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*/Chairmans 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*/Chairmans 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
Jan 16, 2024 | 12:03 am
#286
Formally known as Jason77W
Join Date: Oct 2021
Location: BKK
Programs: TG*G • SK*G • BA*G • AA*XP • Globalist • MBVY Plat
Posts: 376
DP: I was able to satisfy the requirements by providing them with my Canadian-issued APEC cards*. The officer just scanned my PP and APEC card and the renewal process was done in two minutes.
*FYI these aren't technically eligible because US and CA are transitional APEC members.
Mine certainly did not have HKG printed on the other side. So take that for what you will.
*FYI these aren't technically eligible because US and CA are transitional APEC members.
Eligibility Criteria
Holding one of the following valid documents:
- HKSAR Travel Pass;
- APEC Business Travel Card with ‘HKG’ printed on the reverse side; or
- Frequent Flyer Programme membership card issued by airlines which have joined this scheme (please enquire with airlines for details).
Mine certainly did not have HKG printed on the other side. So take that for what you will.
Last edited by ropflyer; Jan 19, 2024 at 1:43 am
Jan 16, 2024 | 12:06 am
#287
Formally known as Jason77W
Join Date: Oct 2021
Location: BKK
Programs: TG*G • SK*G • BA*G • AA*XP • Globalist • MBVY Plat
Posts: 376
True. You do not need to scan the barcode sticker. Once the biodata page is scanned, the gate will open.
Jan 19, 2024 | 1:47 am
#288
Formally known as Jason77W
Join Date: Oct 2021
Location: BKK
Programs: TG*G • SK*G • BA*G • AA*XP • Globalist • MBVY Plat
Posts: 376
I know HKG has two border control checkpoints on arrival, I think it's either West vs East or North vs South, and hence two enrollment centres.
Anyways, if my memory services, I think after certain hours (late at night), they close one and keep the other open. I found myself in this situation once where I entered through the hall that has a closed enrollment centre, so after I cleared immigration I walked over to the other hall and to my surprise, the office was open.
But this was 10pm. Not 11pm.
Anyways, if my memory services, I think after certain hours (late at night), they close one and keep the other open. I found myself in this situation once where I entered through the hall that has a closed enrollment centre, so after I cleared immigration I walked over to the other hall and to my surprise, the office was open.
But this was 10pm. Not 11pm.
Jan 26, 2024 | 10:06 am
#289
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2010
Programs: DL, OZ, AC, AS, AA, BA, Hilton, Hyatt, Marriott, IHG
Posts: 20,995
Totally forgot about E-channel until earlier this year when I went to HK. I enrolled pre-pandemic and I was surprised it still worked.
When will my E-channel status expire? Same time as my passport?
When I renew, will I need another three visits within the last 12 months in addition to being part of an eligible FF program?
Anything else that's different with the app compared to pre-pandemic?
When will my E-channel status expire? Same time as my passport?
When I renew, will I need another three visits within the last 12 months in addition to being part of an eligible FF program?
Anything else that's different with the app compared to pre-pandemic?
Jan 26, 2024 | 10:19 am
#290
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 3,269
Membership in an eligible FF program OR three airport visits in 12 months.
https://www.immd.gov.hk/eng/services...sitors.html#fv
https://www.immd.gov.hk/eng/services...sitors.html#fv
Jan 26, 2024 | 10:31 am
#291
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2010
Programs: DL, OZ, AC, AS, AA, BA, Hilton, Hyatt, Marriott, IHG
Posts: 20,995
Membership in an eligible FF program OR three airport visits in 12 months.
https://www.immd.gov.hk/eng/services...sitors.html#fv
https://www.immd.gov.hk/eng/services...sitors.html#fv
When will mine expire?
Jan 26, 2024 | 2:41 pm
#292
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: DTW - Rochester Hills, MI
Programs: Cathay MPC, IHG Diamond Ambassador, Domestic Airline Nobody
Posts: 784
Totally forgot about E-channel until earlier this year when I went to HK. I enrolled pre-pandemic and I was surprised it still worked.
When will my E-channel status expire? Same time as my passport?
When I renew, will I need another three visits within the last 12 months in addition to being part of an eligible FF program?
Anything else that's different with the app compared to pre-pandemic?
When will my E-channel status expire? Same time as my passport?
When I renew, will I need another three visits within the last 12 months in addition to being part of an eligible FF program?
Anything else that's different with the app compared to pre-pandemic?
I honestly wonder if eChannel even expires.
Feb 3, 2024 | 7:12 pm
#293
Join Date: Jan 2018
Programs: JGC, OneWorld Sapphire, Accor Plat
Posts: 204
Feb 3, 2024 | 7:34 pm
#294
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Shanghai
Posts: 46,160
Mar 26, 2024 | 1:57 am
#295
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: BHX
Programs: BA Gold, IHG Diamond Amb.
Posts: 274
I went into the Wan Chai Office today with the plan to transfer/update my eChannel status to my new passport. Brought both the old and the new passport with me.
The officer on duty said that rules had changed and a simple transfer to a new passport was no longer done. He explicitly mentioned that I would need to enter three times with the new passport before I could re-enroll with it luckily I had my BA card in my wallet which (after comparing it to a yellowed photocopy in a paper binder) he accepted and I basically enrolled the new passport from scratch based on that eligibility requirement.
Unsure if the rules actually did change or if he was misunderstanding. Regardless, beware if youre heading in to update a change in passport!
it was easy to find and no queue. In and out of the immigration building in 15mins.
The officer on duty said that rules had changed and a simple transfer to a new passport was no longer done. He explicitly mentioned that I would need to enter three times with the new passport before I could re-enroll with it luckily I had my BA card in my wallet which (after comparing it to a yellowed photocopy in a paper binder) he accepted and I basically enrolled the new passport from scratch based on that eligibility requirement.
Unsure if the rules actually did change or if he was misunderstanding. Regardless, beware if youre heading in to update a change in passport!
it was easy to find and no queue. In and out of the immigration building in 15mins.
Mar 26, 2024 | 10:31 am
#296
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2010
Programs: DL, OZ, AC, AS, AA, BA, Hilton, Hyatt, Marriott, IHG
Posts: 20,995
I went into the Wan Chai Office today with the plan to transfer/update my eChannel status to my new passport. Brought both the old and the new passport with me.
The officer on duty said that rules had changed and a simple transfer to a new passport was no longer done. He explicitly mentioned that I would need to enter three times with the new passport before I could re-enroll with it luckily I had my BA card in my wallet which (after comparing it to a yellowed photocopy in a paper binder) he accepted and I basically enrolled the new passport from scratch based on that eligibility requirement.
Unsure if the rules actually did change or if he was misunderstanding. Regardless, beware if youre heading in to update a change in passport!
it was easy to find and no queue. In and out of the immigration building in 15mins.
The officer on duty said that rules had changed and a simple transfer to a new passport was no longer done. He explicitly mentioned that I would need to enter three times with the new passport before I could re-enroll with it luckily I had my BA card in my wallet which (after comparing it to a yellowed photocopy in a paper binder) he accepted and I basically enrolled the new passport from scratch based on that eligibility requirement.
Unsure if the rules actually did change or if he was misunderstanding. Regardless, beware if youre heading in to update a change in passport!
it was easy to find and no queue. In and out of the immigration building in 15mins.
Mar 26, 2024 | 10:32 am
#297
Formally known as Jason77W
Join Date: Oct 2021
Location: BKK
Programs: TG*G • SK*G • BA*G • AA*XP • Globalist • MBVY Plat
Posts: 376
It's all electronically recorded, but actually, when I was doing my enrollment at HKIA, I saw on the officer's screen after he swiped my passport – it basically tells you Y/N under one particular line. If the computer says Y, you're good to go. The officer doesn't have to go out of his way to manually review your past immigration history one by one, their automated system is able to tell them Y/N.
Last edited by ropflyer; Mar 27, 2024 at 2:21 am
Mar 27, 2024 | 9:49 am
#298
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: DTW - Rochester Hills, MI
Programs: Cathay MPC, IHG Diamond Ambassador, Domestic Airline Nobody
Posts: 784
I went into the Wan Chai Office today with the plan to transfer/update my eChannel status to my new passport. Brought both the old and the new passport with me.
The officer on duty said that rules had changed and a simple transfer to a new passport was no longer done. He explicitly mentioned that I would need to enter three times with the new passport before I could re-enroll with it luckily I had my BA card in my wallet which (after comparing it to a yellowed photocopy in a paper binder) he accepted and I basically enrolled the new passport from scratch based on that eligibility requirement.
Unsure if the rules actually did change or if he was misunderstanding. Regardless, beware if youre heading in to update a change in passport!
it was easy to find and no queue. In and out of the immigration building in 15mins.
The officer on duty said that rules had changed and a simple transfer to a new passport was no longer done. He explicitly mentioned that I would need to enter three times with the new passport before I could re-enroll with it luckily I had my BA card in my wallet which (after comparing it to a yellowed photocopy in a paper binder) he accepted and I basically enrolled the new passport from scratch based on that eligibility requirement.
Unsure if the rules actually did change or if he was misunderstanding. Regardless, beware if youre heading in to update a change in passport!
it was easy to find and no queue. In and out of the immigration building in 15mins.
So if I've entered 5 times in the past year, and then get an updated passport, none of those previous entries count? This duty officer must be mistaken...
Mar 27, 2024 | 10:09 am
#299
Formally known as Jason77W
Join Date: Oct 2021
Location: BKK
Programs: TG*G • SK*G • BA*G • AA*XP • Globalist • MBVY Plat
Posts: 376
Well this kinda sucks. Does that mean echannel will not work when you change passports and you must queue for manual entry for the first 3 times?
So if I've entered 5 times in the past year, and then get an updated passport, none of those previous entries count? This duty officer must be mistaken...
So if I've entered 5 times in the past year, and then get an updated passport, none of those previous entries count? This duty officer must be mistaken...
Without my APEC or my FF card, I wouldn't know what to do or say in response to that....
Mar 27, 2024 | 10:37 am
#300
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: DTW - Rochester Hills, MI
Programs: Cathay MPC, IHG Diamond Ambassador, Domestic Airline Nobody
Posts: 784
Yessir.. Seems like it. I went into the enrollment centre a few months ago with my new passport and the officer advised that I am ineligible citing the computer saying no to my 'renewal' application, he was not willing to make an exception based on my previous passport's travel history (which would've qualified me via the number of visits route).
Without my APEC or my FF card, I wouldn't know what to do or say in response to that....
Without my APEC or my FF card, I wouldn't know what to do or say in response to that....
The Wiki still lists Cathay Pacific Green card as eligible, but I thought I read somewhere in this thread that green was no longer acceptable?
