Originally Posted by
Majuki
I haven't tried inputting the card into a WeChat wallet. There was an example somewhere - I forget if it was here or another forum - of either WeChat or Alipay, but it required a friend "on the inside" to add the card manually.
The US ICBC UnionPay card is independent of the checking account, and acts like a credit card. There are some quirks with this card where it can act like a debit card if manufactured spending is your thing, but that's outside of the scope of this thread and best left as an exercise for the end user.
I signed up for a checking account when I applied for the card in branch at South San Francisco two years ago, but it's not required. Initially you couldn't do a direct bill pay from ICBC's website and had to push the payment from another checking account. However, the third party checking account functionality has been present since early 2017.
He got it into alipay because he knew someone who worked there. Lot of good that does us. I'm really upset this card isn't wechat and alipay compatible. Especially since lots of places now won't even take cards anymore.
I'd gladly authenticate myself with an icbc us checking acct if that worked in the apps. Ughh. I'm kinda tempted to just try to open an acct in shenzhen on a tourist visa which i hear is now possible.