Anyone planning/doing/done an MR to HKG in the COVID Era?
Jun 17, 2020, 10:34 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: New Orleans (MSY)
Programs: AA EXP, IHG PLT, Hilton Gold, Hyatt Explorist, Amtrak, WN
Posts: 2,617
Anyone planning/doing/done an MR to HKG in the COVID Era?
I see that HKG has begun permitting transit passengers as of 01-JUN. They have also allowed a transit window of up to 24 hours as long as the transiting pax has their onward BP. This allows for more MR potential than their original 8-hour rule.
Looking at an MR now from the US to HKG and back with a same-day, 10-hour turn. Would like to book it, but am worried about being denied boarding in the US because the final destination is technically HKG. Also worried about getting onward BPs in the US, although I’ve gotten them before on similar trips. Is anyone else planning to do an MR (or have done one) similar to this? If there won’t be trouble upon check-in, I’ll probably go ahead and book it.
Looking at an MR now from the US to HKG and back with a same-day, 10-hour turn. Would like to book it, but am worried about being denied boarding in the US because the final destination is technically HKG. Also worried about getting onward BPs in the US, although I’ve gotten them before on similar trips. Is anyone else planning to do an MR (or have done one) similar to this? If there won’t be trouble upon check-in, I’ll probably go ahead and book it.
Jun 17, 2020, 10:44 pm
#2
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: YVR
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 975
You'll need to have your your return boarding passes printed in the US too:
But I don't know what they will do when they see a return ticket. If they deny you entry, then you're flying back anyways.
From 15 June 2020, passengers can use HKIA for transit/transfer on flights operated by different airlines under the same air ticket, provided that the passengers have checked through at the origin port with their boarding passes printed and baggage tagged-through to the final destination. Passengers should also confirm in advance that they are able to enter the final destination. Please check with airlines for details.
Jun 17, 2020, 10:50 pm
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: New Orleans (MSY)
Programs: AA EXP, IHG PLT, Hilton Gold, Hyatt Explorist, Amtrak, WN
Posts: 2,617
Feeling more confident at HKG, as I will be following all their rules per the CX website. However, I am worried about checking in at a US airport.
Jun 17, 2020, 11:09 pm
#4
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: YVR
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 975
Did you call AA? I don't know if the airlines themselves know. Also I heard of reports saying some airlines let passengers who weren't eligible to transit in HKG board. I don't know what happened to those pax once they arrived at HKG.
Jun 18, 2020, 12:40 am
#5
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Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: ZOA, SFO, HKG
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I seriously don't know...what OP is thinking.
If OP's profile is correct, AA extends OP's EXP until 2022. So MR is not practical in this year, unless OP is now a nobody.
Also - OP is not transiting in all definitions. Instead, OP elects to stay within the transit area (which in fact is the departure area).
Most of the CX lounges are closed as well...
I simply don't know why OP has to make this trip at all...
If OP's profile is correct, AA extends OP's EXP until 2022. So MR is not practical in this year, unless OP is now a nobody.
Also - OP is not transiting in all definitions. Instead, OP elects to stay within the transit area (which in fact is the departure area).
Most of the CX lounges are closed as well...
I simply don't know why OP has to make this trip at all...
Jun 18, 2020, 3:59 am
#6
Join Date: Jul 2009
Programs: M&M
Posts: 992
They would deny checking you in at the US port since you're flying US-HKG-US. According to int'l law and aviation laws (both, separately) you aren't allowed to transit HKG on such a ticket. Technically they also won't be able to check you in for the HKG-US leg and thus you would not have an onward boarding pass.
To echo the previous poster,not sure what you were thinking here.
To echo the previous poster,not sure what you were thinking here.
Jun 18, 2020, 4:52 am
#7
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: CLT, RDU, GSO
Programs: AA ExPlat, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Globalist, IHG Platinum, Choice Platinum, Starwood Gold
Posts: 58
Understand (and agree with) the cautions being advised but does anyone know if one would be able to obtain one's onward boarding pass at one of the transfer desks at HKG?
Jun 18, 2020, 7:26 am
#9
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Roswell, GA
Programs: AA EXP 2.8m,Lifetime PLT, Hilton Diamond, IHG PlLT, SPG Gold
Posts: 3,191
why go all that way.... just to turn around and come back? ok so you need the miles/dollar spend...
I would love to go back to HK... but I have a feeling that it wont be the same HK that I have fond memories of
I would love to go back to HK... but I have a feeling that it wont be the same HK that I have fond memories of
Jun 18, 2020, 9:57 am
#12
Join Date: Mar 2005
Programs: Continental Onepass, Hilton, Marriott, USAir and now UA
Posts: 6,439
May I add....
Why would you want to sit in a cabin for 12+ hours (hopefully in a mask) exposing yourself to possible infection for the minuscule returns that you would be accruing.
There are several definitions of insanity, and this seems like one of them to me
:
Why would you want to sit in a cabin for 12+ hours (hopefully in a mask) exposing yourself to possible infection for the minuscule returns that you would be accruing.
There are several definitions of insanity, and this seems like one of them to me
:
Jun 18, 2020, 2:22 pm
#15
FlyerTalk Evangelist
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Location: ZOA, SFO, HKG
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Out of curiosity, what was your turn around time between LAX-HKG and HKG-DFW?