Originally Posted by
Majuki
Yes, you're right. Terminals can definitely support both, and my transaction from
February in Hong Kong shows ICBC PBOCCARD as the application. While I wasn't paying close attention, I believe the terminal was the same as if I had used a Visa. Someone like
percysmith could come and correct me if merchants in Hong Kong typically have different terminals for UnionPay and everything else.
Well the applabel is just a name given by the bank, it has no meaning in the transaction. Common CUP applabels I had seen included "UICC CREDIT" "UNIONPAY CREDIT", "UICS CREDIT"
AFAIK, card terminals in HK/Macau/Taiwan usually have two mode, one for VISA/MASTER/AMEX/JCB cards, another for CUP. Cashiers switch between mode when it is needed.
Merchants who have different terminals usually because of management requirement/ processing rate/ bonus points redemption/ bank promotion, but not merely because of card brands.