Which Card To Use When Traveling In China?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Visa, MasterCard, and American Express

are all widely accepted in big cities in China. Depending on your bank, using a foreign credit card in China will usually incur a foreign currency exchange fee and a transaction fee from either your home or the local bank, which can add up fast.

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What cards are accepted in China?


Visa, Mastercard, American Express and Discover

are widely accepted in the big cities across China. Depending on your card, you could pay foreign transaction fees. To avoid it, use a travel credit card.

Can I use my debit card in China?

Chinese payment platforms

WeChat Pay and Alipay say they can now support foreign credit and debit cards

. Users previously needed a Chinese bank account to use the two platforms, China's most popular. Both platforms will now be able to support Visa, Mastercard, Japan's JCB and Singapore's Diners Club cards.

How do tourists pay in China?

The country skipped over a generation of finance and went straight to

smartphone-based digital payments

. And the apps are simple for businesses. If a business can get a printout of a QR code, it can get paid by app.

Does Visa card work in China?


Visa, MasterCard, and American Express are all widely accepted in big cities in China

. Depending on your bank, using a foreign credit card in China will usually incur a foreign currency exchange fee and a transaction fee from either your home or the local bank, which can add up fast.

How does UnionPay work in China?

China UnionPay is a cashless payment method in China

using a debit or credit card

. China UnionPay cardholders must be Chinese nationals and they can receive international payments sent directly to their cards.

Can I use my Chase card in China?


works fine

. I used my chase BA card in china last summer. works fine.

Can foreigners get a credit card in China?


Foreigners that have residence/work permits and a steady income in China are able to apply or a credit card

. Each banks rules vary and even different branches may have diverse conditions.

Is cash accepted in China?


China's central bank action against institutions that fail to accept cash

comes as the government works to limit the power of the country's largest digital payment operators.

Can I use Citibank debit in China?

Because it's a major business and holiday destination,

many large international banks have branches and ATMs in China

. These include HSBC, Citibank and Scotiabank. If you're a customer of one of these banks in another country, you can use their ATMs in China without paying an ATM fee.

Can I use my HSBC debit card in China?

HSBC Advance Debit Card gives you the convenience of cash withdrawals,

purchases anywhere within China

as well as when you travel abroad.

Is Discover Card accepted in China?


Yes, you can use your Discover card in China

. In general, Discover has less international acceptance than two of the other payment networks, Visa and Mastercard.

Are Visa cards accepted everywhere?

Most of what you get with a card comes from the issuer.

Visa and Mastercard are both accepted just about everywhere that takes

. With only a handful of exceptions, any place that takes one will take the other.

Does China have 2 currencies?

Chinese money, however, comes by two names:

the Yuan (CNY) and the people's renminbi (RMB)

. The distinction is subtle: while renminbi is the official currency of China where it acts as a medium of exchange, the yuan is the unit of account of the country's economic and financial system.

Can WeChat accept foreign credit card?

Here's what we know so far:

WeChat will accept Visa, MasterCard, JCB, Diner's Club and American Express Cards

(credit cards, not just debit cards); You won't need a Chinese phone number to register your account; it can be done with your foreign phone number.

What is Mir card?

MIR is

a local payment card in Russia sponsored by the government

. The National Payment Card System (NSPK) was established in July 2014 following sanctions against Russia earlier that year, which left Russian cardholders and merchants temporarily unable to transact on the international card networks.

Does MasterCard operate in China?


MasterCard Worldwide has collaborated with Bank of China to launch MasterCard MoneySend

TM

in China

. MoneySend leverages MasterCards global payment network and card products to provide Chinese consumers with a convenient, fast, safe and reliable way for cross-border person-to-person money transfer.

Can foreigners use WeChat Pay?

Can Anybody Open a WeChat Wallet? The short answer is “

yes, anyone can open a WeChat Wallet

”, but… …as with anything in China, it's not that simple. You see, WeChat requires what they call “real-name verification” in order to open a WeChat Wallet to send and receive money.

Is UnionPay a Visa or MasterCard?


Some UnionPay credit cards are also affiliated with American Express (AmEx), MasterCard, or Visa

, and they can be used abroad as American Express, MasterCard, or Visa credit cards. UnionPay debit cards, however, can only be used in the UnionPay network and other networks that have signed contracts with UnionPay.

What is bank card number in China?

Issuer Identification Number (IIN) Card Number Format Type of Card
436748


4367 48XX XXXX XXXX


CREDIT

439225


4392 25XX XXXX XXXX


CREDIT

458124


4581 24XX XXXX XXXX


CREDIT

491680


4916 80XX XXXX XXXX


DEBIT

What type of card is UnionPay?

UnionPay

Debit card

is your ideal choice, when you travel abroad, or purchase online from around the world, and at the same time you have a choice to pay with your own funds, directly from your own bank accounts. The UnionPay debit card is a great alternative to carrying cash or checks.

Can I use Amex card in China?


Chinese banks will issue debit cards on the American Express network

. Shanghai, China, September 16, 2021 – American Express (NYSE: AXP) announced that today its joint venture in China – Express (Hangzhou) Technology Service Co., Ltd.

How much does Chase charge for international ATM?

If you use an international out-of-network ATM, Chase will charge you

$5 per withdrawal or $2.50 per transfer or balance inquiry

. If you are a Chase customer and use an international ATM, you can also expect foreign exchange rate adjustment fees and fees from the ATM operator.

What banks have no international ATM fees?

  • Aspiration.
  • Betterment.
  • Charles Schwab.
  • Capital One.
  • Alliant Credit Union.
  • First Republic Bank.
  • Fidelity.
  • USAA.

How do I get a mainland China bank card?
  1. Valid passport.
  2. Proof of residence (usually only for correspondence purposes, so your bank may accept a temporary address or email instead)
  3. An initial opening deposit.
  4. Employment pass, student pass or work permit (Required by some banks)

How do I get a Visa card to China?

  1. Passport. You must provide your actual signed passport, including one copy of the personal information page of your passport. …
  2. Photographs. …
  3. Letter of Invitation. …
  4. Proof of State Residency. …
  5. VisaCentral Order Form. …
  6. Travel Record. …
  7. Health Declaration. …
  8. Authorization Letter.

How do I add money to WeChat?

  1. Download the WeChat app. …
  2. Set up your WeChat account. …
  3. Activate WeChat Pay by getting someone to send money to you. …
  4. Add a credit card or Chinese bank account number. …
  5. Set up your transfer. …
  6. Indicate your transfer amount.

Ahmed Ali
Author
Ahmed Ali
Ahmed Ali is a financial analyst with over 15 years of experience in the finance industry. He has worked for major banks and investment firms, and has a wealth of knowledge on investing, real estate, and tax planning. Ahmed is also an advocate for financial literacy and education.