The quickest way to Air Canada Gold status

Calling all readers with flights to Canada and the USA: here’s an opportunity to upgrade your travel with more perks and less stress by getting on the fast track to Gold-grade Air Canada status.

Air Canada is of course a great way to fly direct from Sydney to Vancouver, and onwards to the rest of Canada.

However, it’s also a smart way to fly into the USA – especially to cities like Seattle, Chicago and New York.

Air Canada’s unique Transborder facilities at Vancouver, Toronto, Montréal and Calgary offer U.S. Customs and Border Protection pre-clearance, for easy hassle-free entry into USA as a domestic passenger.

The Air Canada advantage

You can unlock a full year of Air Canada Aeroplan 50K status – which is equivalent to Gold status on more than two dozen partner airlines, across Star Alliance  as well as Virgin Australia – with the HSBC Star Alliance credit card.

All you need to do is spend just $4,000 on eligible purchases within 90 days of opening your account.

This spend can include your groceries, shopping, school fees, council rates, strata fees, and utilities.

Top tip: add an extra HSBC Star Alliance Gold cardholder to your account at no cost, so your partner’s spend also counts towards that $4,000 target.

With $4,000 spent on the HSBC Star Alliance credit card and Air Canada chosen as your card’s status airline, you’ll smile as you slide that Air Canada Aeroplan 50K card into your wallet or purse and enjoy a wealth of travel benefits all the way through to 2027.

Noteworthy: there’s no annual card fee for the first year, and you don’t even need to take a single Air Canada flight to earn your Aeroplan 50K status.

Air Canada is a great way to fly between Australia and Canada, but also across to the US.

Your complimentary Aeroplan 50K status perks

Here’s how Air Canada Aeroplan 50K status can upgrade your travels.

Access to over 1,000 airport lounges, even when flying in economy or premium economy.

Aeroplan 50K status unlocks the doors at over 1,000 airport lounges worldwide.

This covers Air Canada’s extensive network of Maple Leaf Lounges, plus most business class lounges of Star Alliance airlines around the world.

That roster is headlined by the likes of ANA, Air Canada, Air New Zealand, Thai Airways, United Airlines, Lufthansa and Swiss – plus you can also visit Virgin Australia and Emirates lounges.

You can also bring a guest travelling with you into all of those Air Canada and partner airline lounges.

15 eUpgrade credits which can be used for upgrades to business or premium economy on Air Canada, Air Canada Express and Air Canada Rouge.

Get priority upgrades and bonus eUpgrade credits with Air Canada Aeroplan 50K status.

Complimentary Standard Seat Selection on Air Canada flights, and Complimentary Preferred Seating for Canada and US flights.

Priority check-in, airport security and boarding on Air Canada, Virgin Australia and all Star Alliance airlines.

Speed through dedicated Gold Track priority security and immigration checkpoints.

A boosted baggage allowance: you get three complimentary checked bags (32kg each) on Air Canada flights, and there’s no fee for special items such as sports equipment.

Enjoy a free upgrade to ‘Business First Class’ on London’s Heathrow Express train.

You’ll also be earning Star Alliance Points on every dollar you spend with the HSBC Star Alliance credit card, starting at 1 Star Alliance Point per dollar.

Those points can be transferred into Air Canada Aeroplan points to bring your next upgrade or free flight even closer.

Set yourself up for smoother, smarter travel all the way through to 2027: take the fast track to Air Canada Aeroplan 50K status with the HSBC Star Alliance credit card – click here for more information and to apply.

This offer is available only to residents of Australia; see the HSBC Star Alliance Credit Card website for information, terms & conditions.