May 18, 2019, 4:15 am
Last edit by: Deltus
As of May 2019, this thread is closing in on its 9 year anniversary. A lot has changed during the course of the past 9 years. In particular: 1. WeChat Wallet and Alipay have risen to prominence, and 2. banking related security measures have become much more intense. #2 is especially relevant to foreigners in China because many --if not most-- banks are reluctant to open accounts for people on standard tourist or business visas.
The objective of this thread is to help people navigate these waters. Please feel free to add your own data points to the Google Sheet in the following link:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1lBOLufpsS_YypVd4Yv75aDVNLK2K0t8GHtbV7-O9Hqw/edit?usp=sharing
For an account of using HSBC Premier in China, see post 188.
The objective of this thread is to help people navigate these waters. Please feel free to add your own data points to the Google Sheet in the following link:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1lBOLufpsS_YypVd4Yv75aDVNLK2K0t8GHtbV7-O9Hqw/edit?usp=sharing
For an account of using HSBC Premier in China, see post 188.
Banking and Good banks in the PRC Discussion
Jun 4, 2021, 6:01 am
#256
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: PVG
Programs: MU Platinum, HH Diamond
Posts: 827
I have Premier status in China because I have a decent amount of money with them. By extension I had Premier status in other countries where I had HSBC accounts.
Jul 1, 2021, 7:31 pm
#257
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 10,224
A few days ago I noticed that my ICBC app now has a section that offers me a payment QR code similar to Alipay and Wechat pay under the UnionPay quick pass system. I tested it out at a few places and it has worked everywhere so far. The reason this is interesting is that if it is treated the same as the Union Pay card, those of us without Chinese ID cards should be able to make purchases abroad now, which we can’t do with Alipay or Wechat pay. Obviously not gonna get a chance to test this out soon, but hopefully this is a good development.
Jul 1, 2021, 9:14 pm
#258
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: HKG
Posts: 1,314
A few days ago I noticed that my ICBC app now has a section that offers me a payment QR code similar to Alipay and Wechat pay under the UnionPay quick pass system. I tested it out at a few places and it has worked everywhere so far. The reason this is interesting is that if it is treated the same as the Union Pay card, those of us without Chinese ID cards should be able to make purchases abroad now, which we can’t do with Alipay or Wechat pay. Obviously not gonna get a chance to test this out soon, but hopefully this is a good development.
So just because AliPay QR codes are accepted at a merchant, there is no guarantee that they will also take UnionPay QR codes.
Jul 2, 2021, 12:49 am
#259
Ambassador, Hong Kong and Macau
Join Date: May 2009
Location: HKG
Programs: Non-top tier Asia Miles member
Posts: 19,799
"UnionPay QR code" 云闪付? We have them in HK too. The promos are quite good (e.g. HK$1.5/mlie) but other than the big chain supermarkets and Maccas, we're struggling to find takers.
Jul 2, 2021, 6:42 pm
#260
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: HKG
Posts: 1,314
Acceptance seems to be an issue on the mainland too. AliPay/WeChat seem to be unassailable.
Jul 3, 2021, 1:47 am
#261
Join Date: Aug 2008
Programs: HHonors Gold, Marriott Lifetime Gold, IHG Gold, OZ*G, AA Gold, AS MVP
Posts: 1,874
A few days ago I noticed that my ICBC app now has a section that offers me a payment QR code similar to Alipay and Wechat pay under the UnionPay quick pass system. I tested it out at a few places and it has worked everywhere so far. The reason this is interesting is that if it is treated the same as the Union Pay card, those of us without Chinese ID cards should be able to make purchases abroad now, which we can’t do with Alipay or Wechat pay. Obviously not gonna get a chance to test this out soon, but hopefully this is a good development.
Jul 3, 2021, 5:55 pm
#263
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: HKG
Posts: 1,314
Jul 28, 2021, 7:54 pm
#264
Join Date: Aug 2008
Programs: HHonors Gold, Marriott Lifetime Gold, IHG Gold, OZ*G, AA Gold, AS MVP
Posts: 1,874
However, actually making payments with it still is. I tried the code generated by the ICBC app at a grocery store in Vancouver that takes UnionPay QR codes, and it failed. The cashier side shows “AUTH_CODE_INVALID”, but I don’t see anything on my app to indicate anything was even attempted. The cashier even said “That’s weird, I use it myself and it works fine.” So it’s just like Alipay or WeChat in that regard.
May 25, 2022, 1:03 am
#265
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 53
Getting a Credit Card
I randomly decided to try to get a credit card last month and I was suprised when the first bank I walked into (ICBC) told me I could apply. However, in the end they weren't able to submit the application because my name is too long. They tried to shorten it by leaving out my middle name, but I guess the system refused saying I can't have two different names (ICBC is my main bank account).
Does anyone have any suggestions? Should I try other ICBCs? Should I go to a bank that I have no prior relationship with? Is there a bank that can accept a long name? My name is 26 characters including 3 spaces.
Does anyone have any suggestions? Should I try other ICBCs? Should I go to a bank that I have no prior relationship with? Is there a bank that can accept a long name? My name is 26 characters including 3 spaces.
May 25, 2022, 5:51 am
#266
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 10,224
I randomly decided to try to get a credit card last month and I was suprised when the first bank I walked into (ICBC) told me I could apply. However, in the end they weren't able to submit the application because my name is too long. They tried to shorten it by leaving out my middle name, but I guess the system refused saying I can't have two different names (ICBC is my main bank account).
Does anyone have any suggestions? Should I try other ICBCs? Should I go to a bank that I have no prior relationship with? Is there a bank that can accept a long name? My name is 26 characters including 3 spaces.
Does anyone have any suggestions? Should I try other ICBCs? Should I go to a bank that I have no prior relationship with? Is there a bank that can accept a long name? My name is 26 characters including 3 spaces.
May 25, 2022, 6:46 am
#267
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Trenton NJ
Programs: UA Gold MM, Honors Diamond, Marriott Gold, Hertz President’s Circle
Posts: 3,668
The benefit to me was not being hit by double conversion rates while I was there on my expat assignment. I was paid in RMB but transferred the bulk of my money home where it was converted to USD. Having my CCB credit card meant that all purchases made in China never suffered conversion issues and travel outside China only had it occur one time. I hadn’t intended on getting the card but my employer “sponsored” me for it.
May 25, 2022, 7:55 am
#268
Join Date: Jan 2020
Programs: Marriott Titanium (Lifetime Gold), Caesars Diamond
Posts: 1,402
The benefit to me was not being hit by double conversion rates while I was there on my expat assignment. I was paid in RMB but transferred the bulk of my money home where it was converted to USD. Having my CCB credit card meant that all purchases made in China never suffered conversion issues and travel outside China only had it occur one time. I hadn’t intended on getting the card but my employer “sponsored” me for it.
May 25, 2022, 8:03 am
#269
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 10,224
The benefit to me was not being hit by double conversion rates while I was there on my expat assignment. I was paid in RMB but transferred the bulk of my money home where it was converted to USD. Having my CCB credit card meant that all purchases made in China never suffered conversion issues and travel outside China only had it occur one time. I hadn’t intended on getting the card but my employer “sponsored” me for it.
May 25, 2022, 8:18 am
#270
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 53
Really no reason other than trying to do it. When I left the US I had about 30 active credit cards I think so it feels weird not having a single one.