Hong Kong is Giving Away Half a Million Flights 🇭🇰

Many countries have completely lifted their travel restrictions around Covid-19, but there are also some countries that have lagged behind, including Hong Kong.

To usher in a post-Covid era and give tourists a warm welcome once again, they are planning to give away half a million airline tickets! Read on for more information about how you can enter to become the lucky winner 🤩

For which airlines are the tickets valid?

The free tickets are given away by Cathay Pacific, HK Express and Hong Kong Airlines.

Who pays for the ticket?

The Hong Kong Tourism Board has allocated 2 billion Hong Kong dollars for the contest, or approximately 230 million pounds. The plan included purchased tickets from the airlines as early as 2020 as part of an aid program to help Hong Kong's tourism get going again.

How do I win a free flight?

The giveaway will be rolled out in three phases. In the first round, which runs from 1 March, allows residents from countries in Southeast Asia to register. This is followed by the second round, from April, in which residents from China are eligible and finally, from May, everyone can participate in the giveaway.

From 1 May you can visit this web page to sign up for the giveaway, or go directly to the websites of the airlines that make this prize possible; Cathay Pacific, HK Express and Hong Kong Airlines.

🔍 Source: Hong Kong Airport

Is there a catch?

If it seems too good to be true, then you might be right. We've noticed two things:

1. It is up to the airlines to decide whether they raffle the tickets, give them away to those who are most interested, or give them away according to the "buy 1, get 1" principle. The latter would of course make the most sense for the airlines, but is a little bit less attractive for us.

2. The fine print also states that surcharges, taxes and fees must be paid. With a sample flight (round-trip) of around $700, that would still be almost $300, which the "winner" would have to pay for themselves.

What else can I get?

All visitors travelling to Hong Kong in 2023 will get:

• A welcome drink in one of over 100 restaurants, bars and hotels (worth at least $10).

• A discount voucher (about $10) for over 140 shops, restaurants and attractions.

• A souvenir that you can pick up at many attractions and museums (worth at least $10).

Hong Kong entry requirements

The hotel quarantine, which was necessary long after entry, has been completely abolished. A PCR test is also no longer necessary. Please note the following before entering the country:

• A recognized vaccination certificate (not applicable to Hong Kong residents and travellers from Mainland China, Macau or Taiwan).

• Incoming persons from Macau*, Taiwan or overseas places aged 4 years or older must complete a RAT (can be self-administered) within 24 hours or undergo a PCR-based nucleic acid test within 48 hours prior to the scheduled flight departure time (if you're entering Hong Kong through the airport) or the scheduled time of arrival (if entering through other border checkpoints).

• Anybody entering Hong Kong from the mainland must undergo a nucleic acid test in the People's Republic of China within 48 hours prior to travel. *If the persons concerned have stayed on the mainland on the day of, or in the seven days prior to, arrival in Hong Kong, they must undergo a PCR test within 48 hours prior to the scheduled time of arrival and obtain a negative result prior to entry into Hong-Kong.

• Obtain a negative result and retain a photo of the test result for 90 days for inspection upon request by government personnel. You can also voluntarily submit your test result through the "Electronic Health Declaration Form" of the Ministry of Health.

🔍 Source: Hong Kong Government

Here is an image to summurize:

🔍 Source: Hongkong Government, Federal Foreign Office