HKIA Frequent Arrivals Card

[Isochronous]

I just had an interesting visit to the HKIA frequent visitor enrolment office..

She didn't have a picture of a QF Platinum card in her folder so she wouldn't accept it. There was a Silver, Gold and Chairman's Lounge picture but no WP.

luckily I also took my TK Gold card which she did accept, but entered the details as SQ.

It registers the passport, you don't get a card anymore. You scan the passport then do finger prints.

HK doesn't stamp passports anymore either, they just staple a receipt which gets removed when you leave.

I dislike that change - I liked getting the stamp.

 

[Mal]

I dislike that change - I liked getting the stamp.

The passport gates started issuing paper receipts about a year ago. I did prefer the stickers... As I do like to be able to trace my travel through passport.

 

[coles525]

I
HK doesn't stamp passports anymore either, they just staple a receipt which gets removed when you leave.

I've got 2 stapled paper entry "passes" in my passport from only last month.

Still there now, as I type.

But dont get any exit passes or stamps now though .

 

[cmon0005]

I've got 2 stapled paper entry "passes" in my passport from only last month.

Still there now, as I type.

But dont get any exit passes or stamps now though .

I was there a few weeks ago, my stapled entry pass still remains in my passport as well.

 

[SeatBackForward]

I was there a few weeks ago, my stapled entry pass still remains in my passport as well.

LOL, ok thats what I was told. I'm heading out tonight, but will be back in HKG on Friday so will have two more data points.

 

[serfty]

So the barcode they stuck to the back of the PP is no longer required?

 

[moa999]

Went through this week (a few times - HK twice, LoWu once)

Finally spotted an echannel line that was short (only four people) after scanning both the right and left booths.. Still took over 20 minutes.
had previously had a 2.5yr sticker (courtesy of old APEC card) and got it updated to life of passport (using QF card).
Just issued me with a new barcoded sticker and put it over the old one.

eChannel has not given stamps ever. At one point you got a sticker that you put in passport. More recently (last three years) it has just been a paper slip.

It now appears that the paper slips are given to everyone, stapled with the passenger declaration into the passport.

 

[Mal]

So the barcode they stuck to the back of the PP is no longer required?

I don't think it is.

 

[moa999]

Although I got a new barcoded sticker for my Aus Passport this week.

I did note the person before me (Chinese Passport) got a non-barcoded sticker on the back of their passport.

 

[HKGNZL]

I often find that there are absolutely no people lining up for the two windows for APEC while there are lots more for the e-channel. Have also been stuck behind someone whose finger print couldn't get pass the e channel holding up the queue for 10 min.

 

[HKGNZL]

On a separate note HKIA recently starts giving me grief that my first and last name were too short (both only three letters) and insisted that I go to get my middle name included in the boarding pass which requires lining up at check in counter again. Most times the counter guys stamp it with a special stamp rather than adding my middle name. Has anyone had similar experience?

 

[madrooster]

On a separate note HKIA recently starts giving me grief that my first and last name were too short (both only three letters) and insisted that I go to get my middle name included in the boarding pass which requires lining up at check in counter again. Most times the counter guys stamp it with a special stamp rather than adding my middle name. Has anyone had similar experience?

That's certainly interesting - especially given that people of asian background are the most likely to have a short name.

 

[JessicaTam]

On a separate note HKIA recently starts giving me grief that my first and last name were too short (both only three letters) and insisted that I go to get my middle name included in the boarding pass which requires lining up at check in counter again. Most times the counter guys stamp it with a special stamp rather than adding my middle name. Has anyone had similar experience?

Are you Red Roo?

 

[HKGNZL]

That's certainly interesting - especially given that people of asian background are the most likely to have a short name.

That includes me. One time I was at airport several hours early planning to use F lounge but they won't accept my short name from the on line check in boarding pass. I was flying TK and their check in wont open till 2-3 hrs before flight. I had to go back to express checkin counter in town to change the boarding pass. I was furious.

I am interested if they apply the same rule to Caucasians. I threaten to complain that as a form of racial discrimination. They reassured me it applies to everyone! But I have no easy way to confirm.

 

[markis10]

Signed up yesterday for the e-channel using WP credentials, only delay was the lady in front who was denied because she did not have FF status and she was on her third visit, need to be on your fourth to apply apparently.

 

[coles525]

Do you have a link / info on who is allowed?

Currently bronze, non business travellers. ..

Either 3rd or 4th visit shall occur next year...

Wouldn't often actually go anywhere often, but if it's for life/long term I would be interested.

Signed up yesterday for the e-channel using WP credentials, only delay was the lady in front who was denied because she did not have FF status and she was on her third visit, need to be on your fourth to apply apparently.

 

[cosi]

My wife is QF silver and was denied.

HK immigration had a photocopy of QF frequent flyer cards which only had Gold and Platinum cards.

Also transit visits do not count.

 

[ComeFlyWithMe]

Just adding to this, it has absolutely nothing to do with your frequent flyer card or status. 3 (previous) visits in 12 months required, apply on 4th visit. They check so don't lie.
Sticker is attached to your passport, and I was not asked to present any frequent flyer card. This is the Frequent Visitor e-Channel. The cards are being phased out apparently.

It's a very speedy way of getting into and out of HK, and I would highly recommend it if you, like me, get there more than 4 or 5 times a year.

 

[markis10]

Just adding to this, it has absolutely nothing to do with your frequent flyer card or status. 3 (previous) visits in 12 months required, apply on 4th visit. They check so don't lie.
Sticker is attached to your passport, and I was not asked to present any frequent flyer card. This is the Frequent Visitor e-Channel. The cards are being phased out apparently.

It's a very speedy way of getting into and out of HK, and I would highly recommend it if you, like me, get there more than 4 or 5 times a year.

Having elite status means you can get e channel access as part of your first visit in 6 years, as was my case posted above.

You are eligible to enroll for use of the e-Channel service if you are:


Aged 18 or above;
Holding a valid travel document and where appropriate, valid multiple visit visa;
Holding one of the following documents:
HKSAR Travel Pass;
APEC Business Travel Card with ‘HKG’ printed on the reverse side;
Hong Kong International Airport Frequent Visitor Card
Frequent Flyer Programme membership card issued by airlines which have joined this scheme (please enquire with your airline).

I believe WP and SG qualify in the case of QF, as that's what they had pictures of in terms of sample cards in their "bible".


The list of program participants as of late last year:

Air Canada
Air China
Air France
Air New Zealand: Airpoints Silver, Gold, Gold Elite
ANA
Asiana Airlines
British Airways: Executive Club Silver, Gold
Cathay Pacific
Dragonair
China Airlines
China Southern
Delta
Ethiopian
Eva Airways
Finnair
Hainan Airlines
Hong Kong Airlines
Hong Kong Express
Japan Airlines
Jet Airways
Kingfisher
KLM
Korean Air
Lufthansa: All Miles & More Members
Malaysia Airlines: Enrich Silver, Gold and Platinum
Philippine Airlines
Qantas: Gold, Platinum, Platinum One, Chairman’s Lounge
Qatar Airways
Royal Brunei
Singapore Airlines: KrisFlyer Elite Gold and PPS Club
Swiss: All Miles & More members
Thai Airways
United: Premier Silver, Premier Gold, Premier Platinum, Premier 1K, Global Services
Virgin Atlantic: Flying Club Gold

Source http://first2board.com/lufthansafly...requent-visitor-program-enrollment-easy-easy/

 

[legroom]

Would an e-channeller be able to assist his companion ?

I suspect not ... Finger print and all that.... But I do not know.

Thanks

Having elite status means you can get e channel access as part of your first visit in 6 years, as was my case posted above.



I believe WP and SG qualify in the case of QF, as that's what they had pictures of in terms of sample cards in their "bible".


The list of program participants as of late last year:

Air Canada
Air China
Air France
Air New Zealand: Airpoints Silver, Gold, Gold Elite
ANA
Asiana Airlines
British Airways: Executive Club Silver, Gold
Cathay Pacific
Dragonair
China Airlines
China Southern
Delta
Ethiopian
Eva Airways
Finnair
Hainan Airlines
Hong Kong Airlines
Hong Kong Express
Japan Airlines
Jet Airways
Kingfisher
KLM
Korean Air
Lufthansa: All Miles & More Members
Malaysia Airlines: Enrich Silver, Gold and Platinum
Philippine Airlines
Qantas: Gold, Platinum, Platinum One, Chairman’s Lounge
Qatar Airways
Royal Brunei
Singapore Airlines: KrisFlyer Elite Gold and PPS Club
Swiss: All Miles & More members
Thai Airways
United: Premier Silver, Premier Gold, Premier Platinum, Premier 1K, Global Services
Virgin Atlantic: Flying Club Gold

Source http://first2board.com/lufthansafly...requent-visitor-program-enrollment-easy-easy/