32

                @djtech: I've already booked some flights with my vff number - if I got this card could I use the Gold status for lounges on these flights, maybe by updating my ff number on the booking to aeroplan? Or just flashing the card at the lounge? Or is it really only for new bookings

                • djtech on 29/09/2023 - 11:40
                  +2

                  @heineken016: You can change your frequent flyer number any time in Mange my booking :)

                • Howdydoo on 29/09/2023 - 12:13
                  +2

                  @heineken016: You dont need to change your frequent flyer number on the booking. Just show your aeroplan gold on the app at the lounge when you go in. You can use it on existing bookings.

      • Dplayer33 on 29/09/2023 - 12:20
        +1

        Thats good to know the restrictions on guest entry. Kinda kills the deal for me cause of the kids.

        • Oneiricer on 29/09/2023 - 16:49
          +1

          Velocity gold specifically states 1 additional guest and up to 3 children - so this should cover it, since its a recipocal arrangement? Or am i missing something? @djtech

      • ozmaxz on 29/09/2023 - 23:16

        how can I find which airline is partnership with Aeoplan? I find this https://www.staralliance.com/en/home where lists all the member airline, virgin isn't on the list.
        I am a newbie to this..

      • mrjames on 09/10/2023 - 13:49
        +1

        Whats the cost of VA Y redemption using Areoplan points? (eg Syd - mel or syd to per)

        edit: Can search on AC site without signing in. Redemption on VA seem like poor value, SG in J seems like the sweet spot.

      • evasive on 17/01/2024 - 10:42

        How does one receive those equivalent benefits though? e.g. you are a star alliance gold through aeroplane but how do you make VA recognise that when travelling with them?

      • kylijenner on 27/04/2024 - 23:01

        That's wrong. You will get lounge access but no other benefits like extra baggage or priority check in.

        See: https://www.executivetraveller.com/news/virgin-australia-vel…

  • Bonbi on 29/09/2023 - 10:33
    +6

    Actual link to the credit card: https://www.hsbc.com.au/credit-cards/products/star-alliance/

    • ozbnb on 29/09/2023 - 20:02

      ty

    • Xizor on 05/10/2023 - 09:27

      Thanks. Why this is not in OP…

  • raspaz on 29/09/2023 - 10:33
    +6

    Make sure you dont cancel the card after receiving the gold status.

    It must be kept active to maintain the gold status for the 12 months.

    I cancelled mine to keep my credit limit low after clearing the bonus and I was reverted to KrisFlyer silver immediately.

    • Drakesy on 29/09/2023 - 10:43
      -3

      Ditto i did the same, not happy.
      Was kind of misleading how they hid it in the fine print. Every other card that i've taken out that gave instant status provided a year's worth :(.

    • Frukoz on 29/09/2023 - 11:02
      +1

      So unless you want to pay the annual fee, there's no way it will be 12 months of Gold? It will take a month or two to hit the spend quota, have it apply, etc?

      • raspaz on 29/09/2023 - 14:21
        +1

        Yeah in practice you'd only get ~10 months of value without having to pay an additional fee.

        Kinda annoying / misleading but can't complain given the $0

  • iykyk on 29/09/2023 - 10:35

    What's the best return for redeeming these points? I.e destinations, partner airlines, etc. from MEL

    • djtech on 29/09/2023 - 11:08
      +3

      Business class on Etihad to Europe is best value (no carrier surcharge), but currently availability is basically a desert. Business to Asia is good value (Singapore, Hong Kong, Thailand, etc) around 45K points O/W. Adding stop over for only 5K is crazy good value as you could potentially get two trips out of one redemption where for other programs you need to make separate flight bookings.

      • iykyk on 29/09/2023 - 11:15
        +1

        any thoughts on best return for under 50K, I guess Asia?

      • ozmaxz on 29/09/2023 - 23:38

        this is done through https://www.aircanada.com/au/en/aco/home.html ?
        canada air doesn't have any route from mel to aisa, only to canada or usa.

        • djtech on 30/09/2023 - 00:08

          Yes you just need to check the book with Aeroplan option when booking.

  • abc on 29/09/2023 - 10:35

    Is the annual fee worth it after the free first year?

    • abs898 on 29/09/2023 - 10:43
      +5

      Depends, you will need to spend 60k to retain gold after year 1.

      Also the earn rate is not that great. For the first 3k each month you will earn 1 Alliance reward which is 0.8 FF. After that it's half.
      So if you spent 5k in a month, you will accumulate 3000 +1500 = 4500 rewards which is 3600 FF points.

      When you compare that to something like amex, there is no monthly cap and you can actually earn the full 5-5.5k FF points each month.

      Your main advantage is only the gold status.

      This card is also pretty bad with paying to merchants who might be based overseas but charge you in AUD. For example I bought Eurail pass on klook, paid in AUD but was charged a 3% fees. So they base it off where the merchant is based rather than the currency.

  • yoquierotaco on 29/09/2023 - 10:39
    +2

    can someone explain Star Alliance Gold.

    • Once you get it, do you have to maintain it? If so, what do you have to do?
    • if you select AeroPlan as status airline, does this mean the Star Alliance Gold benefit only works for this airline?
      • Can I access any Star Alliance lounges even if I'm not flying with AirCanada?
    • abs898 on 29/09/2023 - 10:44
      +3

      Check my comment above for your first question.

      Star alliance benefits will work across all members and Linge access as long as you are flying an alliance airlines.

    • djtech on 29/09/2023 - 10:47
      +4

      Either meet the minimum spend requirement of the card each year to keep the status, or you could earn it the old fashion way by flying Star Alliance/partner airline flights and crediting to Aeroplan to earn enough status points.

      Aeroplan will be your Star Alliance program, so you will get Star Alliance Gold benefits travelling across all Star Alliance (and also some other benefits on Aeroplan's other partner airlines) which includes lounge access, baggage allowances, priority checkin and boarding. So yes, as long as you are travelling on a Star Alliance airline, your Aeroplan status will get you in, regardless of whether it is Air Canada or not.

  • duna0104 on 29/09/2023 - 10:44

    Good offer, only issue is very limited opportunities to earn Aeroplan points beside this. Aeroplan need to have more partners and more earning opportunities in Australia, then only more uptake for this card.

    • djtech on 29/09/2023 - 10:50
      +3

      They have decent buy points promotions every now and then to top up. Earn rate for this card is not bad tbh considering the lower points thresholds required to make redemptions.

  • CantonasKungFuKick on 29/09/2023 - 10:45

    I'm new to these frequent flyer, I currently have 100k VFF points, if I was to take out this offer - would you convert the Aeroplan Points to VFF or the other way around? i.e. if i was to book flights to Europe or US for example?
    How do you know what lounges you get access to and is it unlimited for you plus family?

    • duna0104 on 29/09/2023 - 10:46
      +1

      You can’t convert aeroplan to VF and vice versa

    • djtech on 29/09/2023 - 10:50
      +1

      Aeroplan Points and VFF points cannot be combined as they are seperate programs with different partners. Aeroplan points can be used to redeem for Virgin Australia flights on Aeroplan's website and they have other partners you can redeem on to travel to Europe or the USA including Singapore, United, or Air Canada (who owns and runs the program).
      Lounge access generally is the status holder + one guest. When entering VA's lounges, children count as a guest unlike Velocity status in which children are not counted as guest.

      • CantonasKungFuKick on 29/09/2023 - 10:51

        what about converting Aeroplan to KrisFlyer? Could i convert both Aero and VFF to Kris and then use, or is that not the best use of the points?

        Trying to figure out how to best utilise my 100k points

        • djtech on 29/09/2023 - 10:57

          No Aeroplan points cannot be transferred to any other frequent flyer program. Your Velocity and Aeroplan balances will be forever separated unfortunately.

  • caustic birch on 29/09/2023 - 10:55
    +1

    What's an aeroplan point worth? More or less than VFF

    • djtech on 29/09/2023 - 11:01
      +4

      Objectively more. Aeroplan's redemption rates are typically around 30% lower than comparable Velocity redemptions (i.e. 45K business to SE Asia vs 65K on Velocity). Also, they don't charge carrier surcharges unlike Velocity so taxes and fees will be lower than Velocity a lot of the time. Free stopover is allowed for 5k additional points so you could book complicated itineraries with more flights for marginally more points. More partners than Velocity and more useful IMO.

      I personally value Aeroplan around 1.8-2 cents, and Velocity around 1.5.

      • caustic birch on 29/09/2023 - 11:08

        Thanks for all the info - just had a look myself and Perth to Japan (only checked KIX) for 60k + 150ish AUD in business on Singapore Airlines looks particularly enticing. I see you can buy them for a 'reasonable' price as well to top up if needed.

        • djtech on 29/09/2023 - 11:09
          +1

          Yes. Forgot to mention that Aeroplan is one of the better Star Alliance programs. They have access to Singapore Airline's premium cabin availability which only them, Velocity and Singapore themselves have access to. Also, if you would like to stop over in Singapore, you can do so buy adding 5K points.

      • CheapBrah on 29/09/2023 - 11:14
        +3

        Agree with this, I would personally value both velocity and QFF around the 1.5c mark given how extremely flexible you need to be to redeem anything while Aeroplan I'd value around 2c.

  • StealaDeal on 29/09/2023 - 11:07

    Do aeroplan points expire?

    • djtech on 29/09/2023 - 11:10
      +1

      Expires after 18 months inactivity - same as QFF or VFF.

  • Jetkuma on 29/09/2023 - 11:16

    Well, they did increase their competitiveness with Aeroplan. I am still annoyed with Aeroplan. I travelled on Asiana and requested missing points. They never responded to my queries…They ghosted me via email. I can't call them since time differences are kind of hard for me due to work and their phone queue is 30 minutes+

  • Jackjcca on 29/09/2023 - 11:16

    not sure how to sign up - went to hsbc, can't access or sign up with them to get the 50k aero points

    https://ibb.co/THPXSyc

    • Pikaloo on 29/09/2023 - 11:25
      +2

      It probably works as so:

      Sign up to HSBC
      Link Air Canada via Star Alliance
      Once your elite/gold status comes through
      Air Canada will also credit the points.

      So these are 2 different promotions to give you those benefits. HSBC won't be the ones crediting those points, it's the Airline itself.

      • Jackjcca on 29/09/2023 - 11:32

        Thanks for clarifying that!

      • ozbargainerlife1 on 15/10/2023 - 17:06

        Link Air Canada via Star Alliance

        How does this step work please?

    • damz on 29/09/2023 - 11:29

      From the link that OP has shared you can find the following link:
      https://www.hsbc.com.au/credit-cards/offers/campaigns/star-a…

  • boardumb on 29/09/2023 - 11:29
    -2

    Does anyone know if there are any similar offers for Oneworld Sapphire (Gold equivalent) (now or whether they run from time to time)?

    • AircraftFreight on 29/09/2023 - 12:03
      +1

      None. Oneworld is very opposed into doing something like this. Was at the last meeting in Qatar.

  • chino8826 on 29/09/2023 - 11:41
    +8

    Your Aeroplan Elite status will be valid for the remainder of the current calendar year and next calendar year. So technically if you apply and approved in Jan you have close to 2 years of glod.

    • evasive on 29/09/2023 - 11:51
      -1

      Except the offer will be gone come Jan

      • CheapBrah on 29/09/2023 - 11:58
        +2

        It says until February. Plus there is a lag between getting the card and getting the status. Probably best to apply around December.

        • maverick1 on 29/09/2023 - 12:08

          From memory I think the start date of Gold status = card inception/approval date, so dec may not work.
          need more users to confirm.

    • CheapBrah on 29/09/2023 - 11:57

      Also according to others who've had the card they have lost gold status after cancelling the card (I think these chose Kris flyer but might be the same with Aeroplan)

      • AircraftFreight on 29/09/2023 - 12:03

        Yep - as soon as you cancel it - it’s gone

      • chino8826 on 29/09/2023 - 12:04
        +1

        Correct but you don't have to meet the $30k/$60k (silver/gold) spending criteria to retain gold in the 2nd calendar year.

        • evasive on 17/01/2024 - 10:45

          @chino8826 Could you elaborate? First year zero annual fee, spend $4000 in 90 days to get gold.

          Second year full annual fee, but don't you also have to spend $60k to keep the gold?

          • chino8826 on 17/01/2024 - 12:19

            @evasive: Yes if you apply and approved now your gold status would last until Dec 2025

    • edisonAU on 29/09/2023 - 12:06
      +1

      Only if you keep the credit card open for that 2 years. If you cancel the card then your elite status will be removed

    • Hodlman Sachs on 29/09/2023 - 12:15

      Where did you see this?
      I found this in T&C:
      Your status will be granted until the first anniversary of your account opening or earlier, if you qualify for a higher status with your selected Frequent Flyer Program by any means.

      • chino8826 on 29/09/2023 - 12:19
        +2

        StarAllianceWebsite

      • Reinhast on 29/09/2023 - 15:21
        +1

        How long will my Star Alliance Silver or Star Alliance Gold status be valid with my selected Status Airline?

        Air Canada
        Your Aeroplan Elite status will be valid for the remainder of the current calendar year and next calendar year.

    • milobob on 29/09/2023 - 12:43
      +1

      If true this is worthy to add to the main body of this post!

      • Acdc1001 on 29/09/2023 - 18:04

        Post updated.

    • PaperplaneXXX on 29/09/2023 - 14:35

      wow interesting

    • Bargainitis on 29/09/2023 - 15:56

      where does it say this mate?

      • chino8826 on 29/09/2023 - 16:00

        See the link above

        • Bargainitis on 29/09/2023 - 18:48
          +2

          thanks so in practice, you don't have to meet the 60K spend to retain Gold but will need to pay the second year annual fee to keep it. I guess thats better than needing to spend 60K if you can't.

    • k2k8k5 on 01/10/2023 - 14:46

      Your Aeroplan Elite status will be valid for the remainder of the current calendar year and next calendar year

      where does it say that? i've skimmed through the T&C on both the Air Canada and the HSBC website, all I see here is that the status will only be granted for 12 months. thanks.

      • MELso on 01/10/2023 - 14:53

        The Star Alliance website.

        • k2k8k5 on 01/10/2023 - 15:35

          cheers, sorry i missed the comment from chino8826 above.

  • AircraftFreight on 29/09/2023 - 12:39

    Question, can I add my kid onto this card (Auth User) and transfer him the status, already have LT *AG

    • maverick1 on 29/09/2023 - 12:43

      No. Only primary card holder gets the status.

  • Navigator87 on 29/09/2023 - 12:41

    Does having a HSBC Platinum CC now, make me ineligible for this offer? ?

    • nightelves on 29/09/2023 - 13:09
      +2

      You’re still eligible

  • jaygee on 29/09/2023 - 12:42

    Is it possible to get cards delivered to an address different than your address shown on license? Silly question but in process of moving.

  • JakDac on 29/09/2023 - 13:00

    Loading licience stuck in uploading pics TWO times

  • Jayblesz on 29/09/2023 - 13:00

    75k min income

  • Voucherd on 29/09/2023 - 13:01

    Is there much benefit to this if we already have priority pass with citibank card? Outside of lounge access, do those that have gold status use any of the other perks often?

    • nightelves on 29/09/2023 - 13:11
      +4

      Most star alliance lounge that I’ve been to are more superior than PP and also there is no cap on time spent in lounge vs PP which has a 3 hour usage.

    • Dtezy on 29/09/2023 - 13:45

      Also a lot of the time gets knocked back from lounges with PP

    • chillybags on 29/09/2023 - 13:55
      +2

      Was at london T2 today and got knocked back priority pass from an “experience” restaurant cited as not working today. The plaza premium lounge was packed and very bad.

      There were 4 star alliance options - Singapore, Lufthansa, air Canada and united lounges that could be accessed as a star alliance gold (I flew business class so had access). It can be handy to have both but would attribute a significant $ value to have both just in case.

  • hishaken on 29/09/2023 - 13:09

    Any friend could help how to utilize gold with scoot?
    Looks like we cannot visit lounge when we book scoot airline

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