Going China, recommend me a UnionPay Credit Card

ilovetoeat

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Hi all,

as above, I am mostly collecting miles now but as going China and most of them do not accept masters/visa, any CC worth applying for the unionpay function?

Thanks all!
 

Trazora

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Hi all,

as above, I am mostly collecting miles now but as going China and most of them do not accept masters/visa, any CC worth applying for the unionpay function?

Thanks all!

There is no unionpay miles card. Can consider BOC Zaobao card for 5% rebate for spending in China, if spend min $600 in calendar month, incur 3% fees for overseas spend starting 1 dec 2018. However, it usually take 2 to 3 months to apply BOC card.
 
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ilovetoeat

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There is no unionpay miles card. Can consider BOC Zaobao card for 5% rebate for spending in China, if spend min $600 in calendar month, incur 3% fees for overseas spend starting 1 dec 2018. However, it usually take 2 to 3 months to apply BOC card.

Ya I just saw this card... but 2 - 3 months :s13::s13::s13: wonder what era we are in :s22::s22:

Like this, my best chance is for UOB UnionPay liao?
 

Trazora

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Ya I just saw this card... but 2 - 3 months :s13::s13::s13: wonder what era we are in :s22::s22:

Like this, my best chance is for UOB UnionPay liao?

Can consider icbc unionpay dual currency card cos at least no overseas fees and with chance to have some rebate for spending above $500. Eg spend $700, only $200 have rebate. Not sure how long needed to get the card.
 
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Trazora

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Btw is it true that most places in china do not accept masters/visa?
 

hyperbole

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Btw is it true that most places in china do not accept masters/visa?

True. Even nice restaurants sometimes do not.

ICBC not bad but application lead time is 1 month. Better than BOC around 3 months (with complaint to MAS otherwise I think I get it next Christmas)
 

ilovetoeat

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The DBS unionpay card seems pretty good too... hmm 5% for CNY transactions. Plus I have DBS accounts.

1 - 3 months lead time:s22::s22:, how all these Chinese banks earn money in SG...
 

compro_1975

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There is no unionpay miles card. Can consider BOC Zaobao card for 5% rebate for spending in China, if spend min $600 in calendar month, incur 3% fees for overseas spend starting 1 dec 2018. However, it usually take 2 to 3 months to apply BOC card.

the 3% dun count for BOC ZB right? u just need to pay in RMB when u back here... it is a dual currency card...
 

chocobo2008

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Btw is it true that most places in china do not accept masters/visa?

It is true. Not easy to find place to use Master/Visa at all. Unionpay Zaobao card is always accepted and can “paywave” in larger restaurant/hotel/shops/supermarket (my experience). 5% rebate awarded for all RMB transactions.

But it is more convenient to use wechat pay or Alipay. They are accepted everywhere including those places accept card.
 

chocobo2008

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the 3% dun count for BOC ZB right? u just need to pay in RMB when u back here... it is a dual currency card...

Yes, RMB transaction is charged in RMB to Zaobao card under RMB account, and can be paid later by RMB(from smartsaver account) or SGD.
 

Trazora

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The DBS unionpay card seems pretty good too... hmm 5% for CNY transactions. Plus I have DBS accounts.

1 - 3 months lead time:s22::s22:, how all these Chinese banks earn money in SG...

Looks good. Moot point: It is debit card btw so need to tag to dbs/posb bank account.
 

Tiger9119

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Nope. Even as long as 5 years ago, I never had any problem using my Visa or MasterCard in China.

You will most likely to have Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC) issues when using Visa or Mastercard in China. The retailers/merchants will charge you in SGD and tell you that they cannot charge in RMB/CNY.
 

Knightoftheblackrose

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I never encountered such an issue.

I was always given a choice between SGD or CNY (in China) or Euros (in Europe).


You will most likely to have Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC) issues when using Visa or Mastercard in China. The retailers/merchants will charge you in SGD and tell you that they cannot charge in RMB/CNY.
 
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