HSBC Star Alliance Credit Card Tier Benefits
Enjoy a range of travel benefits designed to make your travel experience from Australia to beyond as seamless and comfortable as possible with our Nominated Silver and Nominated Gold status tiers*, available with the HSBC Star Alliance Credit Card.
Accessing tier benefits
When you receive your HSBC Star Alliance Credit Card in Australia and enrol in the Star Alliance Rewards Portal, select Air New Zealand as your preferred status airline3. Then, get rewarded for everyday spending and earn:
- Star Alliance Silver status3 when $30,000 or more is spent on eligible purchases on your card each qualification year4.
- Star Alliance Gold status3 when $60,000 or more5 is spent on eligible purchases on your card each qualification year6.
Once your request is granted, you can access our Nominated Silver or Nominated Gold benefits.
A preferred status airline selection can be updated in the Star Alliance Rewards Portal any time. However, in any year8, a status can only be claimed through a single status airline. If you update your preferred status airline after claiming Star Alliance Silver or Star Alliance Gold, the change will only be effective for any status received the next year8.
Nominated Silver Benefits
Make travelling more enjoyable with our Nominated Silver benefits.
When we receive an upgrade request, your Airpoints anniversary date is changed to that date, so you receive your Nominated Silver status right away.
Include your Airpoints number in bookings to receive your Nominated Silver benefits. You can view your Nominated Silver status and your digital Airpoints card by tapping on the Airpoints tab at the bottom menu of the Air NZ mobile app.
Lounge access
Nominated Silver members receive two complimentary single-entry lounge eVouchers each membership year7. They can be used at all Air New Zealand owned lounges when departing on an Air New Zealand ticketed and operated flight.
These lounge eVouchers are electronically stored in your Airpoints account and are automatically redeemed when you scan your boarding pass at the lounge. Keep your valid Nominated Silver digital card on the Air NZ mobile app handy to show to lounge hosts if requested. You can also gift one lounge eVoucher to a companion travelling with you on the same flight. Lounge access with eVouchers is subject to lounge space on the day.
More about lounges. Lounge access terms of use apply.
OneUp™ upgrades
OneUp is Air New Zealand's upgrade offer system that gives people travelling internationally on Air New Zealand flights the opportunity to move up one cabin class. In recognition of your loyalty to Air New Zealand, Nominated Silver members' OneUp offers will be upweighted by 10%.
Nominated Gold Tier Benefits
Enhance your travel experience with a range of Nominated Gold benefits.
When we receive an upgrade request, your Airpoints anniversary date is changed to that date, so you receive your Nominated Gold status right away.
Include your Airpoints number in bookings to receive your Nominated Gold benefits. You can view your Nominated Gold status and your digital Airpoints card by tapping on the Airpoints tab at the bottom menu of the Air NZ mobile app.
If you're already an Airpoints Gold or Airpoints Elite member (which entitles you to Star Alliance Gold Status) and you qualify for Star Alliance Gold Status with the HSBC Star Alliance Credit Card, you can indicate that you would like to receive Star Alliance Points instead of receiving Star Alliance Gold Status. Currently, you may receive 40,000 Star Alliance Points if you qualify (subject to change at any time).
Lounge access
Nominated Gold members may access any Air New Zealand, Star Alliance and partner airline lounge prior to departure on an Air New Zealand or Star Alliance operated flight, or an eligible partner flights.
As an Airpoints Nominated Gold member you may also invite one additional guest (travelling on the same service and subject to space) to join you in any Air New Zealand International, Domestic and Regional Lounge (excluding Koru Express, which does not allow guest entry), Star Alliance lounge and some partner lounges.
Please note that Star Alliance and partner lounge access regulations stipulate that any travellers, including children aged two years old and over are included as part of the member's guest allowance.
More about lounges. Lounge access terms of use apply.
OneUp upgrades
OneUp™ is Air New Zealand's upgrade offer system that gives people travelling on Air New Zealand the opportunity to move up one cabin class when travelling internationally. In recognition of your loyalty to Air New Zealand Nominated Gold members' OneUp offers will be upweighted by 30%.
More about OneUp.
Complimentary frequent flyer seating
Nominated Gold members have access to our frequent flyer seating located towards the front of the cabin on most Air New Zealand flights. These can be booked during the Seat Select process when booking online, by visiting My Bookings or by calling our contact centre. Frequent flyer seating is available to you on a first come first serve basis and available on any fare type purchased on Air New Zealand.
Baggage privileges
NZ domestic flights
Nominated Gold members may check in one extra bag (up to 23kg) on New Zealand domestic flights over and above their ticketed allowance for no additional charge, provided travel is on a fare that includes a checked bag. The maximum number of checked-in bags is 3, any additional or overweight bags will be charged as excess baggage. This offer is not applicable to customers travelling on Seat fares that do not have a baggage allowance.
International flights
Nominated Gold members may check in one extra bag (up to 23kg) on international flights at no extra charge. This is over and above the ticketed allowance, provided travel is on a fare that includes a checked bag. The total maximum number of checked-in bags is 3 and any additional or overweight bags will be charged as excess baggage. This offer is not applicable to customers travelling on Seat fares that do not have a baggage allowance.
Please note: Overweight and oversized bag charges still apply to any checked baggage allowance. The additional bag allowance (1 piece up to 23kg) cannot be used to offset overweight or oversized bag charges. Find more about checked-in baggage.
Carry-on bags
Nominated Gold members may take two pieces of carry-on baggage, with a combined total weight of 14kg with a maximum weight of either bag of up to 10kg. Find more about carry-on baggage.
Fast Bag
Nominated Gold members can pick up your bag from right beside the aircraft on Air New Zealand Link regional domestic flights. Find more about Fast Bag.
Priority travel benefits
Priority check-in
To speed up your journey through the airport, Nominated Gold members are invited to check in at the Premium counter when travelling on an Air New Zealand operated flight or the Star Alliance Gold counter when travelling on another Star Alliance flight. When travelling on flights operated by any of our partner airlines please check in with the operating carrier.
Priority boarding
Once boarding commences, you may board at your leisure on Air New Zealand and most Star Alliance flights.
Priority baggage claim
You will be among the first to collect your baggage after disembarking an Air New Zealand operated flight. This benefit also applies to most Star Alliance airline operated flights.
Discounted Business class award fares
Discounted long haul Business class fares are available in limited quantities to Nominated Gold members.
Extra Nominated Gold benefits
Frequent Flyer Status Boost
For every 10 Status Boost Journeys you take on an Air New Zealand operated flight during your Tier Status year, whether to Auckland or Los Angeles, we give you 15 bonus Status Points. It's a thank you for being an Nominated Gold frequent flyer. More about Frequent Flyer Status Boost.
No Airpoints Dollars™ expiry
Your Airpoints Dollars won't expire while you retain Nominated Gold status. If you move below Nominated Gold, you will have until your next anniversary of joining to use any Airpoints Dollars that were due to expire. If your next anniversary falls within two months of you moving below Nominated Gold, you will have a full two months to use your expiring points.
Extra gift recipients
You are able to nominate an additional two people to join your gifting register who do not share the same address as you, non-household giftees. This benefit is in addition to those who share the same address as you, your household giftees.
To register your household and non-household giftees sign in to your Air New Zealand account and choose Gifting Register under My Profile.
Star Alliance Gold benefits apply.
Frequently Asked Questions
If Air New Zealand is my preferred status carrier, when will my Airpoints account be updated with my new status after I've requested Star Alliance Silver or Star Alliance Gold with my HSBC Star Alliance Credit Card?
How long will my Nominated Silver or Nominated Gold status apply for?
What happens after my Nominated Silver or Nominated Gold status earned with my HSBC Star Alliance Credit Card ends?
What happens to my recognition upgrades if I upgrade from Airpoints Silver to Nominated Gold with my HSBC Star Alliance Credit Card?
What are my options if I'm already an Airpoints Gold or Airpoints Elite member, then qualify for a Star Alliance Gold status with my HSBC Star Alliance Credit Card?
What happens if Air New Zealand is my preferred status airline for my Star Alliance Rewards Program account and I qualify for Star Alliance Gold now with my HSBC Star Alliance Credit Card, but before my Airpoints anniversary I earn Airpoints Elite?
What happens if Air New Zealand is my preferred status airline for my Star Alliance Rewards Account and I qualify for Star Alliance Silver now with my HSBC Star Alliance Credit Card, but at my Airpoints anniversary I earn a higher Airpoints status?
Credit card provided by HSBC Bank Australia Limited ABN 48 006 434 162 Australian Credit License 232595. Offers available to new, approved HSBC credit cardholders. Fees, charges, terms, conditions and HSBC's lending criteria applies to all credit cards issued by HSBC. Visit www.hsbc.com.au or call 1 300 308 880. Interest rates are valid at the time of publication and are subject to change.
HSBC Star Alliance Rewards Terms and Conditions and Star Alliance Rewards Terms and Conditions apply.
Airpoints terms and conditions apply. Refer to co-operation of partners for more information.
* The benefits of Star Alliance Silver, Star Alliance Gold, Nominated Silver and Nominated Gold Status are subject to change.
¹ To be eligible for Fast Track to Star Alliance Gold status Welcome Offer, you must apply and be approved for a new HSBC Star Alliance Credit Card and spend $4,000 on eligible purchases within the first 90 days from account opening. Star Alliance Gold status is granted through the corresponding status tier in the Frequent Flyer Program (FFP) of the participating Star Alliance Member Airline you nominate as your Status Airline through the Star Alliance Rewards Program. Refer to the Star Alliance Rewards Terms and Conditions for available status tiers and additional terms and conditions. A status will be granted within 30 days after reaching the qualifying spend of $4,000, provided that your account is active and not in arrears. Your status will be granted until the first anniversary of your account opening or earlier, if you qualify for a higher status with your selected Frequent Flyer Program by any means. You may not be able to receive Star Alliance Gold status with a participating Frequent Flyer Program if you already hold, by any means, an equivalent or higher status with that Program (more information available on the Star Alliance Rewards Terms and Conditions). You may only request status with one participating Frequent Flyer Program each time you qualify and may not switch Programs during the duration of that status. Any status granted under the HSBC Star Alliance Credit Card (including any corresponding status tier in the Frequent Flyer Program of the participating Star Alliance Member Airline you nominate as your Status Airline) is withdrawn immediately if you close your HSBC Star Alliance Credit Card account. Offer is limited to new applicants only. Existing HSBC customers transferring from another HSBC credit card or customers who have held a HSBC Star Alliance Credit Card within the last 18 months are ineligible for this offer.
² Eligible purchases exclude interest free promotional purchases, balance transfers, cash transfers, business expenses, cash advances, fees and charges, BPAY®, any disputed transactions and government fees and charges.
3 A Star Alliance status is granted through the corresponding status tier in the Frequent Flyer Program (FFP) of the participating Star Alliance Member Airline you nominate as your Status Airline through the Star Alliance Rewards Program. Refer to the Star Alliance Rewards Terms and Conditions for available status tiers and additional terms and conditions. Generally, your status will be granted for at least 12 months or less if you qualify, by any means, for a higher status tier with your selected Frequent Flyer Program. Exceptions apply, please refer to the Star Alliance Rewards Terms and Conditions. The start date of your status may differ depending on the Frequent Flyer Program you select and may not be until the next anniversary of the opening of your card account (more information available on the Star Alliance Rewards Terms and Conditions). A status will not be granted unless your account is active and not in arrears. You may not be able to receive a status with a participating Frequent Flyer Program if you already hold, by any means, an equivalent or higher status with that Program (more information available on the Star Alliance Rewards Terms and Conditions). You may only request status with one participating Frequent Flyer Program each time you qualify and may not switch Programs during the duration of that Star Alliance status, or any Star Alliance status earned in the same qualification year. Any Star Alliance status granted under the HSBC Star Alliance Credit Card (including any corresponding status tier in the Frequent Flyer Program (FFP) of the participating Star Alliance Member Airline you nominate as your Status Airline) is withdrawn immediately if you close your HSBC Star Alliance Credit Card account.
4You must spend at least $30,000 on eligible purchases in each 12-month period starting from account opening. Eligible purchases exclude interest free and other promotions, balance transfers, cash transfers, business expenses, cash advances, fees and charges, BPAY®, any disputed transactions and government fees and charges.
5. Upon qualification of Star Alliance Gold status specified in 6, the rules in 3 and 6 apply instead of those of the Fast Track to Star Alliance Gold status Welcome Offer specified in 1.
6You must spend at least $60,000 on eligible purchases in each 12-month period starting from account opening. Eligible purchases exclude interest free promotional purchases, balance transfers, cash transfers, business expenses, cash advances, fees and charges, BPAY®, any disputed transactions and government fees and charges.
7Airpoints Nominated Silver members receive 2x single use lounge eVouchers per Air New Zealand Airpoints membership year. Lounge eVouchers are only valid during the active tier status, and will expire should the tier status change inside of 12 months.
8A year is based on your Card Anniversary as set out in the Star Alliance Rewards Program Terms and Conditions. The Card Anniversary refers to the first and each subsequent anniversary of the date when the HSBC Star Alliance Credit Card was issued to you.