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
Sep 7, 2019, 10:06 pm
#1621
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: New York City + Vail, CO
Programs: American Airlines Executive Platinum, Marriott Bonvoy Ambassador Elite
Posts: 3,226
I just got the card for the fist time. I know all the documentation say that it can only be used for business travel--but has anyone tired too use it for personal travel without a work visa for that country, or when in transit to work via a 3rd country where there's no work taking place? I'd really love to use those diplomatic lines.
Sep 8, 2019, 10:53 am
#1622
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: San Francisco/Sydney
Programs: UA 1K/MM, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Something, IHG Gold, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 8,162
I just got the card for the fist time. I know all the documentation say that it can only be used for business travel--but has anyone tired too use it for personal travel without a work visa for that country, or when in transit to work via a 3rd country where there's no work taking place?
Sep 8, 2019, 12:55 pm
#1623
Join Date: Dec 2016
Programs: CX MPC DM
Posts: 416
I just got the card for the fist time. I know all the documentation say that it can only be used for business travel--but has anyone tired too use it for personal travel without a work visa for that country, or when in transit to work via a 3rd country where there's no work taking place? I'd really love to use those diplomatic lines.
Sep 9, 2019, 1:22 am
#1624
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: SFO
Programs: Marriott Ti/LTP
Posts: 1,329
I just got the card for the fist time. I know all the documentation say that it can only be used for business travel--but has anyone tired too use it for personal travel without a work visa for that country, or when in transit to work via a 3rd country where there's no work taking place? I'd really love to use those diplomatic lines.
Sep 13, 2019, 9:18 pm
#1625
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Cupertino, CA - AA:PLT 2MM; Marriott:Plt; Hilton:Slv
Posts: 562
hey gwade, thanks for posting this. I have a "replace card" button on mine as well, and clicked through only to see a process that looked like it was for replacing a misplaced card. Didn't do it. Going to try it now and see if I have the same outcome as you. thanks a bunch for posting this.
Sep 16, 2019, 7:38 pm
#1626
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Newport Beach / San Francisco / Seattle
Programs: UA GS 1MM, Amex Centurion, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Ambassador
Posts: 289
Sep 19, 2019, 4:26 pm
#1627
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Cincinnati, Ohio
Programs: UA 1K, Hyatt Globalist, IHG Platinum, National Executive Elite
Posts: 20
Might’ve already been discussed on this thread ... but I find it challenging to look through 109 pages of comments... does anyone have any experience/guidance on needing the actual physical card with you?! I just went in for my “interview“ today and was approved! However, I leave on a trip next Thursday. Thinking it would be a miracle if the card came in the mail by Wednesday.
Sep 19, 2019, 4:48 pm
#1628
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: San Francisco/Sydney
Programs: UA 1K/MM, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Something, IHG Gold, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 8,162
Might’ve already been discussed on this thread ... but I find it challenging to look through 109 pages of comments... does anyone have any experience/guidance on needing the actual physical card with you?! I just went in for my “interview“ today and was approved! However, I leave on a trip next Thursday. Thinking it would be a miracle if the card came in the mail by Wednesday.
Sep 19, 2019, 6:58 pm
#1629
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Cincinnati, Ohio
Programs: UA 1K, Hyatt Globalist, IHG Platinum, National Executive Elite
Posts: 20
Figured as much. More entities involved then just US Customs & Border Protection (where of course you don’t have to carry your Global Entry card).
Too bad I didn’t find out about this till my last planned business trip to Asia. Vacation/adventure quite frequently there though. So, maybe I’ll follow other peoples lead and try it for personal travel. Do you tell the immigration agents at the diplomat/crew lines HONESTLY what you are there for!? Always fell it’s a bad omen to lie (including to customs agents). But what I’m gathering from some recent comments is that some don’t care if you use it for personal.
Too bad I didn’t find out about this till my last planned business trip to Asia. Vacation/adventure quite frequently there though. So, maybe I’ll follow other peoples lead and try it for personal travel. Do you tell the immigration agents at the diplomat/crew lines HONESTLY what you are there for!? Always fell it’s a bad omen to lie (including to customs agents). But what I’m gathering from some recent comments is that some don’t care if you use it for personal.
Sep 20, 2019, 7:02 am
#1630
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: TPA
Programs: UA Global Services 3MM, Hyatt Lifetime Globalist
Posts: 2,927
Figured as much. More entities involved then just US Customs & Border Protection (where of course you don’t have to carry your Global Entry card).
Too bad I didn’t find out about this till my last planned business trip to Asia. Vacation/adventure quite frequently there though. So, maybe I’ll follow other peoples lead and try it for personal travel. Do you tell the immigration agents at the diplomat/crew lines HONESTLY what you are there for!? Always fell it’s a bad omen to lie (including to customs agents). But what I’m gathering from some recent comments is that some don’t care if you use it for personal.
Too bad I didn’t find out about this till my last planned business trip to Asia. Vacation/adventure quite frequently there though. So, maybe I’ll follow other peoples lead and try it for personal travel. Do you tell the immigration agents at the diplomat/crew lines HONESTLY what you are there for!? Always fell it’s a bad omen to lie (including to customs agents). But what I’m gathering from some recent comments is that some don’t care if you use it for personal.
Sep 20, 2019, 10:49 pm
#1631
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Lafayette, LA
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, BA Gold, UA Gold MM, DL SM MM, Hyatt Glob, HH Diam, Marriott Ti/LT Plat, IHG Plat
Posts: 274
Immigration officers ask fairly often about the purpose of my travel -- especially in Indonesia, where US citizens can enter without a visa if and only if the purpose of the visit is "tourism". This is exacerbated by the fact that officers in Indonesia and elsewhere are confused and/or irritated by the absence from US ABTC cards of any visa-equivalent stamps on the back. I just explain that the purpose of this particular visit is tourism but that my understanding is that as an ABTC card holder I can wait in the ABTC line. So far it's almost always worked. In Indonesia I usually get a lecture about how I should have waited in the regular line but they will stamp my passport just this once. (Although last week on arrival in Jakarta my ABTC-line inspector was a sweet young lady who just stamped my passport with no questions.) In Saigon I once got an inspector who, after my explanation that the only thing a US ABTC card is good for is to wait in the ABTC line, responded "Not in Viet Nam" and directed me to the back of the long line for regular arrivals. But in general you're right, honesty about the purpose of the visit (without going on and on about it) is the best policy.
Sep 25, 2019, 8:34 am
#1633
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: California
Programs: UA 1k
Posts: 107
In Singapore they've never asked for the card and if I pass it with the entry form and passport they just ignore it. On my last entry I kept it ready if they asked, but they didn't. So basically best I can tell the aircrew/apec line is just like the other lines except a different sign above. Of course being Singapore it's possible they can tell in their computer that I have an APEC card and if I didn't they'd send me back to the other line after scanning the passport.
Sep 25, 2019, 1:42 pm
#1634
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Verdi, NV, SFO & Olympic (aka Squaw )Valley.
Programs: Ikon Pass Full + AS Gold + Marriott Titanium + Hilton Gold. Recovering UA Plat. LT lounge AA+DL+UA
Posts: 3,823
With the RealID requirements, I decided to see if I could use my ABTC this past weekend; at least in LAS they said it was no bueno as a form of government ID. Was the TSA agent misinformed, or does my ABTC not qualify as a Federal ID?
n.b. of course I had plenty of other ways to prove I'm me.
n.b. of course I had plenty of other ways to prove I'm me.
Sep 25, 2019, 2:31 pm
#1635
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Pacific Wonderland
Programs: ʙᴏɴᴠo̱ʏ Au, IHG Au, HH Dia, Nexus, Pilot FlyingJ Preferred
Posts: 5,336
With the RealID requirements, I decided to see if I could use my ABTC this past weekend; at least in LAS they said it was no bueno as a form of government ID. Was the TSA agent misinformed, or does my ABTC not qualify as a Federal ID?
n.b. of course I had plenty of other ways to prove I'm me.
n.b. of course I had plenty of other ways to prove I'm me.
The list only has specific ID types. I'm not sure the ABTC is itself a trusted traveler ID card, even though you must enroll in GE or similar to get a ABTC.