Jun 12, 2016, 4:00 pm
Last edit by: GoSh4rks
Unofficial List of FFPs eligible for e-Channel as of January 21, 2017:
1. oneworld
American Airlines (AA) - Gold/Platinum/Platinum Pro*/Executive Platinum/ConciergeKey
British Airways (BA) - Silver/Gold/Premier
Cathay Pacific/DragonAir (CX/KA) – Green#/Silver/Gold/Diamond
Finnair (AY) - Silver/Gold/Platinum/VIP
Japan Airlines (JL) - Crystal/Sapphire/Diamond/JGC Card/JGC Sapphire/JGC Premier
Malaysia Airlines (MH) - Silver/Gold/Platinum
Qantas Airways (QF) - Gold/Platinum/Platinum One*/Chairman’s Lounge
Qatar Airways (QR) - Gold/Platinum*
S7 Airlines (S7) - Silver/Gold/Platinum
2. SkyTeam
Air France/KLM Royal Dutch Airlines (AF/KL) - Silver/Gold/Platinum/Club 2000/Club 2000 Skipper
China Airlines (CI) - Gold/Emerald/Paragon
China Southern Airlines (CZ) – Silver Card/Gold Card
Delta Air Lines (DL) - Silver Medallion!/Gold Medallion!/Platinum Medallion!/Diamond Medallion!
Garuda Indonesia Airlines (GA) - Silver/Gold/Platinum
Korean Air (KE) - Morning Calm/Morning Calm Premium/Million Miler
3. Star Alliance
Air Canada (AC) - Prestige 25K!/Elite 35K!/Elite 50K*/Elite 75K*/Super Elite 100K!
Air China (CA) - Silver/Gold/Platinum
Air New Zealand (NZ) - Silver/Gold/Elite
All Nippon Airways (NH) - Bronze/Platinum/Diamond/Super Flyer Club
Asiana Airlines (OZ) - Gold/Diamond/Diamond Plus/Platinum
Ethiopian Airlines (ET) - Silver/Gold
EVA Airways (BR) – Silver/Gold/Diamond
Lufthansa/Swiss International Air Lines (LH/LX)@ - Frequent Traveler/Senator/HON Circle
Singapore Airlines (SQ) – KrisFlyer Gold/PPS/Solitaire PPS
South African Airways (SA)– Gold/Platinum/Lifetime Platinum
Thai Airways (TG)- Silver/Gold/Platinum
Turkish Airlines (TK) - Classic Plus/Elite/Elite Plus
United Airlines (UA) - Premier Silver/Premier Gold/Premier 1K/ Global Services
4. Non-alliance
Hainan Airlines/Hong Kong Airlines/Hong Kong Express (HU/HX/UO) - Silver Card/Gold Card/Platinum Card*
Jet Airways (9W)- Silver/Gold/Platinum
Philippines Airlines (PR) - Classic#!/Elite/Premier Elite/Million Miler
Royal Brunei Airlines (BI) - Gold Elite
Virgin Atlantic Airways (VS)- Silver/Gold
Key:
Note:
1. oneworld
American Airlines (AA) - Gold/Platinum/Platinum Pro*/Executive Platinum/ConciergeKey
British Airways (BA) - Silver/Gold/Premier
Cathay Pacific/DragonAir (CX/KA) – Green#/Silver/Gold/Diamond
Finnair (AY) - Silver/Gold/Platinum/VIP
Japan Airlines (JL) - Crystal/Sapphire/Diamond/JGC Card/JGC Sapphire/JGC Premier
Malaysia Airlines (MH) - Silver/Gold/Platinum
Qantas Airways (QF) - Gold/Platinum/Platinum One*/Chairman’s Lounge
Qatar Airways (QR) - Gold/Platinum*
S7 Airlines (S7) - Silver/Gold/Platinum
2. SkyTeam
Air France/KLM Royal Dutch Airlines (AF/KL) - Silver/Gold/Platinum/Club 2000/Club 2000 Skipper
China Airlines (CI) - Gold/Emerald/Paragon
China Southern Airlines (CZ) – Silver Card/Gold Card
Delta Air Lines (DL) - Silver Medallion!/Gold Medallion!/Platinum Medallion!/Diamond Medallion!
Garuda Indonesia Airlines (GA) - Silver/Gold/Platinum
Korean Air (KE) - Morning Calm/Morning Calm Premium/Million Miler
3. Star Alliance
Air Canada (AC) - Prestige 25K!/Elite 35K!/Elite 50K*/Elite 75K*/Super Elite 100K!
Air China (CA) - Silver/Gold/Platinum
Air New Zealand (NZ) - Silver/Gold/Elite
All Nippon Airways (NH) - Bronze/Platinum/Diamond/Super Flyer Club
Asiana Airlines (OZ) - Gold/Diamond/Diamond Plus/Platinum
Ethiopian Airlines (ET) - Silver/Gold
EVA Airways (BR) – Silver/Gold/Diamond
Lufthansa/Swiss International Air Lines (LH/LX)@ - Frequent Traveler/Senator/HON Circle
Singapore Airlines (SQ) – KrisFlyer Gold/PPS/Solitaire PPS
South African Airways (SA)– Gold/Platinum/Lifetime Platinum
Thai Airways (TG)- Silver/Gold/Platinum
Turkish Airlines (TK) - Classic Plus/Elite/Elite Plus
United Airlines (UA) - Premier Silver/Premier Gold/Premier 1K/ Global Services
4. Non-alliance
Hainan Airlines/Hong Kong Airlines/Hong Kong Express (HU/HX/UO) - Silver Card/Gold Card/Platinum Card*
Jet Airways (9W)- Silver/Gold/Platinum
Philippines Airlines (PR) - Classic#!/Elite/Premier Elite/Million Miler
Royal Brunei Airlines (BI) - Gold Elite
Virgin Atlantic Airways (VS)- Silver/Gold
Key:
- # - Base level (non-status)
- * - New levels not included in ID's list but should be qualified.
- ! - Current name for the status levels
- @ - Miles & More is also the FFP for Adria/Austrian Airlines/Brussels Airlines/Croatia Airlines/LOT Polish Airlines. They are not included in ID's list but should be qualified.
Note:
- Please refer to Immigration Department's website for the enrollment eligibility (Select "e-Channel Service for Frequent Visitors"), as well as the hours and locations of the enrollment offices. As of October 2, 2018, airport hours are North Hall: 7:30a-11:00p and South Hall: 10:00a-6:00p, and Immigration Building, Wan Chai, M-F 8:45a-5p.
- If your FFP is not included above, assume that you are not qualified to enroll "e-Channel Service for Frequent Visitors" through your FFP membership. You may be still eligible to enroll "e-Channel Service for Frequent Visitors" if 1) you are a visitor using either HKSAR Travel Pass or APEC Business Travel Card with HKG endorsement; 2) you have entered and exited via HKG more than 3 times within last 12 months of the enrollment;
- If you are not qualified to enroll "e-Channel Service for Frequent Visitors", you may be still eligible to enroll e-Channel Service through a qualified travel document (Australian Passport/German Passport/Singaporean Passport/ROK Passport/Mainland Exit-Entry Permit with qualified endorsements/Macau ID);
- Kingfisher Airlines (IT) is included in ID's list but excluded above as it has ceased operation.
Anecdotal reports suggest a physical (i.e. non-digital) FFP membership card is REQUIRED to enroll "e-Channel Service for Frequent Visitors" through your FFP membership.- Electronic FF cards are accepted.
- E-Channel renewals/transfers onto a new passport involve taking your old sticker off your expired passport and transferring it to the new passport. New stickers are still issued for first time enrollees.
Apply for E-Channel with FF status
Jun 26, 2016, 5:03 am
#61
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: LCA/KUL/RGN
Programs: RJ Gold, AZ E+, Air Asia Platinum
Posts: 2,189
Jun 26, 2016, 9:42 am
#62
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Shanghai
Posts: 42,031
I agree with your point in the general sense, but in the instant case, there's no denying the fact that machines are much faster than humans.
With respect to the theory behind the policy, I maintain that the air travel focus is not logical.
Basically, a guy who travels SFO-ORD 6 times a year on UA is welcome to the program, while a guy who does Shekou-HK 100 times per year is not. This makes no sense to me.
With respect to the theory behind the policy, I maintain that the air travel focus is not logical.
Basically, a guy who travels SFO-ORD 6 times a year on UA is welcome to the program, while a guy who does Shekou-HK 100 times per year is not. This makes no sense to me.
Jun 26, 2016, 10:41 am
#63
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 3,097
Remember that Germans, Singaporeans, Koreans and Australians can enroll with no pre-conditions. Indeed, I think Immigration encourages them to do so.
What with computers now doing most of the background check, Immigration officers don't play much screening role anymore, at least in dealing with visitors from developed countries. I suspect that over time, citizens from more developed countries will be able to enroll in e-channel regardless whether they frequently visit Hong Kong or not. I just think Immigration is going to roll this out gradually. For example, they're probably using this time as a testing period to develop a profile of visitors who should not be granted e-channel status.
(As to the airport limitation, it wouldn't surprise me if the Airport Authority is funding this in part, as a courtesy to air travellers, hence the airport limitation.)
What with computers now doing most of the background check, Immigration officers don't play much screening role anymore, at least in dealing with visitors from developed countries. I suspect that over time, citizens from more developed countries will be able to enroll in e-channel regardless whether they frequently visit Hong Kong or not. I just think Immigration is going to roll this out gradually. For example, they're probably using this time as a testing period to develop a profile of visitors who should not be granted e-channel status.
(As to the airport limitation, it wouldn't surprise me if the Airport Authority is funding this in part, as a courtesy to air travellers, hence the airport limitation.)
Jun 26, 2016, 2:42 pm
#64
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: ZOA, SFO, HKG
Programs: UA 1K 0.9MM, Marriott Gold, HHonors Gold, Hertz PC, SBux Gold, TSA Pre✓
Posts: 13,811
But I use Lok Ma Chau Station and Lo Wu. And you can tell how a big mess it is.
7 million are not enough for many?
Remember - all HKID holders are eligible to use e-Channel without enrollment.
To a visitor, yes - the e-Channel will allow the visitor to skip the initial interview. Hence a faster processing time.
But to a resident, no - the e-Channel takes more time to process.
As I said, there is a separate e-Channel enrollment program for these people (Shekou-HK 100 times per year).
Jun 26, 2016, 8:49 pm
#65
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: NUW
Programs: Amex Plat, UA, AA ExPlat, AS, HHonors Diamond, Avis Preferred, Marriott, Priority Pass
Posts: 150
Just returned from my HKG MR. I am AA ExPlat. No wait. Less than 5 mins. The North location of the eChannell enrollment office was closed. I exited the immigration doors and walked south and re entered the doors to immigration to the South office even though the sliding doors says "No Entry" on them. I was directed by several custom officers that it was ok to do this. I didn't get any questions when I re entered the doors to go to the eChannel office. Can't wait to use it for my next MR.
Jun 26, 2016, 11:35 pm
#66
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Macau, Hong Kong, Shanghai
Posts: 648
Remember that Germans, Singaporeans, Koreans and Australians can enroll with no pre-conditions. Indeed, I think Immigration encourages them to do so.
What with computers now doing most of the background check, Immigration officers don't play much screening role anymore, at least in dealing with visitors from developed countries. I suspect that over time, citizens from more developed countries will be able to enroll in e-channel regardless whether they frequently visit Hong Kong or not. I just think Immigration is going to roll this out gradually. For example, they're probably using this time as a testing period to develop a profile of visitors who should not be granted e-channel status.
(As to the airport limitation, it wouldn't surprise me if the Airport Authority is funding this in part, as a courtesy to air travellers, hence the airport limitation.)
What with computers now doing most of the background check, Immigration officers don't play much screening role anymore, at least in dealing with visitors from developed countries. I suspect that over time, citizens from more developed countries will be able to enroll in e-channel regardless whether they frequently visit Hong Kong or not. I just think Immigration is going to roll this out gradually. For example, they're probably using this time as a testing period to develop a profile of visitors who should not be granted e-channel status.
(As to the airport limitation, it wouldn't surprise me if the Airport Authority is funding this in part, as a courtesy to air travellers, hence the airport limitation.)
Jun 28, 2016, 1:57 am
#67
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Crete, Cambodia
Programs: OWS,E+,A3Gold,TK+
Posts: 107
@garykung thanks, and I also couldn't say that the list is definitely upto date and have also cross ref this list and found some irregularity, and the ring binder was actually falling to pieces and several pages fell out and if anyone can add to the list I'll be sure to update. There is one page on photos taken I couldn't decipher could possibly be JAL but I'm not familiar with there cards. See below if anyone nows which member it is.
And it is listed benefit on JAL own website .
Basic American card is crossed out on the image. Not accepted most of basic cards show in images from book but have faint red cross through which is not well seen in images.
And Thai ffp cards listed in book are older than currently issued with different designs and basic is listed yet Thai say not applicable.
This was from enrollment office by immigration 69 far to the right of what was open immigration lines and before baggage after immigration.
And it is listed benefit on JAL own website .
Basic American card is crossed out on the image. Not accepted most of basic cards show in images from book but have faint red cross through which is not well seen in images.
And Thai ffp cards listed in book are older than currently issued with different designs and basic is listed yet Thai say not applicable.
This was from enrollment office by immigration 69 far to the right of what was open immigration lines and before baggage after immigration.
Last edited by Liams; Jun 28, 2016 at 2:04 am
Jul 6, 2016, 2:42 am
#68
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: ZOA, SFO, HKG
Programs: UA 1K 0.9MM, Marriott Gold, HHonors Gold, Hertz PC, SBux Gold, TSA Pre✓
Posts: 13,811
As promised, the following is an update from the Immigration Department:
* Redacted per FT Rule.
Our Ref.: *_____________________________
Dear Mr. Kung,
Code on Access to Information
We have received your application dated 1 July 2016 seeking access to information relating to e-Channel Services for Frequent Visitors.
As your request for information involves consultation with various parties concerned, we are unable to provide you with the information sought at this stage. Pursuant to paragraph [1.16] [1.18] of the Code, you will be advised further in relation to your request on or before 21 July 2016.
Yours sincerely,
*_______________
for Director of Immigration
Dear Mr. Kung,
Code on Access to Information
We have received your application dated 1 July 2016 seeking access to information relating to e-Channel Services for Frequent Visitors.
As your request for information involves consultation with various parties concerned, we are unable to provide you with the information sought at this stage. Pursuant to paragraph [1.16] [1.18] of the Code, you will be advised further in relation to your request on or before 21 July 2016.
Yours sincerely,
*_______________
for Director of Immigration
Jul 7, 2016, 12:53 am
#69
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: AUH
Posts: 8,265
Just a tip for anyone wishing to enroll but put off with the long queues in the arrivals hall:
There is an enrolment centre on the 7th floor of the Immigration Tower, which is located in Wan Chai close to the Grand Hyatt/Exhibition Centre. Nearest MTR stop Wan Chai.
Open from 0845 to 1700 Mon-Fri. Not a soul there when I went this morning to switch over to a new passport.
There is an enrolment centre on the 7th floor of the Immigration Tower, which is located in Wan Chai close to the Grand Hyatt/Exhibition Centre. Nearest MTR stop Wan Chai.
Open from 0845 to 1700 Mon-Fri. Not a soul there when I went this morning to switch over to a new passport.
Jul 7, 2016, 6:29 am
#70
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Houston
Programs: UA GS 2.6MM & Lifetime UC, Qantas Platinum, Hilton Lifetime Diamond, Bonvoy Platinum, HawaiianMiles
Posts: 8,694
Just a tip for anyone wishing to enroll but put off with the long queues in the arrivals hall:
There is an enrolment centre on the 7th floor of the Immigration Tower, which is located in Wan Chai close to the Grand Hyatt/Exhibition Centre. Nearest MTR stop Wan Chai.
Open from 0845 to 1700 Mon-Fri. Not a soul there when I went this morning to switch over to a new passport.
There is an enrolment centre on the 7th floor of the Immigration Tower, which is located in Wan Chai close to the Grand Hyatt/Exhibition Centre. Nearest MTR stop Wan Chai.
Open from 0845 to 1700 Mon-Fri. Not a soul there when I went this morning to switch over to a new passport.
Jul 7, 2016, 11:21 am
#72
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Houston
Programs: UA GS 2.6MM & Lifetime UC, Qantas Platinum, Hilton Lifetime Diamond, Bonvoy Platinum, HawaiianMiles
Posts: 8,694
Jul 14, 2016, 10:23 pm
#74
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: ZOA, SFO, HKG
Programs: UA 1K 0.9MM, Marriott Gold, HHonors Gold, Hertz PC, SBux Gold, TSA Pre✓
Posts: 13,811
As promised, I have obtained the entire list from the Immigration Department.
I have updated the Wiki accordingly.
I have updated the Wiki accordingly.
Jul 30, 2016, 5:40 pm
#75
Join Date: Aug 2004
Programs: AA (EP), Hilton (Diamond), Marriott Bonvoy (Titanium)
Posts: 8,937
In theory, yes, but in practice much depends on the people using the machines. I've been in line behind many people who had no idea how to use kiosks for HKIA E-Channel, Global Entry, UK border automated gates, etc.
Last edited by anabolism; Aug 21, 2016 at 1:55 pm Reason: fix typo
