Not usually one to shy away, especially not from my favorite city in the world, Hong Kong protests have me reconsidering my United status run. Should I?
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Status Run
A status run (the brother of a “mileage run”) is an otherwise unnecessary trip taken solely to satisfy elite requirements and maintain or elevate status. In the hotel loyalty game, it’s called a mattress run. To my friend and former UPGRD blogger, Sriram, (now at Travel Codex) – it’s called lunacy.
As it stands right now, I will average 5,625 PQMs monthly. I am trending slightly ahead of where I thought I’d be a couple of months ago but will still fall well short of the 100,000 miles required for maintaining 1K status.
I have looked at alternate destinations but if I am taking my wife and daughter and using my GPUs, I want them to fly the true Polaris product on the 777-300ER. The only route for that aircraft that will deliver the number of miles I need to make it close, is Newark-Hong Kong.
Civil Unrest in Hong Kong
Following a proposed move by the Hong Kong government to allow extradition to mainland China for criminal court cases, Hong Kongers took to the streets en masse. The Hong Kong government has since withdrawn the proposal but the protests have occurred every weekend for 11 straight.
While most of the protests don’t seem to be of a violent nature, there have been instances of people getting hurt, pro-Beijing offices vandalized and police stations damaged. Additionally, troop build-up on the border brings cause for concern that China’s military may enter the territory formally.
Matthew Would Do It…
The founder of this blog, Matthew Klint, is mostly fearless when it comes to this hobby. He has been to countries that I wish I was brave enough to see for myself, but frankly, am not likely to pursue. He’s been to Iran and Afghanistan among others – I’m not sure where he wouldn’t go.
But Hong Kong is hardly a war zone or restricted to US Passport holders. My mother probably just read that and thought, “If Matthew jumped off a cliff-” maybe mother, maybe.
Solo or As a Family?
We have a certain budget for status runs (yes, this is a first world travel blogger budget item) but usually I would run solo in paid business class to earn more points and reduce the number of trips required.
Since I moved to United and discovered that Premium Economy (which looks decent of its own right) earns the same PQMs as paid business class and qualifies for GPU upgrades to Polaris, we have room left for my family to join me.
The issue at hand, however, is that Hong Kong looks safe enough now but with rumors of police drills on the Shenzhen border and military build-ups in plain sight, am I putting my family in a compromised situation? Even if safe, will it be fun as it usually is to visit if there are two million people in the streets or I can’t get to my departure gate?
Conclusion
None of this should be read as denigrating the reason that Hong Kongers are protesting. In defense of the government, the proposal was lifted and has been tabled, there is no current threat to Hong Kongers of formal mainland extradition. I’m leaning toward going anyway because I just doubt it will hamper my trip and Hong Kong never ever disappoints. I love that city.
What do you think? Would you go? Would you take your family? Is it insensitive to go when the city is turmoil?
Hmmm…. Tough question. I cancelled back when BKK was shut down. But, maybe just buy a travel insurance policy since there are higher risks.
Come anyway. Hong Kong police have upped the ante and have water cannon trucks at the ready in case things turn violent, so this weekend’s protests have been peaceful with a couple of police-instigated exceptions. No, you won’t be able to get from point A to point B as easily as you would’ve in the past, and you shouldn’t go near protest areas (police teargassed civilians after all of the protesters left on Wednesday night I think), though it’s not as dangerous as it was last week.
I appreciate that.
I am a native of Hong Kong, born and raised here and let me tell you this: you are welcome to come. Hong Kong is safe and welcomes visitors. Yes there were 2 days where flights were disrupted (not all cancelled as some operated for transit passengers, contrary to what the government says) and yes there are demonstrations and protests but most have been peaceful and overall Hong Kong is still a welcoming city for you to visit again. Even if there are near 2 million people on the streets like today the transport system still works and you can still get to the airport.
Although leave more time to the airport for your departing flight as the airport are only letting ticketed passengers into the terminal (like a third world country and not what a welcoming international city should operate its airport).
I’m here on a visa run right now and at least in Aberdeen, it’s life as normal. I traveled the day after they opened the airport back up and didn’t see either a protestor or a policemen the whole trip from the airport to Central to Admiralty to Ocean Park. Might be a good time to explore the south side of HK island if you’ve never ventured here before.
Entire family on a mileage run for you? No matter where you are going poor choice
Chinese military has been in HK since 1997, FYI.
To be fair, I’m not AS opposed to airline status runs, IF it means qualifying for top tier status. The devaluation of loyalty programs diminishes the value somewhat, but IMO there’s still enough to make sense in certain circumstances. Low-level status, not so much. And mattress running for suite upgrades really is the definition of lunacy. But thanks for the link; Travel Codex appreciates it.
Anyway, it looks like the risk when it comes to the HK protests right now is that you may get stranded for a couple of days, or find it hard to get around the city, if they flare up again. Doesn’t sound like a reason to cancel your trip, though as someone else said, it’s probably a good idea to have travel insurance handy in case you do get stuck. I’m guessing you’re already covered with one of your credit cards so honestly I wouldn’t sweat it.
Dude everyday people come to this country, the USA, whose majority population had a penchant for slavery till about 150 years ago and for lynchings till about 59 years ago.
If people are brave enough to come to the USA you will survive wherever it is you are too chicken to go.
Go!
People in HKG are very welcome and many tourist locations are not affected. (Aside from the previous airport closure)
Check out the hotel prices, this may be a time to experience some if the more luxury hotels. Go by yourself.
Or transit through HKG and make a trip to a neighboring country with your family.
Have fun!
I’d say go and enjoy. If you encounter a protest, turn around and do not participate to avoid tear gas or getting a broken leg.
I would get an adhesive eye patch or two in the US (try Walgreens or similar) and wear it in solidarity. But in the airport, you can wear it except take it off before passport control or security.
You can get a ferry from HKG airport to a number of places (as long as you arrive before 8pm (ish)) if you want to sidestep the airport train/entrance area
I just returned from Hong Kong this evening and landed there in the middle of the protests on Monday. I would have no concerns about going to Hong Kong at this time especially because most of the protests are planned well ahead of time so visitors can avoid them. Hong Kong is a magnificent place that you and your family should not miss out on.
Good point above that with the ferry (jetfoil) you could go to directly to Macau without entering HK. Or if you have time for this trip overnight near the airport and then fly to Bangkok (and likewise for the return). That’s what I did end July-early August, taking advantage of Premium Plus for $2k and then GPU upgrades. I’m thinking of doing that again in November.
All that said I’d personally go to HK anyway (I go to Bangkok because I have friends there). I’m sure you can steer clear of trouble.
Good luck.
I was affected by the airport shutdown on 12 Aug 2019 when I was scheduled to fly home on my 6.50pm flight.
Notwithstanding this, I would not hesitate to recommend that you still proceed with the trip but be prepared for contingencies – avoid the areas where demonstrations are scheduled and budget for a bit more time to reach the airport and you will be fine.
I’m due to head to HK in October and have no plans as of yet to cancel. All of the unrest has been in Central (on the island) so perhaps if you go, stay more on the Kowloon side of the city.
You should definitely reconsider but then again maybe not.
I’m not changing travel plans to avoid HK ( admittedly it’s sans child but , as always, accompanied by Rufus, my 65 year old, forever young Teddy. I wouldn’t take him anywhere unsafe. On my trips to Iran, Syria, Libya, etc he had to stay home)
I think you should go.
My vote is to buy travel
Insurance and go. FYI ALPA is suggesting right now crews stay in the hotel on their layover to avoid the possibility of getting caught up in something.
HKG is super safe unless you say shit that is pro-police-brutality or pro-fascist-Beijing, 2 things that normal humans won’t say anyway. Long story short – you’re safe and u should go for your status run.