Imm' fast lane

[overherebc]

Always flew business Thai Air, company paid, next flight is business Finnair.

With Thai I could use the booths to the right of the main Imm' lines.

Do all business flights have the same use of the fast lane.?

[Stocky]

There's a Premium Lane arrivals hall for business class which is situated between the western and eastern arrival halls, you should be given a Premium Lane pass, either at check-in or by the air stewardess on the plane before landing.

[overherebc]

There's a Premium Lane arrivals hall for business class which is situated between the western and eastern arrival halls, you should be given a Premium Lane pass, either at check-in or by the air stewardess on the plane before landing.

Thanks.

[DogNo1]

I think that you can access the premium lane by showing your business class boarding pass (or its stub.)

[robertthebruce]

Normally the Cabin Crew hand them out when they are handing out Landing Cards....

[JMWPACIFIC]

Get a Premium Lane Pass from your airline when you check in

[Stocky]

I think that you can access the premium lane by showing your business class boarding pass (or its stub.)

Indeed. I've done this on occasions the airline didn't have any passes to hand out.

[bubba]

Not all airlines hand out premium lane passes for arriving business class passengers. From my recent experience over the past month, Thai did not, but Emirates did.

I am not sure what the actual rules are regarding entrance to the premium lanes in arrivals. But if a business class boarding pass stub is all that is required, why do some airlines hand out premium lane pass cards?

[Stocky]

You're supposed to have a pass, but on the occasions the airline didn't have any, I've found that presenting your business class boarding pass stub, together with an apology that the airline had no passes to hand out, is enough to get you through.

[ChesneyHawkes]

You're supposed to have a pass, but on the occasions the airline didn't have any, I've found that presenting your business class boarding pass stub, together with an apology that the airline had no passes to hand out, is enough to get you through.

If you have a visa/wp from BoI OSSC at Chamchuri Square you'll get to use the Premium Lane without requiring any pass.

[merijn]

Airlines have to pay for the premium fast track line and therefore they should hand out the fast track coupons.

Only Thai does not handout those fast track coupons and the BP can be used to access the fast track line.

[waldroj]

With THAI you use your boarding pass. They stopped handing out fast-track passes some time ago (after local tour operators started copying the THAI coupons for their customers).

[bubba]

You're supposed to have a pass, but on the occasions the airline didn't have any, I've found that presenting your business class boarding pass stub, together with an apology that the airline had no passes to hand out, is enough to get you through.

If you have a visa/wp from BoI OSSC at Chamchuri Square you'll get to use the Premium Lane without requiring any pass.

Even better – if you have a passport from an APEC country, you can get an APEC Business Travel Card (ABTC) which gives you fast track immigration lane access in any APEC country, plus a free 90 day entry visa waiver on entry to Thailand (and many other countries).

[waldroj]

You will NOT get an APEC card unless you are an exporter or importer with a very substantial turnover (millions of dollars)!

I used to have one (and it did all that bubba said it did, even fast track entry into the US), but the rules were tightened a few years ago so now, only serious players are eligible.

[bubba]

While I am not sure which country you are speaking of, that is not true for every country, Waldroj. Maybe you can elaborate? Indeed, ABTC is not restricted to import/export, but only for travellers who have a valid business requirement for travel in the region. That could be any number of activities.

From the ABTC site:

Who is eligible

If you want to apply for the card you need to be a business person who:

• Is a passport holder of a participating economy i.e. citizen (or a Hong Kong permanent resident with any valid travel document);

• Travels frequently to conduct trade and investment activities in the APEC region; and

• Has not been convicted of a criminal offence.

Some economies require additional information and may impose additional eligibility criteria. Refer to your home economy for information and the application form.

http://www.businessmobility.org/key/abtc.html

[waldroj]

bubba

I am referring to Australia! It was criticised by the other APEC members for being too lenient in its original criteria for issuing an APEC card – that’s how my wife and I got ours.

You are very lucky, as Hong Kong accepts applications from all permanent resident bona fide business people (just as Australia did before it was criticised), but now Australia restricts participation to representatives of businesses which generate at least AU$5 million in exports, are members of the Forbes 2000, or meet other similarly strict criteria.

Obviously, TV members from other States need to check what conditions are appy to them, but if you can get one it certainly is the way to go!

[bubba]

Thanks for that, waldroj. I did find the Australian ABTC information site, and wow – they do now have a long and complex laundry list of requirements for issuance of an ABTC.

I know people with ABTCs with HKG residence, and there are apparently no difficult requirements for demonstrating the "bona fide" business condition. Same with Canada, the US, and NZ. For the most part, they just have a look at your passport pages, ask how many trips you take, and perhaps request a verifying letter from your employer in the case of NZ. Thailand just requires membership in a chamber of commerce.

Sorry it has become so difficult for new Australian ABTCs. I can see where the requirements are so restrictive that some legitimate applicants may not be able to fulfil all the requirements. But if you can get one, it is most definitely worth it if you do a lot of travel in APEC.

[overherebc]

Came through Swampy yesterday, non business flight, about 9am.

Queue was down the ramp to the shops.

An attendant asked if we were husband and wife, she is Thai obviously, and took me to the APEC booth, next to the Thai electronic booths my wife used.

With only two people in front of the booth I was through in about 10 minutes.

I did get the impression that processing was a lot slower as people were being asked to show hotel bookings etc, at least the two in front of me were, they were very obviously middle east, tea cloth and 58 chevy fan belt etc.

Everyone was at the booths for a good 3 to four minutes at least and looking back it was obvious the queue was getting longer.

[Aussieroaming]

Yep you need your business class stub. When I travel with my wife we just go through the Thai queue even though we are flying business as it's quick and easy.

[merijn]

When arriving you should receive a fast track coupon at arrival (only Thai don't hand out coupons as you use your BP).

As the airlines have to pay for this not all airlines provide fast track for their business class passengers.

When departing you will need the fast track coupon (except Thai Airways) which you receive at check-in, without this coupon you are not allowed to enter the fast track area.

[bubba]

Note that if you have a business or first class ticket, TG have a dedicated departures immigration fast lane just after the check in counters. You do not need a fast track pass for these.

[MobileContent]

You will NOT get an APEC card unless you are an exporter or importer with a very substantial turnover (millions of dollars)!

I used to have one (and it did all that bubba said it did, even fast track entry into the US), but the rules were tightened a few years ago so now, only serious players are eligible.

Correct ! My FInance Director was rejected last month when he went to renew his APEC card as my company has only a paid up capital of 500,000 S$ and they now ask for at least 1 million Singapore Dollars in fully paid up capital.

[bubba]

You will NOT get an APEC card unless you are an exporter or importer with a very substantial turnover (millions of dollars)!

I used to have one (and it did all that bubba said it did, even fast track entry into the US), but the rules were tightened a few years ago so now, only serious players are eligible.

Correct ! My FInance Director was rejected last month when he went to renew his APEC card as my company has only a paid up capital of 500,000 S$ and they now ask for at least 1 million Singapore Dollars in fully paid up capital.

Each country has different requirements. So your Finance Director was applying as a Singapore national?