Perhaps, although there are other contenders for the title. However, fame is not relevant. Generalising from from one travel agency that specifically targets foreigners for on-line sales, and which is thus bound to offer credit card service if it can, or even from its handful of similar competitors, counts for little compared to the tens of thousands of walk-in and telephone-operated ticket agencies in China.

The original assertion concerning 'discounts' for cash is in general incorrect. Ticket purchases (including in most cases through hotels) are assumed to be in cash, and an additional percentage of between 1.5% and 4% is charged for the use of foreign cards where these are accepted at all.

Ctrip, it might be added, has had varying arrangements concerning foreign credit cards over the years, including periods when it did not accept them either.

Indeed. Contrary to what was said earlier, the presence of Mastercard and Visa logos and signage is no guarantee whatsoever that a foreign card will be accepted. The purported mechanics of the transaction are neither here nor there.

Once again: visitors to China need to do as the Chinese do. And for the most part, for the kinds of transactions under discussion, that's to pay in cash.