Alipay in China

[jywy2005]

I am not sure when your ICBC debit card (unionpay) was issued but this feature for unionpay cards issued outside of China for Alipay only started in early Nov 2024. According to ICBC counter officer, only their newly issued debit cards can be used. You can google about this service. Here is one of the link:
https://www.electronicpaymentsinternational.com/news/unionpay-support-alipay-weixin/#:~:text=UnionPay cards issued outside China offers support for Alipay, Weixin,online and offline use cases.&text=This move aims to provide,for inbound travellers to China.

I also hold ICBC dual currency credit and debit cards. I got my card renewed in Jan, but could not use the cc in China.
It was working fine previously on trip.com, but not any more.

Tried to bind it to Alipay, but could not make any payment. Even direct use of cc at china hotel also failed.

Then I realized we need to get it verified via unionpay app or 云闪付， so after doing so, I managed to use the physical card at Hangzhou Airport duty free shop. Will need to check the transaction record if there's any fees for this.

 

[jtec14]

Thanks for all the sharing here.

Returned from Shanghai/Suzhou/Zhejiang a week ago, generally no issue with alipay and wechat payments binded with trust(main) and youtrip cards everywhere.

Only faced some slight delay in trust app authorisation when i asked to split bills into rmb200, so once in a while, one of the splitted bills cannot be processed in time and need to redo.

 

[Ibodnano]

it is 2024, is it okay to link posb debit card to Alipay?

 

[natas]

it is 2024, is it okay to link posb debit card to Alipay?

Shouldn't be a problem... for better rates and fees, it is better to use revolut, YT, etc.

 

[froztheart]

it is 2024, is it okay to link posb debit card to Alipay?

Best to utilise YT, Trust etc.
Local bank exchange rates are gross.

 

[s7460597]

Linked you trip to alipay. On arrival in China before use suggest validating the account. (Same for WeChat pay). Open the pay/receive, a dialog box will popup. After that can use freely.

 

[superfly21]

Hi experts, I set up alipay and linked trust card. Made successful test pay at the website mentioned earlier in the thread.

However when I tried to do alipay+ scan qr code payment at cold storage Singapore, got error. Any idea what could be the problem? Thks guys.

 

[froztheart]

Hi experts, I set up alipay and linked trust card. Made successful test pay at the website mentioned earlier in the thread.

However when I tried to do alipay+ scan qr code payment at cold storage Singapore, got error. Any idea what could be the problem? Thks guys.

Usage is applicable only in Mainland China for non-China accounts.

Essentially unless you are a Chinese Citizen, otherwise will have usage restricted to Mainland China only.
Not even available in HK/MC etc. thus, why you are unable to make payment locally in SG.

Do correct me if I am wrong with any new changes, which there isn't to my knowledge as of current.

 

[gregory_choo]

Hi experts, I set up alipay and linked trust card. Made successful test pay at the website mentioned earlier in the thread.

However when I tried to do alipay+ scan qr code payment at cold storage Singapore, got error. Any idea what could be the problem? Thks guys.

the purpose is to use in china which you already tested sucessfully.

no reason for you to use in singapore.

the alipay+ in sg is for china citizen.

 

[s7460597]

Hi experts, I set up alipay and linked trust card. Made successful test pay at the website mentioned earlier in the thread.

However when I tried to do alipay+ scan qr code payment at cold storage Singapore, got error. Any idea what could be the problem? Thks guys.

When you arrive in China start up the pay and receive to activate. App will detect your location.

Tap your Didi and transport mini app also.

After that should be good to go.

 

[caesium5]

Hi experts, I set up alipay and linked trust card. Made successful test pay at the website mentioned earlier in the thread.

However when I tried to do alipay+ scan qr code payment at cold storage Singapore, got error. Any idea what could be the problem? Thks guys.

Just came back from my first China trip. As what the experts mentioned above, you can only use alipay when in China.

Just to make you feel more confident, I went without testing (Alipay and Wechat Pay) and all worked out fine.

At least in Hangzhou, the staffs of bigger establishments (eg hotel, malls, even fast food like KFC) are very well versed with our version of Alipay and Wechat. Just ask for help and most staff will be able to show you how to get your first Didi, meal order, etc.

Have a nice trip.

 

[teoth76]

My experience in Chengdu was mixed , Alipay worked randomly but became better going through another round of verification.

I couldn’t order anything in KFC which was app based and even via WeChat, a dialog box popped up asking me for China mobile number. Anyone has a solution to this?

 

[caesium5]

My experience in Chengdu was mixed , Alipay worked randomly but became better going through another round of verification.

I couldn’t order anything in KFC which was app based and even via WeChat, a dialog box popped up asking me for China mobile number. Anyone has a solution to this?

I encountered the same problem and unfortunately do not have the actual solution.

I handed over my phone to a KFC staff in Hangzhou and she is able to click through AliPay without entering any phone number and ordered the meal for me. She did it using the mini apps in AliPay.

As the KFC is rather busy, I did not bother her with more questions.

Maybe you can ask the KFC staff during your next trip


Edit : added image to show KFC mini-apps in AliPay

 

[froztheart]

My experience in Chengdu was mixed , Alipay worked randomly but became better going through another round of verification.

I couldn’t order anything in KFC which was app based and even via WeChat, a dialog box popped up asking me for China mobile number. Anyone has a solution to this?

No, certain apps require China number to enjoy privileges.
Eseentially, its reserved for "locals". Thus, unless you get a China number, otherwise no workaround or solutions as far as I know of.

 

[qwertqwert]

For big amount payment, anyone got solution to siam the 3% charge other than splitting? The item i purchasing is more than 50K RMB...

 

[gregory_choo]

For big amount payment, anyone got solution to siam the 3% charge other than splitting? The item i purchasing is more than 50K RMB...

Max 3000rmb per transaction, even if you want to pay the 3%

 

[commandowolf]

For big amount payment, anyone got solution to siam the 3% charge other than splitting? The item i purchasing is more than 50K RMB...

Find a china person, pay them SGD, ask them help you to pay the 50K RMB

 

[froztheart]

For big amount payment, anyone got solution to siam the 3% charge other than splitting? The item i purchasing is more than 50K RMB...

Use cash then.

 

[noangel7]

For big amount payment, anyone got solution to siam the 3% charge other than splitting? The item i purchasing is more than 50K RMB...

Changi App Liquid Pay no 3%
Someone else used in China and was recommending to me so no need to split payments.
I haven't personally tried it

 

[ekardo]

Changi App Liquid Pay no 3%
Someone else used in China and was recommending to me so no need to split payments.
I haven't personally tried it

Yes it work. But need to top up and no withdrawal function. Cannot zerorize the account.