Question on transit visas

Hello!

My wife and I are traveling from Bangkok to Beijing
Arriving Beijing at 11:25am Nov 28th
Leaving Beijing to San Francisco(layover) 4:52pm on Nov 30th
Then on to Denver 8:26pm on Nov 30th

Would we qualify for the free transit?
We are US citizens - so no entry permit for going back to US...

Thanks in advance!