I used to use my Octopus extensively throughout HK for purchases at 7-11 and so forth, given how convenient it is. But I ran into the same issue that you must reload with cash. So, now that NFC payments* are available for both Visa and MC (and sometimes even AMEX) throughout Hong Kong, I use that instead at places like 7-11, and I reserve Octopus for public transportation. That way, I don't have to reload the card as often.


*In HK, NFC payments are referred to as "Pay Wave," and you have to request it from the cashier before you present your phone or other NFC-active device to the reader. "Pay Wave" is actually the Visa brand name for its NFC offering, but it seems to be the term that HK cashiers recognize and use for all forms of NFC payments.