Two seperate ticket transit via Hong-Kong and more

Question

I will soon need to book a round trip flight from Mumbai to Beijing and I had previously asked about it here. Anyway my original plan was to buy a single round trip ticket Mumbai (BOM) - Beijing (PEK) - Mumbai (BOM) via HongKong (HKG). Then reading some Q/A here I found out that I (Indian) wouldn't need a visa for HKG. So now I'm thinking of spending some time in HKG while returning from Beijing which would have been easy if I had got hold of a single ticket with a long lay-over in HKG while returning but unfortunately i can't find any.

The only alternative would be to buy two separate round trip ticket i.e BOM - HKG - BOM and HKG - PEK - HKG which i find is not much different fare-wise. Now if I decide to do it this way then I would necessarily have to travel by Air-India (AI) for the first part -> BOM - HKG - BOM. Now AI lands at HKG at 06:50 and I have a choice to make on the second part of my journey -> HKG - PEK - HKG. which is to opt either CX6108 - Cathay Pacific flight operated by Air China (CA) which leaves HKG at 10:30 or CZ-309 - China Southern which leaves HKG at 13:20 same day.

Then on returning from PEK to HKG I'm planning to enter HKG and stay there a couple of days and leave HKG by AI on the final leg of BOM - HKG - BOM.

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So based on the info given above I have a few queries:

1. Firstly can someone confirm that as an Indian I don't need to have visa to transit HKG or enter HKG if my stay is not more than 7 days?

2. Worst case scenario would be that AI cannot check my baggage further than HKG but do you think AI would be able to check my baggage all the way to PEK if I choose CX6108 (operated by CA) since AI and CA are Star Alliance members.

3. Do you think the time difference (06:50 - 10:30) is sufficient to make the connection in case I would have to check the baggage myself at HKG or should I opt for CZ-309 in which case i believe there's enough time (06:50 - 13:20).

4. Since visa is not required so I'm guessing that my ticket for the journey ahead is the only document that i need to show at passport control in case i need to check my baggage at HKG. Also would I face any problem at passport control when i would re-enter HKG during my return leg of the trip considering that I may have had already entered once before recently for baggage while going to PEK.

5. Any practical problems you foresee in this plan?

Answer 1

Let's take the questions one by one, but you may want to skip to my answer to question 5.

1. You can confirm for yourself here -- if you are an Indian citizen and none of the other restrictions on that page apply then you can gain visa-free entry for up to 14 days (for a visit only, i.e. not to work, etc).

You should always check that this advice is still applicable shortly before flying.

2. Your best bet is to phone the airline (AI) in advance and check on this. Certainly some airlines can do this, many may simply not be setup to do it and many may refuse. Note that the check-in agent may refuse even if the airline technically allows it -- that's why it's useful to phone up in advance and check the rules. Again, it's entirely possible that some logistical reason prevents them doing this on the day so you should be prepared for that.

I think that HK airport probably can do it (they can transfer bags to mainland ferries without you going through immigration or customs -- even if they don't know in advance you're getting the ferry) so I can't see why they can't transfer between two different flights on different tickets. I'm guessing it'll come down to your check-in agent being able to do it.

3. On a good day this is enough time to make the connection, any number of delays (on the flight, at immigration, with baggage, etc) could stack up to make it un-doable. Personally, if you're coming all that way and you need to get to Beijing with your bag I'd take the longer connection (also see my last answer).

4. From the same link as above:

Visitors are required to have adequate funds to cover the duration of their stay without working and, unless in transit to the Mainland of China or the Macao Special Administrative Region, to hold onward or return tickets.

On the leg to Bangkok you may be asked why you're exiting and rechecking the bag, your onward ticket should be enough and it's unlikely it'll be a problem. You may get pulled for an extra interview and in this case, depending on the number of people waiting and the number of staff available, you can be waiting a while (an hour or more).

On the way back they may ask you to show onward travel out of Hong Kong and/or sufficient funds/accommodation for your stay. Or they may not.

And remember, the immigration staff also have the absolute right to refuse entry.

Generally you'll be OK, the worst that'll happen is the extended interview -- but it's difficult to tell in advance and depends on a lot of factors.

And so to the last question, "Any practical problems ..."

5. Sadly, yes. Because the flights are separate tickets if you miss the HKG - PEK flight for whatever reason, then the airline has no requirement to reschedule you. Worse they'll cancel the PEK - HKG return leg as well. This means you'll have to pay whatever applicable change fees are required (if it's a flexible flight) or buy an entirely new ticket.

You have a few options. Since it's all Star Alliance it should be possible to book this as one journey with the stopover. Perhaps not on-line but you can phone the booking line (check here) they can help. Sadly because of the oddities of airline pricing you may not get as good a price as your current one (or you may get much better). Also travel agents may be able to book this as one flight for you.

Your best online bet is to try the multi-city booking tool on Cathay, doing that I can book the whole thing as one ticket. Although on different airlines and probably more expensive.

Another alternatives? Spend a few days in HK in each direction to give yourself buffer.