In this guide

  • Our verdict
  • Details
    • Product details
    • Eligibility
    • Rewards
    • Fees
  • How to apply
  • Card benefits
  • Rates & fees
  • Your reviews
  • Ask a question
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HSBC Star Alliance Credit Card
Terms and conditions apply
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.

The HSBC Star Alliance Credit Card is a unique frequent flyer credit card that’s linked to one of the world’s largest airline alliance networks. With this card, every 1 Star Alliance Point you earn can be converted to 0.8 points or miles with Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer, Air New Zealand Airpoints, United Airlines MileagePlus and other frequent flyer partners.

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

In this guide

  • Our verdict
  • Details
    • Product details
    • Eligibility
    • Rewards
    • Fees
  • How to apply
  • Card benefits
  • Rates & fees
  • Your reviews
  • Ask a question

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.

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

How to apply

It takes about 10 minutes to apply for the HSBC Star Alliance Credit Card online, and you'll get a response from HSBC within 60 seconds of submitting your application. To get started, make sure you meet the eligibility requirements and have all the required document details on hand.

Eligibility criteria

  • Minimum income. You must earn at least $75,000 per year.
  • Residency. You must be an Australian citizen or permanent resident.

Card benefits

  • Introductory Gold Status offer. The HSBC Star Alliance Credit Card offers you Gold Status when you spend $4,000 in the first 90 days from account opening. The status will be awarded through your nominated, partnered frequent flyer program – for example, Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer. You'll be asked to choose this Status Airline when you enrol in the Star Alliance Rewards Program. Benefits include access to over 1,000 airport lounges, priority check-in, boarding and baggage handling, excess baggage allowance and other frequent flyer perks through your chosen program. Status will be granted within 30 days of meeting the spend requirement.
  • $0 annual fee in the first year. This card waives its annual fee in the first year, saving you $450 compared to the annual fee that applies from the second year on.

Rates & fees

  • Annual fee. Outside of any promotions, the HSBC Star Alliance Credit Card has a $450 annual fee.
  • Interest rate for purchases. This card has a 19.99% p.a. interest rate for purchases, which is similar to other frequent flyer credit cards.

Your reviews

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Amy Finder

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Avatar

Justin

April 16, 2024

Are supplementary card holders covered by travel insurance if travelling separately than the main card holder


Avatar

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.


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Jody ZHANG

January 29, 2024

Hello, Does the additional care holder enjoy the Golden Star Alliance benefit? Like lounge access, private check-in?


Avatar

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


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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?


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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.


Avatar

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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Avatar

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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