Chinese Businesses Accepting Union Pay But Not Visa/Mastercard.

cr12330 on 04/08/2017 - 16:37
Last edited 04/08/2017 - 17:13 by 1 other user

While I'm travelling in China at the moment, I can see the Mastercard/Visa features on the mercants creditcard machine but when coming to pay, most Chinese business sellers are more relying on Union Pay and I'm quiet surprised there no Mastercard/Visa accepted here as I love to use my Bankwest Mastercard over here. I've tried at Walmart, jewellery shops and even a sushi restaurant which you think would have it as it would cater westerners to eat there. No, No and No.

Its now a questions, with the fastest growing paying network and second biggest in the World is it possible for this to happen?

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  John Kimble on 04/08/2017 - 17:08

  Sure, why not?

  Although I expect traditional physical credit cards to be taken over by something else in the not too distant future…or maybe distant future, depending on how hard the schemes fight back/resist change.

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    cr12330 on 04/08/2017 - 18:13

    I do see a bit of Apple Pay logos in China now, maybe we might be using more of our mobiles in future.

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  cnmarine on 04/08/2017 - 18:58

  Well, china uses union pay………what did you expect. China don't like using foreign stuff for their core services - unless the company gives up control to the government.

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  KaTst3R on 04/08/2017 - 19:05

  +1

  China is also pushing for Alipay and Wechat pay.

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    cr12330 on 04/08/2017 - 19:50

    I think Alipay looks interesting, do you think I might be able to link my bankwest card using Alipay with an Iphone 7? Then start using it like that in China, Just want to be smarter then always using cash in China because its not good to carry too much cash when going out. I looked at Wechat it looks like you need the bank account in China for it to work and don't think it has a partner as yet with Mastercard.

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      KaTst3R on 05/08/2017 - 00:40

      To be honest, I have only seen people use it but have not tried it myself. Sorry i cant give you any insights.

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  MiniInTheBox on 04/08/2017 - 19:31

  +2

  we use Alipay and Wechat pay every day and every where now, even for a bottle of water. lol so using more of our mobiles now, not future. you don't need any cash or your wallet, just a phone is enough

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  shangoz on 04/08/2017 - 20:51

  Five Star Hotel do accept Visa and Master pluse AMES, but anywhere else cash is King, don't trust them to say how open there, basically is more close then 10 years ago.

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  tooblue on 04/08/2017 - 21:49

  +2

  Its now a questions, with the fastest growing paying network and second biggest in the World is it possible for this to happen?

  How silly is this question! With the largest population and second largest economy in the world, why can't China have a say on what payment system they are using? Last time I checked China has four banks on the Fortune 50 list, while Commbank at #333. Bankwest? Who?

  Just like AmEx, Diners, JCB, if the merchant don't accept them, that's fine. I either use another card or take the business elsewhere. If you want convenience to spend in China, either adopt the WechatPay, AliPay, or urge Australian banks to issue UnionPay cards.

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    altomic on 05/08/2017 - 08:21

    they are not using visa or mastercard. AND they don't speak English!!!!

    but good tip by OP to get a union bankcard or as others have said- alipay. which I use through aliexpress.

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  idonotknowwhy on 05/08/2017 - 16:35

  +1

  1. Get a bank account there (only need a passport to set this up). You'll then get a union pay card.

  2. Go to an ATM, and withdraw a large wad of cash. I used my ING Direct card to do this, which cost only $2.50 and gave me the mastercard rate. I assume your bankwest card can do something similar for you.

  3. Go to a deposit ATM, deposit your wad of cash into your Chinese bank account.

  Now you can use union pay anywhere, with no fees. You can also use this to buy shit from China online when you get home, so no need to transfer the change back to AUD.

  WeChatPay can be annoying because it requires a network connection. If you're relying on wifi, that isn't always available.

  China can do whatever they want. I get more annoyed seeing free union pay in Melbourne, but surcharged Visa/MC and no amex :)

  Edit: Don't do anything stupid like forget your pin or leave the atm card in the atm for too long without doing anything. If anything screws up, you'll have a really, really hard time getting access to your account, and probably end up spending half a day waiting at a bank.