Hong Kong and Macau - Overnight HKG transit questions inc. discount lodging

Not wishing to clutter up the forum with new threads incorrectly placed, I thought that I could get some good advice from those viewing a thread like this.

My wife and have to make an overnight connection in HKG arriving from PEK on Dragon Air ande connecting to Cathay first class the next morning.

Obviously we need some sort of overnight at an airport hotel like Regal or Marriott. We will be on active China visa so was wondering if immigration is still needed on arrival or does Dragon Air use a domestic gate/baggage claim area at HKG?

Is there any way we can confirm the availability of either free or airline discount rate transit hotel stay at HKG or do we have to make our own arrangements?

OK, the kicker in all this is that our ticket is a One-World (AA) issued free first class ticket

I would be very happy just to get an airline discount room rate (less than 1100 cny) if there is a polite way of securing this via Cathay or AA

Anybody with this experience at HKG?

Loma, request that the mods your post be moved over to the Hong Kong forum where it will get proper attention in short order by the HK pros there. Alert the mods using the little icon to the bottom of the left column under your handle and profile. (red triangle with the exclamation point in it)

HK has separate immigration from China, so if originating in PEK you will pass Chinese exit immigration there and be stamped out, where your Chinese visa (or that entry thereof) will become invalid. Most nationalities don't need a visa for HK for transit or for normal tourist visits, so that's not a worry in case you need to actually "enter" HK via immigration controls. I can't recall if there is an airside transit hotel you could stay at without formally entering HK or not, or an airport hotel where you could get a free/discount airline voucher for.

There is no "domestic" gate or luggage claim. Everything is "international"

There is no "transit hotel". You must go through immigration to reach the Regal Airport Hotel.

I think you'll be struggling to get an airport hotel for that price. And if by "free" you mean a ticket bought using AAdvantage miles then there's no way AA (or CX) will be helping you with a hotel - you're on your own.

As to whether you need a visa to enter Hong Kong, check here: http://www.immd.gov.hk/ehtml/hkvisas_4.htm

OK, the kicker in all this is that our ticket is a One-World (AA) issued free first class ticket

I would be very happy just to get an airline discount room rate (less than 1100 cny) if there is a polite way of securing this via Cathay or AA

Anybody with this experience at HKG?

Sorry, no airline would give free or discount room for a forced overnight if you have an award ticket. Since your ticket is free in the first place, even the hotel is a little pricey, it doesn't hurt that bad on your pocket right ?

Sorry, no airline would give free or discount room for a forced overnight if you have an award ticket. Since your ticket is free in the first place, even the hotel is a little pricey, it doesn't hurt that bad on your pocket right ?



Thanks all for the replies.

I had no hope for a free ticket, but some hope for an airline level discount on the hotel.

I guess the answer is no hope period

I remember in the old days it was easy to get a United Airlines 50% off coupon for the Hilton in OHare ... sob