APEC Business Travel card into the US

[spiggy_topes]

Just got the following in an email from the Dept of Immigration when requesting an interim APEC card:

It may also interest you that although the US and Canada will not appear on this card (as they are not full members of the scheme), both economies are now allowing all ABTC holders to use priority lanes at their international airports. Normal immigration procedures will still apply for travel to the US and Canada, but without the long queues!

Has anyone actually tried this, particularly on the East Coast?

BTW processing time was pretty quick - applied October, confirmation letter dated 10/12, 12 countries approved so far including PRC (=China) and Chinese Taipei (=Taiwan) - was expecting a much longer wait.

 

[dajop]

Was going to try it at ORD in October, but the specially marked APEC lane was at the other end of the arrivals hall, and I was one of the first in the hall, so didn't bother, as there were plenty of empty counters.

I did use it on arrival at Montreal though as the normal queue was massive, and there were two large APEC signs on the diplomatic lane. I was met with a frosty reception, but was grudgingly allowed through, despite the large signs at the start of the lane - the official promised to check them after she processed me - which I noticed she did.

 

[tscharke]

have used successfully through LAX, ORD & YOW! The guy at YOW had to check what it was all about as he had never heard of it - no problems though!

 

[serfty]

Plenty of APEC info in this forum:

• http://www.frequentflyer.com.au/com...ustoms/apec-almost-bounced-san-fran-7481.html
• http://www.frequentflyer.com.au/community/immigration-and-customs/apec-btc-and-entry-us-8728.html
• [And the granddaddy of them all:] http://www.frequentflyer.com.au/com...s/apec-business-travel-card-express-5653.html

 

[moa999]

Now tried and worked in JFK, LAX, HNL and ORD

 

[Febs]

I always use it in LAX - the ONE airport where you really, really need it!

Had a great experience on Sunday - showed my APEC card and was directed to the air crew queue. About 10 hostesses in front of me (SQ and some Korean airline), then another 10-15 behind me.

I obviously looked very out of place, because a TSA officer walked up to me after a few minutes, asked if I had an APEC card, then told me to jump under the barrier, and stand at one of the counters. He then asked the lady serving to serve me next, ahead of the (still 7 or so) aircrew who were in front of me.

 

[dot]

I've used mine successfully at both LAX and BOS. Into DFW (cant remember which terminal) - there didn't appear to be an aircrew line, and nothing labelled APEC - I asked an attendant, and he directed me to the normal passenger lines. :evil: I dont think he had ever seen an APEC BT card before and I guess aircrew are processed in a specialised facility away form the PAX.

 

[NM]

I've used mine successfully at both LAX and BOS. Into DFW (cant remember which terminal) - there didn't appear to be an aircrew line, and nothing labelled APEC - I asked an attendant, and he directed me to the normal passenger lines. :evil: I dont think he had ever seen an APEC BT card before and I guess aircrew are processed in a specialised facility away form the PAX.

I had no problems at DFW Terminal D arriving on AA. Directed straight to the crew line right in the middle of the hall.

 

[Foreigner]

I arrived into SFO from Sydney on 27 Feb and looked out for the APEC line which was also used by airline crew. The Qantas flight was half full but by the time I was cleared by immigration, there were just 6 or so pax left in the other queues. The immigration office told me in a matter of fact manner and in hearing distance of crew behind me that "these folks can wait forever, Congress has passed laws that all others (meaning visitors and other travellers) need to clear within 60 minutes. His good advice was to avoid APEC. I will heed his advice as I looked like silly coming off the aircraft amongst the first and clearing immigration amongst the last.

On another point, I will try to avoid LAX if I can. After zig-zagging SFO-LAX-LAS vv to get SCs, then returning to LAX to catch qf12 was a dreadful experience. AA came into terminal 4, then to wait for a bus on ground level @ gate 44 (bus was not on time advised by ground agent), then bus ride to TBIT, past construction site to OW lounge, back to catch bus ride to aircraft was all too frustrating. I reckon SFO to SYD direct would be far simpler and nicer experience.

f

 

[sierragolf]

Has anyone tried using the APEC BT Card at Dulles (IAD)? I am arriving next month.

Does the crew lane sign post include APEC?

Thanks!

 

[sierragolf]

Flew in right after the snow last weekend. "APEC" isn't sign-posted at IAD.

Avoided the crew lane because it was completely empty. The queue was short and I ended up at the booth where crew would actually end up anyway. I didn't have to show the card but did any way. Agent had a glance and appears to know what it is.

I'm still not sure if it'd work

 

[Danger]

Well I had a bit of trouble with my APEC card in Miami in the past couple of days. The first time I invited myself to use the diplomatic channel, knowing that it probably wasn't the right channel. The border protection guy, naturally, knew nothing about the card and wasn't overly impressed that I was in his lane but I got through anyway. When I'd cleared the hoo-ha I asked a supervisor which lane I should use. His response wasn't encouraging, asking first if it was a phone card and, second, if it was some kind of currency card. His last advice was for me to speak to someone at the Travelex counter!

Coming back in today I used the flight crew lane. That took me down an escalator to baggage claim, at which point I realised I'd bypassed an immigration officer, the routine 20 questions and DNA sample. I approached an officer who took me to a supervisor where three officers all knew nothing about it. I showed them the printout of from "our Department of State" website indicating it entitles holders to use the air crew lane but they weren't convinced. After some too-ing and fro-ing I was escorted back upstairs where I was properly processed. However, that border guy also knew nothing about my card, suggested I was doing the wrong thing and that the card was "only for use in your country".

At the end of the day, it cost me more time than if I'd taken the visitor channel.

 

[Foreigner]

Well I had a bit of trouble with my APEC card in Miami in the past couple of days. The first time I invited myself to use the diplomatic channel, knowing that it probably wasn't the right channel. The border protection guy, naturally, knew nothing about the card and wasn't overly impressed that I was in his lane but I got through anyway. When I'd cleared the hoo-ha I asked a supervisor which lane I should use. His response wasn't encouraging, asking first if it was a phone card and, second, if it was some kind of currency card. His last advice was for me to speak to someone at the Travelex counter!

Coming back in today I used the flight crew lane. That took me down an escalator to baggage claim, at which point I realised I'd bypassed an immigration officer, the routine 20 questions and DNA sample. I approached an officer who took me to a supervisor where three officers all knew nothing about it. I showed them the printout of from "our Department of State" website indicating it entitles holders to use the air crew lane but they weren't convinced. After some too-ing and fro-ing I was escorted back upstairs where I was properly processed. However, that border guy also knew nothing about my card, suggested I was doing the wrong thing and that the card was "only for use in your country".

At the end of the day, it cost me more time than if I'd taken the visitor channel.

For my recent trip (Nov) to NY thru LAX, I was told to join the queue for US nationals (counter 16 or 17, from memory) and I sped through to luggage carousel.

On a prior trip, I landed at SFO. I was one of the first off the plane and one of the last to clear immigration. I was told that passengers get priority over crew and all in their queue.

 

[trippin_the_rift]

For my recent trip (Nov) to NY thru LAX, I was told to join the queue for US nationals (counter 16 or 17, from memory) and I sped through to luggage carousel.

Did you ask or was there signage?

Earlier this year in SFO, there was a dedicated APEC line at the far right of the Terminal QF arrives at.

 

[Foreigner]

Did you ask or was there signage?

Earlier this year in SFO, there was a dedicated APEC line at the far right of the Terminal QF arrives at.

At LAX I asked and was directed to the far right side of the hall. Worked very well for me, then.

At SFO, I tried to be smart and lined in Apec queue and ended up being one of the last to collect luggage.

Just need to be alert and sensible. In Sydney for instance, on my departure, the Apec line had lots of pax so I took one of the other non-Apec lanes. Quicker.

 

[Danger]

Working in Federal politics, I've been made aware of some questions that were placed on notice in relation to the APEC Business Travel Card during the May round of Senate Estimates. (Senate Estimates is essentially a process whereby all government departments (and particularly their expenditures) are scrutinised. It also gives Senators the opportunity to ask (almost) any question on (almost) any topic, with the expectation that a clear answer will be given, either then and there or within the timeframe for reporting questions on notice.) The below answers have been provided by the Department of Immigration & Citizenship's APEC Business Travel Card unit and are now a matter of public record.

Question: What is the procedure for using the card for entry to and exit from the United States?

Answer: As a transitional member of the APEC Business Travel Card (ABTC) scheme, the United States provides cardholders with ‘fast track’ immigration processing lanes.

ABTC holders are entitled to use these immigration lanes, also designated for aircrew (or diplomats depending on the airport layout), upon entry at an international airport in the United States.

There are no arrangements for ABTC holders upon departure as the United States does not have exit immigration procedures at international airports.​

Question: Can you provide specific information on use of the card at Dallas/Forth Worth International Airport and Miami International Airport?

Answer: At Dallas/Fort Worth international airport, an APEC Business Travel Card holder can access ‘fast track’ immigration processing via the crew lane used by airline crew.

At Miami international airport, these arrangements are accessed through the diplomatic lane used by diplomatic passport holders.​

​

 

[cssaus]

Can anyone confirm the arrangements at Honolulu and has anyone had the experience of being procecessed with their non-APEC card holder spouse?

 

[SeatBackForward]

I would suspect that the majority of APEC card holders arrive on the west coast? hence the lack of awareness in Miami?