HSBC Star Alliance Credit Card Review

HSBC star alliance credit card: HSBC is a multinational banking and financial services company that offers a range of credit cards to its customers. An HSBC credit card is a payment card that allows customers to borrow money from the bank to make purchases and pay for services.

The cardholder can use the card to make purchases at merchants that accept credit cards and then pay back the borrowed amount, either in full or over time with interest.

HSBC credit cards come with a variety of features, such as rewards programs, cashback offers, low-interest rates, and other benefits that vary depending on the specific card. Some HSBC credit cards also offer travel-related benefits, such as airport lounge access, travel insurance, and travel miles.

To apply for an HSBC credit card, customers typically need to meet certain eligibility criteria, such as having a minimum income, a good credit score, and being a resident in the country where they are applying.

How Does The HSBC Star Alliance Credit Card Work?

The HSBC Star Alliance Visa Card allows customers to earn benefits in the form of ordinary Star Alliance points, which can then be converted into participating miles or points for Star Alliance members’ frequent flyer programs.

The seven initial members are Air New Zealand, Air Canada, South African Airways, EVA Air, Singapore Airlines, Thai Airways, and United.

HSBC Star Alliance Credit Card, you 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. Star Alliance points earnings are unchanged.

Another great benefit of the card is the fast track to Star Alliance Gold status. You earn Gold status in subsequent years when you spend $60,000 or more on purchases in a qualifying year. You can also earn Silver status if you spend $30,000 or more on qualifying purchases during the qualifying year.

HSBC Credit Card Star Alliance Key Features

The advantages of Star Alliance Visa cards are many. “Unlock a world of global travel benefits” you can read on their website.

Main Benefits:

  • Fast track to Star Alliance Gold status in your first account year when you spend $4,000 or more on eligible purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.
  • For a limited time, $0 annual fee the first year ($450 thereafter).
  • Earn uncapped Star Alliance points to convert to award miles or points in your chosen frequent flyer program on a participating Star Alliance member airline. Points do not expire as long as the Star Alliance Rewards account is active.
  • Global Lounge Access: Airport lounge access to over 1,000 lounges worldwide
  • Airport Priority: Priority airport check-in, priority boarding, and access to Gold Track (Priority Airport Security Lane)
  • Baggage Benefit: Priority baggage handling and excess baggage allowance on eligible flights.
  • Priority Waiting List: Priority Reservation Waiting List and Priority Airport Stand-by.

Additional benefits

  • Complimentary Insurance Benefit. Rental car excess insurance in Australia including domestic and international travel insurance, transit accident insurance, extended warranty insurance, and purchase protection insurance. Cover for claims related to COVID-19 may be available under selected international travel insurance benefits.
  • 0% interest for 6 months on flight bookings made directly through participating Star Alliance member airlines. It’s awesome!
  • Interest-free for up to 55 days on card purchases.
  • Apple Pay and Google Pay
  • Home and Away Privilege Program. Your gateway to exclusive offers and privileges from our 27,000 selected partners at home and abroad.
  • HSBC Instant Savings. Free membership to Entertainment Publications’ Frequent ValuesTM gives you access to 4,500 attractive offers at participating stores, restaurants, hotels and family attractions when you use your card.

Fees and Charges

  • Annual Credit Card Fee: $0 the first year ($450 thereafter)
  • Cash advance fee: 3% of $4 or more
  • Foreign exchange fee: 3%
  • Multiple add-on cards: No fee
  • Lap payment fee: $30

Requirements

  • Australian residents over 18 years of age
  • Earn at least $75,000 per year
  • Have a good credit rating
  • Proof of identity, address details, income, and employment.

Star Alliance HSBC Credit Card – What Does It Mean For The Industry?

As the world’s first airline alliance credit card, the HSBC Star Alliance Visa may cause some controversy. This is the first “Star Alliance Point” to be mentioned. Some might say that this is the first step toward equalizing the value of frequent flyer points and miles, and perhaps even toward consolidating frequent flyer programs (such as the Star Alliance program instead of an airline program).

On the one hand, this sounds like a good thing: Simplification is always welcome, and it can prevent airlines from placing silly or unfair rules on revenue tables. I remember earning 125 SAS Eurobonus points for a €1500 trip because the distance I traveled was so short. Very disappointing!

On the other hand, enthusiasts and hardcore travelers may not like it. More fixed pricing in frequent flyer programs means limited opportunities and missing out on the most rewarding redemptions. Even today, using tools like Awardfare you can identify available seats on Star Alliance Airlines and which programs are most attractive to book those seats.

Conclusion

These are really exciting times. The HSBC Star Alliance Credit Card is a completely new concept and I’m really looking forward to testing it, seeing its evolution, and assessing its impact on the industry and travelers. There are still many questions and uncertainties surrounding this product.

Given the current state of the world (high inflation and the devaluation of loyalty programs), it’s exciting to see new ideas being proposed and initiatives from HSBC and Star Alliance. Undoubtedly, HSBC was the best candidate to come up with such a product, as it is one of the best banks in the world for global users.

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