Apparantly the Chinese security at the Hong Kong/Shenzhen is much less stringent than I had thought. You can see clearly in this picture below that only a red ribbon blocks the passage and that this black limousine was able to crash through without hardy any trouble.

http://en.ce.cn/National/Politics/20...8914150583.jpg

Thanks, I would actually buy the ticket. Not redeem miles. I just wanted to make sure I would get the Onepass Miles. But now that I read the fine print I'm learning you get the actual mileage, but not the EQM's. EQM has a big asterisk next to it...

*OnePass Elite qualification miles and points and Elite mileage bonuses may only be earned on Continental Airlines codeshare flights operated by Emirates connecting in London Heathrow International (LHR).

It's only 2k miles, I guess I'll just have to suck it up...

Seriously, everyday, there are probably dozens of speedboats making illegal runs between HK and China at night to avoid paying taxes on importing goods. And there were tunnels dug under the border fences near Sha Tau Kok.

Also, if you go to Tai O, you can sometimes also see Chinese fishing boats berthed there and sell cheap goods legally to HKers.

Yup, base miles only, no EQMs and no elite bonus miles. It's better than nothing...

Customs and the related tax issues have nothing to do with whether or not they have voting members of Congress. Take for example Puerto Rico, which is inside the main US Customs zone: since it's not a state, it has no voting member of Congress or Senator, yet there is no Customs control between goods moving between Puerto Rico and the mainland US - those flights are treated no differently than domestic flights between states.

Guam is outside the main US Customs zone. In fact, it has local control over customs issues. So, when you arrive in Guam, you pass through US Immigration, but Guam Customs, with local officers enforcing local laws.

Regarding Immigration inspection between Guam and the mainland US, although all people born in Guam are US citizens and therefore have unrestricted access to the rest of the US, Guam has special, more relaxed rules for visitors in order to promote regional tourism. Guam has an expanded Visa Waiver Program, offering visa-free access for visitors of several countries or territories in the region whose citizens would otherwise need a visa to visit the United States. Examples include Taiwan, and now apparently Hong Kong as was discussed in another thread. Also, I think that South Korea was in this category until it got added to the mainland US WVP. So, what all this means is that there are many people that are legally present in Guam as visitors that do not have the right to travel to other parts of the US - thus the need for Immigration inspection for flights from Guam to the main part of the US (which I think Honolulu is the only route with non-stop service).

Actually, wrong twice.

The border between mainland China and HK is there mostly to keep the mainland Chinese OUT of Hong Kong.

And arrival in Guam means EVERYONE goes thru customs and immigration. Americans and non-Americans alike.

AND. . .

Transiting thru Guam requires EVERYONE to go thru US immigration as well. Without an immigration stamp you can't get on your connecting flight.

Since when? My transit 3 years ago (NRT-GUM-ROR) simply required passing back through a security check and the agents seeing my name on a list as a transit passenger. Definitely no stamp or immigration and I never really entered GUM.

Just remember on Emirates the only fare classes that are valid for miles are C, Y and K. all others are not.

:confused: :confused:

That is not the case at all for earning miles on EK flights.
http://www.continental.com/CMS/en-US...aspx?ItemId=70

Class of Service Purchased Fare Class Base Miles Elite Qualification Miles Elite Qualification Points
First Class A, F, J, P 150% 150% 1
Business Class C 125% 125% 1
Economy Class Y, W, M, B, K, Q, L, T, V, G, H, U, E 100% 100% 1

You only earn EQMs on the couple LHR-DXB flights that also have CO flight numbers on them but RDMS can be accrued on all flights system-wide.

If you are flying in November and want the EQM, I'd suggest buying the ticket on TG. I realize that Emirates has some very attractive pricing in that market but if you really want the EQM, you might consider flying THAI.

Slightly off-topic, but the Hong Kong US consulate is amazingly efficient about putting in extra pages in your passport. Book appointment online. Takes no more than 30 minutes. Free, as opposed to getting it done in the USA. I've done it twice in the past few years.

As as been said already, nationals of most countries do not require a visa to visit Hong Kong. However, one very notable exception is for nationals of China, who do need a visa (strictly speaking, it's a permit)!

-- Henry

+1 I did this last year- definitely <30 minutes. Much better than London's 1 business week wait and the domestic 4 weeks + time in mail sending to Philly :)

Ditto on recommendation

I thought QR was making the move to join star?