Chinese 72h TWOV ex-HEL
Feb 28, 2016, 7:00 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2014
Location: HEL
Programs: AY+Plat, ALL Plat, Scandic L2
Posts: 3,620
Chinese 72h TWOV ex-HEL
Does anybody have experience going to P.R.China without visa from HEL? How well do Finnair CI contractors, and the Finnish border guards handle it?
(I have once had Finnair check-in desk staff complain that she could not find my visa to New Zealand, so I fear the worst...)
I have only done it the other way (TPE-XIY-HEL on CI/AY).
(I have once had Finnair check-in desk staff complain that she could not find my visa to New Zealand, so I fear the worst...)
I have only done it the other way (TPE-XIY-HEL on CI/AY).
Feb 29, 2016, 12:58 am
#2
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: HEL
Programs: AY Plat Lumo
Posts: 1,519
Does anybody have experience going to P.R.China without visa from HEL? How well do Finnair CI contractors, and the Finnish border guards handle it?
(I have once had Finnair check-in desk staff complain that she could not find my visa to New Zealand, so I fear the worst...)
I have only done it the other way (TPE-XIY-HEL on CI/AY).
(I have once had Finnair check-in desk staff complain that she could not find my visa to New Zealand, so I fear the worst...)
I have only done it the other way (TPE-XIY-HEL on CI/AY).
Feb 29, 2016, 3:36 am
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: HEL
Programs: lots of shiny metal cards
Posts: 14,105
HEL-HKG-CAN-BKK - absolutely no issue checking the luggage to CAN. Finnish border guards don't care a tiny bit about your visa arrangements.
For KA ground personnel it took a while in HKG to sort it out (20 mins or so)
At CAN very smooth sailing.
For KA ground personnel it took a while in HKG to sort it out (20 mins or so)
At CAN very smooth sailing.
Jun 15, 2016, 10:07 am
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2014
Location: HEL
Programs: AY+Plat, ALL Plat, Scandic L2
Posts: 3,620
Hmm, I'm supposed to do HEL-CAN-HKG-BKK in a few days... and TIMATIC appears to have fat-fingered away all 3 nights transit airports, including CAN and PEK
Now, I am really concerned that HEL desk won't let me check-in/board
Now, I am really concerned that HEL desk won't let me check-in/board
Jun 15, 2016, 10:51 am
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: HEL
Programs: lots of shiny metal cards
Posts: 14,105
It should work. AY has a lot of CN traffic, they know how it works. Just make sure that you discuss this at the Plat checkin desk - show them your CAN-HKG ticket, they'll type away a while and you're good. (They need to report your details to China immigration beforehand)
HEL-PEK-TPE worked like a charm.
HEL-PEK-TPE worked like a charm.
Jun 17, 2016, 8:12 am
#8
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: HEL
Programs: AY Platinum (oneworld Emerald), Bonvoy/Radisson/Hilton Gold
Posts: 149
Jun 18, 2016, 4:09 am
#9
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: London
Programs: BAEC Silver
Posts: 42
In September 2015 I was flying HEL-PEK continuing the next day to Pyongyang with Air Koryo where the tour company had provided me with copies of the Air Koryo e-ticket and my DPRK tourist card which was to be collected in Beijing.
Checked in at the kiosk and used automatic bag drop without any problems. At the boarding gate the agent simply recorded details of my onward journey on a scrap of paper and allowed me to board.
Checked in at the kiosk and used automatic bag drop without any problems. At the boarding gate the agent simply recorded details of my onward journey on a scrap of paper and allowed me to board.
Jun 21, 2016, 7:09 am
#10
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2014
Location: HEL
Programs: AY+Plat, ALL Plat, Scandic L2
Posts: 3,620
Yeah so CI did not care one bit about my visa or lack thereof. The procedure has definitely changed since I last flew AY to mainland China.
I advised the gate agents of my transit before boarding started, so they quickly noted the flight reference and remembered to let me through at boarding.
I advised the gate agents of my transit before boarding started, so they quickly noted the flight reference and remembered to let me through at boarding.
Jun 22, 2016, 7:30 am
#11
Suspended
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: PVG, FRA, SEA, HEL
Programs: UA Premier Gold
Posts: 4,783
and the Finnish border guards handle it?
Chinese 72h TWOV ex-HEL
Jun 24, 2016, 8:15 pm
#12
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2014
Location: HEL
Programs: AY+Plat, ALL Plat, Scandic L2
Posts: 3,620
At which Finnair destination is it not available? It is obviously available at PVG and PEK. I know it's available at CAN and XIY because I've done it there. And CKG is also listed as a possibility.
Jun 28, 2016, 1:01 pm
#14
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 99
^ They take the transit visas very seriously, but they do work if not played around with.
Jun 28, 2016, 1:19 pm
#15
Moderator, Finnair
Join Date: May 2011
Location: MMX (CPH)
Programs: Eurobonus Diamond, QR Gold, AY+ Platinum, A3*G, Nordic Choice Lifetime Platinum, SJ Prio Black
Posts: 14,174
You need to present outward ticket (printed) at gate and at Chinese/PVG border control. You will also need to exit with that ticket. I ended up ditching the initial outbound ticket after the exit customs and boarded the plane back to Hel. I got pulled out of plane. 2 hrs of interrogations, 250e fine and deportation to Hong kong was the result.
^ They take the transit visas very seriously, but they do work if not played around with.
^ They take the transit visas very seriously, but they do work if not played around with.
The fine isn't the worst. Deportation could mean difficulties getting visa in the future.