HKIA Frequent Visitor Card
Nov 2, 2011, 1:28 pm
#46
Join Date: Jun 2007
Programs: LY GL
Posts: 425
You don't actually "have to register" for the e-channel - it's an option if you are happy handing over your fingerprint data.
The alternative is to use the manned desk which is dedicated to "Frequent Visitor Card holders" (and maybe one or two other categories). This means that you still get processed by an Immigration Officer, but you bypass the sometimes long queue for the normal "Visitors" desks.
First time you have to use the manned desk for "Frequent Visitors". Whether you then register for the e-channel is up to you. Since I have never seen any queue at all at the frequent visitor manned desk then you would be saving very little time if any using the e-channel, so in principle I don't see why you might want to hand over your fingerprint information.
The alternative is to use the manned desk which is dedicated to "Frequent Visitor Card holders" (and maybe one or two other categories). This means that you still get processed by an Immigration Officer, but you bypass the sometimes long queue for the normal "Visitors" desks.
First time you have to use the manned desk for "Frequent Visitors". Whether you then register for the e-channel is up to you. Since I have never seen any queue at all at the frequent visitor manned desk then you would be saving very little time if any using the e-channel, so in principle I don't see why you might want to hand over your fingerprint information.
i think i'll opt for the e-channel after i pass immigration.
thanks
May 13, 2012, 1:32 am
#47
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: USA
Programs: UA 1K, A3 GLD, AC ELT; AA EXP | SPG PLT, PC PLT, Hilton GLD, Hyatt PLT | National EXEC, Hertz 5*
Posts: 414
Valid for 5 years now?
Has any people got a card recently? How long is the validity?
I applied this March and just got my card, showing the expiration date in March 2017
I thought it is only valid for 2 years so supposedly only till March 2014. I don't know whether it is b/c somebody fat-fingered on numeric keyboard or the policy changed.
I applied this March and just got my card, showing the expiration date in March 2017
I thought it is only valid for 2 years so supposedly only till March 2014. I don't know whether it is b/c somebody fat-fingered on numeric keyboard or the policy changed.
May 29, 2012, 7:52 am
#48
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 1
Has any people got a card recently? How long is the validity?
I applied this March and just got my card, showing the expiration date in March 2017 I thought it is only valid for 2 years so supposedly only till March 2014. I don't know whether it is b/c somebody fat-fingered on numeric keyboard or the policy changed.
I applied this March and just got my card, showing the expiration date in March 2017
I thought it is only valid for 2 years so supposedly only till March 2014. I don't know whether it is b/c somebody fat-fingered on numeric keyboard or the policy changed.I have just received my card, too. It is valid through Apr 2017. I guess it should be a policy change.
May 29, 2012, 11:41 am
#49
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Hong Kong
Programs: BA Gold, JGC Sapphire, OZ Diamond, AF Silver, CX GR, Marriott Lifetime SL
Posts: 3,598
Wirelessly posted (iPhone 4: Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; CPU iPhone OS 5_1_1 like Mac OS X) AppleWebKit/534.46 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/5.1 Mobile/9B206 Safari/7534.48.3)
I guess when now there's the increased usage of the passport channel they figure out less people really need the FVP channel? When most people have a recognizable FFP can sign up the eChannel (after the one time pain) I just see increased adoption and decrease use in FVP.
I guess when now there's the increased usage of the passport channel they figure out less people really need the FVP channel? When most people have a recognizable FFP can sign up the eChannel (after the one time pain) I just see increased adoption and decrease use in FVP.
Apr 17, 2015, 4:21 am
#50
Join Date: Oct 2012
Programs: Dynasty Frequent Flyer (Elite Plus),Accor Platinum
Posts: 1,866
Old topic
Just have a friend who wants to sign up to this. But when he went to the airport after immigration on arrival the last time with proof of 3 entrys and exits through HKIA they said no.
Has there been a policy change now so that only frequent flyer members and other VIP's those not included from select countries?
Has there been a policy change now so that only frequent flyer members and other VIP's those not included from select countries?
Apr 17, 2015, 4:36 am
#51
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 1999
Location: Seat 1A, Juice pretty much everywhere, Mucci des Coins Exotiques
Posts: 34,339
Just have a friend who wants to sign up to this. But when he went to the airport after immigration on arrival the last time with proof of 3 entrys and exits through HKIA they said no.
Has there been a policy change now so that only frequent flyer members and other VIP's those not included from select countries?
Has there been a policy change now so that only frequent flyer members and other VIP's those not included from select countries?
I'm not sure if I got away with something, but I showed them my United Gold card which has the Star Alliance gold logo and that was close enough to the SQ Solitaire card and they accepted it!
Apr 17, 2015, 5:30 am
#52
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Earth. Residency:HKG formerly:YYZ
Programs: CX, DL, Nexus/GE, APEC
Posts: 10,689
HKIS web site is very clear about qualifications for eChannel, it is no longer a card but a barcode sticker on the back cover of your passport that you scan and thumbprint at the auto entry gates.
Perhaps your friend should check about their qualification? Just three visits does not automatically qualify you.
Perhaps your friend should check about their qualification? Just three visits does not automatically qualify you.
Apr 17, 2015, 9:09 am
#53
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 3,097
Unless you qualify with the right Frequent Flyer card or such, the requirement is "visits to the HKSAR via the Hong Kong International Airport for no fewer than 3 times in the past 12 months immediately before enrolment for the e-Channel service." In this case, it's also available only if, given your nationality, you can visit HK without a visa.
http://www.immd.gov.hk/eng/services/..._visitors.html
http://www.immd.gov.hk/eng/services/..._visitors.html
Apr 19, 2015, 6:45 pm
#54
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Houston, TX, USA
Programs: UA 1K, AA Lifetime Platinum, DL Platinum, Honors Diamond, Bonvoy Titanium, Hertz Platinum
Posts: 7,970
I don't think you got away with anything. Any level of United premier qualifies.
Apr 20, 2015, 1:31 am
#55
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 1999
Location: Seat 1A, Juice pretty much everywhere, Mucci des Coins Exotiques
Posts: 34,339
Apr 20, 2015, 11:52 am
#56
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 222
Air Canada, Air China, Air France, Air New Zealand, ANA, Asiana Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Dragonair, China Airlines, China Southern, Delta, Ethiopian, Eva Airways, Finnair, Hainan Airlines, Hong Kong Airlines, Hong Kong Express, Japan Airlines, Jet Airways, Kingfisher, KLM, Korean Air, Lufthansa, Malaysia Airlines, Philippine Airlines, Qantas, Qatar Airways, Royal Brunei, Singapore Airlines, Swiss, Thai Airways, United, and Virgin Atlantic.
Bear in mind, as 889 mentioned, it also depends upon your passport if no visa required to visit HK.
Apr 23, 2015, 8:03 am
#57
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: YYG
Programs: Aeroplan 50K, Club Accor Gold
Posts: 441
Also, depending on the FF program, only certain levels are qualified. They have a big book with pictures of all the cards which qualify, although if your program changed the look of its cards (the way Aeroplan seems to do almost every year) you might have to point that out. I got mine this month, and had to show them that although the design changed, the words were the same.
Apr 23, 2015, 8:47 am
#58
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: LAX
Programs: UA-1K, Hertz-Gold, Marriott-Gold, PC-Platinum, SPG
Posts: 2,777
Also, depending on the FF program, only certain levels are qualified. They have a big book with pictures of all the cards which qualify, although if your program changed the look of its cards (the way Aeroplan seems to do almost every year) you might have to point that out. I got mine this month, and had to show them that although the design changed, the words were the same.
And the e-channel sticker is good for 5-year?
BTW, is there a way to verify the expiration date for the e-channel sticker online?
Apr 23, 2015, 9:08 am
#59
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: YYG
Programs: Aeroplan 50K, Club Accor Gold
Posts: 441
Yeah, it's an and/or situation. As long as your citizenship qualifies, it's either 3 entries in the last year and/or FF membership at the minimum status level.
Caveats:
1. citizens of South Korea, Germany, and Singapore don't even need the minimum entries or FF membership;
2. they can of course deny you for other reasons (generally, inadmissibility to HK).
See http://www.immd.gov.hk/eng/services/..._visitors.html
I couldn't find a way to get your expiry date on-line; however, along with the sticker you get copies of your enrolment documents, which should have the date of enrolment on them (I don't have my passport with me right now so I can't look on the sticker, but from viewing the video I don't think it's there in plain text-it's probably encoded in the bar code). I believe it is good for 5 years, yes.
Caveats:
1. citizens of South Korea, Germany, and Singapore don't even need the minimum entries or FF membership;
2. they can of course deny you for other reasons (generally, inadmissibility to HK).
See http://www.immd.gov.hk/eng/services/..._visitors.html
I couldn't find a way to get your expiry date on-line; however, along with the sticker you get copies of your enrolment documents, which should have the date of enrolment on them (I don't have my passport with me right now so I can't look on the sticker, but from viewing the video I don't think it's there in plain text-it's probably encoded in the bar code). I believe it is good for 5 years, yes.
Apr 23, 2015, 1:26 pm
#60
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: LAX
Programs: UA-1K, Hertz-Gold, Marriott-Gold, PC-Platinum, SPG
Posts: 2,777
Yeah, it's an and/or situation. As long as your citizenship qualifies, it's either 3 entries in the last year and/or FF membership at the minimum status level.
Caveats:
1. citizens of South Korea, Germany, and Singapore don't even need the minimum entries or FF membership;
2. they can of course deny you for other reasons (generally, inadmissibility to HK).
See http://www.immd.gov.hk/eng/services/..._visitors.html
I couldn't find a way to get your expiry date on-line; however, along with the sticker you get copies of your enrolment documents, which should have the date of enrolment on them (I don't have my passport with me right now so I can't look on the sticker, but from viewing the video I don't think it's there in plain text-it's probably encoded in the bar code). I believe it is good for 5 years, yes.
Caveats:
1. citizens of South Korea, Germany, and Singapore don't even need the minimum entries or FF membership;
2. they can of course deny you for other reasons (generally, inadmissibility to HK).
See http://www.immd.gov.hk/eng/services/..._visitors.html
I couldn't find a way to get your expiry date on-line; however, along with the sticker you get copies of your enrolment documents, which should have the date of enrolment on them (I don't have my passport with me right now so I can't look on the sticker, but from viewing the video I don't think it's there in plain text-it's probably encoded in the bar code). I believe it is good for 5 years, yes.