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-   -   US based Union Pay card? (https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/credit-card-programs/1756450-us-based-union-pay-card.html)

HGHUA Apr 30, 2017 2:30 pm


Originally Posted by Majuki (Post 28178849)
ICBC did a hard pull on Experian when I applied for the card, but I noticed that my card hasn't reported to any of the three bureaus. I've used the card a few times, and so there has been activity on the account. I haven't yet let a statement cut with a balance, so that might be the reason why.

Any other data points?


Originally Posted by EasyD (Post 28180362)
I've had my ICBC UnionPay card for 3 billing cycles. The hard pull is on my Experian report, but no trade line. :cool:


You guys might have spoken a bit too soon. 2 DP on another forum saying the acct just popped up on TU.

https://creditboards.com/forums/inde...2#entry5633012

Darn, now thats one more for the 5/24 wait. I keep telling myself to wait it out but can't help myself.:D

Majuki Apr 30, 2017 5:57 pm


Originally Posted by HGHUA (Post 28249124)
You guys might have spoken a bit too soon. 2 DP on another forum saying the acct just popped up on TU.

...

Darn, now thats one more for the 5/24 wait. I keep telling myself to wait it out but can't help myself.:D

Oh well... When I checked the bureaus about 2 weeks ago nothing was reported other than the EX hard pull.

Anyone else have data points on the account reporting to the credit bureaus?

Tyler2017 May 1, 2017 8:19 pm

Is it possible to request the UnionPay card with embossed, raised lettering? The current one seems to only have flat lettering and it's mostly on the back.

Majuki May 1, 2017 8:22 pm


Originally Posted by Tyler2017 (Post 28254612)
Is it possible to request the UnionPay card with embossed, raised lettering? The current one seems to only have flat lettering and it's mostly on the back.

I believe there is only the one design.

Tyler2017 May 1, 2017 8:28 pm


Originally Posted by Majuki (Post 28254627)
I believe there is only the one design.

That's quite unfortunate, the current version looks cheap and not like an authentic credit card.

Majuki May 1, 2017 9:04 pm


Originally Posted by Tyler2017 (Post 28254636)
That's quite unfortunate, the current version looks cheap and not like an authentic credit card.

I've only used the card 3 times, all documented previously on this thread, and I haven't had any acceptance issues. I did get a rather confused look from the employee at the MTR ticket desk in Hong Kong, however, when I displayed a UnionPay credit card for group tickets on the Airport Express Line. :D

HGHUA May 2, 2017 10:36 pm

Hmm Seems like all the links in the wiki now just re-route to the visa version. No UP links work now.

Majuki May 2, 2017 11:47 pm


Originally Posted by HGHUA (Post 28259799)
Hmm Seems like all the links in the wiki now just re-route to the visa version. No UP links work now.

They're still promoting the UP card on the monthly checking account statements. I'm curious how many applications they received compared to their expectations.

HGHUA May 4, 2017 11:55 am

Got the card today. 8k Limit.

Activated no probs, though I did have a slight address error which was a PAIN to fix. Had to call in and they said the call center was in Hong Kong.

EasyD May 4, 2017 6:18 pm

Odd question, but this seems like a reasonable place to ask.

Any chance a WeChat user could send me some money to activate WePay on my account? I will turn the money around back to you as soon as I can!

Thanks!

Majuki May 4, 2017 10:46 pm


Originally Posted by HGHUA (Post 28267769)
Had to call in and they said the call center was in Hong Kong.

Interesting. I thought their call center would have been in the Mainland somewhere.

Yeah, I've noticed there's no way to update the address online. There is an address update form on the monthly statement. My concern is that there always seem to be transcription errors when giving an address update over the phone.

HGHUA May 9, 2017 9:23 am

Saw on macrumors alipay is coming to the US. Might be able to add this card then. Who knows when though.

Also didi is rolling out slowly an english app and ability to take foreign cards. Exciting times.

greglvnv May 12, 2017 8:28 am

So, is there a way to check the "status" of an approved online CUP application besides calling Hong Kong?
Just FYI, they sent me a link to apply once I attached a copy of my DL. It seems like the link is operational for anyone but I see that they are not available publicly.
Also, regarding acceptance. I know CUP rules in Mainland, how about HK, Macau, Taiwan and Singapore?

HGHUA May 12, 2017 8:38 am

Email seemed to be the best way to contact them. Even when I call in they often have to say the nyc branch will get back to me by email.

I've used it around a bit. No problem in person but first try at amazon was a complete failure. Called in, and as usual they said they saw the denial but aren't sure why. They'll "get back to me". Lol

Expect a CS slog for everything u do on this card.

Majuki May 12, 2017 10:01 am


Originally Posted by greglvnv (Post 28302658)
So, is there a way to check the "status" of an approved online CUP application besides calling Hong Kong?

...

I know CUP rules in Mainland, how about HK, Macau, Taiwan and Singapore?

I can't speak for anywhere besides HK and the US for acceptance. I used the card at the Airport Express station in HK, and there was no problem with card acceptance. You're better off using a 0% FTF Visa or MC, however, as they'll get better exchange rates. While the UnionPay card doesn't have any FTF in theory, UnionPay does maintain a small spread on the exchange rate. You can see my post here with the HK transaction was about 0.27% above what it would be had I used a Visa card. You're still coming out way ahead compared to a transaction with forced DCC or for the convenience factor if a merchant in the Mainland only takes UnionPay.

The US will accept the card, but you have to let a fallback transaction happen as the US terminals I've encountered do not support PBOC, only EMV. I imagine as more places switch to turning on EMV, they might deny your transaction for attempting to swipe a chip card. I'm not an expert on UnionPay's acceptance rules, but I'd imagine you'd have less recourse than a Visa or MC transaction with respect to card acceptance.


Originally Posted by HGHUA (Post 28302701)
Email seemed to be the best way to contact them. Even when I call in they often have to say the nyc branch will get back to me by email.

...

Expect a CS slog for everything u do on this card.

I concur that e-mail is the best option. My only feedback so far is the lack of features on the website. For instance, an address change requires a call or mailing in the form with the statement; there's no facility to do it online. They only recently added the option of doing a payment from an external bank account. (There have been mixed results pushing payments from this and associated threads.) However, I haven't yet had any problems with their phone support. For instance, I needed to link the credit card with the checking account for online access, and the link happened exactly as described over the phone. Usually when one receives the message, "Let me contact the department responsible for that," and you get transferred around there is a less favorable outcome.

Overall, I think it's a solid card product for my intended use case and has worked as advertised.


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