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 (14480 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

    • scaryspace on 29/09/2023 - 13:40

      They aren't in star alliance, but they do have some arrangement with SQ that might be worth looking into

  • batrarobin on 29/09/2023 - 13:14

    Can you transfer the points to a 'friend' or a 'family member'? ;)

    • djtech on 03/10/2023 - 15:26

      Family pooling is possible!

  • ninnypoop on 29/09/2023 - 13:32

    How long does the Gold star alliance status last? Are you required to fly a number of flights/yr with alliance partners to retain the status? Roughly how many flights?

    Within Australia is Qantas the only one that would contribute to holding the gold status for domestic flights?

    • scaryspace on 29/09/2023 - 13:53
      +1

      When you spend 4k in first 90 days, you get star alliance gold for 1 year, and then every year after you must spend either $30k or $60k a year, for silver or gold status respectively. Qantas has nothing to do with Star Alliance. You can google the members of Star alliance, (mainly Singapore Airlines, Air New Zealand, United, Air Canada) but Virgin Australia have a partnership with Star Alliance, in that you can use points to book flights, and (I believe) basically entitles you to Velocity Gold status with your Star Alliance Gold status.

      • ninnypoop on 29/09/2023 - 17:09

        Thank you. I must have misread somewhere about Qantas being star alliance.

        This sounds like a great card then. Going to apply.

    • djtech on 29/09/2023 - 16:07
      +1

      Air Canada partners with Virgin Australia so your Aeroplan 50K status from this promotion would give you equivalent gold benefits similar to a VFF Gold member when flying VA.

      • ninnypoop on 29/09/2023 - 17:09

        Thanks! This is a mad deal then.

  • Borispingpong on 29/09/2023 - 13:42

    I am in the process of refinancing for 250,000 Virgin Points. If I get this credit card, can I transfer or combine points to allow me to book travel for more family?

    • Borispingpong on 29/09/2023 - 13:52

      Or to Singapore Airlines Krisflyer?

    • djtech on 29/09/2023 - 14:28

      See thread before. Essentially no. Cannot combine.

      • Borispingpong on 29/09/2023 - 14:30

        Thank you. Will just get the 60k points from NAB.
        New to all this, so its confusing.

  • sydboy007 on 29/09/2023 - 13:52
    +2

    Think the killer is hte 60K spend to reatin gold.

    if it was 20-30K I'd be tempted as it would make my 8 or so flight s year with Virgin a buit nicer witht he lounge access and priority seating and boarding.

    • Craze on 29/09/2023 - 13:55

      If you're travelling 8x a year on average you should be able to have some sort of status with Virgin?

      • CantonasKungFuKick on 29/09/2023 - 14:18

        prob get silver with that amount of flights which only gets you 2 passes a year and some extra luggage allowance, other than its useless.

        Gold requires a lot more flights.

        If you shop at Coles then you can get 120 extra credits a year, that's a good way to get a bump in credits, as that's equivalent to about 6 flights to SYD

    • djtech on 29/09/2023 - 14:31

      If just travelling domestic for 10 or so times a year, it’d work out better to just get a lounge membership.

    • Acdc1001 on 29/09/2023 - 18:11

      If you time your application well in early 2024 and qualify for the Aeroplan Elite status, it will be valid for the remainder of 2024 and for all of 2025.

      • Helmutson on 29/09/2023 - 22:14

        Only if you keep your card active after 12 months. So will need to either pay annual fee or spend $60k.

  • seamonkey on 29/09/2023 - 14:47

    That thumbnail. Worst Lego set ever.

  • GenghisGun on 29/09/2023 - 15:13

    Random question, I am flying air canada for a tonne of work flights soon and naively thought i could just earn the miles as VFF points instead of aeroplan. is that true? or can you only earn aeroplan points on AC flights? a shame because it seems you can't convert aero to VFF points directly either. thanks

    • djtech on 29/09/2023 - 16:08
      +2

      You can earn VFF points flying Air Canada. You can also redeem VFF points on Air Canada. Similarly, Aeroplan members can earn Aeroplan miles when flying VA and redeem Aeroplan miles on VA also.

    • nightelves on 29/09/2023 - 17:52

      Why would you want VFF when Aeroplan redemption is so much better.

  • Sharp on 29/09/2023 - 15:56
    +1

    I hate HSBC online services stuck in 1990s. Has anybody suscessfully applied and received a confirmation email? I tried twice but got system errors, now I don't know if the application completed or not. Plus, retrive application form times out.

    • robbo135 on 29/09/2023 - 16:05
      +1

      Applied and got a conditional approval email. Then had to upload payslips and proof of id/address.

      I had an issue after doing the facial recognition thing and I refreshed and pressed back on my browser (which usually you shouldn't do) and managed to get onto the next screen to upload supporting docs. This is despite being an existing HSBC customer.

      First time I've ever had to provide payslips when applying for a credit card.

      • Sharp on 29/09/2023 - 16:10

        I had the same issue after the facial recognition but didn't refresh the page. I thought the application is complete and they would send an email to request payslips etc. separately

        • robbo135 on 29/09/2023 - 16:30

          My email only came after I had refreshed the webpage after doing the facial recognition step.

      • j0hnd0e on 29/09/2023 - 16:13

        Trying to upload documents and I keep getting errored out.

        Your session has expired
        Your secure connection to HSBC’s Document Upload Centre has timed out.

        To log back in please use your application reference number and the retrieve application link on our website

        • robbo135 on 29/09/2023 - 16:31

          I would recommend anyone applying to write down your application reference number, I didn't and I thought I'd have to start my application from scratch after the issue as per my comments above.

      • bawlingonabudget on 04/10/2023 - 23:57

        how many payslips did you have to upload? it's so strange them asking for payslips

    • mrush00 on 29/09/2023 - 22:23

      Yup, submitted application. Did facial recognition, then asked to continue with verification…but never received an email with reference number. Retrieve application form timed out too.

      Called in and they said to call back Monday lol

      Edit: also, I already have an HSBC account and some of the fields were pre-filled, yet there’s no way to track an application through your account?

      • The king on 30/09/2023 - 20:44

        Same for me, after submitting facial confirmations it stuck on application is in process and don’t close or refresh page, below says takes 60 seconds to complete and nothing happened. So I closed and went to retrieve application I forgot the reference number unable to retrieve. Now I have to wait untill Monday to call them 😒

        • mrush00 on 02/10/2023 - 11:12

          Just called them back and Labour Day in NSW, so have to call back Tuesday

          • The king on 02/10/2023 - 21:22

            @mrush00: I did as well, asked me to call back tomorrow.

            • mrush00 on 04/10/2023 - 17:24

              @The king: What a mess. Got two separate calls about a closed Citi Ready Credit account. First call didn’t request the closure letter, second call (5 minutes later, same guy) requested it.

              15 minutes later before I even uploaded the docs the application was declined in portal, no email.

              Easily the worst application process I’ve experienced in my churning career

              • The king on 05/10/2023 - 23:18

                @mrush00: I called and provided my payslip, finally card got approved today.
                May be because I am an existing customer with HSBC.

  • j0hnd0e on 29/09/2023 - 16:11

    Their application website is (profanity) horrendous.

  • ArtOfTheDeal on 29/09/2023 - 16:12

    It appears it's Gold Status regardless of what airline you nominate? I'm flying United in December and thinking of doing it to utilise the status for lounge passes and chance at upgrades. Is this realistic?

    • MELso on 29/09/2023 - 17:19

      That's correct (it's recognised on all *A airlines as well as Virgin Australia), but you may as well nominate Aeroplan because in addition to the points, you'll get access to United Clubs when flying domestically in the US, whereas you won't as a United Gold (!).

      https://www.united.com/ual/en/us/fly/travel/airport/united-c…

      • ArtOfTheDeal on 29/09/2023 - 17:20

        Thanks. And when would Gold status be conferred? After the 90 days presuming you hit $4,000 spend? Or after signing up?

        • MELso on 29/09/2023 - 17:21

          It's in the T&Cs - 30 days after hitting the spend.

  • authenticsaniga on 29/09/2023 - 16:53

    If i use my points to get the gift cards, can these be used in Australia?

    • nightelves on 29/09/2023 - 17:54
      -1

      I’m happy to buy the Aeroplan points off you for the equivalent of what the redemption giftcards would be.

  • Worldcruiser on 29/09/2023 - 18:24

    Anyone know whether I will still be eligible for Gold status ( assuming if I meet $4K spend within 90 days)if transferred from my HSBC Platinum credit card?

    • MELso on 29/09/2023 - 20:17

      "Existing HSBC customers transferring from another HSBC credit card or customers who have held a HSBC Star Alliance Credit Card within the last 18 months are ineligible for this offer."

  • bluey321 on 29/09/2023 - 18:47

    Looks like a good deal.
    Can you combine aeroplan points? Or can I use them to book flights for my wife?
    She's a frequent traveller (normally on virgin) and wondering if it's worth signing up two cards (one in each name)

    • djtech on 29/09/2023 - 21:03
      +2

      Yes. Aeroplan offers family pooling for points up to 8 members. As for redemption, your first Aeroplan redemption has to be for yourself, and then you can make subsequent redemptions for others.

      • Xizor on 03/10/2023 - 14:52

        I must be a bit slow today. Are we saying you can pool points from 2 people first, then redeem for both people/2 tickets a flight under 1 booking? Or booking has to be only the account holder first?

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

          As I understand it, your first booking just needs to include the account holder. So you can book you and your family in your first redemption, but you can't book just for your partner or your kids for example in your first redemption. After your first thought, it is anything goes.

  • carboncider on 29/09/2023 - 19:39

    Got a call from HSBC today about my application, asking for my Latitude buy now pay later statement…. LatitudePay was shut down in April this year! Now they want me to provide a account closure letter… anyone else have this issue?

    Recently applied and got a ANZ FF black card and no mention of this.

    • nightelves on 29/09/2023 - 22:39

      Have you still got the closure letter? It should be still be in your email.

  • SoapyWooder on 29/09/2023 - 21:27

    40k Aeroplan points= $500 right? Can I just take the cash?

    • nightelves on 29/09/2023 - 22:39

      It’s 50k points not 40k

  • Javin on 29/09/2023 - 23:01

    How does lounge access work with this card.I have previously used lounge access via bankwest more world card which was ok.

    • djtech on 03/10/2023 - 15:17

      Equal to anyone with Gold frequent flyer status on Star Alliance Airlines - typically the business class lounge at the airport which is usually better than the contract lounges you get with Priority Pass or that with Bankwest.

  • MikeSYD on 29/09/2023 - 23:29

    There's no mention of exemption of international transaction fees. Anyone see anything on that?

    • djtech on 03/10/2023 - 15:25
      +1

      Should be 3% from memory. Keep in mind they like to use HSBC rates not VISA rates for most of the popular currencies which typically already have a built in 2% fee.

      • MikeSYD on 04/10/2023 - 19:37

        Thanks, Ive used the CBA and Bankwest cards with no over seas transaction fees. ( presumably built in) They were still clearly less than amex and other Aus credit cards so fee free cards have value.

      • burningrage on 05/10/2023 - 21:21

        3% it is. I had to use this card when I was overseas recently and I got slogged 3%. Cant say much about the rates as I am actively avoiding using this card for non AUD purchases.

  • lewl on 29/09/2023 - 23:49

    Wondering if someone can answer a question about lounge access:

    Travelling to Japan sometime next year and wouldn't mind getting into the ANA lounge at HND.

    I'd likely be flying with Qantas though (as no direct flights from Melbourne with JAL/ANA in April - why is that?).
    Even though I'm not flying with a star alliance partner would I still have access to lounge with this gold stasus?

    • windows7 on 30/09/2023 - 00:24
      +2

      In order to gain access to such lounges: You will need to show your boarding pass for a flight operated by the Star Alliance member airline that has contracted that lounge. If your boarding pass does not show the Star Alliance Gold indicator, you will need to also show a valid Star Alliance Gold card.

      https://www.staralliance.com/en/lounge-access-policy#:~:text….

      • Davion on 30/09/2023 - 22:53
        +1

        ^^This. Unfortunately, you wont be allowed into any Star Alliance lounge if you're flying with Qantas even though you have Star Alliance Gold status.

    • burningrage on 04/10/2023 - 22:06

      If you are not flying with Star Alliance airlines, this HSBC Gold perks will be worthless.

      In Australia, if you choose SQ to be your Gold provider (aka Krisflyer Elite Gold), then when you fly Virgin or SQ you can access to their lounges.

      • MELso on 05/10/2023 - 11:14

        You can also get lounge access with VA and SQ if you have AC as your nominated *A program and have 50K membership. (Also EK lounges if flying EK or AC)

        https://www.aircanada.com/ca/en/aco/home/aeroplan/status/ben…

        • burningrage on 05/10/2023 - 11:52

          Which is better do you think? This is getting to really specific and detailed but I am happy to entertain the debate.

          So I am with SQ and with that, I got the Krisflyer Gold Elite and obviously Star Alliance benefit. In this example, if I choose to fly Air Canada (AC), then being a Krisflyer Elite Gold, I won't be able to get into SQ Lounges because I don't fly with SQ BUT I would still be able to get in anyway because it is a Star Alliance Lounge. Am I right to think it this way?

          But if I go with AC 50K Status, then I could still go to SQ/VA lounges as Star Alliance member in addition to EK lounges. Am I right?

          Then it would sound like a better value proposition if you don't mind AC.

          • MELso on 05/10/2023 - 12:27

            @burningrage: As an Aussie, in the absence of anything else, I'd generally pick SQ to book miles to among *A carriers due to being able to convert Krisflyer miles to VA points at 1.55:1 to avoid expiry.

            But status is trickier. If you're flying AC as an SQ Gold, you'd get lounge entry for you and one guest (along with VA and VS lounge access). But if you're flying SQ as an AC 50K, you'd get lounge access too (or if you're flying VA or EK for that matter).

            https://travel-dealz.com/blog/miles-status-different-program… is worth a read…

            • burningrage on 05/10/2023 - 12:46
              +1

              @MELso: The way I see it is this.

              If Star Alliance Gold status already gives you things like Priority Boarding, Extra Luggage Allowance, Priority Waitlist, Priority Baggage Handling, and Lounge (plus Priority Security at Melbourne Airport), then I see no additional benefit in choosing KrisFlyer FF program because the benefits are overlapping (as Krisflyer Elite Gold has already given you these privileges) other than earning their miles.

              It might seem better to go with Air Canada because not only you can get the same thing as above, you can get lounge access to non-Star Alliance lounges like you said, EK lounges. I am not sure if there are others but at a glance, that's what it seems to me.

              The same goes with VA because they both have partnership with VA.

              Having said that, I tend to travel to Asia more than ever be to Europe/USA so it probably makes sense to stick with SQ but I am just wondering.

    • ivyholmes on 11/10/2023 - 00:05

      How much points do you need for 2 people trip to japan(my husband and I). We are fine with economy, VA, ANA, SQ, or any

      • MELso on 11/10/2023 - 08:14
        +1

        25K pp one way. So 100K.

  • Purkulator on 30/09/2023 - 00:24

    If you're new how do you sign up for a Star alliance ID? I signed up to Aeroplan but doesn't give me the ID
    Also tried signing up to Star Alliance but it asks for a Star Alliance ID? How does that work when you haven't had an account?

    • djtech on 03/10/2023 - 15:18

      The Aeroplan number is what you need to provide and choose Aeroplan as your program.

      • Purkulator on 04/10/2023 - 13:46

        When I enter it says" Please enter a valid Star Alliance ID"

    • burningrage on 05/10/2023 - 11:57
      +2

      After your HSBC Star Alliance credit card is approved, Star Alliance will send you an email giving you the Star Alliance ID.

      Click the link that is provided in that email and you will commence the registration process where you set the password.

      According to my record, the time it took me to get the Star Alliance ID from approval of the credit card was 1 day.

      • ivyholmes on 15/10/2023 - 22:33
        +1

        do we need to wait for star alliance ID before using it?

  • Rupture on 30/09/2023 - 06:32

    Is this card still good for someone who won’t be travelling internationally at all, and might do a domestic trip during the life of owning the card? I’ve got two very young kids but on the odd chance we might travel, is this card decent for redeeming a virgin domestic flight for the family? Are the points convertible to any other FF points and/or gift cards redeemable in Australia?

    • vongole83 on 30/09/2023 - 07:27

      You would be better off applying for a different card surely?

      If you are not flying much/ at all *A gold is useless and there are bigger bonuses available on other cards.

    • djtech on 03/10/2023 - 15:21

      They are decent, but you might find better value with other credit cards. Aeroplan Gold status which you get with the offer will grant you access to Virgin Australia lounges when flying them domestically and internationally, but you are only allowed one guest (child inclusive) - some staff may be more lenient on whether kids count or not. Overall, it's not worth spending this much on the card just for that, you might be better off just getting a lounge membership if you fly often enough, or you can get lounge passes with different credit cards and even sold online that you can use for that one annual trip. This status really is for decently frequent flyers (I would say at least 8-10 trips a year to be worth it)

  • evgpek on 30/09/2023 - 07:51

    Does anyone know if you can access Etihad Lounge with Aeroplan, they are partners but not listed
    Complimentary access to non-Star Alliance Lounges
    Emirates included as well btw

    • parisian on 03/10/2023 - 10:35

      No EY lounges, unfortunately.

    • nightelves on 03/10/2023 - 12:54

      Can confirm no Etihad only Emirates

      • evgpek on 03/10/2023 - 13:03

        Have you tried?

        • nightelves on 03/10/2023 - 13:05

          It says in the link you posted. Only Emirates.

          • evgpek on 03/10/2023 - 16:29

            @nightelves: It does not say only emirates
            The actual applicability in Abu Dhabi can be different because they are partner airlines

            • nightelves on 03/10/2023 - 16:33

              @evgpek: Yes they are partner airlines and I'm happy for you to search all over the internet to find evidence that you can use the lounge. But from my research it seems like you can only redeem points on the airline. There's no mentioned of reciprocal benefit. Happy to be proven wrong..

    • ozklaus on 02/03/2024 - 19:00
      +1

      Fyi accessing Emirates lounge in Dubai appears only to work with this if you're travelling to Canada on Emirates (or air Canada). I flew from Sydney to Dublin via Dubai yesterday. Tried to access business lounge with Aeroplan 50K status. Was denied even after escalating to supervisor.

  • itishere on 30/09/2023 - 11:44

    $4k spend is easy, I'll just use it to add petrol for the next 2 weeks and that'll do it.

    • timhn on 30/09/2023 - 21:00
      -2

      Wow, $4K of petrol in 2 weeks?

  • PenGuinMighty on 30/09/2023 - 12:09

    AirCanada just had a data breach, just be careful signing up for anything with them for a bit.

    • googoogaga on 30/09/2023 - 16:32
      +3

      wouldn't now be the safest time then? given they just had a breach so will more than likely plug that hole now…

      • eminemkh on 01/11/2023 - 21:43

        Correct.
        Used to work for a cyber company

  • hishaken on 30/09/2023 - 22:36

    Would this deal and bonus points offer definitely valid until Feb 2024?

    • timhn on 01/10/2023 - 13:04

      Well, according to their T&Cs:

      Offer Dates: September 25, 2023 to February 29, 2024†

  • Associatedlesliejmc @ HSBC on 01/10/2023 - 19:12

    Guys, I used to have an HSBC credit card (not the one with Star Alliance) and I cancelled that card in June 2022. Will this impact my eligibility to get the gold status and bonus points?

  • grrrrr on 02/10/2023 - 05:55
    +1

    Just to clarify, if I get Gold Status with this offer, but at traveling with wife and 2 kids…
    - are we all allowed through priority check in ?
    - are we all allowed in the lounges ?

    Or is it just for the status holder + one guest ?

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