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.
Just thought I would share my experience about HSBC. Applied for this card and did the minimum spend and got the Star Alliance Gold and the 50k bonus points. However dealing with HSBC has been the worst. I had some fraudulent transactions in November. I noticed it within minutes and rang up the bank to block the card and then subsequently raise a dispute. The bank was quick to send out a new card but with regards to the fraudulent transactions, it was an absolute nightmare dealing with HSBC. Only after I raised several customer complaints and then finally raised a case with the AFCA, did HSBC reverse the fraudulent transactions 2 months later. I am actually not planning to use the card again and will wait just before the 1 year to cancel the card (so as to get maximum use of star alliance gold).
I have read on other forums that HSBC is quite problematic when dealing with disputed transactions. So for what's it worth. I would stay away from HSBC.