Wechat wallet

jackson0597 · May 28, 2024

Wanted to share some info regarding WeChat wallet/WeChat pay.

I was able to unlock the wallet function around last year when I signed up for Alipay Tour Card. It gives you a china bank account number that you can link to your WeChat wallet. Nothing much you can do with this tour card except for paying stuff however (No top up and no withdraw), but you can hold RMB in the WeChat balance.

Not sure if it's just me, but I think a few months back, WeChat also started blocking online payments (Purchasing douyin coins/kuaishou coins) with international bank card (especially YouTrip). I used to be able to scan my china relative's QR code to send them money to top up my wallet using my YouTrip card as well. Probably a loophole. But they fixed that also. Really wish they could bring back online payments with international bank cards. Not sure why china limiting online payments (except for Taobao). The only solution I can think of now is using Wise to remit, then ask them to send to your Alipay/Wechat wallet. Save the 3% fee when buying stuff online but then Wise fee probably cost more than the 3% fee also lol.

Wondering if anyone got any other solutions!

klavier · May 28, 2024

beanstalk6 said:
The problem is that they make real name verification difficult with the requirements for a Chinese phone number and a local bank account. Fulfilling these 2 requirements call for having Chinese residency. I simply gave up. I have no issue with hotel check-ins. I had a problem with the Luckin Coffee app in China, so I passed on the coffee. At attractions, I went for manual ticket counters.

Sorry for disturbing you again!

I have already set up alipay and verified my identity. For wechat, I did not verify as i saw they have relaxed the need to verify to use wechat pay.

Question is, if I want to use wechat to book tickets to attractions, do I need to get myself verified? If so, is it possible with foreign number?

Or is this a hit and miss? I saw some YouTuber who mentioned some people just don't seem to be able to verify or use when they are not in China.

beanstalk6 · May 29, 2024

klavier said:
Sorry for disturbing you again!

I have already set up alipay and verified my identity. For wechat, I did not verify as i saw they have relaxed the need to verify to use wechat pay.

Question is, if I want to use wechat to book tickets to attractions, do I need to get myself verified? If so, is it possible with foreign number?

Or is this a hit and miss? I saw some YouTuber who mentioned some people just don't seem to be able to verify or use when they are not in China.

I am unable to assist, as I have already given up on these payment channels, though last night I set up Alipay again after having read that they are loosening the rules. I shall only be able to test when I am in China again. What I know is, you need to get yourself verified in order to book tickets to attractions. Not sure if Wechat Pay allows a foreign number for this purpose. When you are not in China, it is not possible to verify, I think.

klavier · May 29, 2024

beanstalk6 said:
I am unable to assist, as I have already given up on these payment channels, though last night I set up Alipay again after having read that they are loosening the rules. I shall only be able to test when I am in China again. What I know is, you need to get yourself verified in order to book tickets to attractions. Not sure if Wechat Pay allows a foreign number for this purpose. When you are not in China, it is not possible to verify, I think.

No problem. I will just ask locals to assist in buying tickets when I am there if wechat doesnt allow me to verify. Some attractions still allow walk in as far as I know. Will also be bringing cash just in case.

While cashless system is probably easy for people in China to use, it is still a pain I think for foreigners and those who are lousy in Mandarin..

beanstalk6 · May 29, 2024

klavier said:
No problem. I will just ask locals to assist in buying tickets when I am there if wechat doesnt allow me to verify. Some attractions still allow walk in as far as I know. Will also be bringing cash just in case.

While cashless system is probably easy for people in China to use, it is still a pain I think for foreigners and those who are lousy in Mandarin..

It is still possible to buy tickets from manual ticketing booths using cash. I did this at the Beijing Zoo when I walked in. Use agents like klook and trip.com if advanced booking is required.

The central government has reiterated that it is illegal to refuse cash payments.
https://www.ibtimes.co.uk/china-fin...sh-payments-bid-more-tourist-friendly-1724747
Earlier this year it persuaded WeChat and Alipay to provide ways for foreigners to make cashless payments. There is also movement on the issue of hotel booking for foreigners.
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/eas...ing-foreign-guests-tourism-complaints-4366571

beanstalk6 · May 31, 2024

I read this closely on payment methods. I don't think the list is complete. For one, I know OCBC can be used. Changi Pay is one I am considering.
https://blog.seedly.sg/china-travel-guide/

iceoxfch · Jun 17, 2024

What's the spread of OCBC Alipay+ versus mid market rates when paying in CNY, HKD and MOP? Asking as I don't use OCBC. Thanks!

progene · Jul 2, 2024

I applied for a china debit card.. but now having issuing topping up that china debit card..

highsulphur · Jul 2, 2024

progene said:
I applied for a china debit card.. but now having issuing topping up that china debit card..

Debit card from on Chinese bank in China?

HoGnix · Jul 2, 2024

progene said:
I applied for a china debit card.. but now having issuing topping up that china debit card..

are you referring to Mainland China Bank Account Card?

progene · Jul 2, 2024

highsulphur said:
Debit card from on Chinese bank in China?

HoGnix said:
are you referring to Mainland China Bank Account Card?

Yes.. in china now. Have applied a local china debit card.
But unable to topup $$ from alipay or wechat pay.

cherryjoy · Jul 2, 2024

progene said:
Yes.. in china now. Have applied a local china debit card.
But unable to topup $$ from alipay or wechat pay.

Last June when I was in China, I also applied for a local China debit card & can link it to my Alipay & Wechat wallet.

I withdrew some cash with my Youtrip card & added the cash to my China debit card. After that I can top up my Alipay & Wechat wallet with the debit card successfully.

SibehHL · Jul 3, 2024

cherryjoy said:
Last June when I was in China, I also applied for a local China debit card & can link it to my Alipay & Wechat wallet.

Can advise which bank and city? Thanks.

yhw22 · Jul 3, 2024

progene said:
Yes.. in china now. Have applied a local china debit card.
But unable to topup $$ from alipay or wechat pay.

Sorry, which bank do you applied? What is the criteria as foreigner?

HoGnix · Jul 3, 2024

yhw22 said:
Sorry, which bank do you applied? What is the criteria as foreigner?

Think now they relaxed the rule.
This March, I went to China once and came to know only need the Foreign Passport, a mobile phone number and few Q and A on the spot, then can open Bank Account already， such as ABC Bank, CCB Bank.
These two are nationwide Big Bank, not small local Bank.

cherryjoy · Jul 3, 2024

SibehHL said:
Can advise which bank and city? Thanks.

yhw22 said:
Sorry, which bank do you applied? What is the criteria as foreigner?

ICBC in Beijing. Need passport & China mobile phone number to receive OTP for some verification during opening of bank account.

progene · Jul 4, 2024

yhw22 said:
Sorry, which bank do you applied? What is the criteria as foreigner?

HoGnix said:
Think now they relaxed the rule.
This March, I went to China once and came to know only need the Foreign Passport, a mobile phone number and few Q and A on the spot, then can open Bank Account already， such as ABC Bank, CCB Bank.
These two are nationwide Big Bank, not small local Bank.

cherryjoy said:
ICBC in Beijing. Need passport & China mobile phone number to receive OTP for some verification during opening of bank account.

Yes. Open bank account in china now is easy...
Fill in the form, have a passport and china number to received the otp...
Problem is how to deposit $$$ into that bank account...

Though was easy.. like they scan my phone (wechat/alipay) for qr payment...and the deduction is done within the app.

progene · Jul 4, 2024

cherryjoy said:
Last June when I was in China, I also applied for a local China debit card & can link it to my Alipay & Wechat wallet.

I withdrew some cash with my Youtrip card & added the cash to my China debit card. After that I can top up my Alipay & Wechat wallet with the debit card successfully.

So must withdraw actual cash from the physical card in ATM...

Then add that into the china bank account....

HoGnix · Jul 4, 2024

progene said:
So must withdraw actual cash from the physical card in ATM...

Then add that into the china bank account....

Yes, Cannot do direct Transfer.
On the same ATM, use Youtrip Card withdraw, then use Local Bank card deposit to China account. all can be done within few Mins.

progene · Jul 4, 2024

Dunno if I can withdraw cash from wise card...

Wechat wallet

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