Using NZ issued APEC card to enter US
May 30, 2016, 2:00 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2010
Programs: NZ*GE
Posts: 184
Using NZ issued APEC card to enter US
Greetings, fellow travellers
Heading to the US on Thu for the first time since getting my APEC I know we still need ESTA etc as US is only a provisional member.
I have a couple of questions I'm hoping someone can answer, have tried googling to no avail
- if US is not listed on the back of our cards, can we still use fast lane immigration? All I seem to be able to find out is that US doesn't print anything even on the back of its own cards. So is this normal? Or has US turned us down?
- husband and I each have our own APEC card; travelling with teenage kids (husband and me heading to conference). If we can use APEC lanes, can we take kids with us?
Thanks in anticipation
Heading to the US on Thu for the first time since getting my APEC I know we still need ESTA etc as US is only a provisional member.
I have a couple of questions I'm hoping someone can answer, have tried googling to no avail
- if US is not listed on the back of our cards, can we still use fast lane immigration? All I seem to be able to find out is that US doesn't print anything even on the back of its own cards. So is this normal? Or has US turned us down?
- husband and I each have our own APEC card; travelling with teenage kids (husband and me heading to conference). If we can use APEC lanes, can we take kids with us?
Thanks in anticipation
May 30, 2016, 3:22 am
#2
Ambassador: Air New Zealand
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Wellington NZ
Programs: NZ Elite, EK Gold, Qatar Gold, Amex Plat, Accor Gold, Hilton Gold
Posts: 1,426
APEC Business Travel Card
All your questions are answered on the APEC website
The United States is a transitional member of the scheme. In the United States, legislation has been passed authorizing the issuance of ABTCs to eligible persons. U.S. Customs and Border Protection is in the process of commencing card issuance.
APEC Business Travel Card
United States
APEC Cardholders are entitled to use ’fast-track’ immigration lanes (which in most instances is the air-crew lane) upon entry at all international airports.
Valid visas must be obtained if required by existing United States law.
ABTC Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
The United States is a transitional member of the scheme. In the United States, legislation has been passed authorizing the issuance of ABTCs to eligible persons. U.S. Customs and Border Protection is in the process of commencing card issuance.
APEC Business Travel Card
United States
APEC Cardholders are entitled to use ’fast-track’ immigration lanes (which in most instances is the air-crew lane) upon entry at all international airports.
Valid visas must be obtained if required by existing United States law.
ABTC Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
8. A bona fide business person is taken to mean a person who is engaged in the trade of goods, the provision of services or the conduct of investment activities. It specifically does not include:
8.1. the business person’s dependent spouse and children;
8.1. the business person’s dependent spouse and children;
May 30, 2016, 4:53 am
#3
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Belgrade, Serbia
Programs: Etihad Guest
Posts: 1,549
You can use the fast lanes which are the very first ones (as you arrive on the left) when you reach Passport Control.
Most of the airport ground staff have no idea about this, even the ones standing in front of the lanes marked APEC.
Now the bad news. You absolutely are not entitled to take anyone through with you who hasn't got their own APEC card. Even your kids.
But fortunately so few people know what an APEC card is that you sometimes can get away with it anyway.
Most of the airport ground staff have no idea about this, even the ones standing in front of the lanes marked APEC.
Now the bad news. You absolutely are not entitled to take anyone through with you who hasn't got their own APEC card. Even your kids.
But fortunately so few people know what an APEC card is that you sometimes can get away with it anyway.
May 30, 2016, 10:01 am
#4
Join Date: Jul 2014
Programs: Air NZ Elite, Krisflyer Gold, Qantas Gold
Posts: 41
Have used APEC multiple times entering the US, saves time for sure, but sometimes you just end up waiting for baggage anyway.
Copped a bollocking once at LAX when in transit to a Lufthansa flight, said I shouldn't be using it unless entering. He was absolutely right, but luckily didn't kick me to the general queue.
Copped a bollocking once at LAX when in transit to a Lufthansa flight, said I shouldn't be using it unless entering. He was absolutely right, but luckily didn't kick me to the general queue.
May 30, 2016, 10:48 am
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Netherlands
Programs: KL Platinum; A3 Gold
Posts: 28,722
May 30, 2016, 12:29 pm
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2010
Programs: NZ*GE
Posts: 184
Thanks all - we're arriving into Houston.
Not for this time with the kids, then. But for future reference, even without US printed in the back of the card is it eligible there? That was the thing I couldn't find anywhere.
Though it sounds a bit hit & miss there anyway...
Not for this time with the kids, then. But for future reference, even without US printed in the back of the card is it eligible there? That was the thing I couldn't find anywhere.
Though it sounds a bit hit & miss there anyway...
May 30, 2016, 1:33 pm
#7
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: New Zealand (most of the time)
Programs: Air NZ Elite *G, Honors Gold, IHG Platinum Elite
Posts: 6,115
Arrivals into IAH are really quick anyway. Was under 20 mins from plane to Supershuttle kiosk for me when I flew at the end of last year and I've heard plenty of others who have experienced similar quick entry.
Jun 1, 2016, 2:40 pm
#9
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: BLQ / TRG
Programs: NZ*E, UA*1K, QF Plat
Posts: 1,071
I use the APEC card at LAX regularly. It saves me time. When busy at LAX you can also use the "express" side at customs, where the normal lines are sometimes very long.
At YUL entering the US the other day they knew about APEC cards, but had not seen one before.
At YUL entering the US the other day they knew about APEC cards, but had not seen one before.
Jun 2, 2016, 8:31 pm
#12
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Auckland
Programs: NZ GOLD (*G), KLM FB S, QF S,
Posts: 291
Well worth it if doing business in China. Saves a lot on visas and also the best is that it gets thru immigration and security a lot faster- usually to the front of the queue. I actually used my APEC card last time thru Ningbo airport as the security queues were long due to the May day holidays- not sure they had seen one before but they let me thru the VIP security line!
Last edited by brucelee; Jun 2, 2016 at 8:33 pm Reason: added more information
Jun 20, 2016, 6:12 pm
#13
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Auckland, NZ
Programs: NZ*E, Qantas Gold, Accor Gold
Posts: 22
I have an APEC card and use it a lot for work, and generally I travel alone. I'm interested to know if there are any places where you can use it to take your family through?
I have a colleague who says he has used it to take his family through in Hong Kong - but not sure if this was a one-off/mistake, or whether it's ok.
I have a colleague who says he has used it to take his family through in Hong Kong - but not sure if this was a one-off/mistake, or whether it's ok.
Jun 20, 2016, 6:58 pm
#14
Ambassador: Air New Zealand
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Wellington NZ
Programs: NZ Elite, EK Gold, Qatar Gold, Amex Plat, Accor Gold, Hilton Gold
Posts: 1,426
I have an APEC card and use it a lot for work, and generally I travel alone. I'm interested to know if there are any places where you can use it to take your family through?
I have a colleague who says he has used it to take his family through in Hong Kong - but not sure if this was a one-off/mistake, or whether it's ok.
I have a colleague who says he has used it to take his family through in Hong Kong - but not sure if this was a one-off/mistake, or whether it's ok.
The card replaces the need to apply for individual visa's therefore it is linked to your passport for your own use.
With the queues at HKG I could imagine the Immigration Officer would have said it was ok to bring the family through - New Zealand Passport holders do not need a visa to enter HKG.
Jun 20, 2016, 7:40 pm
#15
Join Date: Sep 2010
Programs: Air NZ Gold Elite
Posts: 135
I travel to Japan often. "Wife is ok" to accompany me with the APEC card. (It just let's us jump the line).
Best destination to speed up access for me has been coming into ZQN from Australia... frustratingly there are no lines for NZ Passport holders, and with all of the holidaymakers and kids, it can be a slow process if you arrive when there are a lot of flights.
Best destination to speed up access for me has been coming into ZQN from Australia... frustratingly there are no lines for NZ Passport holders, and with all of the holidaymakers and kids, it can be a slow process if you arrive when there are a lot of flights.