HKG: Exiting the airport after going to the lounge
Feb 26, 2013, 9:34 am
#16
Join Date: Jun 2007
Programs: United
Posts: 207
Technically you can arrive
-> enter immigration
-> walk past luggage area...."enter" HK
-> head back up stairs to "departure" HK
-> go through security / immigration
-> enjoy the Wing
-----------> then "enter" HK again. There's a special route for this, but it's not the usual flow of traffic. But there is a way to get back out of airport again. You would have to inquire one of the airport staff.
-> Head into town for dinner
-> go through security / immigration / lounge / fly
Whether it's worth the hassle to go find that route to be allow out of the airport again...would really depend on you. How long do you plan to stay in Wing working for?
-> enter immigration
-> walk past luggage area...."enter" HK
-> head back up stairs to "departure" HK
-> go through security / immigration
-> enjoy the Wing
-----------> then "enter" HK again. There's a special route for this, but it's not the usual flow of traffic. But there is a way to get back out of airport again. You would have to inquire one of the airport staff.
-> Head into town for dinner
-> go through security / immigration / lounge / fly
Whether it's worth the hassle to go find that route to be allow out of the airport again...would really depend on you. How long do you plan to stay in Wing working for?
Feb 26, 2013, 9:48 am
#17
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: 0°48′24″N 176°36′59″W
Programs: Taiwan is a country.
Posts: 1,206
take the lift near the food court on departures across from Disney store to arrivals level. Explain to security staff you want to enter HK, they will let walk out passed screening area into arrival area.. and enter as you would normally.
Done.
The misinformation on this site is staggering some times.
Done.
The misinformation on this site is staggering some times.
Jul 24, 2013, 4:44 pm
#18
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: SIN
Programs: TK-G | Accor P | SQ-G | Marriott T
Posts: 3,831
take the lift near the food court on departures across from Disney store to arrivals level. Explain to security staff you want to enter HK, they will let walk out passed screening area into arrival area.. and enter as you would normally.
Done.
The misinformation on this site is staggering some times.
Done.
The misinformation on this site is staggering some times.
In my opinion there should be a valid reason for this, like flight delay and the airlines need to send you to hotel.
Other than that why it should be allowed?
Jul 24, 2013, 4:53 pm
#19
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 6,978
take the lift near the food court on departures across from Disney store to arrivals level. Explain to security staff you want to enter HK, they will let walk out passed screening area into arrival area.. and enter as you would normally.
Done.
The misinformation on this site is staggering some times.
Done.
The misinformation on this site is staggering some times.
As for Wing going back out to HK, very doable. Not as easy as he suggests thought. There will be security guarding going backwards, you have to convinced him/her and they will generally be annoyed and need to escort you, and you do have to go through customs, you can't just "walk out"
Last edited by Cathay Boy; Jul 24, 2013 at 4:59 pm
Jul 24, 2013, 11:36 pm
#20
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,513
Well, the going to Wing part is like everyone said. You have onward BP, go through transit security, head on up, go to Wing.
As for Wing going back out to HK, very doable. Not as easy as he suggests thought. There will be security guarding going backwards, you have to convinced him/her and they will generally be annoyed and need to escort you, and you do have to go through customs, you can't just "walk out"
As for Wing going back out to HK, very doable. Not as easy as he suggests thought. There will be security guarding going backwards, you have to convinced him/her and they will generally be annoyed and need to escort you, and you do have to go through customs, you can't just "walk out"
1) tell the lounge u need to go out
2) They will give u a slip with their stamp on it
3) Goto the Route visa the Disney store lifts back to transit security in arrivals.
4) Hand the paper to the seucrity guard and I NEVER got even a wink or hinderance
5) Then you are back in Arrivals and just go through immigration and customs. Simple as that.
Dec 21, 2013, 3:53 pm
#21
Join Date: Jan 2009
Programs: Hilton Diamond, IHG Spire Ambassador, Radisson Gold, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 3,622
I just did this a few days ago.
I flew in from LAX in F, flight arrived at 6 a.m. I had a connection on KA in J to Phnom Penh at 4 p.m.
Exited the plane, followed signs for transit, went through transit security, went to The Wing. Asked for a cabana, used it to shower, change clothes, etc. Got something to eat.
Around 10 a.m. I told one of the lounge desk ladies that I wanted to go into town. She did act like it was an unusual request/imposition. She asked when my connecting flight was; I think if I only had 3-4 hours she would have argued that I didn't have enough time. She then asked if I was an F or J passenger, maybe they are less accommodating of this request for J passengers.
She told me to have a seat and wait for an airline staff member to escort me to immigration, which she said might take a while. I asked if I could just go down to arrivals myself and she said no I needed an escort. I asked another agent if I could leave my bag in the lounge while I went into town and he said no, then he said they did have a luggage rack where I could leave my bag but it wasn't secure.
About twenty minutes later, an airline staff lady showed up to escort me to arrivals, which didn't consist of anything more than walking me to the elevator and then telling the security officer at arrivals level that I was going into town, then we walked into the immigration hall. I left my carry on bag at the left luggage office and took the train to Central (same day return ticket costs the same as a one way ticket), took the MTR to the Museum of Art, then Star Ferry back to Central, and train back to the airport. Went back to The Wing and showed my boarding passes and asked if I could re-enter and that was no problem.
I flew in from LAX in F, flight arrived at 6 a.m. I had a connection on KA in J to Phnom Penh at 4 p.m.
Exited the plane, followed signs for transit, went through transit security, went to The Wing. Asked for a cabana, used it to shower, change clothes, etc. Got something to eat.
Around 10 a.m. I told one of the lounge desk ladies that I wanted to go into town. She did act like it was an unusual request/imposition. She asked when my connecting flight was; I think if I only had 3-4 hours she would have argued that I didn't have enough time. She then asked if I was an F or J passenger, maybe they are less accommodating of this request for J passengers.
She told me to have a seat and wait for an airline staff member to escort me to immigration, which she said might take a while. I asked if I could just go down to arrivals myself and she said no I needed an escort. I asked another agent if I could leave my bag in the lounge while I went into town and he said no, then he said they did have a luggage rack where I could leave my bag but it wasn't secure.
About twenty minutes later, an airline staff lady showed up to escort me to arrivals, which didn't consist of anything more than walking me to the elevator and then telling the security officer at arrivals level that I was going into town, then we walked into the immigration hall. I left my carry on bag at the left luggage office and took the train to Central (same day return ticket costs the same as a one way ticket), took the MTR to the Museum of Art, then Star Ferry back to Central, and train back to the airport. Went back to The Wing and showed my boarding passes and asked if I could re-enter and that was no problem.
Dec 21, 2013, 6:00 pm
#22
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Tokyo, Vancouver, Hong Kong, Dublin
Programs: CX DM
Posts: 880
CX ground staff have a lot of these around. They love pulling long faces as if that will make the customer miraculously disappear. I'd love to tell her to just get on with doing what she's getting paid to do.
Dec 21, 2013, 11:26 pm
#23
Join Date: Aug 2010
Programs: AA,CX, BA, Priority Club, SPG, Hilton
Posts: 1,397
I have no experience. But I am not sure how this would be easy...
Unlike US, HK actually does exit "stamp" on passport, not sure how they do the exit stamp "without" immigration/visa (in) stamp on your passport??
If this is so easy, would it be a loophole for those travel to HK (using transit) without visa?? i.e. Taiwan passport holder travels TPE-HKG-JFK. Taiwanese needs special passport or register online prior to enter HK, or else they CAN'T go into HK without visa or entry permit.
Again, NO experience, but highly doubt it's "that easy".
FYI, when my son and I exit HK about 3 years ago, they can identify my son was using a different passport (dual citizenship) when he entered HK, and they demand using the same passport before allowing him to leave.
Unlike US, HK actually does exit "stamp" on passport, not sure how they do the exit stamp "without" immigration/visa (in) stamp on your passport??
If this is so easy, would it be a loophole for those travel to HK (using transit) without visa?? i.e. Taiwan passport holder travels TPE-HKG-JFK. Taiwanese needs special passport or register online prior to enter HK, or else they CAN'T go into HK without visa or entry permit.
Again, NO experience, but highly doubt it's "that easy".
FYI, when my son and I exit HK about 3 years ago, they can identify my son was using a different passport (dual citizenship) when he entered HK, and they demand using the same passport before allowing him to leave.
Dec 22, 2013, 12:19 am
#24
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Hong Kong
Programs: CX, UA, Shangri-La, Hyatt, Starwood
Posts: 7,708
It actually is that easy....what I think you're missing is the pax needs to go through entrance / exit immigration just like everyone else. There is no special treatment here. You get the entrance "stamp" (I think nowadays it's technically a bar-coded piece of paper). If you are on a passport that doesn't allow visa-free entry to HK like you're referring to Taiwan, then you won't be able to do it. On returning to HKIA after your day in town, exit immigration does the same thing - check your "stamp" (aka, scan your barcode).
This is not a loophole; I think you might just be confused about what's going on. All that's happening here is a pax (who holds a passport / visa that entitles him to enter/exit HK as a tourist or businessman) decides to pop down from the departures area to arrivals area. You technically don't even need an escort like the lounge agent told the poster above; when I've done it I just had a piece of paper the lounge gave me. The only "fancy" part here is just talking to security who guards the elevator between the departures and arrivals area, because this down elevator movement is an abnormal flow of passengers (most are going from arrivals to departures). You exit the arrivals level like everyone else who is arriving - through immigration. Immigration treats you just like you're an arriving passenger. There is no special backroom door or anything.
Then, upon your return to the airport, you'll need to re-clear security and exit HK immigration. Pretty straightforward.
This is not a loophole; I think you might just be confused about what's going on. All that's happening here is a pax (who holds a passport / visa that entitles him to enter/exit HK as a tourist or businessman) decides to pop down from the departures area to arrivals area. You technically don't even need an escort like the lounge agent told the poster above; when I've done it I just had a piece of paper the lounge gave me. The only "fancy" part here is just talking to security who guards the elevator between the departures and arrivals area, because this down elevator movement is an abnormal flow of passengers (most are going from arrivals to departures). You exit the arrivals level like everyone else who is arriving - through immigration. Immigration treats you just like you're an arriving passenger. There is no special backroom door or anything.
Then, upon your return to the airport, you'll need to re-clear security and exit HK immigration. Pretty straightforward.
Dec 22, 2013, 1:55 am
#25
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: NYC
Programs: pleb
Posts: 563
I wish I saw this thread a few days ago. I arrived at HKG at 6 am with a 4 hour layover and decided to wash up a bit at one of the lounges first. Then I was going to go back out to meet with some of my FA friends from the flight for breakfast at the arrivals terminal. I initially looked all over for an exit out to the arrivals, but couldn't find anything so I went to the information desk to ask about going back to the arrivals hall. After giving me a surprised look she asked why I wanted to go back out, and after explaining she told me if I wanted to go back out they would have to cancel my ticket and boarding pass. I gave up after that.
Well, now I know.
Well, now I know.
Dec 22, 2013, 9:22 pm
#26
Join Date: Aug 2010
Programs: AA,CX, BA, Priority Club, SPG, Hilton
Posts: 1,397
It actually is that easy....what I think you're missing is the pax needs to go through entrance / exit immigration just like everyone else. There is no special treatment here. You get the entrance "stamp" (I think nowadays it's technically a bar-coded piece of paper). If you are on a passport that doesn't allow visa-free entry to HK like you're referring to Taiwan, then you won't be able to do it. On returning to HKIA after your day in town, exit immigration does the same thing - check your "stamp" (aka, scan your barcode).
This is not a loophole; I think you might just be confused about what's going on. All that's happening here is a pax (who holds a passport / visa that entitles him to enter/exit HK as a tourist or businessman) decides to pop down from the departures area to arrivals area. You technically don't even need an escort like the lounge agent told the poster above; when I've done it I just had a piece of paper the lounge gave me. The only "fancy" part here is just talking to security who guards the elevator between the departures and arrivals area, because this down elevator movement is an abnormal flow of passengers (most are going from arrivals to departures). You exit the arrivals level like everyone else who is arriving - through immigration. Immigration treats you just like you're an arriving passenger. There is no special backroom door or anything.
Then, upon your return to the airport, you'll need to re-clear security and exit HK immigration. Pretty straightforward.
This is not a loophole; I think you might just be confused about what's going on. All that's happening here is a pax (who holds a passport / visa that entitles him to enter/exit HK as a tourist or businessman) decides to pop down from the departures area to arrivals area. You technically don't even need an escort like the lounge agent told the poster above; when I've done it I just had a piece of paper the lounge gave me. The only "fancy" part here is just talking to security who guards the elevator between the departures and arrivals area, because this down elevator movement is an abnormal flow of passengers (most are going from arrivals to departures). You exit the arrivals level like everyone else who is arriving - through immigration. Immigration treats you just like you're an arriving passenger. There is no special backroom door or anything.
Then, upon your return to the airport, you'll need to re-clear security and exit HK immigration. Pretty straightforward.
May 27, 2014, 2:24 am
#27
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Oakland CA
Programs: DL Gold, AS MVPG, Globalist
Posts: 1,008
HKG: Exiting the airport after going to the lounge
I have a long layover in HKG next week ( arrive 7am, leave midnight ).
I'll be coming in on an overnight flight, and my thought would be to go to the cabanas at the Wing to rest for a few hours before going into the city. However, thinking things through tonight, I realized this might not be possible.
To get to the Wing I'll have to go through international transit security, and won't clear HKG immigration. I assume I'm stuck, then? You can't get to HKG immigration (to get into the city) after clearing transit security, can you?
I'll be coming in on an overnight flight, and my thought would be to go to the cabanas at the Wing to rest for a few hours before going into the city. However, thinking things through tonight, I realized this might not be possible.
To get to the Wing I'll have to go through international transit security, and won't clear HKG immigration. I assume I'm stuck, then? You can't get to HKG immigration (to get into the city) after clearing transit security, can you?
May 27, 2014, 2:35 am
#28
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2004
Programs: CX Green, QF Platinum, BAEC Silver, Hyatt Glob
Posts: 10,780
Yes it is possible actually, but some reports of CX staff being a little surly when asked to do it. But I think this is more exception than rule.
You can have a look at this thread for previous discussion, and I'll add these details to the lounge FAQ: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/catha...migration.html
You can have a look at this thread for previous discussion, and I'll add these details to the lounge FAQ: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/catha...migration.html
May 27, 2014, 3:08 am
#29
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Hong Kong
Posts: 2,172
As you don't have a great deal of time in Hong Kong, go into the city and have fun! Never mind the lounge. If you are tried, try out of one the many massages for relaxation. Some people like foot massages too.
May 27, 2014, 3:20 am
#30
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2004
Programs: CX Green, QF Platinum, BAEC Silver, Hyatt Glob
Posts: 10,780
By the way are you flying in J or Marco Polo gold or oneworld emerald, and arriving on CX? You will have access to the arrival lounge in that case.