Jun 23, 14, 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.
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)
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)
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)
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)
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 ABTC/APEC Business Travel Card: Updates, Experiences, Q&A
Jul 14, 14, 4:51 pm
#152
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Chicago
Posts: 11,486
Both of these threads are already in the wrong place. There are APEC nations located on multiple continents--North America, South America, Australia and Asia. APEC is not specific to Asia. The "P" stands for Pacific.
As long as these threads are going to stay hidden in a region-specific forum that travelers between, say the US and Australia or the US and Chile have no occasion to visit, it really doesn't matter if the threads are merged or not.
(Although most member nations are in Asia, the country with the most cardholders is Australia and most of the current chatter on the card is coming from members in the United States).
Perhaps if these threads were placed somewhere where more people visit, we'd get actual card use reports instead of no posts for days at a time.
As long as these threads are going to stay hidden in a region-specific forum that travelers between, say the US and Australia or the US and Chile have no occasion to visit, it really doesn't matter if the threads are merged or not.
(Although most member nations are in Asia, the country with the most cardholders is Australia and most of the current chatter on the card is coming from members in the United States).
Perhaps if these threads were placed somewhere where more people visit, we'd get actual card use reports instead of no posts for days at a time.
Jul 14, 14, 5:14 pm
#153
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 112
Both of these threads are already in the wrong place. There are APEC nations located on multiple continents--North America, South America, Australia and Asia. APEC is not specific to Asia. The "P" stands for Pacific.
As long as these threads are going to stay hidden in a region-specific forum that travelers between, say the US and Australia or the US and Chile have no occasion to visit, it really doesn't matter if the threads are merged or not.
(Although most member nations are in Asia, the country with the most cardholders is Australia and most of the current chatter on the card is coming from members in the United States).
Perhaps if these threads were placed somewhere where more people visit, we'd get actual card use reports instead of no posts for days at a time.
As long as these threads are going to stay hidden in a region-specific forum that travelers between, say the US and Australia or the US and Chile have no occasion to visit, it really doesn't matter if the threads are merged or not.
(Although most member nations are in Asia, the country with the most cardholders is Australia and most of the current chatter on the card is coming from members in the United States).
Perhaps if these threads were placed somewhere where more people visit, we'd get actual card use reports instead of no posts for days at a time.
About the number of cardholders, China actually has the most now, but you are right that Australia is also a heavyweight.
You are not seeing any usage reports from U.S. cardholders yet because very few people have the card in hand at this point. I'm sure the reports will start rolling in come August or September.
Jul 14, 14, 6:34 pm
#154
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Tri-State Area
Posts: 4,732
Btw, I've been trading some PM with FT who hold ABCT from other countries. It's quite interesting -- different home countries have different application procedures, and different levels of pre-clearance/visa exemption status. So it looks like the US isn't alone.
Jul 15, 14, 12:35 am
#155
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: BKK
Programs: AA Plat, HH Diamond, SPG Gold
Posts: 2,396
Threads merged and moved
After considering much member input, and consulting with other moderators, the "ABTC entry experiences" thread has been merged into this thread.
Furthermore, as has been pointed out previously by several posters, and was especially well put by Ari a few posts ago, discussion of ABTC-related matters involves far too many nations to be limited to any one destination forum. As such, this thread and the http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trust...iscussion.html thread have both found a new, more appropriate home here in the Trusted Traveler subforum. Hopefully, this move will make the discussion more easily found by those members to whom it may be most relevant.
Thanks to all who've been so helpful in keeping this complex discussion somewhat coherent during its time in the Asia forum!
~Moderator, Asia Forum.
Furthermore, as has been pointed out previously by several posters, and was especially well put by Ari a few posts ago, discussion of ABTC-related matters involves far too many nations to be limited to any one destination forum. As such, this thread and the http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trust...iscussion.html thread have both found a new, more appropriate home here in the Trusted Traveler subforum. Hopefully, this move will make the discussion more easily found by those members to whom it may be most relevant.
Thanks to all who've been so helpful in keeping this complex discussion somewhat coherent during its time in the Asia forum!
~Moderator, Asia Forum.
Jul 15, 14, 6:12 pm
#157
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Catania, Sicily/South Jersey (PHL)/Houston, Texas/Red Stick/airborne in-between
Programs: United Global Svcs, AA ExecPlat, WN RR, AZ(RIP) Freccia Alata+, Hilton Gold, Bonvoy Gold, Hertz Prez
Posts: 3,400
Houston - IAH GE office pre and post security (and the one Downtown) does not have the software & hardware to do the sig yet. I tried again for a second time yesterday and they don't know when but hope "soon".
Jul 16, 14, 12:19 pm
#158
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: CVG
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Gold, SPG Gold, Sixt Gold
Posts: 44
Cincinnati (CVG) can be added to the list as working. The CBP Officer told me that they had installed the signature pad about 2 hours prior to my appointment, and that I was the first one to come through that office for it.
One thing to note: I was asked for documentation supporting my profession and relevant travel information for why I thought I'd be eligible. I was not prepared with any official form of supporting paperwork, as neither the website or invitation letter list that as an item bring to the office when your signature is collected. After a conversation regarding my occupation and the officer browsing my passport for visas she thought it was clear that I was the target audience and approved me.
*Should also note that this office is not inside of CVG, but a mile or two away on Minneola Pike. Same location for GE interviews.
One thing to note: I was asked for documentation supporting my profession and relevant travel information for why I thought I'd be eligible. I was not prepared with any official form of supporting paperwork, as neither the website or invitation letter list that as an item bring to the office when your signature is collected. After a conversation regarding my occupation and the officer browsing my passport for visas she thought it was clear that I was the target audience and approved me.
*Should also note that this office is not inside of CVG, but a mile or two away on Minneola Pike. Same location for GE interviews.
Last edited by keoughma; Jul 16, 14 at 3:01 pm
Jul 17, 14, 8:35 am
#159
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 34
Jul 17, 14, 9:32 am
#160
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 34
Cincinnati (CVG) can be added to the list as working. The CBP Officer told me that they had installed the signature pad about 2 hours prior to my appointment, and that I was the first one to come through that office for it.
One thing to note: I was asked for documentation supporting my profession and relevant travel information for why I thought I'd be eligible. I was not prepared with any official form of supporting paperwork, as neither the website or invitation letter list that as an item bring to the office when your signature is collected. After a conversation regarding my occupation and the officer browsing my passport for visas she thought it was clear that I was the target audience and approved me.
*Should also note that this office is not inside of CVG, but a mile or two away on Minneola Pike. Same location for GE interviews.
One thing to note: I was asked for documentation supporting my profession and relevant travel information for why I thought I'd be eligible. I was not prepared with any official form of supporting paperwork, as neither the website or invitation letter list that as an item bring to the office when your signature is collected. After a conversation regarding my occupation and the officer browsing my passport for visas she thought it was clear that I was the target audience and approved me.
*Should also note that this office is not inside of CVG, but a mile or two away on Minneola Pike. Same location for GE interviews.
Yeah - I was asked for a business card at sfo and did not have one (Sunday - I was in flip flops) - officer asked what my position was and where and what I needed to travel for. Did not ask for passport - they can see travel details on their system I believe...took less than five mins and was approved.
Jul 17, 14, 9:45 am
#161
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: SMF
Programs: BR *G, Hertz President Circle, Hilton Silver
Posts: 27
just landed TPE and used my ABTC thru ABTC lane. The immigration officer looked at the back of my ABTC and was wondering how come no country code was on it. She asked me to line-up in regular lane next time and I had to educate her US is a special case and blah blah blah. hopefully she can pass the info to her colleagues...but anyways, I'm in...
let's hope I can use the ABTC lane when I leave TPE...
let's hope I can use the ABTC lane when I leave TPE...
Jul 17, 14, 12:15 pm
#162
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: NYC
Programs: AA 2MM, Bonvoy LTT, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 14,239
just landed TPE and used my ABTC thru ABTC lane. The immigration officer looked at the back of my ABTC and was wondering how come no country code was on it. She asked me to line-up in regular lane next time and I had to educate her US is a special case and blah blah blah. hopefully she can pass the info to her colleagues...but anyways, I'm in...
let's hope I can use the ABTC lane when I leave TPE...
let's hope I can use the ABTC lane when I leave TPE...
Jul 17, 14, 3:19 pm
#163
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 34
just landed TPE and used my ABTC thru ABTC lane. The immigration officer looked at the back of my ABTC and was wondering how come no country code was on it. She asked me to line-up in regular lane next time and I had to educate her US is a special case and blah blah blah. hopefully she can pass the info to her colleagues...but anyways, I'm in...
let's hope I can use the ABTC lane when I leave TPE...
let's hope I can use the ABTC lane when I leave TPE...
Would be great to hear other reports...
Jul 18, 14, 6:18 am
#164
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Chicago
Posts: 11,486
just landed TPE and used my ABTC thru ABTC lane. The immigration officer looked at the back of my ABTC and was wondering how come no country code was on it. She asked me to line-up in regular lane next time and I had to educate her US is a special case and blah blah blah. hopefully she can pass the info to her colleagues...but anyways, I'm in...
let's hope I can use the ABTC lane when I leave TPE...
let's hope I can use the ABTC lane when I leave TPE...
Jul 18, 14, 7:05 am
#165
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Tri-State Area
Posts: 4,732
I tried to search for something but no luck....maybe someone else has more patience and can find and post here?
