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HSBC Star Alliance Credit Card: Star Alliance Gold Status (with $4,000 Minimum Spend in 90 Days), $0 Annual Fee First Year

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HSBC Star Alliance Credit Card: Star Alliance Gold Status (with $4,000 Minimum Spend in 90 Days), $0 Annual Fee First Year
Go to Deal
Moo Deng on 15/11/2022 - 13:43 hsbc.com.au (8458 clicks)
Last edited 14/11/2023 - 15:54 by 3 other users

Gold status in one of Star Alliance's 'Status Airline' programs will get you reciprocal Virgin Australia perks such as domestic lounge access and priority check-in!

  • Global lounge access - Airport Lounge Access at over 1,000 lounges world-wide
  • Priority at airports - Priority Airport Check-in, Priority Boarding and access to Gold Track – priority airport security lanes
  • Baggage benefits - Priority Baggage Handling and Extra Baggage Allowance on eligible flights

  • Priority waitlists - Priority Reservations Waitlist and Priority Airport Stand-by

  • Earn 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 on eligible purchases thereafter.

  • Points earned are transferred to your Star Alliance rewards account monthly.
  • Convert your Star Alliance Points to award miles or points in your chosen Frequent Flyer Program of a participating Star Alliance member airline.
  • Complimentary insurance benefits. Enjoy Domestic and International Travel Insurances with Rental Vehicle Excess Insurance in Australia, Transit Accident Insurance, Extended Warranty Insurance, and Purchase Protection Insurance.

For a limited time, $0 annual fee in the first year ($450 thereafter).

See https://www.pointhacks.com.au/news/hsbc-star-alliance-credit… for all the details.

Financial Airline Status Credit Card VISA

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Comments

    • Charybdia on 15/01/2024 - 20:33
      +1

      Card took around 3 days to get approved including some additional check they did for some non-employment income.

  • Crowing on 14/05/2024 - 12:58

    Does anyone here know if the baggage benefits apply to virgin Australia booking? I booked a lite fair with VA and currently have my Velocity account linked to the booking. And does priority boarding only apply for the card holder or also accompanying passenger? Thanks

    • angry-redbird on 14/05/2024 - 14:03

      When you get your Gold Star Alliance status, nominate Krisflyer which would give you KrisFlyer Elite Gold status. Then replace your Velocity with the KrisFlyer on your Virgin booking. Voila you get the adiitional baggage & priority boarding with Virgin Australia international flights. The priority boarding applies to all your accompanying passengers but you get only one additional baggage regardless of number of passengers. I flew Jan 2024.

      • caustic birch on 14/05/2024 - 14:07

        You can just show your star alliance card/digital card as well, but yeah it makes things easier at the airport if it says "PARTNER GOLD" on your boarding pass

        • angry-redbird on 14/05/2024 - 14:09

          My experience was just showing the card wasn't enough. I needed to use the Krisflyer instead of Velocity to get those additional benefits.

          • caustic birch on 14/05/2024 - 14:36

            @angry-redbird: Oh that's a pain, thanks for confirming.

          • burningrage on 14/05/2024 - 18:20

            @angry-redbird: I can confirm this can be circumvented as I have done 2x recently.

            Use case scenario was that I flew Singapore Airlines but with Air Canada's Star Alliance Gold. At the Melbourne Airport check in, I stated that I am an Air Canada's Star Alliance Gold Member and I showed my membership card. Depending on the check in counter person (knowledge and experience), they will most likely noted that my ticket was booked with Krisflyer nominated as the Frequent Flyer Membership.

            So at this point, they will be confused but depending on the person, they will then assign:
            1. Point Accrual to Krisflyer
            2. (Depending on person) Assign the SERVICE in their system to Air Canada so your boarding pass will show AC *G (Air Canada Star Alliance Gold). Your point would still be accrued to Krisflyer.
            Additionally, remind them your Priority Luggage entitlement because for some reason, Melbourne doesn't do this unless prompted. For Velocity, they would most likely be doing the same.

            You then bring this boarding pass to the lounge.

            If they instead issue you with a boarding pass saying KFS (Krisflyer Silver) or KF, then just ask for the Priority Luggage to be tagged AND just go to the lounge with the boarding pass BUT show the attendant your Velocity or Air Canada's membership and they would let you in.

            So in your case, replace Air Canada with Velocity Gold.

            In Asia's airport, this is standard procedure but Melbourne for some reason, is a bit behind with this.

            • angry-redbird on 15/05/2024 - 10:46

              @burningrage: Thanks! As you have already noted it really depends on the Check-in staff's experience level & mood. In my case, Virgin staff didn't allow me priority boarding from Melbourne even if I showed them my SG KrisFlyer Elite Gold card both at check-in & boarding.

  • ghostlyvisage on 14/05/2024 - 13:09
    +1

    I got an email from Star Alliance saying

    "We are sorry to inform you that your request for Star Alliance Gold Status with KrisFlyer Singapore Airlines Group was not successful.

    Please reach out to our team for assistance. Simply follow the link below to our Contact Us form."

    I've emailed them and update with what they say.

    • WwDesi on 14/05/2024 - 13:12

      That would be handy

    • burningrage on 14/05/2024 - 18:23

      Just so you know, if you choose to go with Krisflyer, your membership will be maximum of 11 months and there will be up to 1 month of you without status from becoming qualified for Star Alliance Gold to Conferral of Status. See my post above.

      With Air Canada, you get 1 year plus rest of year after becoming Gold.

      • tunzafun001 on 20/05/2024 - 11:45

        @burningrage

        If you chose Air Canada, do you still get extra baggage with Virgin Domestic? I fly to the ski fields, so an extra bag would be awesome.

        This link suggests that only Singapore Airlines offers the extra baggage perk with Virgin?

        https://www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au/star-alliance-gol…

        *Does suggest Aeroplan (AIr Canada) sign ups get a bonus 50k points though. Potentially the best no annual card on the market….by miles…pardon the pun!

        • burningrage on 20/05/2024 - 12:49

          No. Because Virgin is not a member of Star Alliance. SQ does have partnership with Virgin but that's more like a bilateral arrangement thing.

          AC is good but be aware, if you are intending to use AC for the Star Alliance perks only, you will have issues at airports as detailed above.

          This is because as an AC frequent flyer (50k membership), you are supposed to use AC frequent flyer number even if you fly SQ. You can work around it but will involve reminding the check-in counters that you are Star Alliance Gold member but would like to have the points accrual remain at SQ (if you're flying SQ).

          • tunzafun001 on 20/05/2024 - 17:16

            @burningrage: Bumm…
            What is a 50k Membership? Just Air Canada's version of 'gold'?

            Looks like United has the same agreement as SQ with Virgin.
            Any ideas if that will play out like Air Canada, ie. longer expiry? Or the same as SQ.

            • burningrage on 20/05/2024 - 19:19

              @tunzafun001: Aero 50K plan is the Gold version of Air Canada. Obtaining this will also earn you membership to Star Alliance Gold.

              I don't know about United but with Air Canada, your membership will last at least 1 year plus whatever remaining month until end of the year. In my case, my anniversary is November with HSBC Star Alliance so when I chose Air Canada, I got 1 year (2024) and 2 months (Nov and Dec 2023).

              You should choose an airline with your HSBC Star Alliance that gives you maximum coverage. With SQ, you will get at most 11 months. It is stupid but that is SQ for you.

              • tunzafun001 on 20/05/2024 - 23:49

                @burningrage: So sign up at the start of the year with AC (potentially 2 years worth if sign up was first week of Jan)?
                As for SQ, not impressed with their post COVID customer service at all. I did a test (found some codeshare flights). Called up and they said there is nothing available. So this rep wasn't even trying, or wasn't checking codeshare (when I made it clear I was looking for codeshare availability). Prior to COVID they could see flights I couldn't!

                • burningrage on 21/05/2024 - 10:48

                  @tunzafun001: Yes. Ideally, January would be best but HSBC Star Alliance started I think around October 2022 so I would have to close down the card and restart again in January to take advantage of that.

                  I agree with the customer service. They are not as good as they used to be and to make things worst, they have just recorded record profit (enough to give big bonues to employees) too so expect they are not going to change their ways.

                  • tunzafun001 on 21/05/2024 - 10:53

                    @burningrage: Any idea if there is an Ombudsman/ governing body for the Kris flyer program. I used my points in the Kris Shop. Never saw the goods. Customer care has zero F's to give.

                    • burningrage on 21/05/2024 - 11:39

                      @tunzafun001: What did they say? I am guessing Ombudsman would be the Victorian Consumer Affairs for undelivered goods.

  • lordra on 14/05/2024 - 14:08

    this deal from 2022 is still alive?

    For a limited time, $0 annual fee in the first year ($450 thereafter).

    I'm new to this.
    Does Sydney airport count?

  • rv2885 on 14/05/2024 - 15:32
    +1

    this now comes with a 50k bonus points if you nominate air canada for the status.
    See here : https://www.aircanada.com/au/en/aco/home/aeroplan/credit-car…

  • Miowmeow on 14/05/2024 - 17:48

    Will there be a problem getting approved if a collections agency is chasing for an unpaid hsbc credit card bill from another country? Asking for a friend, btw

    • GoIdDigger on 14/05/2024 - 18:17

      How much does your friend owe on the credit card?

  • lawyerz on 14/05/2024 - 18:32

    this deal can just be combined with this: https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/802518 really.

    Also - if you cancel, you lose the status immediately.

  • nish on 14/05/2024 - 19:12

    If I've got a separate bank account with HSBC but not credit card, would I be eligible for this offer?

    • angry-redbird on 15/05/2024 - 10:48

      I don't see any reason why not. Even if you hold another HSBC credit card you should be eligible. I got mine when I already held HSBC Platinum CC & 2 other HSBC accounts.

  • Curiouscat on 14/05/2024 - 19:20

    Does any one know minimum income threshold for applications specially for business owners?!

    • xers on 14/05/2024 - 19:49

      Minimum income requirement is $75k. Not sure if different for business owners but I don't think so.

  • tunzafun001 on 15/05/2024 - 00:33

    Ineligible if held other HSBC cards in last 12months?

    • angry-redbird on 15/05/2024 - 10:48

      Nope. I got mine when I already held HSBC Platinum CC & 2 other HSBC accounts.

      • tunzafun001 on 15/05/2024 - 15:45

        Excellent ..I literally just got approved for their no annual fee Qantas card for people who move $10k a month through their account. 2 Dragon passes .. insurance…Ent Book for nothing per year. Plus this…sounds good

  • abcdefcuk on 15/05/2024 - 18:14

    Has anyone manage to renew this for another year of Gold with SA without meeting the annual $60K spend threshold?

    • burningrage on 15/05/2024 - 19:16

      I am on my 2nd year on Gold. The short answer is impossible. They tracked your spend meticulously so you cannot retain Gold without spending $60k.

      What I can confirm however is that you can overpay your credit card into credit balance and spend the credit balance and it still counts towards the $60k.

      • abcdefcuk on 16/05/2024 - 11:00

        Thanks! Can i ask what do you mean by overpaying my credit card into credit balance and how to do it?

        Say I am $15K away from the $60K.

        By overpaying, does this means in my card's final month of year's cycle, I should pay all outstandings + an extra $15K into the card? The card will be in a money owing to me position of $15K but I could just slowly wind that $15K down across the future/Year2 card charges?

        • burningrage on 16/05/2024 - 22:48

          No. You actually have to SPEND that $15k within that final month (eg: School fee, etc). This would have been tricky if your limit is say, $5k only.

          So what you do is quickly pay the card $15k, that will bring your balance to CREDIT $10k. Then immediately, spend $15k on something allowing up to 72 hours before pending transactions become firmed (ie: Don't rush spend with less than 3 days before your next statement being issued. Spend it earlier) AND before the next statement being issued.

          That spend is what will bring your total spend to $60k.

          • abcdefcuk on 18/05/2024 - 14:01

            @burningrage: ah i see.. so this method will also require me to identify another $15K of expenditure to charge the card onto, albeit giving me an "extended 72 hours to do it…

            • burningrage on 19/05/2024 - 09:35
              +1

              @abcdefcuk: That is why the spend is recommended to be spent across the whole year if not at least 6 months. Cramping everything into one month is risky.

              • abcdefcuk on 19/05/2024 - 21:16

                @burningrage: Yea my issue is more on not having enough "eligible" $60k spent :(

  • LazeeBear on 16/05/2024 - 07:37

    What if I chose Air New Zealand as my nominated airline? Star alliance member so all gold related perks with Star alliance airlines, etc. However, they also have a seperate partnership with QANTAS, which recognises lounge access on Air NZ coded flights (pretty much all QANTAS domestic flights). Has anyone experimented with this? Can anyone just confirm I’m getting ahead of myself here…

  • pman54 on 18/05/2024 - 12:13
    +3

    Company booked me premium economy and Singapore Airlines upgraded me to business class and premium economy was over booked. Guess thanks to KrisFlyer gold.
    Sitting in my business class seat using free wifi on board to comment here.

    The Ozb community is amazing

    • abcdefcuk on 18/05/2024 - 14:02

      naise one! how close was it to the actual flight when you 1st found out about this awesome news?

      • pman54 on 18/05/2024 - 15:06
        +1

        I was in the lounge and 1 hour before the flight they called out my name and informed me about the seat change and upgrade.

        I heard the check-in staff discussing at the time of check-in that premium economy was overbooked which is why I guess I was upgraded to business class.

  • Crowing on 20/05/2024 - 21:17

    Bit of an interesting experience with using my gold air Canada star alliance status with virgin Australia over the weekend.

    Long story short, I’m not sure checked baggage benefit of gold star alliance carries over to virgin “lite” fare…

    I purchased lite return fare from Sydney to Melbourne using my velocity number on the booking. This ticket does not come with checked in luggage or seat selection.

    At Sydney airport I went to the counter and the service desk was able to add checked luggage on my booking as well as change my seat to be next to my partner (she had booked separately on a choice ticket). We both given the economy x seats which was great.

    At Melbourne airport I did the same thing, but this time the service desk employee said that because I purchased the “lite” fare no checked luggage is included. Something to do with the flight class, so said that if had to pay extra for checked baggage. I told them what happened at Sydney airport and they said that shouldn’t have happened. I didn’t bother arguing as my partner had checked luggage for her booking. They were able to change my seats to be next to my partner though (no economy x this time though).

    Keen to see if anyone had similar experience?

    • burningrage on 20/05/2024 - 21:37
      +1

      Well, I am surprised Sydney was allowing you to checked luggages using Air Canada's Star Alliance Status.

      Virgin is not a member of Star Alliance so technically speaking the Gold benefit doesn't carry over to Virgin Australia. Even if you are Aero50K member, the best you can get according to this website is access to Virgin lounge and nothing else.

      https://www.aircanada.com/ca/en/aco/home/aeroplan/partners.h…

      So Melbourne did the right thing.

      • abcdefcuk on 21/05/2024 - 14:49
        +1

        Agree with @burningrage point, @Crowing got lucky in Sydney. I can only guess the service/counter desk thought your Gold is with SQ. (which VA has bilateral alliance). Therefore recognised and extended those "SQ" Gold benefits to your VA ticket.

  • pman54 on 06/06/2024 - 00:14

    Anyone managed to get to gold or silver status in the second year?

    • puffinfresh on 28/06/2024 - 13:35

      I cancelled the card and they dropped me to silver.

      • abcdefcuk on 28/06/2024 - 13:43

        Sorry when you say you've cancelled the card, did you meant you did not renew the HSBC SA CC but your preferred airliner (which?) kept you on their FF but dropped you one tier (Silver) below what you were (Gold) when you had the SA CC?

        if yes, which airline is this and how did you got the "free" albeit lower status ?

        • puffinfresh on 28/06/2024 - 14:19

          My card was due to renew in August. I have no use for it anymore, so I cancelled it last month. As the card was no longer active, Singapore automatically dropped my status from Gold to Silver. It appears I have that status for another year, as the app says to requalify for Elite Silver, I need 25,000 miles by 31 May 2025.

  • GenerallyClumsy on 30/07/2024 - 07:50

    Does anyone know If paying a tax bill earns points and or counts towards minimum spend?

    • 76F on 01/08/2024 - 15:26
      +1

      Yes, if paying via Zip, Sniip, etc.

  • GenerallyClumsy on 01/08/2024 - 20:20

    Has anyone tested the threat in the Ts&Cs that says if you cancel the card your gold gets canceled too? I'm thinking about airlines with a calendar year program. Getting the card for one year and canceling before renewal. E.g. Sign up for a car in Feb, get gold in march. Gold again the following Jan cancel card in Feb. Keep gold for the rest of the year. Most of the perks (except for bonus luggage) flashing the card with a valid expiry should be fine?

    • puffinfresh on 02/08/2024 - 09:47
      +1

      My Kris Gold was cancelled when the card was and demoted to Silver.

  • Tevada on 14/08/2024 - 21:04

    Just got my card approved today. Ill be travelling by mid october and hoping to get the gold status by then.

    Looking to go with krisflyer, based on people experience how long is the time between meeting 4k spend and getting gold status on krisflyer?

    Targetting to meet my spending by mid Sep.

  • XJX on 15/09/2024 - 20:45

    I set up my card with an Air Canada / Aeroplan account and was properly credited the 50k points, but my monthly spend isn't converting to points as per the spend per dollar so after almost a year my points are still at 50k flat. Does anyone know what issue this is / how to fix it?

    • Seeker888 on 23/09/2024 - 23:24

      Log into star alliance rewards to manually convert across

    • nightelves on 26/09/2024 - 17:31
      +1

      That offer no longer exists

  • holliday15 on 09/10/2024 - 09:44

    Can anyone confirm if there is a "better" airline to nominate with advantages over selecting another? E.g. I've heard Air Canada provides longer status if you time it right (Status in Jan 2025 would last til Dec 2026)?

  • ArtOfTheDeal on 13/10/2024 - 15:01

    Air Canada sent me an email the other day saying my status was being extended to 2026.

    I cancelled my card and the status is gone. I was under the impression only the Star Alliance status would be revoked but the airline specific one would remain.

    Bastards. I used lounges maybe 4 times all up. Worthless card.

    • nightelves on 16/10/2024 - 12:58

      Does it get revoked immediately after cancellation? I still waiting for my downgrade but it hasn't come yet.

      • ArtOfTheDeal on 16/10/2024 - 14:09
        +1

        No, took a few days, that's why it was a bit of a shock

        • nightelves on 16/10/2024 - 14:10

          Fair enough. Thanks.

        • nightelves on 21/10/2024 - 22:36

          I cancelled my card on last Wednesday and it still showing me gold status. It’s kinda weird as I’m expecting a downgrade anytime now but it still not showing.

          • Crowing on 22/10/2024 - 15:24

            @nightelves: I cancelled my hsbc cc on 18th September and still 50k member when log into the air Canada app. Shows expiry date of 31 Dec 2025

            • ArtOfTheDeal on 22/10/2024 - 18:53

              @Crowing: I might chase this up. Is your initial year deal still going? Mine expired and they bumped me down to nothing, then later credited me with the (useless) Silver I would have earned that year anyway.

  • offthetap on 22/10/2024 - 13:27
    +2

    just an FYI for anyone interested:
    i cancelled my HSBC star alliance card last week to avoid the second year annual fee. i was curious if that would trigger some sort of cancellation of my star alliance gold status (due to expire 31/12/2024) but it does NOT. i am currently in a virgin domestic lounge as we speak and i showed my Aeroplane 50k status which worked.

    • nightelves on 22/10/2024 - 15:26

      Yeah so seems mine hasn’t been downgraded as well. Did you show yours and the put the number in the system or just the card? I wonder if you can just keep a picture and just show them? 🤔

    • ArtOfTheDeal on 22/10/2024 - 18:55

      I did the same recently and mine was revoked. It took about two weeks to hit. I was then credited with the useless Silver status I earned over that year. I'm curious to know whether it will come through for you, otherwise i'll have to fight this and see if I can get them to give it back (unlikely).

      • nightelves on 22/10/2024 - 19:42

        I thought you said the downgrade happened within a few days hence why I was puzzled. Now you say it’s two weeks 😣

      • offthetap on 23/10/2024 - 13:47

        interesting! i am due to fly domestically again in 6 weeks so ill try again then

        • ArtOfTheDeal on 25/10/2024 - 14:29
          +1

          I just called up AirCanada. Absolutely rubbish lazy service that wasted 20 minutes just trying to get me to a specific website, only for that just to be the terms and conditions saying that if the card is cancelled you lose status. It's like, yeah I know. Idiots.

          Ultimately they said no, so I don't know how other people are keeping this status!?

  • dixy on 25/10/2024 - 14:42

    Anyone know if it is possible to change gold status to another airlines FF if its already nominated and granted as Gold during the same year.

    • nightelves on 26/10/2024 - 07:03

      You can only nominate one.

  • tottenman on 02/11/2024 - 08:01

    How do I access virgin lounge? I’m star alliance gold and partner is mileage plus with United. Do I use that United number when I book ?

    • 76F on 02/11/2024 - 10:23

      You can present your membership card at the lounge.

      • tottenman on 02/11/2024 - 12:02

        When or how do I get a membership card ?

  • nightelves on 07/11/2024 - 15:33
    +1

    Ok I guess this explains why memberships who have recently cancelled their HSBC card hasn't been downgraded.

    For Aeroplan members who secure their Elite Status for 2025 before the end of 2024, their status will be extended until January 31, 2026. The Elite Status will be extended automatically and 2025 Core and Select Benefits will be available by mid‑January, as usual.

    https://princeoftravel.com/news/aeroplan-extend-status-valid….

    • jellybox on 07/11/2024 - 17:03

      official page

      https://www.aircanada.com/ca/en/aco/home/aeroplan/news/13-mo…

      this doesn't say anything about status gained via star alliance gold

      • nightelves on 07/11/2024 - 17:16
        +1

        If you’re expecting a downgrade in your Elite Status in 2025, your 2024 Elite Status will be extended until January 31, 2025, giving you an extra month to enjoy your travel benefits.

        • jellybox on 08/11/2024 - 12:16

          checked with aeroplan. This is not the case for status derived from hsbc star alliance card. Those people may just be lucky the system havn't caught up to them yet; there's a discrepancy with their system. Air Canada support will see 50k status, but Aeroplan sees original or no status.

          • nightelves on 08/11/2024 - 12:17

            @jellybox: If Air Canada still sees 50k then the status still stands.

    • evgpek on 12/11/2024 - 14:57

      My Aeroplan status was downgraded within two weeks after cancellation. I found the Virgin lounges to be unimpressive, plus they gave priority to Velocity members during peak hours.

  • jellybox on 07/11/2024 - 16:58
    +1

    According to HSBC, when you close your account, pay off the balance, you also forfeit reward points that you would normally earn.

    What a load of crap.

    check your final statements and star alliance points activity.

    • nightelves on 08/11/2024 - 04:52

      It doesn’t I just checked.

      • jellybox on 08/11/2024 - 12:13

        I didn't get the points, but after lodging official complaint twice, they offered $100 woolworths voucher, and I accepted

        your mileage may vary

  • whyisave on 12/11/2024 - 14:12

    I tried for this HSBC card, a few months ago, and I got rejected.
    They didn't give a reason, but a carefully worded Email that they "can't just offer this card to me at this time" or something like that.

    They would have probably suspected a card churner was not worth their approval, and/or the 6+ cards that I had in the previous 2 years before HSBC.

    After HSBC's rejection, I got approved straight away for BOQ's card offer.

  • Nagreddy22 on 12/11/2024 - 14:32

    Hi ozbargainers just a quick question?
    Are we eligible for all these benefits only if we buy the flight tickets with this credit card?

    • rvsure on 12/11/2024 - 14:51
      +1

      You don't need to buy the tickets with this card. As soon as you earn your gold status by meeting the eligible spend requirements you can use it for travel even if you don't book flights with this card. You just need to keep this card to have the gold status active.

      • Nagreddy22 on 12/11/2024 - 14:53

        Hey, thanks for the info.

        • whyisave on 12/11/2024 - 15:52

          Cancel the card, and you lose the status as well.

          In the past, people thought they could keep the status for the 2nd calendar year, but no card = no status.

  • evgpek on 12/11/2024 - 14:53
    +1

    Beware! To close HSBC card, you must pay off the balance in full, tricky if there are pending transactions, can take few days to bpay. Otherwise, you’ll be charged a second-year fee. Plan ahead don’t leave it till the end!

    • timhn on 12/11/2024 - 15:18
      +1

      That applied almost to all credit cards with AF.

      • evgpek on 12/11/2024 - 15:43

        I did not notice. At least ANZ allows you to close card, and then send you a final invoice.

  • MnM007 on 12/11/2024 - 15:05
    +4

    This deal worked so well for us!! It was Amazing.

    We got the SA Gold via Aeroplan (Air Canada).

    Our trip was a fairly long one - we did leave at the beginning of June and came back home middle of October.
    Our flights were booked with points via Virgin.

    We went through 9 airports during this time (in Australia, USA, Canada, Europe and Asia) and went to at least one lounge in each airport. Showing the Aeroplan 50K card gave us instantly all the benefits of Star Alliance Gold (extra free luggage, priority where available as well as lounges, and more - see below).

    Between USA and Canada we did fly with Air Canada (from Las Vegas to Ottawa with a stop in Montreal where we changed the plane to get to Ottawa) with tickets bought on Air Canada points that we got as part of this deal.
    On this part of our trip, as we flew Air Canada and our status was via Air Canada, both me and partner got upgraded to FIRST class (for both legs of the trip) at ZERO cost to us. That was really really nice (but we did put ourselves on the upgrade waiting list a few months before we left). I was expecting to pay some $$ for the upgrade but they never asked us to pay anything and they never booked anything on our CC either.

    Best thing for us was that we were gonna spend the required $$ to meet the HSBC criteria for SA Gold anyway, on things that we needed for our trip - hoteles, car hires, insurances, etc

    It was a bit of a battle to make sure we got the SA Gold plus the Aeroplan points in the beginning, but it all worked out and made our trip so much more enjoyable!
    Best lounge for us was Sydney - the New Zealand lounge and the one at CDG in Paris (self serve unlimited drinks including Hennessy XO!! at CDG).
    Worst lounge - LAX

    Thanks @Moo Deng for posting this deal!!

    Edit: Now that we are back the HSBC card has been cancelled. Didnt even looked at Aeroplan or SA to see what status I have.

  • nigel deborah on 12/11/2024 - 16:17

    United use calendar years for status - if you claim this in January, perhaps you'd get status for a full 23 months? That's how it'd work if you earned United Gold the regular way in January.

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