I do not have any personal practical experience, but I found the following at
http://travel.apec.org/faqs.html
Can ABTC holders be denied of entry?
The APEC Business Travel Card Scheme in no way alters the right of an economy to determine who may travel to, enter and remain in that economy, including a business person who has been issued with an ABTC. If a cardholder does not conform to the relevant visa/entry requirements of an economy, such as intending a genuine business visit, the cardholder may be refused entry.