Jun 23, 2014, 10:17 pm
Last edit by: Boraxo
US/Canadian-issued ABTC can only be used to access the APEC/Crew/Diplomat lane. It does not replace/waive any visa requirements. Chinese embassy webpages mentioning visa not being required is for ABTC with CHN endorsed on the back. No US/Canadian-issued ABTC will have that endorsement.
The button to renew your US/Canadian ABTC will appear in your profile 30 days before the card expiration date.
Locations confirmed up and running:
AUS
BOS (Logan) only one of the two signature pads was working (late nov 2014)
BOS (Logan) still only 1 signature panel working, and a bit of confusion, but it all worked out (Jan 2015)
CVG (Minneola Pike)
EWR
IAD signature capture working in GE enrollment center; walk-in accepted after appointments accommodated - I was in the office for less than two minutes
IAH (outside security in E, no word on inside security GE office yet)
JFK (walk-in accepted; entrance directly across from Central Diner on arrivals level, T-4)
LAS
LAX
Long Beach, CA (downtown CBP Seaport offices, not LGB airport); posted as No Walk In, but may accommodate just the signature capture
MIA
MCO
ORD
PHX (Terminal 4, behind #6 baggage carousel)
SEA (Nexus office)
SFO (walk-in)
TUS (walk-in accepted)
Washington, DC/Reagan Bldg. walked in, only person there, signature captured, walked out, all within 5 minutes
YYZ (Nexus office)
YVR (Nexus office)
Usage Experience Updates:
BKK - 11/11/14 - success, 03/19/17 - success, 05/10/17 - success
CGK - 02/20/15 - denied (exit), 05/10/17 - success (exit), 08/20/17 - success (entry)
CRK - 10/28/16 - success, but only 30 days, not 59 days for no-endorsement US issued ABTC.
CTU - 03/18/16 - denied -(APAC lane has limited hours)
CUN - 12/30/17 & 12/27/19 - success (with family) but difficult to enter express lane due to pushback from line monitor
DMK - 9/20/17 inbound - success, had to go under lane ropes; use Official/Diplomatic, not Crew. No APEC markings.
DPS - 03/08/15 - success but with pushback (exit)
GMP - 09/18/14 - success, 03/18/15 - success (arrival)
HKG - 09/21/14 - success, 02/28/15 - success, 02/29/15 - success (exit), 3/18/17 success, 3/19/17 - success (exit)
HKT - 12/23 - success on entry - sign says +1 allowed and "THA" endorsement required, but didn't even check the back of card. On departure the APEC lane was not staffed
HND - 07/30/14, 03/30/23 - success - lane in clearly marked
ICN - 09/13/14 - success, 03/24/25 - success (departure)
KUL - 03/10/16 - success
MEX - 06/28/15 - success, 7/11/17 - success
MNL - 11/27/2015 - success (T1) (business visa not necessary for U.S. citizens) 59 days (depends on agent training. Most give 59, some give only 30, (Oct 2018))
NRT - 12/1/2014 - success both inbound and outbound immigration (visa not needed); 9/25/17 - inbound success
PEK - 07/25/14 - success (T3)
POM - 11/01/15 - denied, PNG immigration has a sign saying "only endorsed ABTC cards"
PVG - 07/24/14 - success (T2)
PVR - 11/2018, 4/2021 success (with family),4/2023 fail
SGN - 09/04/2014 - success (visa on arrival), 02/15/2017 - denied (visa on arrival)
SHA - 11/10/2014 - success
SJD - 6/2017 & 6/2018 - success (with family)
SIN - 2/3/2016 - denied, 5/3/2017 - success; 9/16/17 - success at APEC lane
TPE - 07/24/14 - success (T2), 9/30 - success (T1), 10/12 - Denied (T2), 02/24/2015 - success (T1), 5/11 & 5/13 - success (T1)
YUL - 11/2014 - success inbound (repeatedly into 2016 via dip line)
YVR - 06/2015 - success inbound
YYZ - 07/2016 - Success inbound
SCL - 04/02/2017 - Success inbound
LIM - 12/04/2017 - Success inbound
China land crossings from HK:
Lo Wu, Lok Ma Chau, Huanggang, Shenzhen Bay - 09/29/14 reported - success
China Train crossings from HK:
Dongguan and Guangzhou - 09/29/14 reported - success
Hung Hom (Hong Kong's International Train Station) - 04/30/15 - success in both directions
China Seaports from HK/Macau:
Shekou, Zhongshan, Zhuhai and Baoan and and Macau/China ferry terminal in Hong Kong - 09/29/14 reported - success
[On all above China-HK crossings look, to use ABTC to enter/exit China, look for the "Special" counters]
For CGK: Go to line marked 3 on left side just before main immigration hall. If you get to line in main hall you've gone too far. Do not use crew line.
Locations confirmed up and running:
AUS
BOS (Logan) only one of the two signature pads was working (late nov 2014)
BOS (Logan) still only 1 signature panel working, and a bit of confusion, but it all worked out (Jan 2015)
CVG (Minneola Pike)
EWR
IAD signature capture working in GE enrollment center; walk-in accepted after appointments accommodated - I was in the office for less than two minutes
IAH (outside security in E, no word on inside security GE office yet)
JFK (walk-in accepted; entrance directly across from Central Diner on arrivals level, T-4)
LAS
LAX
Long Beach, CA (downtown CBP Seaport offices, not LGB airport); posted as No Walk In, but may accommodate just the signature capture
MIA
MCO
ORD
PHX (Terminal 4, behind #6 baggage carousel)
SEA (Nexus office)
SFO (walk-in)
TUS (walk-in accepted)
Washington, DC/Reagan Bldg. walked in, only person there, signature captured, walked out, all within 5 minutes
YYZ (Nexus office)
YVR (Nexus office)
Usage Experience Updates:
BKK - 11/11/14 - success, 03/19/17 - success, 05/10/17 - success
CGK - 02/20/15 - denied (exit), 05/10/17 - success (exit), 08/20/17 - success (entry)
CRK - 10/28/16 - success, but only 30 days, not 59 days for no-endorsement US issued ABTC.
CTU - 03/18/16 - denied -(APAC lane has limited hours)
CUN - 12/30/17 & 12/27/19 - success (with family) but difficult to enter express lane due to pushback from line monitor
DMK - 9/20/17 inbound - success, had to go under lane ropes; use Official/Diplomatic, not Crew. No APEC markings.
DPS - 03/08/15 - success but with pushback (exit)
GMP - 09/18/14 - success, 03/18/15 - success (arrival)
HKG - 09/21/14 - success, 02/28/15 - success, 02/29/15 - success (exit), 3/18/17 success, 3/19/17 - success (exit)
HKT - 12/23 - success on entry - sign says +1 allowed and "THA" endorsement required, but didn't even check the back of card. On departure the APEC lane was not staffed
HND - 07/30/14, 03/30/23 - success - lane in clearly marked
ICN - 09/13/14 - success, 03/24/25 - success (departure)
KUL - 03/10/16 - success
MEX - 06/28/15 - success, 7/11/17 - success
MNL - 11/27/2015 - success (T1) (business visa not necessary for U.S. citizens) 59 days (depends on agent training. Most give 59, some give only 30, (Oct 2018))
NRT - 12/1/2014 - success both inbound and outbound immigration (visa not needed); 9/25/17 - inbound success
PEK - 07/25/14 - success (T3)
POM - 11/01/15 - denied, PNG immigration has a sign saying "only endorsed ABTC cards"
PVG - 07/24/14 - success (T2)
PVR - 11/2018, 4/2021 success (with family),4/2023 fail
SGN - 09/04/2014 - success (visa on arrival), 02/15/2017 - denied (visa on arrival)
SHA - 11/10/2014 - success
SJD - 6/2017 & 6/2018 - success (with family)
SIN - 2/3/2016 - denied, 5/3/2017 - success; 9/16/17 - success at APEC lane
TPE - 07/24/14 - success (T2), 9/30 - success (T1), 10/12 - Denied (T2), 02/24/2015 - success (T1), 5/11 & 5/13 - success (T1)
YUL - 11/2014 - success inbound (repeatedly into 2016 via dip line)
YVR - 06/2015 - success inbound
YYZ - 07/2016 - Success inbound
SCL - 04/02/2017 - Success inbound
LIM - 12/04/2017 - Success inbound
China land crossings from HK:
Lo Wu, Lok Ma Chau, Huanggang, Shenzhen Bay - 09/29/14 reported - success
China Train crossings from HK:
Dongguan and Guangzhou - 09/29/14 reported - success
Hung Hom (Hong Kong's International Train Station) - 04/30/15 - success in both directions
China Seaports from HK/Macau:
Shekou, Zhongshan, Zhuhai and Baoan and and Macau/China ferry terminal in Hong Kong - 09/29/14 reported - success
[On all above China-HK crossings look, to use ABTC to enter/exit China, look for the "Special" counters]
For CGK: Go to line marked 3 on left side just before main immigration hall. If you get to line in main hall you've gone too far. Do not use crew line.
US/Canadian Issued APEC Business Travel Card (ABTC): Updates, Experiences, Q&A
Feb 5, 2016, 3:43 pm
#887
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: CGK/LAX
Programs: KF,JMB, OZ, SPG,AA,UA,AS
Posts: 1,163
The Immigration Official turned the card over looking for an endorsement. He then said that Singapore only recognizes cards which have Singapore endorsed on the back.
I told him very politely that all US issued cards do not have any endorsements, and the card just affords US members expedited immigration. He told me that "it's not his problem that card isn't endorsed, go use other line," and off I went. I clear immigration at SIN at least once a month so i'll give it another shot on my next trip. My first negative experience at Changi and it could just be a one-off.
I told him very politely that all US issued cards do not have any endorsements, and the card just affords US members expedited immigration. He told me that "it's not his problem that card isn't endorsed, go use other line," and off I went. I clear immigration at SIN at least once a month so i'll give it another shot on my next trip. My first negative experience at Changi and it could just be a one-off.
Feb 5, 2016, 3:46 pm
#888
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: in the vicinity of SFO
Programs: AA 2MM (LT-PLT, PPro for this year)
Posts: 19,781
The Immigration Official turned the card over looking for an endorsement. He then said that Singapore only recognizes cards which have Singapore endorsed on the back.
I told him very politely that all US issued cards do not have any endorsements, and the card just affords US members expedited immigration. He told me that "it's not his problem that card isn't endorsed, go use other line," and off I went. I clear immigration at SIN at least once a month so i'll give it another shot on my next trip. My first negative experience at Changi and it could just be a one-off.
I told him very politely that all US issued cards do not have any endorsements, and the card just affords US members expedited immigration. He told me that "it's not his problem that card isn't endorsed, go use other line," and off I went. I clear immigration at SIN at least once a month so i'll give it another shot on my next trip. My first negative experience at Changi and it could just be a one-off.
I'll be connecting through Changi on Sunday, but it's not a long enough connection to be worth trying to go out through immigration and back to check.
Feb 5, 2016, 4:39 pm
#889
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: CGK/LAX
Programs: KF,JMB, OZ, SPG,AA,UA,AS
Posts: 1,163
I suspect it was a one-off with an immigration official who was either having a bad day or just untrained. I'm going to try again in early March.
Feb 6, 2016, 7:29 pm
#890
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: YYZ
Programs: Gate Lice, Credit Card Cattle
Posts: 131
Please submit your experience feedback to Immigration Singapore.
(Post #823) http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/25679535-post823.html
I did the feedback and got a response back but unfortunately, it seems you still had the same bad experience.
Feb 12, 2016, 1:11 pm
#891
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: NYC
Programs: Marriot Am, MU Pt
Posts: 3,092
I got a lot of questions in CTU (Chengdu, China) this past week. Didn't get denied, but mostly why there were no endorsements in the back. Told them the card in the US only lets me use the line that's why I have a visa. It didn't bother the guy that I had a tourist visa. Also the APEC lines doesn't have entry stamp setup, so they had to escort me to get a stamp (I was told to stand aside while they took my passport to another desk); people thought I was getting detained or something.
Feb 17, 2016, 9:01 pm
#892
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: CGK/LAX
Programs: KF,JMB, OZ, SPG,AA,UA,AS
Posts: 1,163
I had a similar bad experience on Oct 07, 2015 @T2.
Please submit your experience feedback to Immigration Singapore.
(Post #823) http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/25679535-post823.html
I did the feedback and got a response back but unfortunately, it seems you still had the same bad experience.
Please submit your experience feedback to Immigration Singapore.
(Post #823) http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/25679535-post823.html
I did the feedback and got a response back but unfortunately, it seems you still had the same bad experience.
I passed through Changi again yesterday and used the APEC card without any issue. I'm going to chalk up the experience on my first attempt to an untrained agent.
Also had no issues using the card inbound/outbound at ICN.
Feb 17, 2016, 11:44 pm
#893
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: LAX/TPE
Programs: United 1K, JAL Sapphire, SPG Lifetime Platinum, National Executive Elite, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 42,205
Super smooth experience at TPE last week....the immigration hall was total chaos for non-residents, so I used the APEC desk, and aside from needing to shove a pushy mainland Chinese with a baby carriage aside when she tried to cut in front of me, there was no question about my card, or the fact I checked multiple reasons for my visit, including tourism, family visit and business. A nice 180D change from the anti-US card hostility that plagued visits here a year ago.
On the way out, the APEC line saved me a good hour considering the chaos of the security line during the morning out of T2.
On the way out, the APEC line saved me a good hour considering the chaos of the security line during the morning out of T2.
Feb 18, 2016, 6:37 am
#894
Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 325
Super smooth experience at TPE last week....the immigration hall was total chaos for non-residents, so I used the APEC desk, and aside from needing to shove a pushy mainland Chinese with a baby carriage aside when she tried to cut in front of me, there was no question about my card, or the fact I checked multiple reasons for my visit, including tourism, family visit and business. A nice 180D change from the anti-US card hostility that plagued visits here a year ago.
On the way out, the APEC line saved me a good hour considering the chaos of the security line during the morning out of T2.
On the way out, the APEC line saved me a good hour considering the chaos of the security line during the morning out of T2.
I was just about to post to ask about recent TPE experience.
As you come into the T2 hall is the APEC desk towards right or left side? Just in case it is chaos it would be nice to know which way to swim.
Thanks!
Feb 19, 2016, 11:35 pm
#895
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: LAX/TPE
Programs: United 1K, JAL Sapphire, SPG Lifetime Platinum, National Executive Elite, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 42,205
On departure, the APEC special screening area is well hidden - and if you ask anyone at the security checkpoint they will try and force you into the regular line even if you show them your APEC card, so it's best not to even ask - just go to the far left of the security entrance and keep walking away from it until you see a doorway with a tiny sign that lists special services, wheelchairs, strollers and APEC. Go through the door, hang a right at the end of the short hall, you'll get the private entrance area. Show your APEC card with your boarding pass and passport and you'll be through security quickly and then over to a private immigration desk just for users of that screening room....again, admire all of the unlucky people standing in line, especially during the early morning, and perhaps catch sight of a mainland Chinese tourist trying to sneak over to cut the into the APEC line before being dragged away.
The new process has taken my TPE arrival and departure stress level down 90% and I'm already in the lounge eating breakfast long before any of the people I passed entering security have even been screened, let alone gone through immigration processing.
Feb 20, 2016, 9:30 am
#896
Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 325
Thank you for the quick reply and all the great information!
I forgot to ask about the departure information so that was very much appreciated too.
It will be especially nice to have APEC working on departure too - I remember a few years ago (pre-APEC and during construction) that it took forever...
lol at the Chinese tourist trying to sneak in and "being dragged away"
Thanks again!
I forgot to ask about the departure information so that was very much appreciated too.
It will be especially nice to have APEC working on departure too - I remember a few years ago (pre-APEC and during construction) that it took forever...
lol at the Chinese tourist trying to sneak in and "being dragged away"
Thanks again!
Feb 20, 2016, 9:04 pm
#897
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: LAX/TPE
Programs: United 1K, JAL Sapphire, SPG Lifetime Platinum, National Executive Elite, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 42,205
Thank you for the quick reply and all the great information!
I forgot to ask about the departure information so that was very much appreciated too.
It will be especially nice to have APEC working on departure too - I remember a few years ago (pre-APEC and during construction) that it took forever...
lol at the Chinese tourist trying to sneak in and "being dragged away"
Thanks again!
I forgot to ask about the departure information so that was very much appreciated too.
It will be especially nice to have APEC working on departure too - I remember a few years ago (pre-APEC and during construction) that it took forever...
lol at the Chinese tourist trying to sneak in and "being dragged away"
Thanks again!
Feb 20, 2016, 10:39 pm
#898
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Newport Beach / San Francisco / Seattle
Programs: UA GS 1MM, Amex Centurion, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Ambassador
Posts: 289
Excellent experience for me in and out of TPE as well over the CNY holiday. Inbound, the line is on the far right hand side and the agent saw that I had checked "Tourism, Visiting Relatives and Business" as my reasons - he asked what relatives I had in Taiwan and sent me on my way.
On the way out, I had no clue where the APEC line was. Headed to the regular line and asked a security agent where the APEC line was. She left her post to escort me to the [well-hidden] door that leads to APEC/Diplomatic/etc. ^ Again, no issues on my way out and I was through in less than 10 minutes. Wonderful.
On the way out, I had no clue where the APEC line was. Headed to the regular line and asked a security agent where the APEC line was. She left her post to escort me to the [well-hidden] door that leads to APEC/Diplomatic/etc. ^ Again, no issues on my way out and I was through in less than 10 minutes. Wonderful.
Feb 21, 2016, 2:35 am
#899
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 34
Thank you for the quick reply and all the great information!
I forgot to ask about the departure information so that was very much appreciated too.
It will be especially nice to have APEC working on departure too - I remember a few years ago (pre-APEC and during construction) that it took forever...
lol at the Chinese tourist trying to sneak in and "being dragged away"
Thanks again!
I forgot to ask about the departure information so that was very much appreciated too.
It will be especially nice to have APEC working on departure too - I remember a few years ago (pre-APEC and during construction) that it took forever...
lol at the Chinese tourist trying to sneak in and "being dragged away"
Thanks again!
Don't forget if your flight is after the APEC Chanel closes (departures) you can use the crew lane - flew in and out twice over CNY at night after it had closed and I used the crew line without any issues - just show the card. You can find the crew line to the left of the entrance of the regular line - security sits outside the door. Just show the card...