APEC Business Travel Card (ABTC)
Feb 18, 2017, 12:58 pm
#16
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: San Francisco/Sydney
Programs: UA 1K/MM, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Something, IHG Gold, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 8,147
Just keep in mind that's their processing time. Once you're approved, only then does it go off to the other countries for approval, which will take several more months to complete (although you can get an interim card once you're approved for some countries).
Feb 18, 2017, 4:27 pm
#17
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: SJC/SFO (previously BNE, SIN, SHA/PVG)
Programs: UA GS/MM, Marriott TE, National EE, Global Entry/TSA-Pre, APEC BTC
Posts: 162
I'm actually fine with just the interim card at this point. My travel to APEC countries is only really US, Canada, Australia, China, Korea, Japan, Taiwan and Hong Kong so as an Australian citizen I only really need the visa for China. I recently got a 1 year visa for China renewed so I'm fine there for some time. I really just want to use the APEC immigration lines at this point, I would spend many hours per year waiting in the normal immigration lines as I travel to at least one of the above countries every week.
and having the China visa within the APEC card later will be very useful also.
and having the China visa within the APEC card later will be very useful also.
Feb 19, 2017, 12:34 am
#18
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: San Francisco/Sydney
Programs: UA 1K/MM, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Something, IHG Gold, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 8,147
Same in the US and Canada, although they will never actually be listed on the card as they are transitional members only (ie, you still need a visa/ESTA/ETA to enter)
I wouldn't expect any issues in other countries either.
Feb 19, 2017, 1:39 am
#19
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: SJC/SFO (previously BNE, SIN, SHA/PVG)
Programs: UA GS/MM, Marriott TE, National EE, Global Entry/TSA-Pre, APEC BTC
Posts: 162
Sounds good, that's what I'm looking forward to. Btw, I'm US based green card and have global entry so US is no issue for me.
Aug 30, 2017, 8:24 pm
#20
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: SYD
Programs: UA GS, BA Gold, Marriott Titanium/LT Plat, IHG Gold, National Exec Elite, Hertz PC
Posts: 1,419
As of 1 July 2017, the application process for Australians is electronic. This seems to greatly speed up processing. Below is the processing time, per country.
(Wed) Day 0: filed application in Australia.
(Thu) Day 1: Australia approval.
(Fri) Day 2:
Brunei Darussalam
Indonesia
Week 1:
New Zealand
Chile
Malaysia
Week 2:
Philippines
Russia
Week 3:
Hong Kong
Japan
Thailand
Vietnam
Mexico
Week 4:
Peru
Chinese Taipei
Week 5:
China
Week 6:
Korea
Singapore
(A few weeks later, I didn't check very carefully)
Papua New Guinea
(Wed) Day 0: filed application in Australia.
(Thu) Day 1: Australia approval.
(Fri) Day 2:
Brunei Darussalam
Indonesia
Week 1:
New Zealand
Chile
Malaysia
Week 2:
Philippines
Russia
Week 3:
Hong Kong
Japan
Thailand
Vietnam
Mexico
Week 4:
Peru
Chinese Taipei
Week 5:
China
Week 6:
Korea
Singapore
(A few weeks later, I didn't check very carefully)
Papua New Guinea
Last edited by flyerbjorn; Feb 15, 2018 at 2:42 pm
Feb 15, 2018, 11:22 am
#22
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Houston
Programs: UA GS 2.6MM & Lifetime UC, Qantas Platinum, Hilton Lifetime Diamond, Bonvoy Platinum, HawaiianMiles
Posts: 8,682
Feb 15, 2018, 2:44 pm
#23
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: SYD
Programs: UA GS, BA Gold, Marriott Titanium/LT Plat, IHG Gold, National Exec Elite, Hertz PC
Posts: 1,419
I tried in the US and Malaysia and was denied to bring my family both times. I asked in Singapore (which is already very efficient) and they told me to use the family express line instead.
Mar 3, 2018, 2:28 pm
#24
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: YOW
Programs: AC-SE100K, AC-3MM, Marriott- LT Titanium, SPG RIP
Posts: 2,958
i am traveling to SYD soon with family- I am assuming it’s a no-go to bring family though the APEC line when arriving- can anybody confirm? Thanks
Mar 3, 2018, 2:56 pm
#25
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: SYD
Programs: UA GS, BA Gold, Marriott Titanium/LT Plat, IHG Gold, National Exec Elite, Hertz PC
Posts: 1,419
In Taiwan they allow card holder, spouse and two children when entering and the same though security and immigration when exiting. They still process you as noktmal, but the queue is non-existent.
i am traveling to SYD soon with family- I am assuming it’s a no-go to bring family though the APEC line when arriving- can anybody confirm? Thanks
When you travel business class or have higher status with the airline, you typically get an express voucher that you can use for the whole family. That's what we do.
Mar 3, 2018, 4:08 pm
#26
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: MEL CHC
Posts: 20,990
I haven't actually done this, but when I asked, SYD (exit) immigration said that they are happy to process the whole family at once.
When you travel business class or have higher status with the airline, you typically get an express voucher that you can use for the whole family. That's what we do.
When you travel business class or have higher status with the airline, you typically get an express voucher that you can use for the whole family. That's what we do.
Smartgate at Australia & NZ immigration
Mar 3, 2018, 7:11 pm
#27
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: San Francisco/Sydney
Programs: UA 1K/MM, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Something, IHG Gold, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 8,147
Australian Smartgate has made APEC & express vouchers near redundant for many eligible passport holders. I have not used in years and have a bundle in a draw
Smartgate at Australia & NZ immigration
Smartgate at Australia & NZ immigration
Mar 26, 2018, 8:05 am
#28
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: phoenix
Programs: AA , 3MM, CK, Marriott Titanim
Posts: 64
I'm sorry for this question but as a current APEC card holder how do I know which countries I am approved for? I looked on the website but could not find it....I ask because above a post talks about processing time for approval by country....
Last edited by pkfinman; Mar 26, 2018 at 8:17 am
Mar 26, 2018, 8:15 am
#29
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Houston
Programs: UA GS 2.6MM & Lifetime UC, Qantas Platinum, Hilton Lifetime Diamond, Bonvoy Platinum, HawaiianMiles
Posts: 8,682
List of APEC Member Countries - Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation - Quizzes, Trivia, Country Facts
Mar 26, 2018, 1:16 pm
#30
Join Date: Apr 2017
Programs: SQ TPPS (21),QF G, NZ E, IHG D Amb, Marriott Gold, HH Gold, Shangri-La Jade, Accor Plat, Hertz P
Posts: 395
It’s printed on the back of the card. Some countries approve quickly, and those are included on the first card you receive. As others trickle in they will issue another card with the full list (unless you are not approved, obviously).
