Jul 13, 2022, 8:15 am
Last edit by: moondog
The "FT People on WeChat" group
Our group chat is comprised of FT members and friends of FT members. We talk about pretty much anything except for politics (because Papa Bear has the ability to watch over us). The group has its own QR code, but it has a short shelf life (e.g. about 5 days), so I'm not including it here. The easiest way to join is to add me as a contact (moondogsh) and let me put you in the group.
Contacting Tencent Customer Support
If you want to get in touch with Tencent customer service (e.g. to update your passport number or change your name format so it aligns with your bank accounts), most web resources will advise you to simply message the "WeChat Team" contact. It is extremely difficult to get a human response when using this approach. Calling them also results in a bot experience.
However, the following drill works as of July 2022 (specific menu options can always change, of course; the key is getting yourself to step 5 below):
1. Dial 95716 (or +86 4009100100 from outside of China)
2. Select option 1 for personal accounts
3. Enter your connected phone number followed by #
3. Select option 2 for other questions
4. The bot will ask you to describe your issue using voice; just speak to it in English; it won't understand and will ask you to repeat 3-5 times before giving up
5. Now, the bot will give you ~8 menu options; through trial and error, I can state that option 7 is good for immediate transfer to a human (some of the others might work as well)
6. When the representative picks up, you definitely need to speak Chinese, but your request is presumably fairly easy to convey, and their responses are also pretty simple
7. They might want to move the conversation over to WeChat; this is okay because they will send you an invite to a special customer service queue, which is only ~60% automated
Our group chat is comprised of FT members and friends of FT members. We talk about pretty much anything except for politics (because Papa Bear has the ability to watch over us). The group has its own QR code, but it has a short shelf life (e.g. about 5 days), so I'm not including it here. The easiest way to join is to add me as a contact (moondogsh) and let me put you in the group.
Contacting Tencent Customer Support
If you want to get in touch with Tencent customer service (e.g. to update your passport number or change your name format so it aligns with your bank accounts), most web resources will advise you to simply message the "WeChat Team" contact. It is extremely difficult to get a human response when using this approach. Calling them also results in a bot experience.
However, the following drill works as of July 2022 (specific menu options can always change, of course; the key is getting yourself to step 5 below):
1. Dial 95716 (or +86 4009100100 from outside of China)
2. Select option 1 for personal accounts
3. Enter your connected phone number followed by #
3. Select option 2 for other questions
4. The bot will ask you to describe your issue using voice; just speak to it in English; it won't understand and will ask you to repeat 3-5 times before giving up
5. Now, the bot will give you ~8 menu options; through trial and error, I can state that option 7 is good for immediate transfer to a human (some of the others might work as well)
6. When the representative picks up, you definitely need to speak Chinese, but your request is presumably fairly easy to convey, and their responses are also pretty simple
7. They might want to move the conversation over to WeChat; this is okay because they will send you an invite to a special customer service queue, which is only ~60% automated
wechat（微信）
May 30, 2021 | 7:59 pm
#376
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: HKG
Posts: 1,397
Of course the border politics is much more complicated than just tourism and it probably doesn't even figure in the calculus of when to reopen.
May 30, 2021 | 8:02 pm
#377
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May 30, 2021 | 8:36 pm
#378
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Location: CA, FL, and China.
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There is no 5% markup when charging your foreign credit card at lawsons via AliPay tourist pass.
My last purchase at Lawsons was Saturday for 11RMB. My chase sapphire reserve has a charge for $1.73 corresponding to this purchase. $1.73 equals 11RMB times the exchange rate of that day.
May 30, 2021 | 8:49 pm
#379
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I dont know how many consecutive times I will need to repeat this to you, but for the sake of others not being misinformed:
There is no 5% markup when charging your foreign credit card at lawsons via AliPay tourist pass.
My last purchase at Lawsons was Saturday for 11RMB. My chase sapphire reserve has a charge for $1.73 corresponding to this purchase. $1.73 equals 11RMB times the exchange rate of that day.
There is no 5% markup when charging your foreign credit card at lawsons via AliPay tourist pass.
My last purchase at Lawsons was Saturday for 11RMB. My chase sapphire reserve has a charge for $1.73 corresponding to this purchase. $1.73 equals 11RMB times the exchange rate of that day.
May 30, 2021 | 8:54 pm
#380
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May 30, 2021 | 9:18 pm
#381
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Gpay is kind of cool as well because you can exchange money with Chinese people using market rates.
May 30, 2021 | 9:31 pm
#382
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As mentioned, the Alipay tourist pass is new territory for me, but you definitely want to have WeChat Pay at your disposal as well. I went to an actual SF Express store (stupid idea) two weeks ago, and they only accepted WX (i.e. not even cash).
Gpay is kind of cool as well because you can exchange money with Chinese people using market rates.
Gpay is kind of cool as well because you can exchange money with Chinese people using market rates.
May 30, 2021 | 9:39 pm
#383
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-I receive most of my income in CNY
-Converting it to USD entails a transaction fee + paperwork if I use official channels...and, I end up with actual greenbacks
-If I were to send you Y6,362.80 using Ali/WX, you could send me $1,000 via Gpay
-Gpay is also kind of useful in HK
-Converting it to USD entails a transaction fee + paperwork if I use official channels...and, I end up with actual greenbacks
-If I were to send you Y6,362.80 using Ali/WX, you could send me $1,000 via Gpay
-Gpay is also kind of useful in HK
May 30, 2021 | 9:42 pm
#384
Suspended
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Location: CA, FL, and China.
Programs: UA1K (no longer serviced!), Bonvoy P, Hyatt G
Posts: 704
I also dont agree with you that a business traveler or tourist needs WeChat pay. In fact I doubt they can even get a bank account as a tourist, but even if so that seems like way too much work.
May 30, 2021 | 9:50 pm
#385
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Trust me I was equally surprised when I realized this worked. I use it everywhere now.
I also dont agree with you that a business traveler or tourist needs WeChat pay. In fact I doubt they can even get a bank account as a tourist, but even if so that seems like way too much work.
I also dont agree with you that a business traveler or tourist needs WeChat pay. In fact I doubt they can even get a bank account as a tourist, but even if so that seems like way too much work.
May 30, 2021 | 9:59 pm
#386
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Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 11,239
The amount of money spent by American tourists in China is dwarfed by the amount of money spent by Chinese tourists abroad. So from a purely financial point-of-view there is no incentive for China to open up to tourism.
Of course the border politics is much more complicated than just tourism and it probably doesn't even figure in the calculus of when to reopen.
Of course the border politics is much more complicated than just tourism and it probably doesn't even figure in the calculus of when to reopen.
Alipay is better than wechat pay.
May 30, 2021 | 10:08 pm
#387
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This is correct. China doesnt care about foreign tourists and they are making more money due to locking their citizens inside than they would ever make from foreigners coming in as tourists. China aint opening for foreign tourists for at least another 2 years. They dont need them and frankly probably dont really want them either.
Alipay is better than wechat pay.
Alipay is better than wechat pay.
May 31, 2021 | 12:50 am
#388
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2010
Programs: DL, OZ, AC, AS, AA, BA, Hilton, Hyatt, Marriott, IHG
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-I receive most of my income in CNY
-Converting it to USD entails a transaction fee + paperwork if I use official channels...and, I end up with actual greenbacks
-If I were to send you Y6,362.80 using Ali/WX, you could send me $1,000 via Gpay
-Gpay is also kind of useful in HK
-Converting it to USD entails a transaction fee + paperwork if I use official channels...and, I end up with actual greenbacks
-If I were to send you Y6,362.80 using Ali/WX, you could send me $1,000 via Gpay
-Gpay is also kind of useful in HK
No idea how GPay is kind of useful in HK. Without details, I have no idea what you're really saying. I suppose if the terminals can handle it, then that's good too. I just tap my physical card for convenience.
May 31, 2021 | 12:53 am
#389
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Join Date: Mar 2010
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The amount of money spent by American tourists in China is dwarfed by the amount of money spent by Chinese tourists abroad. So from a purely financial point-of-view there is no incentive for China to open up to tourism.
Of course the border politics is much more complicated than just tourism and it probably doesn't even figure in the calculus of when to reopen.
Of course the border politics is much more complicated than just tourism and it probably doesn't even figure in the calculus of when to reopen.
This is correct. China doesnt care about foreign tourists and they are making more money due to locking their citizens inside than they would ever make from foreigners coming in as tourists. China aint opening for foreign tourists for at least another 2 years. They dont need them and frankly probably dont really want them either.
Alipay is better than wechat pay.
Alipay is better than wechat pay.
I guess I'll hold you to your words. I don't believe it'll take 2 more years, but I guess we'll see.
May 31, 2021 | 1:00 am
#390
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Location: Shanghai
Posts: 46,302
I think it's widely known that Chinese tourists spend tons of money abroad. I don't think I was disputing that. Are you guys not being presumptuous by suggesting that the Chinese tourists will just spend their money traveling in China instead? Even if true, is this sustainable long-term? Seems a bit dismissive to suggest that American tourism dollars aren't even wanted.
I guess I'll hold you to your words. I don't believe it'll take 2 more years, but I guess we'll see.
I guess I'll hold you to your words. I don't believe it'll take 2 more years, but I guess we'll see.
-I get paid in CNY, but need USD for certain things
-you can use Gpay in HK, even at 711
-if I am occupying a table at 1515, I'm utilizing space that a whale could be availing of
-many American tourists and biz travelers can afford $2,000 dinners, but $40 at DTF is far more common
Last edited by moondog; May 31, 2021 at 1:08 am