Those with HSBC Star Alliance Credit Card & Have Chosen Singapore Airlines As Your Star Alliance Status Airline - Read on

burningrage on 02/12/2023 - 20:20

This thread is for those who have taken up HSBC Star Alliance Credit Card and have chosen Singapore Airlines as your chosen Star Alliance Status Conferral Airline.

I got this Credit Card back on 25/11/2022 and chose Singapore Airlines as the Star Alliance Gold Status Conferral Airline.

Obviously it has been a year and the whole experience with this credit card has been… experimental at best. With three parties involved in this, there will bound to be f**k-ups and as many of you have experienced dealing with international (Asian) helpdesk can be quite… scripted and indifferent at best even if the flaw has been demonstrated crystal clear.

And so this is what happened.

25/11/2023 - Credit Card statement arrived. Confirmed requalification for Star Alliance Gold Status for another year.
28/11/2023 - Email from Star Alliance arrived. Saying I am eligible for Gold Status Star Alliance. Choose your airline by 12 December 2023 (14 days). After this, Star Alliance will request for the Status to be conferred to you (the Star Alliance Gold Status in the form of the KrisFlyer Gold Elite)
02/12/2023 - Received email from Krisflyer saying I have been downgraded from Gold to Silver because of lack of miles. This is the WTF moment.
02/12/2023 - Emailed Star Alliance which said I have to wait until 12/12/2023 (see above) and then the request will be sent to SQ which then will take somewhere between 1-14 days to confer the status. Last year, I nominated on 17/12/2022 and was conferred on 29/12/22, so a horrifying 12 days. So in total, from 28/11/23, up to 28 days between your eligibility and conferral of status.
17/12/2023 - Travelling overseas while the status is yet to be conferred. Big red flag!

So the blind spot is, as you can now see, is that despite requalification, they won't re-confer it to you for up to 28 days. If you are flying within these 28 days, you are screwed (for reasons including having already paid the whole airfares with free seat selection due to status and now suddenly you lost that status - will they stop me at the airport?)

So the lessons learned here (if you have this card and want to be with SQ and want to make the full use of it) are:
1. If you haven't applied for this card and wants to apply, DON'T DO IT CLOSER to your normal holiday flying schedule (eg: Christmas). Leave a space up to 2 mths prior. OR
1. You do not travel so close to your requalification month (in my case, I would never be able to travel as Gold in Christmas). Leave a space of up to 2 months. OR
2. You do not choose SQ as your Star Alliance Status Conferral airline (They take up 14 days to confer the status) OR
3. You do not get this card at all because they are being run by quite frankly, sub-par officials and for $450 per annum, hardly worth it.

There is another way to perhaps go around it, open up a new FF with Air Canada and change the Status Conferral airline to Air Canada Aeroplan at Star Alliance website because it only takes 3 days for Air Canada to confer you the Star Alliance Gold Status and you will still get the benefit of Gold Status at Singapore Airlines.

Currently showing the helpdesk of a clause for Singapore Airline that says for requalifying member (not Welcome Offer member), Status Conferral starts at anniversary date even though it hasn't been officially conferred yet but I doubt I will get far.

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Comments

  • Pikaloo on 02/12/2023 - 21:56

    I thought you needed to spend $60k to keep the status after the first year.

    • burningrage on 03/12/2023 - 00:29
      +1

      It doesn't work like that. Like I said, there are 3 parties in this story.

      HSBC (first party), on your anniversary account opening day, issues statement which includes a point progression towards gold if you have already spent $60k. This is your first proof you have fulfilled the requirement. HSBC must have then told Star Alliance about this.

      3 days later, Star Alliance (second party) will then issue you an email saying "Congrats blah blah" and you have 14 days to choose your airline. What people may need to realize is that up to this point, you are NOT conferred the status. The email cheekily said, "You're now eligible for Star Alliance Gold". It didn't say that you have been conferred this status.

      To be conferred the status, you need to BELONG to a specific participating airline (third party) of which I chose Singapore Air last year. You then make a choice and have to wait until 14 days have passed since the email. You cannot haste this period (ie: You cannot ask them to expedite the process and say, "I have nominated this. Please proceed"). You actually MUST serve this 14 days.

      Then depending on each airline, after Star Alliance told the participating airline of your choice, they then take their sweet mf time up to 14 days (T&C Part D Clause 4.4 https://www.staralliance.com/en/web/rewards/au/tnc) to then actually confer you the Status.

      Only THEN you have now become a Star Alliance Gold Member which is represented by your chosen airline's Frequent Flyer Program. In this case, mine would be KrisFlyer Gold Elite.

      The time it takes from your statement showing you have spent $60k until your conferral of status is therefore 3 + 14 + 14 = 31 Days.

      To make things worse, for SQ, your anniversary is actually your card opening date meaning that the maximum you get to enjoy your Krisflyer Gold would be 365 minus 31 days. This part is not much of an issue to me (although I think this a bit w&*ky but hey, it's SQ for ya).

      So between the requalification and the actual conferral of status if you choose SQ will be a total of 31 days. If you fly within this 31 days, you are practically without any status DESPITE Star Alliance has said you are "eligible" for Gold Status.

      I think this is a serious blind spot and I wonder if I send this concern to Executive Traveller magazine whether this will get traction. It is borderline misleading imho touching TPA/Consumer Law. I don't know if this is intentional (because there is actually a clause that say if you are requalifying, then the start date is actually the anniversary date which implies conferral is not necessary).

      There may be a way to reduce this 31 days. If you opt for Aeroplan Air Canada (which partners with Virgin Australia as well just like Singapore), the conferral time lag will be reduced from up to 14 days to 3 days (this is absolute as per T&C). This means the total lag would be 3 + 14 + 3 = 20 days. Still w&ky but at least less w&kier.

      • FrugalDealSeeker on 03/12/2023 - 07:03

        I didn't really read your whole story as I don't intend to keep mine >1 year while maxing out lounge access (where I can)… I, however, want to share another gripe I had. I found Singapore Airlines flights expensive to book through KrisFlyer miles and the conversion rate especially for my Amex Explorer is worse compared to the Velocity route. So what little points I get, 0.8/$ I was trying to convert to Velocity @ 1.55:1 and I only use it as a backup card where Amex does not work, anyway, when I tried to convert it, KrisFlyer had a Given Name filed where it was my name + dad's name based on passport, Velocity had just my first name, so because of the mismatch KrisFlyer refused to convert my points. Velocity -> KrisFlyer doesn't seem to have this issue as it was linked easily. YMMV but another reason not to keep it over a year.

        • burningrage on 03/12/2023 - 08:48
          +1

          Yes. Unfortunately, it is so difficult even with the card experience itself was at best experimental. They changed their T&C in August/September which means points aren't accrued as you spent but instead at the point of statement issuance.

          They stuffed that up and gave me the impression I have met my spending requirement in September only to then corrected it in October, threwing my plan off-side. They did apologize and gave $100 woolworth egiftcard (which tbh was my choice as they literally asked how much do I want and I didn't really want to take advantage of the poor guy who took the brunt of my complaint) but that already soured the experience.

          Well… I am with them for another year and the chances are I won't continue after this. I'll stick to getting myself Velocity Gold which translates to Krisflyer Gold Elite anyway. For now, I have to decide whether to go with Aeroplan or stick it up with Krisflyer.

  • ComfortablyNumb on 02/12/2023 - 22:36

    Yeah sounds frustrating. Aeroplan ftw

  • auxilrod on 03/12/2023 - 23:42

    For those with the new Aeroplan deal, how long did it take to get gold status after reaching the spend, and do you know if it's possible to get those benefits for a flight that's already booked via virgin (on SQ no less)?

    • burningrage on 04/12/2023 - 08:05

      3 days from HSBC Statement issuance confirming you have met the spend
      14 days from Star Alliance asking for you to confirm your choice (again). If you were existing customer (that is, you carry over your preference), then do nothing until 14 days have elapsed.
      3 days from Air Canada.

      So 20 days in total from reaching the spend.

      You will get those benefit at the time of your boarding pass issuance. There is a mark in your boarding pass like G something. So for SQ, your boarding pass might look like SQG.

      • auxilrod on 04/12/2023 - 12:35

        Any idea if you can get the luggage that gold status provides if the flight is SQ booked through Virgin Australia (which I understand is not part of * alliance)?

      • ahmadx on 23/01/2024 - 12:39

        Hey, thanks for the comments. Any idea when will they deposit the 50K bonus points? or will it all happen 14+3 days later? Thanks

  • 10JQKA on 05/12/2023 - 01:05
    +1

    Yes, I got bitten in a similar situation when I got first received Star Alliance Gold status last year.

    31Dec22 : Star Alliance confirmed my Gold status on and on the same day I selected Singapore Airlines as my status airline.

    31Jan23 : Singapore Airlines confirmed my KrisFlyer Gold status.

    Unfortunately, I have to travel before 31Jan23 and missed out on the benefit.

    Cancelled the card after one year. My travel frequency does not justify the 60k spending to maintain the status. I am better off charging $60k to other credit cards with cashback or rewards.

    • burningrage on 08/12/2023 - 16:40
      +1

      I have an update on this. Not sure if I should put it up on the header above.

      In short, I ended up enrolling myself into Aeroplan Air Canada because it only takes them 3 days (not working days, 3 days) to confer the status. I then changed my nominated FF Airline from SQ to Air Canada. At the very least, I would still get my Star Alliance Gold Status which is almost as good as Krisflyer Elite Gold (other than I cannot redeem Star Alliance points for SQ points)

      The longer story so far with Star Alliance was that I pointed up to their own T&C on specific clauses that says the waiting period and the membership for continuing qualified member (that is, those who have now requalified for another year having spent $60k) are NOT the same as new members.

      Specifically this term,

      "Once I’ve qualified for Star Alliance Silver or Star Alliance Gold status and select my Status Airline, when will the new status take effect?

      Singapore Airlines

      The KrisFlyer Elite Silver or KrisFlyer Elite Gold status will commence on your next HSBC Star Alliance credit card account opening anniversary date, unless the KrisFlyer Elite Silver or KrisFlyer Elite Gold status is earned from the welcome offer, which will commence within 10 business days of Star Alliance's request to Singapore Airlines."

      They seem to have realized this blind spot but unable to do anything about it (again, we are talking international Asian helpdesk here) and decided that I should continue to wait until Krisflyer awarded that status which is up to 14 days (last year it took them 12 days to CONFER the status).

      They said, "Rest assured that we will monitor the upgrade application once it is submitted to Singapore Airlines until it is released. The Airline process is usually 14 days but more often than not, processed earlier than 14 day which hopefully is processed before your trip.". So no reassurance of expedited processing… totally relying on luck.

      I said this is unacceptable and rest assured the experience will be shared to travellers social media, forum, and media. Executive Travellers magazine I am sure will be of utmost interested with this.

    • burningrage on 08/12/2023 - 16:41

      31Dec22 : Star Alliance confirmed my Gold status on and on the same day I selected Singapore Airlines as my status airline.

      31Jan23 : Singapore Airlines confirmed my KrisFlyer Gold status.

      Wow. You actually got the worst case scenario of having to wait a full 31 days before being conferred the status.

  • burningrage on 14/12/2023 - 16:37
    +1

    So in the end, after I have moved to Aeroplan, it took Air Canada 2 days (after the 14 days Star Alliance gave for me to change airlines FF) to award me the Star Alliance Gold which I can use just as well with SQ.

    So in total, 3 days plus 14 days plus 2 days = 19 days from HSBC Anniversary Statement Issuance before you will be awarded the Star Alliance Gold vs up to 31 days (minimum of 29 days) if you choose SQ.

  • nightelves on 19/12/2023 - 16:16

    So you have to wait until after your statement for Star alliance to confirm your Gold status. I'll be missing out on the gold benefit, which sucks!

    • burningrage on 20/12/2023 - 15:52

      If you are using Welcome Offer, you need to spend $4k before the next statement. The next statement will confirm your eligibility for Gold. You then wait for 3 days to allow HSBC to tell Star Alliance of your eligibility. At this point, Star Alliance will email you that you are eligible for Gold.

      This is NOT a conferral. Just an eligibility.

      You then have 14 days to choose your airline FF. This waiting period days cannot be hastened. Once that 14 days have passed, then Star Alliance will pass the request to your chosen FF.

      This is where it gets hairy.

      If SQ, up to 14 days (12 days average actual) before SQ will confer you that Star Alliance and KrisFlyer Elite Gold. Your membership also will only last dor 11 mths maximum until your HSBC Anniversary date plus 7 days. YOU WILL BE DOWNGRADED to Silver before having to re-serve that 3 + 14 + 14 waiting period again.

      If you travel within this 31 days you will be flying without status.

      Choose Air Canada to lessen this days to 3 + 14 + 2 days or 19 days. However you wont earn SQ points but will still get the Star Alliance Gold benefit.

      Be aware some idiots at Melbourne Airport doesnt understand how Star Alliance Gold work so please advise the checkin counter that you are a Star Alliance Gold traveller and ask to have your boarding pass marked with Star Gold mark (*G)

      • nightelves on 21/12/2023 - 11:56

        I got the eligibility email two days after meeting the spend and did not have to wait for the statement. Hope that helps.

        • burningrage on 21/12/2023 - 12:51

          That is good news. HSBC changed its T&C in August saying that spend and awarding of points happen at Statement date (normal banks do it on accrual basis).

          If they return to accrual basis thats good news.

          When I did my requalification, I met the spend about half statement period but did not receive the email 3 days after statement issuance date

  • nightelves on 20/12/2023 - 16:58

    Freak I’m flying on the 11th January and my statement is 2nd January. Might have to request a status match from Turkish Airline.

  • evasive on 17/01/2024 - 10:20

    I'm brand new to this deal. So the best option is to choose the Aeroplan one with this card, and collect those 50,000 points?

    How does choosing Aeroplan translate to KF Gold Elite and Virgin Gold? (i.e. how does having star alliance gold but choosing Aeroplan give you am equivalent status on SQ or Virgin?)

    Sorry a bit confused, I assumed I would have to pick SQ over Aeroplan if I want KF Gold Elite?

    • burningrage on 17/01/2024 - 12:48

      Got your PM. You must referring to this.

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

      Basically, you apply for this card and if granted, spend $4k and wait for an email from HSBC/Star Alliance saying that you've met the spend requirement (Welcome Offer). You also would get an email from Star Alliance telling you how to login into Star Alliance.

      You then login into Star Alliance using the credential they gave you. Nominate Aeroplan (before 29 Feb 2024) and wait 6-8 weeks for the 50,000 points being awarded. I don't get this deal as I joined Aeroplan not as a Welcome Offer customer.

      Now there is a gap time between you get an email from Star Alliance asking you to choose your preferred FF program (in which you would select Aeroplan) and the actual conferral of that status. It is about 17 days.

      After this 17 days, when you have been conferred this Aeroplan 50K status, then you are now a member of the Star Alliance Gold.

      Being member of Star Alliance Gold enables to enjoy benefits equivalent to what Krisflyer Gold Elite would have given you if you then travel on SQ. However, if you travel on Virgin, you CANNOT enjoy the Star Alliance Gold benefits as Virgin is not a Star Alliance member EVEN when there is a partnership between SQ and VA.

      One thing you must remember is that you actually don't have SQ Krisflyer Gold Elite membership because you have already chosen Air Canada's Aeroplan 50K but because of the Star Alliance, you will get the BENEFITS equivalent to SQ Krisflyer Gold Elite.

      So if you want KF Gold Elite, yes you must pick SQ Krisflyer instead of Aeroplan 50K as your preferred FF program.

      However, be mindful, SQ will only grant you maximum of 11 months KrisFlyer Gold Elite membership (instead of up to 23 months for Aeroplan, minimum 12 months) and they have up to 30 days waiting period before conferring you the Gold Status. This is the reason why I switched to Air Canada's Aeroplan. So if you want KF, don't do it so close to your next trip otherwise you will be flying without status.

      • evasive on 17/01/2024 - 12:52

        Ok, you mentioned you have to spend $4k and sign up to Aeroplan before 29th feb. I thought it was $4k within 90 days of signup. I haven't yet applied for the card, so is it too late for me if I apply now.

        Sounds like Aeroplan is best option. How do you get SQ/SIA to recognise your benefits, just use aeroplan number on the booking instead of KF member number?

        • burningrage on 17/01/2024 - 13:05

          The campaign ends 29 Feb 2024. If you were to apply before then I think you would still get the 50,000 points. Try to apply from the website I gave you.

          When you go to an Australian airport say Melbourne airport, you go straight to the Business/First line and mention that you are a Star Alliance Gold member. You can show them your digital AirCanada membership card from your phone to the check in lady.

          One thing that I am yet to confirm despite Star Alliance said you can get this benefit is the Airport Express Path benefit. Try to ask for an Express Path card from the check in lady and not to rely on the boarding pass because they failed to do this last time (your boarding pass is supposed to be marked by *E or something).

          EDIT: When you go to Krisflyer Lounge, you need to tell them you are Air Canada Gold member. This is important as I think Melbourne Airport staffs are oblivious to Star Alliance thingy and I had trouble convincing them I am a Star Alliance Gold member. Many other Asian airports are quite attuned to this.

          • evasive on 17/01/2024 - 13:25

            @burningrage: So if I'm booking business award flights through Singapore, should I put the FF number as my KF number or the Aeroplan one, or does it make no difference?

            • burningrage on 17/01/2024 - 14:02

              @evasive: Put whatever FF you want to credit the points to. It makes no difference. It is the benefit of holding the status that matters.

              • evasive on 17/01/2024 - 14:32

                @burningrage: And the status is held regardless of what FF number I put in the SIA booking? Or does it need the AC number for me to get the status benefit

                • burningrage on 17/01/2024 - 14:47

                  @evasive: Correct. So if you are with FF Air Canada (Aeroplan 50K), go and fly with SQ like I did last month. I will still get the usual Star Alliance Gold benefit despite flying on SQ boarding pass (and points in this case, credited to Krisflyer although I could have gone to Velocity or Aeroplan)

                  This is why you need to have that Status conferral in your hand evidenced by your digital membership with that Star Alliance Gold logo.

                  • evasive on 17/01/2024 - 15:00

                    @burningrage: @burningrage Sorry - A little confused.

                    So you are saying that you get the Star Alliance Gold Benefits despite being on a Singapore booking without any link/connection to your Star Alliance or Air Canada membership info…

                    In that case, how do you notify them/tell them that you are entitled to the Star Alliance Gold benefits in your situation/booking, and if it was automatic, how on earth did they know in absence of your AC number being on the booking?

                    • burningrage on 17/01/2024 - 15:28
                      +1

                      @evasive: Air Canada is a member of Star Alliance and so is Singapore Airlines.

                      So when you are given a Star Alliance Gold membership by Air Canada (through HSBC Credit Card / Star Alliance), you are entitled to benefits if you are travelling with partner airlines such as Singapore Airlines.

                      Your proof of Star Alliance Gold membership is in your Air Canada Apps when you show the check in lady your membership card.

                      So when you travel on SQ, you are travelling on a partner airline of Air Canada or more precisely, a Star Alliance airline.

                      When you book tickets, book it normally and enter your KF membership normally. The benefits only get invoked AT the airport when you checkin.

                      For example:
                      1. Priority Checkin - Just waltz straight to First/Business class lane
                      2. Priority Boarding - Just wait about 40 mins before boarding and they will announce Suites (A380) / First Class to board and then Business (you)
                      3. Priority Luggage - When you check in, all your luggages will be attached "Priority" tag. This will increase your chances of early luggage retrieval at destination airport. It worked in Melbourne Airport last time I tested this
                      4. Extra I think 20kgs allowance - Didn't test as I have more than enough allowance. In theory, this is given at check in
                      5. Lounge Access to Star Alliance airline's lounge - If you book SQ, just waltz into SQ lounge.

                      • evasive on 17/01/2024 - 15:59

                        @burningrage: Thanks - that helps, so basically to get your star alliance benefits you just have to show them membership at check-in, nothing to do with booking prior.

                        On a side note, do you happen to know if star alliance gold would give any extra benefits over a standard Singapore Airlines business award booking? Assuming you'd already get all those things listed + the AirPort Express security card maybe?

                        Trying to work out if it's even worth getting this card for use on my upcoming business class award travel. I'm assuming the real value is if you are booked on economy or want the 50k points for booking flights…

                        And confirming, adding the Aeroplan number to the booking instead of KF number doesn't negate the need to show them your membership on the AC app?

                        • burningrage on 17/01/2024 - 16:08

                          @evasive: If it is on business class, then I would say nothing much different then flying econ on Gold Elite. The Airport Express is one thing that I am trying to figure out but try to ask for it on your next business travel trip. It will be marked on your boarding pass. If it is not, ask for the Express Path card.

                          The real value is when you travel Econ/Premium Econ/Lite and you do not have to spend billions trying to get that Krisflyer Gold.

                          and to this…

                          "And confirming, adding the Aeroplan number to the booking instead of KF number doesn't negate the need to show them your membership on the AC app?" Yes. Although if you are already travelling on business, I doubt you need to show that you're an AC member.

                          • evasive on 17/01/2024 - 16:10

                            @burningrage: Thanks. I may get it anyway just because it looks like it will last to the end of 2025 and I may be flying Econ after this year.

                            So basically it's only useful for econ/prem econ etc for getting extra perks :)

                            • burningrage on 17/01/2024 - 16:19

                              @evasive: It also benefits your whole family if travelling on one itinerary. Based on my latest experience, the priority checkin and boarding were absolutely essential.

                              • evasive on 17/01/2024 - 16:21

                                @burningrage: Yes - which you normally wouldn't get with premium eco / econ, but would get with any business class.

                                What other airlines recognise it for these benefits apart from SIA?

  • josephlee80 on 04/02/2024 - 09:23
    +1

    Thanks OP for sharing your journey. I have travel coming up in mid March and was naturally anxious, but had better luck with the lag between Star Alliance and SIA. (all up, done within 30 days).

    4 Jan – Completed HSBC application. Received conditional approval.
    5 Jan – Received approval (had to go to post office for ID verification as new customer)
    6 Jan – Star Alliance code arrived (in outlook junk). Account linked with KrisFlyer (SQ)
    10 Jan – Credit card arrived in mail.
    19 Jan - $4k spend met (non-pending amounts)
    20 Jan – Email requesting for Star Alliance gold conversion. (in Outlook junk again) Nominated SQ. Specified change will be effective on 3 Feb (As OP mentioned, this is automated and cannot be rushed).
    3 Feb – SQ account went gold.

    Could be faster if I didn't take 9 days to reach the min spend. There was no gap between Star Alliance informing Singapore Airlines, and the airlines in upgrading to gold.

    For what it's worth - I received my statement on the same day 3 Feb. Probably coincidence and no impact on the upgrade.

    p/s: I observed the drama about Air Canada accounts being suspended, and points not appearing for extended time, so I stuck to something I'm familiar with.
    Kris Flyer added perks - status matching for Marriott Bonvoy and Shangri-la. (credit to this post https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/820198, marked as expired but still works)

    • waltjizzney on 06/02/2024 - 14:15

      Wait do you have a link where I can read more about Air Canada accounts being suspended/points not appearing for extended period of time?

      I was on a similar timeframe to you

      16 Jan - Got the card
      28 Jan - Met the spend requirement
      30 Jan - Got the email for nomination
      30 Jan - Nominated Air Canada

      Since then nothing. I have until 13th Feb to make a change, wondering if I should swap it over to Krisflyer?

      I am due to travel planned with Thai airways on 9th Feb so wondering if its worth changing to Krisflyer or keep with Aeroplan?

  • PaperplaneXXX on 25/03/2024 - 14:01

    Guys thanks for that thread

    i had GOLd for 3 month and recently been downgraded to silver!!!
    By Singapore airlines

    Anyone in the same boat? HSBC credit card Star Alliance Gold offer - december 2023

  • ozeone on 17/04/2024 - 17:47

    Guys, Do you get to keep the Status or requalify for the next year if you have accumulated enough requalification points e.g. enough flying on the status airline for year 1. What I am trying to ask is can you requalify for status for another year as per above in which case you could cancel the credit card before the 2nd year annual fee falls due.

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