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 - success
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 - success
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
Aug 11, 15, 9:08 am
#751
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: NYC
Programs: AA 2MM, Bonvoy LTT, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 14,165
Originally Posted by Miles Down Under
APEC cards issued from 1 September 2015 will be valid for 5 years rather than the current three. We've done a story at: http://www.milesdownunder.com/2015/0...id-for-longer/
Aug 15, 15, 4:18 pm
#752
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: SFO
Programs: OZ *G; HH Diamond;
Posts: 1,618
To sign up for HK e-channel, one needs to have visited HK using that particular passport for 3 times.
Having ABTC card waives that "3 times" requirements. Certain airline elite status can also waive this.
This page says HKG needs to be listed on the back of ABTC. My US-issued ABTC was accepted, even though it does not have any endorsement.
http://www.immd.gov.hk/eng/services/..._visitors.html
Having ABTC card waives that "3 times" requirements. Certain airline elite status can also waive this.
This page says HKG needs to be listed on the back of ABTC. My US-issued ABTC was accepted, even though it does not have any endorsement.
http://www.immd.gov.hk/eng/services/..._visitors.html
Aug 15, 15, 7:20 pm
#753
Join Date: Nov 2006
Programs: MPC,CA,MU,AF
Posts: 8,171
Originally Posted by geclub1
To sign up for HK e-channel, one needs to have visited HK using that particular passport for 3 times.
Having ABTC card waives that "3 times" requirements. Certain airline elite status can also waive this.
This page says HKG needs to be listed on the back of ABTC. My US-issued ABTC was accepted, even though it does not have any endorsement.
http://www.immd.gov.hk/eng/services/..._visitors.html
Having ABTC card waives that "3 times" requirements. Certain airline elite status can also waive this.
This page says HKG needs to be listed on the back of ABTC. My US-issued ABTC was accepted, even though it does not have any endorsement.
http://www.immd.gov.hk/eng/services/..._visitors.html
Aug 18, 15, 2:50 pm
#754
Moderator: American AAdvantage and New York City
Join Date: Sep 2007
Programs: AA PLT, Natl EC
Posts: 10,826
ICN / Seoul-Inchon info
Originally Posted by tookay
I just flew out of ICN yesterday and had a new experience. When I checked in for my flight, the agent noticed that I had an ABTC card in my passport case. She then took out sort of a small coupon that was an entrance pass to Fast Track, put my info on item, ticked the "reason" box as "other" and gave it to me. I gave that to the officers at the Fast Track entrance, they both looked at it in sort of a puzzled way as if they had never seen one before. No problems, I went straight through without even showing them my ABTC card.
Meanwhile, as is so often the case, the usual security lane queues were horrendous. One business class passenger was shouting at the agents "what? I paid $2000 for this ticket and I don't get Fast Track?"
ICN really do need to do something about outbound security and immigration. For an airport that gets top marks in polls, it gets the bottom 10% from me for departure security and customs queues.
Meanwhile, as is so often the case, the usual security lane queues were horrendous. One business class passenger was shouting at the agents "what? I paid $2000 for this ticket and I don't get Fast Track?"
ICN really do need to do something about outbound security and immigration. For an airport that gets top marks in polls, it gets the bottom 10% from me for departure security and customs queues.
1) On Entry, I went to the APEC Card lane and the officer sent me back to fill out an Arrival Card, which was smaller and different from the landing card given to other passengers. I was able to get one from the costumed lady who was directing people.
2) On Departure, there was a screen at security showing where the shortest lines were (portal #1 at the far right was green - the other three portals were all red). Very short line, although it took some time as they decided to pull some of my power cables out and rescan my tote bag. After that, I noticed there was an APEC Card sign for Immigration, but I didn't look for a separate line because the line right after my security lane had only one person in it.
At the entrance to the security lines, there was a person stationed across from a scale, which worried me, but I walked past without incident. Not sure who they might accost.
Aug 19, 15, 1:12 am
#755
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Bangkok, Thailand
Posts: 217
Just for future reference, the entrance to the fast track lane that you can use with ABTC at ICN is in the very center with the entrances leading in from each side.
You might also want to show the checkin agent your card and maybe they will give you one of the fast track cards. That seemed to make things very easy once I arrived at the entrance and handed the card to the security officer.
You might also want to show the checkin agent your card and maybe they will give you one of the fast track cards. That seemed to make things very easy once I arrived at the entrance and handed the card to the security officer.
Aug 20, 15, 12:30 pm
#756
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Tri-State Area
Posts: 4,732
I'm a happy camper
I know there's been a tremendous amount of criticism posted re the implementation of ABCT for us but after traveling with it for the past year, I'm a happy camper.
I was in Shanghai in late July, flying in/out via HK and in economy class. Hadn't returned to Middle Kingdom in 7 yrs so not sure what to expect at the Pudong Airport. Fortunately, ABCT worked like a charm.....arriving my immigration officer was new and asked his colleague at counter what to do. One minute later my passport is stamped and I'm through to pick up luggage. Leaving was even better, long long lines, estimate a good 45 minutes wait. Found the fast track and this time, looked at my card, returned it and stamped my passport.
In Bkk on same trip, had a few side trips to Myanmar and Cambodia and in/out of Bkk via fast track was a breeze.
I was in Shanghai in late July, flying in/out via HK and in economy class. Hadn't returned to Middle Kingdom in 7 yrs so not sure what to expect at the Pudong Airport. Fortunately, ABCT worked like a charm.....arriving my immigration officer was new and asked his colleague at counter what to do. One minute later my passport is stamped and I'm through to pick up luggage. Leaving was even better, long long lines, estimate a good 45 minutes wait. Found the fast track and this time, looked at my card, returned it and stamped my passport.
In Bkk on same trip, had a few side trips to Myanmar and Cambodia and in/out of Bkk via fast track was a breeze.
Aug 25, 15, 4:13 pm
#757
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: 266
According to the relevant thread in the Asia forum, Indonesia's new free Visa on Arrival for US pasport holders is stamped "For Tourism Only". Business travelers from the US and certain other countries must either get a visa in advance or pay $35 and wait in an additional line for VOA. I've just gotten my ABTC, but I infer that if I want the free VOA I will not able to wait in the APEC line for immigration inspection but must instead wait in the monster VOA line. (My trip is for business, but my stay in Jakarta is a transit stop en route to meetings in other countries, so I could characterize the stop either as tourism or business, but I guess not both.) I am curious, however, to know whether anyone has had a contrary experience, i.e. being able to wait in the APEC line and then still get the free VOA. There are several posts on this thread about trying to use a US-issued ABTC in immigration exit lines in Indonesia, with mixed results, but I can't find anything about arrivals since the new VOA policy went into effect. Thanks so much for whatever information anyone may have.
Last edited by Assimilated Cajun; Aug 25, 15 at 4:15 pm Reason: Forgot to say Thank You.
Aug 30, 15, 3:00 am
#758
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: YUL
Programs: AC*E75 (*A Gold), Bonvoy Gold Elite, Hilton Gold, Amex Platinum / AP Reserve, NEXUS, Global Entry
Posts: 5,539
No issues using the diplomatic line at SVO yesterday. Similar to my experience at DME several months ago, except this time the agent didn't ask his colleague why the back of the card was blank 
Aug 31, 15, 11:31 am
#759
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: 266
Three experiences with the card in the last few days:
(1) Coming into Jakarta late Friday night. I had not intended to use the ABTC, since my plan was to get a free visa on arrival which is only for tourism. But I apparently took a wrong turn -- I was the second passenger off the plane and I followed the first passenger until I found myself at a row of counters all but one of which said "Indonesia." So I went to the remaining counter, which had a list of various VIP categories including "APEC". I told the immigration inspector I was looking for the Visa on Arrival line; he told me it was in another room. I said, "I do have an APEC card, but I wasn't intending to use it because this is a tourist visit." He brightened up and said if I had an APEC card I could use this line. But then he looked at the back of my card, puzzled over it, discussed it with his colleague, and told me it wasn't good for Indonesia. He added, however, that "I will help you out by giving you a free visa." He stamped a visa into my passport and wrote "tourism only" over it.
(2) Leaving Jakarta today, I also hadn't intended to use the APEC immigration line, but there was nobody in it so I walked up and handed the inspector my passport, my boarding pass, and the card. The inspector glanced at the front of the card, did not look at the back, and stamped an exit notation into my passport right over the "tourism only" visa.
(3) Arriving in Bangkok today I went to the "Premium Lane" which indicates that it is for certain categories of passengers including APEC. I laid my card on the counter along with my boarding pass, but I handed the inspector only my passport and arrival card. She stamped me in without seeming to notice the APEC card.
(1) Coming into Jakarta late Friday night. I had not intended to use the ABTC, since my plan was to get a free visa on arrival which is only for tourism. But I apparently took a wrong turn -- I was the second passenger off the plane and I followed the first passenger until I found myself at a row of counters all but one of which said "Indonesia." So I went to the remaining counter, which had a list of various VIP categories including "APEC". I told the immigration inspector I was looking for the Visa on Arrival line; he told me it was in another room. I said, "I do have an APEC card, but I wasn't intending to use it because this is a tourist visit." He brightened up and said if I had an APEC card I could use this line. But then he looked at the back of my card, puzzled over it, discussed it with his colleague, and told me it wasn't good for Indonesia. He added, however, that "I will help you out by giving you a free visa." He stamped a visa into my passport and wrote "tourism only" over it.
(2) Leaving Jakarta today, I also hadn't intended to use the APEC immigration line, but there was nobody in it so I walked up and handed the inspector my passport, my boarding pass, and the card. The inspector glanced at the front of the card, did not look at the back, and stamped an exit notation into my passport right over the "tourism only" visa.
(3) Arriving in Bangkok today I went to the "Premium Lane" which indicates that it is for certain categories of passengers including APEC. I laid my card on the counter along with my boarding pass, but I handed the inspector only my passport and arrival card. She stamped me in without seeming to notice the APEC card.
Sep 2, 15, 9:10 am
#760
Join Date: Jun 2015
Programs: DL Skymiles Gold, PAL Mabuhay Miles
Posts: 12
Interesting experience a couple of weeks ago in MNL. Arriving from BKK, I used the APEC line. The inspector looked at my card (not the back), and on my visa (for those of you who know Philippine passport stamps), in the "Date Until" box, where they usually write the date 30 days out from my entry, he just wrote "APEC." I'm leaving again within the 30 days, so I'm only curious for curiosity's sake; anyone have an idea what this might mean? Did he accidentally give me the 60 day APEC visa that pre-cleared ABTC holders from other countries get?
Sep 2, 15, 4:21 pm
#761
Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 419
Originally Posted by Foxhare
Did he accidentally give me the 60 day APEC visa that pre-cleared ABTC holders from other countries get?
Unless there has been a recent unannounced change, you got lucky. They've been doing "30 day unless you already have a pre-existing visa" for a few months, now.
Sep 3, 15, 5:33 am
#762
Join Date: Jun 2015
Programs: DL Skymiles Gold, PAL Mabuhay Miles
Posts: 12
Originally Posted by RandomNobody
Unless there has been a recent unannounced change, you got lucky. They've been doing "30 day unless you already have a pre-existing visa" for a few months, now.
What confused me was that he didn't write the date 59 days from arrival; he just wrote "APEC." I'm kind of glad I'm leaving before the 30-day mark; I would not look forward to a discussion with an IO leaving MNL after 50+ days with only an "APEC" stamp in my passport when US cardholders aren't entitled to 59 days, and there's no date on the stamp for me to back up my claim to a 59-day visa.
Sep 4, 15, 1:40 am
#765
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Bangkok, Thailand
Posts: 217
Originally Posted by Foxhare
I know, I have about 5 of those 30-day stamps in my passport over the last 6-8 months. Some of the IOs say it directly to me, that they can only give me 30-days, some of them just write the date on the stamp. (Yes, I have US-issued ABTC.)
What confused me was that he didn't write the date 59 days from arrival; he just wrote "APEC." I'm kind of glad I'm leaving before the 30-day mark; I would not look forward to a discussion with an IO leaving MNL after 50+ days with only an "APEC" stamp in my passport when US cardholders aren't entitled to 59 days, and there's no date on the stamp for me to back up my claim to a 59-day visa.
What confused me was that he didn't write the date 59 days from arrival; he just wrote "APEC." I'm kind of glad I'm leaving before the 30-day mark; I would not look forward to a discussion with an IO leaving MNL after 50+ days with only an "APEC" stamp in my passport when US cardholders aren't entitled to 59 days, and there's no date on the stamp for me to back up my claim to a 59-day visa.
