my new learnings about the APEC card.

bigjobs · #1 (**permalink**) 24th January 2006, 02:43 PM

here is something i learned recently about APEC cards while travelling with my wife who does not have one ...

i have an APEC card and decided that i would approach the APEC line customs agent and ask nicely if myself and my wife could be processed through his counter. (the line through customs was at least 20mins long).

the customs agent said to me that it was fine to do so and that in the future i can, if travelling with my partner, approach the counter and be processed. we did this on return to Australia and it worked just like the customs agent said.

also with the APEC card you can get a discount at Downtown Duty Free, for those who were not already aware (i can't remember how much the discount was the guy just put it all through at once for me)

anyway, just thought ppl might want to know.

cheers and beers.

Damien · #2 (**permalink**) 24th January 2006, 02:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigjobs

i have an APEC card and decided that i would approach the APEC line customs agent and ask nicely if myself and my wife could be processed through his counter. (the line through customs was at least 20mins long).

the customs agent said to me that it was fine to do so and that in the future i can, if travelling with my partner, approach the counter and be processed. we did this on return to Australia and it worked just like the customs agent said.

Although they seem to have no problem with doing this, it's very much against the terms and conditions of having a card. I think it's best just to do it without asking any questions...

NM · #3 (**permalink**) 27th January 2006, 11:03 AM

I was not aware there was a special desk/line for customs processing for APEC card holders. I was under the opinion that the APEC card provided access to a special line/desk for immigration processing (passport control), but not for customs. Have I missed something or did you really mean to say "immigration" and not "customs" in the original post?

Damien · #4 (**permalink**) 27th January 2006, 11:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NM

I was not aware there was a special desk/line for customs processing for APEC card holders. I was under the opinion that the APEC card provided access to a special line/desk for immigration processing (passport control), but not for customs. Have I missed something or did you really mean to say "immigration" and not "customs" in the original post?

Feeling pedantic today NM? I believe bigjobs meant immigration.

NM · #5 (**permalink**) 27th January 2006, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Damien

Feeling pedantic today NM? I believe bigjobs meant immigration.

Well there is a big difference between immigration and customs. I never have problems with delays at immigration inbound to Australia and always have to wait in the baggage hall for my bags to be delivered. If there was a way to bypass the customs queues to exit the baggage collection hall, then that would be a major benefit of the APEC card. But my expectation is that this is not the case and so having an APEC card is not going to get me out of the Australian arrival airport any faster unless I have no checked bags (very rate for me on an international flight).

JohnK · #6 (**permalink**) 27th January 2006, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigjobs

also with the APEC card you can get a discount at Downtown Duty Free, for those who were not already aware (i can't remember how much the discount was the guy just put it all through at once for me)

Hmm. At Downtown Duty Free a discount for presenting the APEC card but a surcharge for using an AMEX card. :roll:

Anyone know what 2+2 equals

Dave Noble · #7 (**permalink**) 27th January 2006, 01:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnK

Anyone know what 2+2 equals :?:

2+2 = 5 for large values of 2

Dave

NM · #8 (**permalink**) 27th January 2006, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave Noble

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnK

Anyone know what 2+2 equals

2+2 = 5 for large values of 2

Dave

conversly, 2+2 = 3 for small values of 2

.

serfty · #9 (**permalink**) 27th January 2006, 02:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnK

... Anyone know what 2+2 equals

Business Class on a QF 737 (First Class in the LOTFAP). :P

bigjobs · #10 (**permalink**) 27th January 2006, 03:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NM

I was not aware there was a special desk/line for customs processing for APEC card holders. I was under the opinion that the APEC card provided access to a special line/desk for immigration processing (passport control), but not for customs. Have I missed something or did you really mean to say "immigration" and not "customs" in the original post?

That is a fair question ... to clarify and answer your question i did mean the 'immigration' area. the part where you present your entry/exit card and passport.

cheers