Using Discover card in China
Feb 1, 2017, 2:13 pm
#63
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: San Diego
Programs: UA 1K MM, SPG Plat, HH Dia
Posts: 96
What I did is printed out the logo on photo paper, carefully cut it out, and superglue it to your card. Works like a charm to get cashiers to at least try it. And has proven to be more durable and authentic looking than you would think.
however, as people in this thread have stated, it is becoming harder and harder to use Discover in China. More local unionpay terminals are simply not compatible with Discover Card. And the new chip on the Discover card almost never works, even when only swiping at the terminal does. Very frustrating.
however, as people in this thread have stated, it is becoming harder and harder to use Discover in China. More local unionpay terminals are simply not compatible with Discover Card. And the new chip on the Discover card almost never works, even when only swiping at the terminal does. Very frustrating.
Feb 1, 2017, 6:23 pm
#64
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: DC, JNB, LON, NYC
Programs: * A
Posts: 2,528
What I did is printed out the logo on photo paper, carefully cut it out, and superglue it to your card. Works like a charm to get cashiers to at least try it. And has proven to be more durable and authentic looking than you would think.
however, as people in this thread have stated, it is becoming harder and harder to use Discover in China. More local unionpay terminals are simply not compatible with Discover Card. And the new chip on the Discover card almost never works, even when only swiping at the terminal does. Very frustrating.
however, as people in this thread have stated, it is becoming harder and harder to use Discover in China. More local unionpay terminals are simply not compatible with Discover Card. And the new chip on the Discover card almost never works, even when only swiping at the terminal does. Very frustrating.
Feb 1, 2017, 6:51 pm
#65
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Shanghai
Posts: 41,986
I wouldn't worry so much about the Union Pay sticker because anyone will try running your card if you're persistent enough and say 银联 repeatedly. As the poster above you mentioned, the real problem these days is that Discover cards simply haven't worked very well since the chips came along.
Feb 2, 2017, 11:46 am
#66
Join Date: Nov 2006
Programs: MPC,CA,MU,AF
Posts: 8,171
What I did is printed out the logo on photo paper, carefully cut it out, and superglue it to your card. Works like a charm to get cashiers to at least try it. And has proven to be more durable and authentic looking than you would think.
however, as people in this thread have stated, it is becoming harder and harder to use Discover in China. More local unionpay terminals are simply not compatible with Discover Card. And the new chip on the Discover card almost never works, even when only swiping at the terminal does. Very frustrating.
however, as people in this thread have stated, it is becoming harder and harder to use Discover in China. More local unionpay terminals are simply not compatible with Discover Card. And the new chip on the Discover card almost never works, even when only swiping at the terminal does. Very frustrating.
In short, chips in foreign credit cards seldom work in China, but swiping often does.
Feb 2, 2017, 1:01 pm
#68
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Shanghai
Posts: 41,986
There is no point putting a union pay sticker on your Amex (or trying to use an Amex in a union pay POS machine).
Feb 3, 2017, 9:44 pm
#69
Join Date: Aug 2008
Programs: HHonors Gold, Marriott Lifetime Gold, IHG Gold, OZ*G, AA Gold, AS MVP
Posts: 1,874
I wouldn't worry so much about the Union Pay sticker because anyone will try running your card if you're persistent enough and say 银联 repeatedly. As the poster above you mentioned, the real problem these days is that Discover cards simply haven't worked very well since the chips came along.
Dec 4, 2018, 12:10 am
#71
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: San Diego
Programs: UA 1K MM, SPG Plat, HH Dia
Posts: 96
Probably not worth packing it.
IME the places taking Discover on Union Pay terminals is shrinking. I have seen a lot of new POS machines lately, many have a built in QR code reader for your smartphone to accept Wechat pay and Alipay. Most all of these POS do not accept Discover, even though they work with local Union Pay cards. I don't know if it's the chip reader problem or what. Neither chip nor swipe works. There's a fancy new orange color POS with a big LCD screen that seems particularly ubiquitous and definitely doesn't work with Discover.
There are multiple places where I used to use Discover that have switched to a new POS, and now I am out of luck. Quite disappointing.
IME the places taking Discover on Union Pay terminals is shrinking. I have seen a lot of new POS machines lately, many have a built in QR code reader for your smartphone to accept Wechat pay and Alipay. Most all of these POS do not accept Discover, even though they work with local Union Pay cards. I don't know if it's the chip reader problem or what. Neither chip nor swipe works. There's a fancy new orange color POS with a big LCD screen that seems particularly ubiquitous and definitely doesn't work with Discover.
There are multiple places where I used to use Discover that have switched to a new POS, and now I am out of luck. Quite disappointing.
Jan 6, 2019, 6:38 am
#73
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: New York
Programs: AA Exp / Marriott Titanium / Hilton Gold / Hyatt Globalist / United Silver
Posts: 958
Confirmed that Discover card doesn't work in many locations...
but McDonald's kiosks only take Discover/UnionPay and not Visa or Master.. hmmmm...
but McDonald's kiosks only take Discover/UnionPay and not Visa or Master.. hmmmm...
Jan 22, 2019, 7:58 pm
#74
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Las Vegas
Programs: United Platinum, IHG Spire Ambassador, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 284
Has anyone been able to use Discover with Apple Pay? I know Apple Pay in China means compatible with Union Pay only, but I'm wondering if a Discover card in Apple Pay will process as a Union Pay card. Unfortunately, I can't add my US ICBC Union Pay card to Apple Pay - and my emails to them haven't been effective in convincing them to join Apple's network...
Jan 22, 2019, 8:05 pm
#75
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Shanghai
Posts: 41,986
Has anyone been able to use Discover with Apple Pay? I know Apple Pay in China means compatible with Union Pay only, but I'm wondering if a Discover card in Apple Pay will process as a Union Pay card. Unfortunately, I can't add my US ICBC Union Pay card to Apple Pay - and my emails to them haven't been effective in convincing them to join Apple's network...
