APEC Business Travel Card

[ajd]

As someone who is not expecting to get an APEC card any time soon (I don't do much business travel and what I have done so far is all in Europe) but is curious anyway...

The criteria for an Australian APEC card requires that you either have a job title that's appropriately senior, or you're nominated by a top-level executive of your company.

1) What's the most junior title you think you could have and still have the Department approve?

2) How many people rely on the nomination system? Do any large megacorps have a policy on who gets nominated? What happens if the CEO just nominates their entire company?

 

[moa999]

Also the prior travel requirements.

Wouldn't think title comes into it - eg. If your a junior on a buying team for a retail company and travel to China a lot the card would be invaluable.

 

[ajd]

Also the prior travel requirements.

Wouldn't think title comes into it - eg. If your a junior on a buying team for a retail company and travel to China a lot the card would be invaluable.

Right, guess that's perhaps the more pertinent requirement.

(Hmm, some of my colleagues are starting to travel to China and Taiwan every now and then for business. If that ramps up perhaps I need to suggest an APEC card to them...)

 

[Daver6]

I don't have the title. I didn't have the past travel either. It was based on my job position and future travel requirements. Someone in the company nominated me and signed the relevant letter. In the grand hierarchy of the company, he isn't that close to the CEO either but again his role has him travelling all over APJ frequently (much more so than me). He also already had an APEC card, but I don't think that made any difference.

So firstly, a title I think is meaningless really. You can just make up one, no one is going to check anyway. The fact I had a letter and stated part of my job was travel around the region etc etc, I suspect that is what got me it.

 

[Cooper1]

I don't have the title. I didn't have the past travel either. It was based on my job position and future travel requirements. Someone in the company nominated me and signed the relevant letter. In the grand hierarchy of the company, he isn't that close to the CEO either but again his role has him travelling all over APJ frequently (much more so than me). He also already had an APEC card, but I don't think that made any difference.

So firstly, a title I think is meaningless really. You can just make up one, no one is going to check anyway. The fact I had a letter and stated part of my job was travel around the region etc etc, I suspect that is what got me it.

You are correct. I don't think they pay too much attention to job titles. I'm a GM of a company and got one with no issues. Even chaps lower down the ladder got one. Of course you need to fill the other criteria.

This card is a godsend. Saves having to do visas for China (where i travel to regularly), and more importantly you don't need to line up at the massive queues at immigration. Most countries' immigration counters (except Australia) also let you bring a non APEC card holding colleague (or two) with you through the APEC counter

 

[dajop]

A couple of data points on LAX use of APEC card:

First entry, politely let into APEC queue, no comments or questions, all very hospitable.

Second entry, exactly one week later (to the hour), politely let into APEC queue. Then after being in queue for 3-4 mins, a lady approaches "What are you doing in this queue, you're not supposed to be here", I was told, they let me in due to APEC card. Then she asked about being in US on business, and I don't like lying to US immigration so said I was transiting (which was true), and subsequently ejected to back of other queue. Fine, but I wish the first person asked me that.

 

[Isochronous]

A couple of data points on LAX use of APEC card:

First entry, politely let into APEC queue, no comments or questions, all very hospitable.

Second entry, exactly one week later (to the hour), politely let into APEC queue. Then after being in queue for 3-4 mins, a lady approaches "What are you doing in this queue, you're not supposed to be here", I was told, they let me in due to APEC card. Then she asked about being in US on business, and I don't like lying to US immigration so said I was transiting (which was true), and subsequently ejected to back of other queue. Fine, but I wish the first person asked me that.

Why did she accuse you of not belonging in the queue? I would have asked her to justify the accusation.

 

[dajop]

Why did she accuse you of not belonging in the queue? I would have asked her to justify the accusation.

It seemed everyone else (6-7 people) in the queue were "assisted" passengers. I didn't look like I needed assistance, and I am sure she thought I climbed under the "ropes", as you have to speak to an attendant to get them to open the ropes for you. She also was quite obnoxious, when she saw the APEC card, then asked me who opened it for me, and when I pointed that out, then changed tack to the purpose of the visit. I knew I wasn't going to get anywhere with this one, although I said I had no problem using the queue same time previous week, she said things have changed since then. By contrast the lady who I initially presented the APEC card, who opened the ropes was lovely as pie. Hope she didn't get into trouble!

Have presented and used APEC card at SFO, EWR, JFK and ORD, and even LAX T7 without issues, but IIRC at none of those entry ports was the queue roped off. By contrast, I haven't entered the US via TBIT since 2006, and although it has changed a lot, I can't say I've missed the place.

 

[Daver6]

I thought the APEC card got you into the cabin crew line in the US?

 

[dairyfloss]

I thought the APEC card got you into the cabin crew line in the US?

It does... and generally marked as doing so, though I’ve only ever attempted to use APEC in the States on leisure visits, and I’ve been turned away every time, either while queuing, or once reaching the counter. A lovely people, they are.

Cheers,
Matt.

 

[dajop]

and I’ve been turned away every time, either while queuing, or once reaching the counter..

Which airports? I wondered if it was a TBIT thing as they would have a much higher proportion of APEC card holders than say ORD.

 

[dairyfloss]

Which airports? I wondered if it was a TBIT thing as they would have a much higher proportion of APEC card holders than say ORD.

LAX, DFW, JFK & HNL... so far.

Like I said though, I’ve been on leisure with these visits (I’m rarely in the U.S. on business), so technically not eligible, but any other country where I’ve tried to leverage the APEC card where I happen to be on leisure has had no issue with accommodating.

Cheers,
Matt.

 

[trippin_the_rift]

I'm sure I recall reading on the site that you can send them new passport details and they'll print a new card. This was my concern too. Under the previous 3-year scheme you needed an entirely new application.

I'm getting a new passport in 3 weeks. Will report back then!

Update on updating passport details:

New Passport Applied: 23 Jan
New Passport Approved: 24 Jan
Update to Apec Card Submitted Online: 25 Jan
Received updated Apec Card: 14 Feb

Only documents submitted for an updated card is old card scan + new passport copy

The updated card is same details/photo - and retains the original 5-year expiry date.

Big hassle for 3 weeks without a card... advise for others to time your passport replacement so there's no travel within 3-4 weeks.

 

[Cooper1]

This card is starting to lose a bit of it's lustre..

I travel to HK and China maybe 7-8 times a year. HK airport is doing away with APEC specific aisles, whilst in China they seem to put the rookies in the APEC counter at customs .

Sydney arrivals is now hideously slow seeing as they have incorporated the APEC aisle with airline crews and "assistance required:" aisles. Last feew trips it's been quicker to go through the normal channels

 

[Cruiser Elite]

APEC still a god send at both PEK and PVG when arr or dep busy as they can be - sorry - let me rephrase that - when they are like the ZOO they so often are.

 

[Kefci2000]

I have never had any issue with leisure travel, although most of my US trips are business.

When I took the whole family last year I was questioned, I just said yes it is mainly pleasure but I have 2 meetings in NY in between.

Technically correct as I did catch up with a service provider twice for beers

 

[Isochronous]

This card is starting to lose a bit of it's lustre..

I travel to HK and China maybe 7-8 times a year. HK airport is doing away with APEC specific aisles, whilst in China they seem to put the rookies in the APEC counter at customs .

Sydney arrivals is now hideously slow seeing as they have incorporated the APEC aisle with airline crews and "assistance required:" aisles. Last feew trips it's been quicker to go through the normal channels

I'll have to check that next time I arrive at HKIA - I saw them the last time I was there a few weeks ago!

 

[Avolin]

Hi! I'm the holder of a brand new ABTC (first timer) and I haven't had the chance to "take it for a spin" yet.
This thread has addressed a couple of concerns I had about using the card for leisure/tourism (I know, I know, it's not what the card is intended for and is probably a technical breach.)

Anyway, I have a leisure trip to China and North Korea planned for the end of the year (I hope no one is going to try and argue with me on my choice of destination here - there's a separate forum for that on TripAdvisor lol.)

My question is: has anyone ever been questioned on the bona fides of their business travel when entering China - ever? Have you ever had to produce "proof" of your business travel? Sounds like most people here tick "business" on their immigration form and that's about it. I'm almost thinking about organising some business meetings for the peace of mind if I am questioned (and show proof of emails or something?)

Is this going overboard?!

It looks like I may have to enter China via Dandong (train) at the end of the tour - which is the China / North Korea border town. Would the risk perhaps be higher there if immigration officers are not as familiar with the ABTC or perhaps question why I'd be entering China for business from North Korea...? I don't know. Maybe I'm overthinking it. As they say... you know you're in business when you wake up in cold sweats at 4 in the morning!

 

[Kefci2000]

I have done US, Thailand, Phillipines, Singapore and HK when travelling for leisure and never gave it a second thought.

Not sure I would do North Korea, but would do China as I work in Investments and could just say I was doing general research.....

Not sure if that helps, and will leave it to those with actual experience.

 

[moa999]

Had used the card a few times going into China when I had one (including on a van into Shenzhen) and no issues.
A number were more leisure related.