Hong Kong and Macau - Purchasing food at HKG in transit

Hi,

I have a friend travelling LHR to AKL vi HKG. As they are not a FF then they will need to buy a snack in the HKG terminal in between flights. Is it possible to buy food/drinks with foreign currency cash? I appreciate change given maybe in HK$. To complicate this they do not have a CC so cannot pay that way.

It is so long a time since I had to buy refreshments when in transit that I was totally lost when trying to answer their question.


John

Food outlets in HKG do not take foreign cash the last time I checked. Some shops may but I'll really doubt it'll be the shops that sell snacks (maybe those that sell duty free).

Your friend doesn't even have a UK/NZ debit Visa/MC card? Mind you, even if they do, not all food outlets take them.

But there's enough Travelex points throughout HKG restricted area http://www.hongkongairport.com/eng/shopping/insideshopping/all/money/trav.html . Your friend just has to know where they are and not care about the rate too much.

There might be ATM machines too. These are sometimes cheaper than Travelex depending on whether your bank charges for foreign withdrawals or not.

There might be ATM machines too. These are sometimes cheaper than Travelex depending on whether your bank charges for foreign withdrawals or not.

But probably get fixed overseas per-withdrawal fees...common in NZ/UK?

I know the food outlets and shops will accept USD and give you change in HK$. Not sure about other currencies though.

There are indeed ATMs airside as well, but given the sum exchanged would be quite small, I wouldn't worry about the Travelex rate too much.

But probably get fixed overseas per-withdrawal fees...common in NZ/UK?

Depends on the bank used in the UK and the bank used to withdraw the money from

There are banks ( such as Nationwide ) which have no atm fees and no currency commission charges and banks ( such as Barclays ) which do not charge a per transaction fee if using a partnet bank

The fixed fee otherwise would typically be 1.5% with GBP1.50 min

As far as buying some food, my recollection is that most outlets will take cards for payment , so just pay on debit card and there would be no fixed fee nor ending up with more HKD than wanted

After eating in HKG, any surplus change could always be donated to "Change for good" when onboard the departing aircraft. :)

[QF Mod Hat]

QF not quite the right place - will move this to the HK forum.

[/QF Mod Hat]

Many shops take USD and CNY (Chinese Yuan/Renminbi). They post the exchange rate (a poor one usually) at the cashier.

First of all, are you flying QF (as I see above, this thread has been moved here from the QF forum) or CX (LHR-HKG-AKL)?

Foreign currency (apart from the Renmenbi/Chinese yuan at some locations) is not accepted in Hong Kong.

A list of restaurants/shops can be found here: http://www.hongkongairport.com/eng/shopping/dining/all/dining.html . Try Tsui Wah Eatery if you want some good Chinese/Asian food. If you're only after some refreshments (drinks, etc.), you can buy a la carte at Burger King or McDonald's.

You could also consider donating some of your excess change (HKD) to UNICEF's Change For Good (as said above) if flying CX or using it for onboard duty free.

Many shops take USD and CNY (Chinese Yuan/Renminbi). They post the exchange rate (a poor one usually) at the cashier.

A list of restaurants/shops can be found here: http://www.hongkongairport.com/eng/shopping/dining/all/dining.html . Try Tsui Wah Eatery if you want some good Chinese/Asian food. If you're only after some refreshments (drinks, etc.), you can buy a la carte at Burger King or McDonald's.

Tsui Wah's very good for visitors who want to try local food (I can hear all the boos and eyes rolling from the local office crowd who have too much of it). Otherwise Burger King nearby

I normally go to one or the other (when travelling with family and can't get everyone into lounge). But I don't recall being given non-HKD exchange rates (even for USD or RMB) or credit card option in either outlet - it's HKD cash or Octopus card (local card).

Here's a thought...

1) Have them join Wexas (should be able to do this free)
2) They then get a Priority Pass card
3) At HKG they can use the Plaza Premium lounge for I believe £15 each - snacks, soft drinks and perhaps most welcome of all, a shower!


Must admit I'd never thought of them not being able to just use a credit card if in transit...

I don't believe they accept anything other than HKD or a credit card. Shouldn't be a problem to pick up some HKD during transit - plenty of exchange points.

Hi,

I have a friend travelling LHR to AKL vi HKG. As they are not a FF then they will need to buy a snack in the HKG terminal in between flights. Is it possible to buy food/drinks with foreign currency cash? I appreciate change given maybe in HK$. To complicate this they do not have a CC so cannot pay that way.

It is so long a time since I had to buy refreshments when in transit that I was totally lost when trying to answer their question.


John

It may be simply easier for your friend to apply for a credit card. It is ill advised to carry large amount of cash when travelling. Traveller cheques are not as readily acceptable as 20 years ago.

Many thanks for all the advice. My friend is rather old fashioned and just does not want to use CC or Debit cards. I doubt she would even know how to use an ATM.

She will be travelling with Travellers Cheques for the bulk of the holiday but I have told her to make sure she has some cash for the travelling. I know she will take a double hit in exchange rates but I have told her to buy some US$ notes in various denominations and exchange these as required.

Her return trip is via the US, so she can always use these up on that part of the trip.