Plenty of Australian rewards credit cards offer points. But until now, no card offers an option to fast-track to Gold status in any airline program. Not to mention in one of the world’s largest airline alliances! To sweeten the deal, the HSBC Star Alliance Credit Card offers a flexible central points ‘currency’, allowing you to convert to any of the seven Star Alliance partner airlines at a time of your choosing.
The HSBC Star Alliance Credit Card is the first card of its kind in the world. And Australia is lucky enough to be the launch market for this innovative product.
Digging into the benefits of the HSBC Star Alliance Credit Card
The HSBC Star Alliance Credit Card packs in plenty of features. Just be mindful that there is a reduced earning threshold after spending more than $3,000 in a statement month on eligible purchases. For a limited time, HSBC also waives the $450 annual fee in the first year.
| Card | HSBC Star Alliance Credit Card |
| Loyalty Program | Star Alliance Rewards |
| Points earned from spend | 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 thereafter |
| Travel benefits | 0% interest for 6 months on flight bookings made directly through participating Star Alliance member airlines (reverts to standard variable rate of 19.99% p.a. thereafter) |
| Included insurance | Domestic and International Travel Insurances Rental Vehicle Excess Insurance in Australia Transit Accident Insurance Extended Warranty Insurance Purchase Protection Insurance |
| Overseas transaction fee | 3% of the transaction amount |
| Mobile wallet | Apple Pay and Google Pay |
| Annual fee | $0 in the first year, $450 p.a. thereafter |
Earning points with the HSBC Star Alliance Credit Card
The earn rate is 1 Star Alliance Point per dollar for the first $3,000 in a statement month, then 0.5 Star Alliance Points per dollar thereafter for the rest of the statement month.
Later, you can transfer these points to any of the seven participating airlines via the Star Alliance Rewards program. Here are the starting transfer rates:
- Air Canada Aeroplan: 1,000 Star Alliance Points = 800 Aeroplan points.
- Air New Zealand Airpoints: 1,250 Star Alliance Points = 10 Airpoints Dollars.
- EVA Air Infinity MileageLands: 1,000 Star Alliance Points = 800 Infinity MileageLands Miles.
- Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer: 1,000 Star Alliance Points = 800 KrisFlyer miles.
- South African Airways Voyager: 1,000 Star Alliance Points = 800 Voyager miles.
- Thai Airways Royal Orchid Plus: 1,000 Star Alliance Points = 800 Royal Orchid Plus miles.
- United Airlines MileagePlus: 1,000 Star Alliance Points = 800 MileagePlus Miles.
Fast track to Star Alliance Gold Status
The icing on the top of the HSBC Star Alliance Credit Card is the fast track to Star Alliance Gold Status after spending $4,000 within 90 days of account opening. Once you do so, you can nominate a Star Alliance ‘Status Airline’, which is the program that you want to get Gold status in.
For Australian residents, the Gold Status, if you choose either Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer or United MileagePlus will also get you reciprocal Virgin Australia perks such as domestic lounge access and priority check-in!
If you want longer-lasting Star Alliance status, consider Air Canada Aeroplan. You’ll enjoy Gold-plated perks for the remainder of the calendar year, plus all of the following year – including access to Virgin Australia lounges. If you time your application right, that’s up to 23 months of Gold from the sign-up bonus!
Within Star Alliance, having Gold Status means enjoying priority check-in, priority baggage, lounge access, Fast Track at the airport and more.
After the first year, you’ll need to meet a higher minimum spend to maintain your complimentary status:
- Spend AU$60,000 over a qualification year to earn or retain Star Alliance Gold, or
- Spend AU$30,000 over a qualification year to earn or retain Star Alliance Silver
Please note any status granted under the HSBC Star Alliance Credit Card is withdrawn immediately if you close your HSBC Star Alliance Credit Card account.
0% interest for six months on flights
Another interesting and unique benefit is paying no interest for the first six months when you book flights via the participating seven airline websites. That’s Air Canada, Air New Zealand, EVA Air, Singapore Airlines, South African Airways, Thai Airways and United Airlines.
This is a recurring benefit that makes it easier to pay off your next big trip. If you pay everything off within six months, you won’t be charged any interest (currently 19.99% p.a.). Any outstanding balance after six months will revert to the standard interest rate.
Complimentary Insurance
There is also a range of complimentary insurances, including Domestic and International Travel Insurance with Rental vehicle Excess Insurance in Australia, Transit Accident Insurance, Extended Warranty Insurance, and Purchase Protection Insurance.
Some aspects of the included travel insurance will cover you (and/or your spouse and dependents) if you get sick with COVID-19.
The full PDS outlining the details of all the benefits included with the HSBC Star Alliance Credit Card can be found here.
This guide references some of the benefits of insurance policies provided with this card. You should read the PDS and obtain independent professional advice before obtaining this product.
HSBC Apple Pay & Google Pay support
HSBC cards support Apple Pay & Google Pay, meaning you can use this card on your smartphone for easier payments. Find out more in our guides for each of the compatible services.
Summing up
The HSBC Star Alliance Credit Card is a new offering that may provide a smoother travel experience with participating airlines. The offering extends the option to earn Star Alliance Points and allows you to transfer them to your choice of seven participating airlines.
It also offers an option to fast-track your way to Gold status, a $0 annual fee in the first year ($450 p.a. thereafter) and 1 point per $1 for the first $3,000 spent per statement period (only on eligible purchases).
HSBC would like us to include the following important information:
Disclaimers
* Complimentary Insurance covers: AWP Australia Pty Ltd ABN 52 097 227 177 AFSL 245631 trading as Allianz Global Assistance (AGA) under a binder from the insurer, Allianz Australia Insurance Limited ABN 15 000 122 850 AFSL 234708, has issued a group policy to HSBC Bank Australia Limited ABN 48 006 434 162 AFSL and Australian Credit Licence 232595 (HSBC), which allows eligible HSBC account holders and cardholders to claim under the group policy as third party beneficiaries by operation of s48 of the Insurance Contracts Act 1984 (Cth). Any advice on insurance is general advice only and not based on any consideration of your objectives, financial situation or needs. The eligibility criteria, terms, conditions, limits and exclusions of the group policy are set out in the Information Booklet available at www.hsbc.com.au/credit-cards/terms/ find out more about Credit Card Terms and Conditions which may be amended from time to time. Consider its appropriateness to these factors before acting on it. You can contact AGA on 1800 648 093. An excess may apply. HSBC does not issue these insurances and does not receive commissions on these policies or guarantee any benefits under this cover.
If during the period of your cover, you (and your spouse/dependents, if they’re eligible for cover) are positively diagnosed as suffering a sickness recognised as an epidemic or pandemic (such as COVID-19) cover may be available under selected International Travel Insurance benefits. The eligibility criteria, terms, conditions, limits and exclusions of the group policy are set out in the Information Booklet available at www.hsbc.com.au/credit-cards/terms/ find out more about Credit Card Terms and Conditions.
HSBC BANK AUSTRALIA
Credit provided by HSBC Bank Australia Limited ABN 48 006 434 162 Australian Credit Licence 232595. Offer is not available for product transfers or in conjunction with any other offer. HSBC may change or end this offer at any time. Fees, charges, min. spend, terms, conditions and HSBC’s lending criteria applies to all credit cards issued by HSBC. Go to www.hsbc.com.au or call 1300 308 880. Interest rates are valid at the time of publication and are subject to change. See terms and conditions for more information.
ABOUT STAR ALLIANCE
The Star Alliance network was established in 1997 as the first truly global airline alliance, based on a customer value proposition of global reach, worldwide recognition and seamless service. Since inception, it has offered the largest and most comprehensive airline network, with a focus on improving customer experience across the Alliance journey.
The member airlines are: Aegean Airlines, Air Canada, Air China, Air India, Air New Zealand, ANA, Asiana Airlines, Austrian, Avianca, Brussels Airlines, Copa Airlines, Croatia Airlines, EGYPTAIR, Ethiopian Airlines, EVA Air, LOT Polish Airlines, Lufthansa, Scandinavian Airlines, Shenzhen Airlines, Singapore Airlines, South African Airways, SWISS, TAP Air Portugal, THAI, Turkish Airlines, and United.
Overall, the Star Alliance network currently offers more than 10,000 daily flights to almost 1,200 airports in 184 countries. Further connecting flights are offered by Star Alliance Connecting Partners Juneyao Airlines and THAI Smile Airways.
ABOUT STAR ALLIANCE AUSTRALIA
Star Alliance Australia Pty Ltd (ABN 57 661 145 080) was established in July 2022 to operate as principal of the Star Alliance Rewards program.
I just applied for 20,000 bonus MileagePlus miles offer. Instructions are “After successfully applying and being approved, once your credit card account is open, log in to your Star Alliance Rewards account and select United MileagePlus as your preferred status airline.”
So do I have to keep United MileagePlus as my preferred airline until the card is open?? Or am I able to switch to KrisFlyer once I receive the 20,000 points?
Is there an option for KrisFlyer points instead????
Thanks in advance!!
I have just signed up for this card. I also got Krisflyer Gold for the next 12 months. Is it more valuable to go with Aeroplan so I get *AG until December 2025 with this card as my KFG will finish in May 2025?
From my experience with the HSBC card and Star Alliance, it seems no. Seems you would need 2 separate accounts to achieve what you are looking for, especially if you are not traveling together.
– Fly to NZ 3 times a year via Air NZ
– Fly to the US 3 times a year via United
– Fly to Singapore once a year via Singapore Airlines
– Fly domestically in Australia 3-4 times a year (not loyal to a carrier, open to either Qantas or Virgin)
– Silver Airpoints member at the moment. I would hit gold in the first half of next year without this card, but using the card to get access to Gold benefits earlier. The Air Canada ‘2 years’ doesn’t jump out as important to me as I will be able to maintain Gold moving forward with my travel alone.
I am a New Zealander originally and therefore default to Airpoints, however keen to understand whether there might be a better option for me. Any recommendations or things to consider would be helpful! Thanks.
If i spend $4k just by January 2024, does that mean I get Air Canada Gold Status until December 2025?
Once I achieved that and if I book domestic flights with Virgin within Australia i.e. Melb to Sydney, will I be able to use Virgin domestic lounges until December 2025?
Thanks mate – new to this
Once you have Aeroplan 50K status, you’ll have access to Virgin Australia lounges (see https://www.aircanada.com/ca/en/aco/home/aeroplan/status/program-updates.html#)
I don’t get the email to confirm my star rewards account and no idea how to contact them as emails don’t get replied to.
Months to satisfy the HSBC credit team for the initial application with contradictory information requested by the application team. Within a couple weeks we satisfied the minimum spend criteria and waited for the email to select the preferred airline.
Unfortunately this never came. HSBC support have been useless. Each call they either say the email will be sent within 24 hours again, or they direct us to a support number for Star Alliance specifically that goes nowhere.
Pretty fed up with this bank to be honest – would not recommend applying for this card.
I opted for Aeroplan but im not sure which Select Benefits to choose.
I dont have any immediate plans to fly with Air Canada but will be flying with some of their partners and other Star Alliance airlines.
Any advice or recommendations would be appreciated (Point Hacks feature article ?).
Thanks
Nic
3K limit for full 1 point is only blocking me to apply for this card. I wish it had uncapped spending each month or atleast 10K like Qantas platinum card.
And the cap is a big gotcha!
And the real entrapment happens from year 2…
To maintain Gold you need minimum AUD60,000 annual spend. At AUD5000 per month you’d earn 4000 Star points which maps to 3200 KrisFyer miles at 0.8 conversion rate.
Annual point earn in that minimum spend scenario works out to be 38,400 or 0.64 miles per dollar spend on the card (i.e. 38400 miles / AUD60,000). Using the (dumb and misleading) point valuation from this website of 1.9 cents per point, the “value” of the miles accrued is AUD730. The net return is just 1.217% (100(730/60000)) .
If you spend more, then are rate goes down as a greater proportion of monthly spend falls into 0.5 points per dollar category on the Status points earn. The net return therefore goes down.
Now for the big kicker – if your spend is mostly overseas, then you’re paying 3% transaction fees, potentially up to AUD1800 per year (for 100% overseas spend). Your outlay in this example is AUD1800 for a reward in miles valued (by this website) at AUD730.
So you have a potential negative net return on the points / miles side of the value proposition. You’d have to find redemption values at rates at least nearly triple the Point Hacks point valuation to come out ahead.
If you attain Gold in year 1, you now have to keep the card (and pay the annual fee of AUD450) otherwise you lose that status if you cancel the card.
And the schema differs from that of AAdvantage wherein BOTH card earn AND paid air travel accrue status credits (aka Loyalty Points).
You’re now on two hamster wheels annually chasing down the sam status on the same loyalty program!
You’d need to want that Gold status pretty badly and not be on rack to score that from airline spend / travel. If you are already traveling in business and first class anyway, then the status benefits are largely immaterial, you get most of the bling from the ticket.
As noted in my comment on the sister article on Kris miles earn options this very website (as Chris Chamberlain ably pointed out there is a indirect route through VA Velocity) – higher point earn can be derived using a good old fashioned Amex Platinum card coupled with a typical transfer bonus (15-50%) to Velocity thence to SQ or Marriott Bonvoy
thence to SQ in 60,000 lots.
This is timely article about a interesting evolution in the credit card area, respecting that status does matter and release value for some members (according to research those who travel on the employers’ dime – not clear that can apply to this card) , but also suspecting that many are irrationally attached and would be much better off putting their focus on their point / miles earn and burn rather than stays.
Personally, I’d take a juicy sign up bonus over a status generating card (and sit on my Amex Platinum), unless the product evolves per the AA example wherein spend combines with other status measures for the overall calculation.
I can’t seem to find anywhere on Aeroplan website stating that the gold status will last the remaining of this calendar year plus whole of next year? Have i missed something?
https://www.aircanada.com/ca/en/aco/home/aeroplan/status/tiers.html#/50k
Just piggy-backing off this message.
Does Star Alliance expire at the beginning of a calendar year? i.e. if picked up this card, nominated Air Canada, and hit Gold Status per the conditions on the card, would that give me July to December 31, 2024 of Gold Status?
Considering this card as my partner and I fly Qantas, Air New Zealand, and Air Canada.
Cheers
If you get gold status with Aeroplan, does that give you access to every star alliance airlines lounge when flying on any Star Alliance airline?
Also, to get access to a lounge, does a star alliance flight need to be linked to a Gold status account or can you just show your Gold status membership if you haven’t linked it to a booking? I would prefer the 23mths with Aeroplan but my preferred Airline is Singapore
Thank you
Can you please advise as I can’t find that info anywhere
I’ve got the card and spent the $4k within 90 days. Any idea how long it will take for Aeroplan gold to come through? I’ve got a Star Alliance trip coming up in June. Thanks.
I am also interested to hear if anyone has any thoughts on Sams question from the 5th of April:
April 5, 2023 at 8:37 pm
“Hello Brandon,
Thanks for the advice, I’ve got this card and was going to get Kris Flyer.
But looking at this, it seem’s a no brainer to sign up for the Canada Air gold status if you intend on flying with multiple star alliance airlines, so it lasts longer.
Am I am right in saying that you still get priority boarding, extra baggage and lounge access when flying with any of the star alliance airlines? I am hoping to use this for Virgin Australia, Air NZ and Singapore air.
Any reasons not to go with Air Canada to get the extra time?”
Thanks
Would a Kiwi be eligible for this card offer?
I was wondering what ongoing “status match” type program Qantas has and if it’s worth mentioning?
Could be a quick way to get status in Qantas/OneWorld, if that is your goal.
Again, great work, love how Pointhacks has come into this post-pandemic season with heaps of good reviews and info!
Would it also not be of benefit to sing up to the Air Canada aeroplan gold status as it lasts for the current calendar year and the year after? Rather than KrisFlyer which will only last upto the anniversary of your credit card? Any thoughts on which program may be the best suited generally from an Aussie prospective?
Thanks for the advice, I’ve got this card and was going to get Kris Flyer.
But looking at this, it seem’s a no brainer to sign up for the Canada Air gold status if you intend on flying with multiple star alliance airlines, so it lasts longer.
Am I am right in saying that you still get priority boarding, extra baggage and lounge access when flying with any of the star alliance airlines? I am hoping to use this for Virgin Australia, Air NZ and Singapore air.
Any reasons not to go with Air Canada to get the extra time?
Thanks Sam
Just to clarify below statements . 1. What does statement period mean 1 month from when you start purchasing with your HSBC credit card or the date when you receive your HSBC credit card. 2. In the second year of having the HSBC credit card within a 12 month or calendar period I have to spend $60 000 AUD or over to maintain my Star Alliance Gold Membership?.
1. “Points earned from spend 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 thereafter”.
2. After the first year, you’ll need to meet a higher minimum spend to maintain your complimentary status:
Spend AU$60,000 over a qualification year to earn or retain Star Alliance Gold, or
Spend AU$30,000 over a qualification year to earn or retain Star Alliance Silver
Many Thanks
Gavin