The HSBC Star Alliance Credit Card provides travel perks that can be used with Star Alliance member airlines – including Air New Zealand, Air Canada, Singapore Airlines and United. It earns 1 Star Alliance Point per $1 on eligible spending up to $3,000 per statement period, then 0.5 points per $1 after that.
HSBC Star Alliance Credit Card
- Purchase rate
- 19.99% p.a.
- Reward point per $ spent
- 1
- Annual fee for the first year ($450 p.a. thereafter)
- $0 p.a.
- Interest-free on purchases
- Up to 55 days
Our verdict
This frequent flyer card has a Gold Status offer and a $0 annual fee in the first year, which goes to $450 after that.
Pros
-
Gold Status introductory offer
-
$0 annual fee in the first year
-
Up to 1 Star Alliance Point per $1 on eligible spending
-
Transfer points to Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer, United MileagePlus, Air Canada Aeromiles and other partner airlines
-
Complimentary domestic and international travel insurance
Cons
-
$450 annual fee after the first year
-
Relatively low $3,000 spend threshold before earning fewer points in each statement period
-
Points transfer to frequent flyer programs at a reduced rate (e.g. 1 to 0.8 KrisFlyer Miles)
-
3% foreign transaction fee
Details
Product details
Product Name | HSBC Star Alliance Credit Card |
Balance transfer rate p.a. | 0% for 12 months with 2% balance transfer fee, then 21.99% |
Balance transfer limit | 90% of available limit |
Purchase rate p.a. | Purchase rate p.a. 19.99% |
Interest-free period | Up to 55 days on purchases |
Cash advance rate p.a. | 21.99% |
Min credit limit | $6,000 |
Max credit limit | $25,000 |
Card type | Visa |
Eligibility
Available to temporary residents | No |
Minimum income | $75,000 |
Joint application | No |
Rewards
Rewards program | Star Alliance |
Bonus points | N/A |
Rewards points per $ spent | 1 |
Rewards points cap | Uncapped |
Fees
Annual fee | Annual fee $0 first year ($450 after) |
Minimum monthly repayment | 3% of the closing balance or $20, whichever is greater |
Late payment fee | $30 |
Foreign currency conversion fee | Foreign currency conversion fee 3% |
Cash advance fee | 3% or $4, whichever is greater |
Overseas cash advance fee | 3% of transaction amount or $4 (whichever is greater) |
Additional cardholder fee | $0 |
Your reviews
Amy Finder
Editor
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Sarah Megginson Finder
June 27, 2024
Hi Justin,
No, the condition of the insurance policy is that it’s valid for the cardholder and their spouse/children when travelling together. If the cardholder is not travelling, the policy isn’t activated.
Jody ZHANG
January 29, 2024
Hello, Does the additional care holder enjoy the Golden Star Alliance benefit? Like lounge access, private check-in?
Amy Bradney-George Finder
January 31, 2024
Hi Jody,
Additional cardholders are not eligible for HSBC Star Alliance Rewards membership, so the benefits and offer is limited to the primary cardholder. But if the primary cardholder gets Gold Status, they may be able to share some of the status benefits with an additional cardholder when they’re travelling together. I hope this helps.
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KL
January 15, 2024
Is there an age limit requirement for seniors for the complimentary insurance provided
Sarah Megginson Finder
January 15, 2024
Hi KL, I reviewed the PDS and there’s no mention of an age limit on the travel insurance. Other cards specifically call out an age limit, usually 75-80, but this is not outlined in HSBC’s policy documents. For confirmation, you can contact the underwriters, Allianz Global Assistance on 1800 648 093. Hope this helps!
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RJ Jones
November 09, 2023
Can Star Alliance Points be transferred or used to book on Aeroplan (Air Canada) with an Australia based HSBC Star Alliance card? Or is that a different zone within the group?
Amy Bradney-George Finder
November 10, 2023
Hi RJ,
Yes, Star Alliance Points can be transferred to Air Canada Aeroplan, with every 1,000 Star Alliance Points converting to 800 Aeroplan points. I hope this helps.
Thom
November 04, 2023
I am already a lifetime gold member with United. I read somewhere that I can opt out of being granted gold status for minimum spend and get a credit of 40000 Star Alliance points for doing so year after year. Can you confirm that this is correct, and if so, how can I do that during the application process?
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Amy Bradney-George Finder
November 06, 2023
Hi Thom,
Yes, you could get 40,000 Star Alliance Points instead of status but it’s not an option you can choose during the application process. According to the terms and conditions, it requires you to meet the requirements for gold status and to not select a frequent flyer program that you wish to have status with (referred to as a Participating Status FFP). You’d then need to wait for the period when you could choose a Participating Status FPP to end (referred to as the Qualification Period). If you have further questions about status or points with this card, you may want to contact Star Alliance Australia or HSBC directly. I hope this helps.
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Justin
April 16, 2024
Are supplementary card holders covered by travel insurance if travelling separately than the main card holder