[HardieBoys]

For those without an APEC card, the Hong Kong International Airport offers a frequent visitors card for those who visit HK 3 times in a 12 month period. It's free, and the documentation required is pretty straightforward. The card takes about 6 to 8 weeks to arrive, and is valid for 2 years. You need to travel through HK 6 times in the 2-year period to be eligible for renewal.

The card allows access to a much shorter queue through Immigration, but does not provide any special benefits with Customs. That said, Customs entering HK is extremely quick. The Frequent Visitors queue is not always open: I was in HK last week, landing at 05:00, and the queue wasn't open, but it was very quick anyway. The queue was open at 22:00 on my return.

[serfty]

Thanks for the reminder, my card expires on October '08, I'll need another visit or three to re qualify.

This card was first mentioned by MAL here: (HKIA (Hong Kong International Airport) Frequent Visitor Card) (HKIA (Hong Kong International Airport) Frequent Visitor Card)

[NM]

Today took me about 30 mins to clear outbound immigration and security screening at HKG. And arrivals formalities took about 15 mins last night. Unfortunately this is only my second visit in 12 months, so I need another before I can qualify and by then I should have my APEC card. But I think I will still apply for one of these anyway since its free and can't hurt to have another arrow in the quiver.

[HardieBoys]

I'm kicking myself for not getting a Frequent Visitors card earlier (though they were introduced only in 2004 sometime) as I've done 25 visits to HK in the past four years. Anyway...

The lines for Immigration seem to be worst in the afternoon, for example, when QF127 gets in at 17:45. Always take the queue nearest to the APEC / HKIA Frequent Visitors card lines, as when these lines aren't busy, the officers will call over people waiting in the normal lines. The same principle works when leaving HK: the left-most of the usual queues is next to the Frequent Visitor line.

[simongr]

They are absolutely brilliant! As I am not entitled to an APEC card these are great for me as I go to HKG about 4-5 times a year. I am wondering whether you can use the card if travelling with a companion who does not have one - any experiences?

[serfty]

Used mine outbound with mrs serfty accompanying at Easter earlier this year. The guy manning the Queue had a portable bar code reader - simply scanned the back of my card and through we both went.

[jasonja3]

Used it inbound and outbound with Mrs Jasonja3 last year with no problems.

I tend to use this card mainly instead on my APEC as the lines can be shorter and they monitor use for renewal purposes, that way it will always remain active, and I will always have a choice....

As for taking 6-8 weeks, I was utterly amazed when mine arrived exactly one week after posting it from Sydney, normal mail........

[HardieBoys]

You were lucky! I applied for mine in early August, and had already left for HK again in late September when it arrived, which was a pity, as I was in HK overnight, left for Beijing the following day, returning to HK for a few more days before returning to Sydney. Still, I got to use it this time around.

[Zippy7]

Anyone applied for one of these recently? I'm curious to know the turnaround time for you.

I applied about 4 weeks ago, and haven't seen anything yet. Thankfully for me, no new trips for the time being.

[JohnK]

I should have applied for the frequent visitors card when I qualified in 2006 but I have not cleared immigration in HKG since then so probably better to have one less card in the wallet.