Star Alliance and HSBC have launched a game-changing new credit card for Australian travellers.
For a limited time, 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. Plus, enjoy $0 annual fee in the first year ($450 p.a. thereafter).
This offer is available when you apply for a new HSBC Star Alliance Credit Card. Fees, charges, terms and conditions, minimum spend, and lending criteria apply. Credit provided by HSBC Bank Australia Limited ABN 48 006 434 162, Australian Credit Licence 232595.
Or, read on to learn more about the HSBC Star Alliance Credit Card.
Fast-track your way to Star Alliance Gold
First and foremost, the headline benefit offered by the HSBC Star Alliance Credit Card is the ability to fast-track to Star Alliance Gold Status. This unique perk is unmatched by any other credit or charge card currently available in Australia.
Star Alliance Gold Status could significantly elevate your global travel experience. The key benefits of Gold Status include:
- Airport Lounge Access at over 1,000 lounges worldwide
- Priority Airport Check-in and Priority Boarding with access to Gold Track – dedicated airport security lanes
- Priority Baggage Handling and Extra Baggage Allowance on eligible flights
- Priority Reservations Waitlist and Priority Airport Stand-by
So how to fast track to Gold Status?
The fast track to Star Alliance Gold Status is awarded when you spend $4,000 or more on eligible purchases in the first 90 days from account opening.
Once Gold Status is awarded, it converts to a corresponding status tier in the frequent flyer program of that participating Star Alliance Member Airline. This works by Gold Status holders nominating their preferred participating airline (also known as your Status Airline) through the Star Alliance Rewards Program. For example, cardholders choosing the Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer program would be awarded KrisFlyer Elite Gold Status.
Qualifying for Star Alliance Gold Status after the first year
After the first year, a higher minimum spend on eligible purchases per year is needed to qualify for each Star Alliance status: The earn rate thresholds are as follows:
- Spend $60,000 for Star Alliance Gold Status
- Spend $30,000 for Star Alliance Silver Status
Star Alliance Silver Status offers fewer benefits when compared with Gold. However, depending on your travel habits, you may still find this benefit useful. The primary perks of Silver Star Alliance Status include Priority Reservation Waitlist and Priority Airport Standby.
Enjoy 0% interest for 6 months on flight bookings (T&C’s apply)
Another unique travel benefit offered by the HSBC Star Alliance Credit Card is the ability to unlock 0% interest for six months on flight bookings made directly through participating Star Alliance member airlines.
This benefit is available when you book the flight using your HSBC Star Alliance Credit Card directly through one of the following participating airline websites:
- Singapore Airlines
- Air New Zealand
- Air Canada
- United Airlines
- Thai Airways
- EVA Air
- South African Airways
It’s important to note that any outstanding balance at the end of the 6-month promotional period reverts to the standard variable purchase rate (currently 19.99% p.a.).
Earn uncapped Star Alliance Points on eligible spend
Year-round, the HSBC Star Alliance Credit Card unlocks the ability to earn uncapped Star Alliance Points on eligible spend.
The earn rates are as follows:
- Earn 1 Star Alliance Point for every $1 spent on eligible purchases, up to $3,000 per statement period, and
- Earn 0.5 Star Alliance points per $1 spent on eligible purchases thereafter.
It’s important to note that a reduced earning threshold applies after spending more than $3,000 in a statement month on eligible purchases. With this in mind, cardholders will need to carefully weigh up whether the $60,000 annual spend requirement needed to retain Star Alliance Gold Status is worth it.
Once Star Alliance Points are awarded, they can be converted to award miles or points in your chosen Frequent Flyer Program of a participating Star Alliance member airline.. The transfer rates that apply to each program are as follows:
| Airline program | 1,250 Star Alliance Points transfers to: |
|---|---|
| Air Canada Aeroplan | 1,000 Aeroplan Points |
| Air New Zealand Airpoints | 10 Airpoints Dollars |
| EVA Air Infinity MileageLands | 1,000 Infinity MileageLands Miles |
| Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer | 1,000 KrisFlyer Miles |
| South African Airways Voyager | 1,000 Voyager Miles |
| Thai Airways Royal Orchid Plus | 1,000 Royal Orchid Plus Miles |
| United Airlines MileagePlus | 1,000 MileagePlus Miles |
What are eligible purchases?
Eligible purchases exclude interest-free and other promotions, Balance Transfers, cash transfers, business expenses, cash advances, fees and charges, any disputed transactions, BPAY, any disputed transactions and government fees and charges.
Access a range of complimentary Insurances
The HSBC Star Alliance Credit Card offers a suite of complimentary insurances, designed for usage when shopping online or travelling at home and overseas.
The complimentary insurances that you can access through this card include:
- Domestic and International Travel Insurances with Rental Vehicle Excess Insurance in Australia
- Transit Accident Insurance
- Extended Warranty Insurance, and Purchase Protection Insurance.
Cover for claims relating to Covid-19 may be available under selected international travel insurance benefits.
Before deciding to take up any of these insurance products, and to find out more information about coverage requirements, you should refer to the card PDS and terms & conditions on the HSBC website.
Other HSBC Star Alliance Credit Card benefits
The HSBC Star Alliance Credit Card unlocks a range of other benefits designed to offer additional value. These include:
- Home&Away Privilege Program: Access exclusive offers and privileges from our 27,000 selected partners at home and overseas
- 0% p.a. interest on Balance Transfers for the first 12 months with 2% Balance Transfer Fee (T&Cs apply)
- Up to 55 days interest-free on eligible card purchases (T&Cs apply)
- Apple Pay and Google Pay support
Annual card fee
The annual fee to hold the HSBC Star Alliance Credit Card will be $0 in the first year, then $450 p.a. thereafter. This offer is subject to change.
Therefore, the first annual fee will be debited on the 12-month anniversary of the first transaction on your account and annually thereafter. The offer of a $0 annual fee in the first year does not apply to existing HSBC customers transferring from another HSBC credit card.
Key product information
The key product information for the HSBC Star Alliance Credit Card is outlined in the table below:
| Product name: | HSBC Star Alliance Credit Card |
|---|---|
| Minimum Credit Limit | $6,000 |
| Minimum repayments | 3% or $20, whichever is higher |
| Interest on purchases | 19.99% p.a. |
| Interest-free period | Up to 55 days on eligible purchases |
| Interest on cash advances | 21.99% p.a |
| Balance transfer interest rate | 0% p.a. for the first 12 months. 2% balance transfer fee |
| Annual Fee | $0 for the first year, $450 p.a. thereafter |
| Late payment fee | $30 |
Summary
The HSBC Star Alliance Credit Card is the first product of its kind in Australia, packed with game-changing travel inclusions for those who meet the criterial to qualify for Star Alliance Gold Status.
Plus, with a range of additional perks and a limited-time offer of a $0 annual card fee in the first year (a saving of $450), this product may appeal to frequent travellers.
3 thoughts on “Fast track your way to Gold Status with the HSBC Star Alliance Credit Card”
Can you get the status after initial spend of $4000 and then just cancel the card and the status will remain for the rest of the 12 months?
what is taxable income need to be
Hi Kula, HSBC doesn’t advertise a minimum taxable income requirement for this product. Further eligibility can be found when you click through the link to the application form.