Travel hack: get global airport lounge access with one credit card

Make your escape plan from those crowded terminals.

By Staff Writers, March 25 2025
Travel hack: get global airport lounge access with one credit card

Frequent travellers know the pain of being stuck in a crowded airport terminal, searching for a seat near a power outlet while balancing an overpriced coffee.

But what if you could swap that chaos for a quiet lounge with ample seating, complimentary food and drink (including a well-stocked bar) and space to either get some work done or relax and unwind before your flight?

That’s why the HSBC Star Alliance Gold credit card is like a secret weapon for travellers.

This one card opens the doors to more than 1,000 airport lounges around the world.

And that’s lounge access for you and a guest, even if you’re flying in premium economy or economy.

So how does it work? The HSBC Star Alliance Gold credit card includes a year of complimentary Gold frequent flyer status across the Star Alliance group of airlines.

And lounge access is among the top-rated perks of Gold status, along with other practical benefits such free seat selection, a boosted checked luggage allowance, priority boarding, and more.

The Star Alliance family spans an impressive roster of 25 airlines, including the following:

  • Aegean Airlines
  • Air Canada
  • Air China
  • Air India
  • Air New Zealand
  • ANA
  • Asiana Airlines
  • Austrian Airlines
  • EVA Air
  • Lufthansa
  • Singapore Airlines
  • South African Airways
  • Swiss
  • Thai Airways
  • Turkish Airlines
  • United Airlines

So when you’re flying on any Star Alliance member airline, you can always count on airport lounge access.

The HSBC Star Alliance Gold credit card provides complimentary Gold status in your choice of the following seven Star Alliance airlines:

  • Air Canada
  • Air New Zealand
  • EVA Air
  • Singapore Airlines
  • South African Airways
  • Thai Airways
  • United Airlines

And Gold status in any of those airlines’ frequent flyer programs – such as Air Canada Aeroplan or Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer – is recognised across all Star Alliance member airlines, which is where that worldwide lounge access comes into the picture.

As a bonus, three of those airlines – Air Canada, Singapore Airlines and United Airlines – are partners with Virgin Australia, so they also provide access to Virgin’s lounges (along with other Velocity Gold-grade benefits) whenever you fly on VA.

To unlock your complimentary Gold status with the HSBC Star Alliance Gold credit card, all you need to do is spend just $4,000 on eligible purchases within 90 days of opening your account.

That $4,000 spend can include your groceries, shopping, school fees, council rates, strata fees, and utilities – so you can appreciate how easy it is to hit that $4,000 target and begin enjoying those Gold-plated travel perks.

By comparison, you’d have to spend anywhere from around $20,000-$25,000 in business class airfares to reach Gold status by flying with most airlines.

So set yourself up for smoother, smarter travel in 2025 and take the fast track to Gold status with the HSBC Star Alliance Gold 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.