Going overseas for the first time in 18 years
Jun 18, 2013, 2:43 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Australia
Posts: 25
Going overseas for the first time in 18 years
Hi, I'm planning to visit Hong Kong this December and so I'm seeking advice to make my trip safe and happy. First of all, what document should I bring apart from passport and airline ticket ? Is it necessary to bring photocopies of passport and airline tickets ? Thanks.
Jun 18, 2013, 3:26 am
#2
Join Date: Sep 2005
Programs: BA
Posts: 3,890
It's not necessary to take photocopies of anything. If you do feel the need, then make sure you keep them separate in your hand baggage to the originals, as pointless if somebody manages to steel both.
I keep scanned in copies of my passport, DL and itineraries on DropBox so I can access it from my phone or any PC anywhere in the world.
Enjoy your trip!
I keep scanned in copies of my passport, DL and itineraries on DropBox so I can access it from my phone or any PC anywhere in the world.
Enjoy your trip!
Jun 18, 2013, 10:11 am
#4
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: The Wilds of Virginia
Programs: Mileage Plus, Sky Miles, Air Tran A+
Posts: 38
Generally, in Hong Kong I only carry a photocopy of my passport with me, and leave the original in the hotel safe. (Well, actually the room safe.) You might need the original if you are going to exchange some money. (NB -- I am speaking only from my experiences there, not from any specific legal knowledge.)
Last edited by ladytraveler; Jun 18, 2013 at 10:12 am Reason: revise wording
Jun 18, 2013, 11:19 am
#5
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: ORD
Programs: AA, UA, GE
Posts: 5,123
I travel with a copy of my passport photo page. Not for any ID purposes but in case my passport gets lost/stolen.
It has never happened to me but I have read that it makes getting a replacement easier at the embassy or consulate.
It has never happened to me but I have read that it makes getting a replacement easier at the embassy or consulate.
Jun 18, 2013, 2:21 pm
#6
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: LGA - JFK
Programs: UA, AA, DL, B6, CX, KE, Latitude, VIFP, Crown & Anchor, etc.
Posts: 2,589
HKG is a great place to visit, especially in December with the festive holiday deco's - just keep a copy of your passport with you when you go out - and take along a driver's license or gov't photo ID from home. Lock the passport in the hotel (front desk will have free safe deposit boxes for use if not provided in the room.)
In practice, HK police is not known for stopping non-Chinese foreigners on the street these days, especially with so many mainlanders running around - unless you get stopped for jaywalking, crossing the streets against traffic lights, etc.
P.S. If you plan to go a bank to exchange Aus $$ into local HKD, passport is requested - money exchanges near our hotel in Kowloon did not.
In practice, HK police is not known for stopping non-Chinese foreigners on the street these days, especially with so many mainlanders running around - unless you get stopped for jaywalking, crossing the streets against traffic lights, etc.
P.S. If you plan to go a bank to exchange Aus $$ into local HKD, passport is requested - money exchanges near our hotel in Kowloon did not.
Last edited by Letitride3c; Jun 18, 2013 at 3:07 pm
Jun 19, 2013, 1:26 pm
#7
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Seattle, WA
Programs: DL Diamond, UA 1K MM, SPG Plat For Life, Marriott Plat, Nexus/GlobalEntry
Posts: 9,198
I've never carried my passport with me in Hong Kong or Macau.. I carry my wallet with US drivers license and I have had to show it on occasion in various places to verify age but have had no problems. The only place I can recall where I carried it with me all the time was in Dubai..probably wasn't necessary there but I did it anyway.
Back in 2003 while visiting Rio De Janeiro for Carnival I was in a taxi late at night and the driver didn't know where he was going so we stopped and asked a couple of police officers for directions. I had been drinking and was slurring my words and they asked me to get out of the car, checked my ID and searched my pockets..looking for drugs no doubt... I had nothing illegal. I only had my Washington state drivers license which they accepted no problem. At the end the cab driver told me to tip the officers so I gave them the equivalent of about $10. Was great giving a tip for the privilege of having someone dig through my pockets and pat me down. Next the TSA will expect tips.
Back in 2003 while visiting Rio De Janeiro for Carnival I was in a taxi late at night and the driver didn't know where he was going so we stopped and asked a couple of police officers for directions. I had been drinking and was slurring my words and they asked me to get out of the car, checked my ID and searched my pockets..looking for drugs no doubt... I had nothing illegal. I only had my Washington state drivers license which they accepted no problem. At the end the cab driver told me to tip the officers so I gave them the equivalent of about $10. Was great giving a tip for the privilege of having someone dig through my pockets and pat me down. Next the TSA will expect tips.
Jun 21, 2013, 2:19 pm
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 38,410
It's not necessary to take photocopies of anything. If you do feel the need, then make sure you keep them separate in your hand baggage to the originals, as pointless if somebody manages to steel both.
I keep scanned in copies of my passport, DL and itineraries on DropBox so I can access it from my phone or any PC anywhere in the world.
Enjoy your trip!
I keep scanned in copies of my passport, DL and itineraries on DropBox so I can access it from my phone or any PC anywhere in the world.
Enjoy your trip!
Jun 22, 2013, 7:02 am
#10
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Ontario, Canada
Programs: Aeroplan, IHG, Enterprise, Avios, Nexus
Posts: 8,355
Yes. It is a good idea to carry your passport (NOT a photo copy) with you at all times while in any foreign country. Photo copies are a good thing to have in your bags and hotel room safe should you need a replacement passport.
Last edited by Badenoch; Jun 22, 2013 at 7:07 am
Jun 22, 2013, 5:42 pm
#11
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Los Angeles / Basel
Programs: UA 1K MM, AA EXP, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 26,926
My passport is too big to carry in my pocket so I just have a picture of my ID page on my iphone (and also the cloud).
OP, you will need a passport if you take the boat from Hong Kong to Macau.
OP, you will need a passport if you take the boat from Hong Kong to Macau.
Jun 23, 2013, 5:16 am
#12
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Australia
Posts: 25
Thanks for the tips everyone. I don't plan to visit Macau during this trip.
This link was useful to me. Every foreign passenger has to show passport and a completed arrival card. Is it still current ?
http://www.hongkongairport.com/eng/p...rocedures.html
This link was useful to me. Every foreign passenger has to show passport and a completed arrival card. Is it still current ?
http://www.hongkongairport.com/eng/p...rocedures.html
Jun 24, 2013, 10:11 am
#13
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Rio Rancho, NM - USA
Programs: DL, UA, WN, Amtrak, Hyatt, Accor
Posts: 1,793
Badenoch above is correct. I always carry my passport when away from my home country. I also have a photocopy of my passport and all credit cards, with the phone numbers to call in case of loss or theft. Make sure to keep the photocopy in a secure place: room or front desk safe.
Be sure to take the credit card you bought your air tickets with, some airlines require you to show that card when you check in. If you don't have the same card, they make you buy a new ticket!
Get a Pacsafe or Eagle Creek neck wallet and keep your valuables under your clothing. I wear a neck wallet cross-body under a jacket or shirt. My husband has an Eagle Creek wallet with loops that you thread a belt through, the wallet goes inside your pants but it's readily accessible - wear it at your side seam inside the pants.
Be sure to take the credit card you bought your air tickets with, some airlines require you to show that card when you check in. If you don't have the same card, they make you buy a new ticket!
Get a Pacsafe or Eagle Creek neck wallet and keep your valuables under your clothing. I wear a neck wallet cross-body under a jacket or shirt. My husband has an Eagle Creek wallet with loops that you thread a belt through, the wallet goes inside your pants but it's readily accessible - wear it at your side seam inside the pants.