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
Jun 16, 14, 10:20 am
#61
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: UA 1K, AA, DL, LH, VX, HA
Posts: 6,814
Jun 16, 14, 1:29 pm
#62
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Tri-State Area
Posts: 4,732
FWIW, [the below posts] reported that the CBT facility at both SFO and Terminal 4, JFK did not have the software installed yet to input the electronic signature and finish the application fee.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/23038773-post250.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/23027874-post246.html
Conditional approval is pretty fast but the jury is still out re how useful ABCT will be for the business travel.....appears you get fast track on immigration line but no visa exemptions!
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/23038773-post250.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/23027874-post246.html
Conditional approval is pretty fast but the jury is still out re how useful ABCT will be for the business travel.....appears you get fast track on immigration line but no visa exemptions!
Last edited by aBroadAbroad; Jun 20, 14 at 10:25 am Reason: fixed language to accommodate merged threads
Jun 16, 14, 2:14 pm
#63
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Chicago
Posts: 11,486
Jun 16, 14, 2:16 pm
#64
Join Date: Dec 2008
Programs: AA EXP/CK, SPG LT Platinum(RIP), Marriott Bonvoy Titanium, Hilton Diamond, Hertz Presidents Circle
Posts: 268
I look foward to setting up an interview, but I would hope someone can give feedback that's it's possible. I don't want to fly to US to get the card only to find they're not setup yet.
Recently I have found the immigration lines in Asia is absolutely terrible, so this card would definitely expedite things.
Recently I have found the immigration lines in Asia is absolutely terrible, so this card would definitely expedite things.
Cheers
Last edited by penlin; Jun 16, 14 at 2:17 pm Reason: spellcheck
Jun 16, 14, 2:23 pm
#65
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Chicago
Posts: 11,486
We don't yet know what CBP will be doing at the enrollment center. It does say on my approval confirmation that "the CBP officer will verify ABTC eligibility" and collect my signature. Maybe they will ask some questions about a person's employment to weed out leisure travelers and obvious ineligibles.
Jun 16, 14, 3:30 pm
#66
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: NYC
Programs: AA 2MM, Bonvoy LTT, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 14,239
Did they ask any followup questions? (eg Why do you want the card etc? What business do you have in APEC countries? etc)
Jun 16, 14, 5:01 pm
#67
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Tri-State Area
Posts: 4,732
By the way, JFK is now up and running: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/23044101-post259.html
Jun 16, 14, 9:25 pm
#68
Join Date: Sep 2009
Programs: UA GS>1K>Nothing; DL GM 2MM; AS 75K>Nothing
Posts: 9,185
NOTE: APEC members are applying reciprocal entries. So example, since China ABTC members cannot get visa free to the US (but can use expedited crew lanes in the US), China does NOT allow visa free travel for US ABTC members. You still need a proper China visa but you can use the ABTC lane in Chinese airports.
Jun 17, 14, 2:35 am
#69
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: NYC
Programs: Marriot Am, MU Pt
Posts: 3,094
Anyone try at LAX?
I have to go pick up something in LA and am basically flying in and leaving the same day, so if I can get this done, it would be great.
Jun 17, 14, 7:44 am
#70
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Tri-State Area
Posts: 4,732
http://www.immd.gov.hk/en/services/h...tml#additional
Card holders can use the special service lanes at selected control points of participating economies regardless of whether pre-clearance has been granted by that economy. For card holders travelling to a participating economy where pre-clearance has not been granted, they are still subject to usual immigration clearance process, such as presenting valid passports and where applicable, valid visas.
I just sent in my application by mail and will find out later this year when I visit Asia and pick up my ABCT card. In my application I did include 5 economies and will see if they process 'pre-clearance' to get visa exemption, i.e. two specific countries of interest Vietnam and Indonesia.
Last edited by aBroadAbroad; Jun 20, 14 at 10:27 am Reason: removed quote of now-deleted post
Jun 18, 14, 10:51 am
#72
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Singapore
Programs: SQ KF (ex-UA)
Posts: 588
Interestingly, it seems that other countries with similar visa entry requirements to the USA, such as Australia, New Zealand, and Singapore, have somehow found a way to overcome their concerns re ABTC pre-clearance. I have heard anecdotally that at least in the case of Singapore, they have avoided issuing pre-clearance to certain countries (e.g. Russia, China) when nationals of those countries have applied for ABTC pre-clearance. After all, pre-clearance is supposedly on an individual, case-by-case basis. That way, they preserve the pre-clearance benefit for their own citizens but are not officially obligated to issue visa-free or visa-waived travel to any/all citizens of countries that could be considered problematic.
It would've been great if the USA had pursued a similar path, instead of providing a watered-down ABTC that provides little tangible benefit. But since America is falling behind Asia in so many other areas...why should ABTC be any different?
It would've been great if the USA had pursued a similar path, instead of providing a watered-down ABTC that provides little tangible benefit. But since America is falling behind Asia in so many other areas...why should ABTC be any different?
Jun 19, 14, 11:19 am
#73
Join Date: Dec 2008
Programs: AA EXP/CK, SPG LT Platinum(RIP), Marriott Bonvoy Titanium, Hilton Diamond, Hertz Presidents Circle
Posts: 268
They wanted to see proof of past travel to Asia, and also wanted to know why I needed this card. I showed past proof, basically said I needed it for work.. No follow up to that.. and everything was checked off and signature collected.
Jun 19, 14, 3:08 pm
#74
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Chicago
Posts: 11,486
I had a good experience and I'm impressed with CBP @ORD. Like many, I signed up and got conditional approval notification on Thursday 6/12. I made an appointment for Wednesday 6/18.
On Monday I got a call from a local phone number and the person at the other end of the phone identified herself as CBPO[*]. She had called to tell me that the software was not ready yet and to call before I came in case it isn't up and running by Wednesday. She said that when I do show up to ask for Officer[*]. Then on Tuesday, I got an email from CBPO[*] to tell me that things were working and to come in for my appointment or whenever. Nice customer service from a government agency, I'd say!
When I got to the ORD EC for my appointment, I asked for CBPO[*] and she came out and got me within 5 minutes. On the way to her desk, she grabbed two other people because she was going to train them on how to do ABTC; they stood behind her during my enrollment. She asked me how I'm liking GE/NEXUS/TSA PRECHK so far. Anyway the process itself was relatively easy. I had to give her my passport and DL, confirm my employment information, sign on an electronic pad and get another photo taken.
To answer the question asked by seawolf, she did ask questions about my employment. I volunteered information about my company's trade dealings in APEC economies and my travel there. She followed up with a question or two; she wanted more information about my specific job functions when I travel to APEC economies. She didn't ask for proof of anything and I didn't see her page through my passport though she may have. It was pretty much on the honor system for me, but CBP officers gauge credibility and the are used to asking for documentation when they want it in other contexts. I imagine this will be similar. Based on the questions she asked, I'd say CBP isn't being as strict as most economies, but they are trying to weed out obvious ineligibles. Because I'm not a close call-- my job functions clearly make me eligible for the card-- I can't really gauge how strict they plan to be. It is more than just self-certification of a yes/no question online.
I got an approval notification in GOES that day; it says to wait 3 weeks for my card. It gave an ABTC card number.
[*Name redacted]
On Monday I got a call from a local phone number and the person at the other end of the phone identified herself as CBPO[*]. She had called to tell me that the software was not ready yet and to call before I came in case it isn't up and running by Wednesday. She said that when I do show up to ask for Officer[*]. Then on Tuesday, I got an email from CBPO[*] to tell me that things were working and to come in for my appointment or whenever. Nice customer service from a government agency, I'd say!
When I got to the ORD EC for my appointment, I asked for CBPO[*] and she came out and got me within 5 minutes. On the way to her desk, she grabbed two other people because she was going to train them on how to do ABTC; they stood behind her during my enrollment. She asked me how I'm liking GE/NEXUS/TSA PRECHK so far. Anyway the process itself was relatively easy. I had to give her my passport and DL, confirm my employment information, sign on an electronic pad and get another photo taken.
To answer the question asked by seawolf, she did ask questions about my employment. I volunteered information about my company's trade dealings in APEC economies and my travel there. She followed up with a question or two; she wanted more information about my specific job functions when I travel to APEC economies. She didn't ask for proof of anything and I didn't see her page through my passport though she may have. It was pretty much on the honor system for me, but CBP officers gauge credibility and the are used to asking for documentation when they want it in other contexts. I imagine this will be similar. Based on the questions she asked, I'd say CBP isn't being as strict as most economies, but they are trying to weed out obvious ineligibles. Because I'm not a close call-- my job functions clearly make me eligible for the card-- I can't really gauge how strict they plan to be. It is more than just self-certification of a yes/no question online.
I got an approval notification in GOES that day; it says to wait 3 weeks for my card. It gave an ABTC card number.
[*Name redacted]
