We helped Star Alliance launch the world's first airline-alliance credit card with HSBC

Ellipsis developed an industry-first, highly compelling loyalty proposition: the HSBC Star Alliance Credit Card. Star Alliance — together with their member airlines — approached Ellipsis to design and support the launch of a disruptive rewards offering in the Australian market. The brief required a full review of the global competitor landscape spanning financial services and travel, and Ellipsis remains involved in ongoing program operation and optimisation.

Our loyalty consulting team led commercial negotiations with the participating Star Alliance member airlines and built the program's business case, P&L and end-to-end finance management process. We developed the project governance and implementation support across complex platform development, multiple system integrations, and end-to-end testing with all partners. We also designed and coordinated the launch strategy with HSBC and the member airlines, and continue to manage program optimisation reviews focused on product development, program performance and Return on Loyalty®.

The HSBC Star Alliance Credit Card was awarded the Canstar Innovation Excellence Award. The proposition received praise across the industry: "There's never been a credit card linked to an [airline] alliance rewards program — this offering didn't exist." — Daniel Sciberras, Editor-in-Chief, Points Hacks.