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Travellers visiting China can now conveniently use Alipay and WeChat Pay, the two massively popular mobile payment platforms, as they have expanded their services to enable linking of international credit cards.
International visitors can now make payments using Visa, Mastercard, and JCB cards with WeChat Pay for transactions up to 6000 yuan (approximately more than $800).
Similarly, Alipay has extended its acceptance to Visa, Mastercard, JCB, Diners Club, and Discover cards. Both payment platforms are implementing a three percent fee for transactions exceeding a specified amount.
Though these payment apps took steps to open up to international users back in 2019, until recently, WeChat Pay required a locally-issued credit card, while Alipay accepted international cards only if the user enrolled in a program with a five percent fee.
The widespread adoption of Alipay and WeChat Pay has significantly reduced cash usage in China, leading many merchants to stop offering change, according to Nikkei Asia.
The move by Alipay’s owner, Tencent, and WeChat Pay to accommodate international cards is expected to be beneficial for the anticipated influx of tourists attending major sporting events, including the FISU World University Games and the Asian Games. With these enhanced payment options, visitors can now seamlessly transact using their preferred international credit cards, making their experience in China even more convenient and hassle-free.
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