Apec Business Travel Card

[peter991]

I meet the qualifications for the APEC Business Travel Card Scheme in that I travel to Thailand 4 times a year andf I have a small business in Thailand.

I am considering paying the $AUD200 (5600 baht) for a card - but I am wondering if there are any tangible advantages in having the card.

Any posters in a similar position - who have an APEC Card?

Peter

[JonnieB]

I meet the qualifications for the APEC business care scheme in that I travel to Thailand 4 times a year andf I have a small business in Thailand.

I am considering paying the $AUD200 (5600 baht) for a card - but I am wondering if there are any tangible advantages in having the card.

Any posters in a similar position - who have an APEC Card?

Don't you get visa free entries of up to 90-days each as a cardholder?

I do know one benefit that is nice is that there are designated lines for APEC business card holders at Subumi airport immigration, that can be nice perk when the lines are long.

[peter991]

I like the idea of a 90 day visa - but I am usually only in Thailand for 2 weeks at a time. Because I get 30 days free visa on arrival - is it worth 5600 baht to save a few minutes at Immigration when I arrive?

Peter

[midas]

I meet the qualifications for the APEC Business Travel Card Scheme in that I travel to Thailand 4 times a year andf I have a small business in Thailand.

I am considering paying the $AUD200 (5600 baht) for a card - but I am wondering if there are any tangible advantages in having the card.

Any posters in a similar position - who have an APEC Card?

Peter

Peter I am now on my second APEC BTC and to answer your question

quite simply I think it's worth its weight in gold Don't just think of

the benefits in Thailand which in themselves are good but think of the advantages

when you travel to other APEC countries.

You can save money by avoiding visa charges for countries like Vietnam, China

( in case you want to see the Olympics next year ) etc.

In these other APEC countries ( seventeen ) you can use the designated

channel at immigration or if they don't have one you use the diplomatic

channel.

The USA is now closer to becoming participants but until they do they will now allow

ABTC cardholders to use the flight crew channel at immigration. If every you go

to the USA -in particular Los Angeles international airport that will save you

an incredible amount of time

Russia is also considering becoming part of the card scheme.

All this for $ 200 valid for 3 YEARS when a single Non " B " twelve months visa

costs even more than this !!

[midas]

I just wanted to clarify my comment regarding Russia....

I do occasionally travel there.

Visa charges to Russia are not insignificant but what is even worse

is the exorbitant " visa " registration charges which you must

pay to an " approved government agent " every time you change

locations within Russia. If APEC cardholders can get exemption

from all this eventually then the ABTC will worth even more !

I think those of us who are eligible for this card are extremely

fortunate

[midas]

Peter if you still need to be convinced - read this thread :-

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?sh...p;#entry1503388

[kiakaha]

I meet the qualifications for the APEC Business Travel Card Scheme in that I travel to Thailand 4 times a year andf I have a small business in Thailand.

I am considering paying the $AUD200 (5600 baht) for a card - but I am wondering if there are any tangible advantages in having the card.

Any posters in a similar position - who have an APEC Card?

Peter

Search forum. lots of posts on this subject.

I have one.

Best perk is definitely the use of the diplomatic lanes/fast track lanes at participating airports.

Be aware though, if you are using it to enter Thailand you can't legally work, you'll still need a non imm visa and work permit.