FlyerTalk Forums - View Single Post - Opinion: without Alipay and Wechat Pay, you are screwed in Shanghai
Old Oct 31, 2017 | 8:21 am
  #14  
seanpodge
 
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: HRB
Programs: OZ Diamond
Posts: 130
Originally Posted by travelinmanS
My biggest problem is that they don't allow foreigners to use Alipay or WeChat Pay outside of Mainland China. I'd love to be able to pay for things this way in HK or SE Asia where Alipay at least seems to be widely accepted, but for some reason they block me from doing this.

In China, I agree, if you don't have Alipay or WeChat Pay then you're setting yourself up for more hassle.
I assume it's due to the currency exchange controls the government puts on foreigners. Similar to the US$500(or equivalent)/day limit on cashing out RMB.

I agree that it's a nuisance, particularly since they have my bank card, and therefore my bank details, on file. It would be good if Alipay/WeChat would let you at least have the US$500 equivalent per day. Would cover most cases of mobile payment.
seanpodge is offline