Hong Kong Frequent Traveler Card
Feb 9, 2010, 4:20 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: SBA
Programs: AA EXP || AA Lifetime Plat closing in on 4MM
Posts: 165
Hong Kong Frequent Traveler Card
Sorry, searched for this in this forum but I couldn't find anything.
I've been meaning to apply for this card as I enter/exit HK dozens of times each year. Does anyone have experience with this card? Does it only work for the airport or does it also work at other immigration checks like Lo Wu, Futian, etc?
I've been meaning to apply for this card as I enter/exit HK dozens of times each year. Does anyone have experience with this card? Does it only work for the airport or does it also work at other immigration checks like Lo Wu, Futian, etc?
Feb 10, 2010, 2:27 am
#3
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: sometimes SIN, sometimes JFK/LGA
Programs: UA 1K, 1.6MM bis
Posts: 767
Just an additional wrinkle to this.
Once you are approved for the Frequent Traveler Card (issued by the Airport Authority), you can then approach HK Immigration at the Airport to be given e-Channel access (there's a booth to apply right after seeing the immigration officer but before you proceed to the carousel to retrieve your luggage). These are the electronically operated gates that HK residents can operate with their ID cards. Once approved, you would get a barcode that's stuck onto the (outside) back cover of your passport that a scanner attached to the e-Channel turnstile will read.
My point in bringing this up is that although e-Channel access for foreigners at HKIA is definitely ok, not so clear whether or not e-Channels elsewhere (say overland at Lo Wu checkpoint) is ok. But it seems to me that perhaps it might be expanded in which case you would be all set. In the meantime being able to go through the e-Channel at HKIA beats having to stand in line with all the other people. For more info check http://www.gov.hk/en/residents/immig...l/echannel.htm I think that there are other threads that pertain to applying for e-Channel access in other threads.
Once you are approved for the Frequent Traveler Card (issued by the Airport Authority), you can then approach HK Immigration at the Airport to be given e-Channel access (there's a booth to apply right after seeing the immigration officer but before you proceed to the carousel to retrieve your luggage). These are the electronically operated gates that HK residents can operate with their ID cards. Once approved, you would get a barcode that's stuck onto the (outside) back cover of your passport that a scanner attached to the e-Channel turnstile will read.
My point in bringing this up is that although e-Channel access for foreigners at HKIA is definitely ok, not so clear whether or not e-Channels elsewhere (say overland at Lo Wu checkpoint) is ok. But it seems to me that perhaps it might be expanded in which case you would be all set. In the meantime being able to go through the e-Channel at HKIA beats having to stand in line with all the other people. For more info check http://www.gov.hk/en/residents/immig...l/echannel.htm I think that there are other threads that pertain to applying for e-Channel access in other threads.
Feb 10, 2010, 9:30 am
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2001
Location: South Bend, IN
Programs: AA EXP 3 MM; Marriott Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium Elite
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I have the card and it works great at HKIA.
It works for both outbound and inbound immigration, but I find that since they moved outbound immigration to after security, the lines are much shorter than they used to be.
It would be great if it could work at security too, but I don't think it does.
It works for both outbound and inbound immigration, but I find that since they moved outbound immigration to after security, the lines are much shorter than they used to be.
It would be great if it could work at security too, but I don't think it does.
Feb 10, 2010, 4:37 pm
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: SBA
Programs: AA EXP || AA Lifetime Plat closing in on 4MM
Posts: 165
Just an additional wrinkle to this.
Once you are approved for the Frequent Traveler Card (issued by the Airport Authority), you can then approach HK Immigration at the Airport to be given e-Channel access (there's a booth to apply right after seeing the immigration officer but before you proceed to the carousel to retrieve your luggage). These are the electronically operated gates that HK residents can operate with their ID cards. Once approved, you would get a barcode that's stuck onto the (outside) back cover of your passport that a scanner attached to the e-Channel turnstile will read.
My point in bringing this up is that although e-Channel access for foreigners at HKIA is definitely ok, not so clear whether or not e-Channels elsewhere (say overland at Lo Wu checkpoint) is ok. But it seems to me that perhaps it might be expanded in which case you would be all set. In the meantime being able to go through the e-Channel at HKIA beats having to stand in line with all the other people. For more info check http://www.gov.hk/en/residents/immig...l/echannel.htm I think that there are other threads that pertain to applying for e-Channel access in other threads.
Once you are approved for the Frequent Traveler Card (issued by the Airport Authority), you can then approach HK Immigration at the Airport to be given e-Channel access (there's a booth to apply right after seeing the immigration officer but before you proceed to the carousel to retrieve your luggage). These are the electronically operated gates that HK residents can operate with their ID cards. Once approved, you would get a barcode that's stuck onto the (outside) back cover of your passport that a scanner attached to the e-Channel turnstile will read.
My point in bringing this up is that although e-Channel access for foreigners at HKIA is definitely ok, not so clear whether or not e-Channels elsewhere (say overland at Lo Wu checkpoint) is ok. But it seems to me that perhaps it might be expanded in which case you would be all set. In the meantime being able to go through the e-Channel at HKIA beats having to stand in line with all the other people. For more info check http://www.gov.hk/en/residents/immig...l/echannel.htm I think that there are other threads that pertain to applying for e-Channel access in other threads.
Feb 10, 2010, 7:39 pm
#6
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Singapore
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Posts: 2,212
Thanks for the info. The past 2 times I arrived at HKG, that little station after the immigration clearance has been closed since I arrived after 10:30 p.m. When departing HKG, I asked one of the attendants at an info booth on the departures level about the e-Channel application and she said you can only apply at the arrivals level.
On a separate note, does anyone knows if there is an expiry for the e-channel sticker pasted on the passport? The validity of my current Frequent Visitor Card will expire on May 2010 and I have not clocked up 6 visits in the last 2 years. Does that mean that my e-channel privilege will end in May 2010 as well?
Feb 11, 2010, 9:21 am
#8
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Feb 11, 2010, 7:32 pm
#10
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Hong Kong
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Posts: 3,598
Free, if you can document the required number of entires into and out of HK within the prescribed period.
http://www.immd.gov.hk/ehtml/20041216.htm#fv
Feb 11, 2010, 7:58 pm
#11
Join Date: Aug 2009
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Last edited by kitsura; Feb 11, 2010 at 8:02 pm Reason: Insert website info
Feb 12, 2010, 1:02 am
#12
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: BKK/SEL/YQG
Posts: 2,543
Feb 12, 2010, 10:36 am
#13
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: sometimes SIN, sometimes JFK/LGA
Programs: UA 1K, 1.6MM bis
Posts: 767
On a separate note, does anyone knows if there is an expiry for the e-channel sticker pasted on the passport? The validity of my current Frequent Visitor Card will expire on May 2010 and I have not clocked up 6 visits in the last 2 years. Does that mean that my e-channel privilege will end in May 2010 as well?
Feb 12, 2010, 10:39 am
#14
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: sometimes SIN, sometimes JFK/LGA
Programs: UA 1K, 1.6MM bis
Posts: 767
I vaguely recall that I got mine in about four weeks, but not entirely certain. However, I'm fairly confident it didn't take eight weeks.
Feb 12, 2010, 10:45 pm
#15
Join Date: Aug 2009
Programs: SPG Gold, SQ Blue, OZ Diamond, JAVA and occasionally C
Posts: 5,563
Thats not that 'Frequent' at all. I just applied. How long did it take you to receive the card? I know the form said it should take 8 weeks, but is there a more realistic time-frame? I hope they accept my photos for my info page, and stamps rather than the 'photocopy' that they request.