In recent years, China has begun accepting credit cards primarily in major cities such as Hong Kong, Beijing, and Shanghai. This development benefits both tourists and business travelers who prefer not to carry large amounts of cash while exploring the country. It also simplifies transactions and adds convenience for visitors in urban areas.
However, it is important to remember that not all credit cards are accepted across China. If you wish to avoid carrying cash, you must plan ahead and know which cards will work in the regions you intend to visit. Being prepared ensures smoother transactions and prevents potential payment issues during your trip.
Fortunately, obtaining a new credit card is generally straightforward if you have a good credit history. Travelers to China can open a card that is widely accepted, making payments more convenient throughout their stay. To understand more about credit card use in China, continue reading for detailed guidance.
Credit Cards Accepted In China
Discover reached an agreement with China UnionPay, enabling card acceptance at all UnionPay locations. For travelers in China, this means your Discover credit card can be used widely wherever credit cards are accepted. This partnership makes payments more convenient and reduces the need to carry large amounts of cash.
Whereas Discover Services have been available in China since 2006, some people are still not aware of this brand. To avoid any inconveniences, download an instruction wallet card from Discover’s site and give it to the merchant. It is in both English and Chinese, so communication will not be a problem. Moreover, this card has no foreign transaction fees for travelers.
Discover’s website clearly states that their card can be used in Mainland China, but it may not be as useful in areas like Hong Kong. To prevent any issues while traveling, it is advisable to contact your card issuer beforehand. Confirming coverage ensures you can use your card without unexpected problems or restrictions.
There are lots of hotels, tourist attractions, and chain stores that allow credit cards such as the Diners Club MasterCard, and even American Express. Most of these come with no foreign transaction fees and also come with other incentives that every traveler should get a hold of.
One of the cards is CapitalOne, whose cards don’t charge foreign transaction fees. Other accepted cards include American Express Platinum, American Express Gold Delta SkyMiles Credit Card, Chase Sapphire Preferred, and so on. Just like any other card, it’s always advisable to call your card issuer before you travel and notify them that you are traveling to China.
How To Use Your Credit Card In China
In case of any surcharges, make sure the transaction is done in the local currency (RMB). The Chinese bank will charge your bank the RMB amount, which will be turned to your local currency at a lower rate. As always, if in doubt, seek advice from your bank. Some banks may charge currency conversion fees.
How To Get Cash With Credit Cards In China
China remains largely a cash-based country, despite the fact that most businesses do accept credit cards. This means carrying some cash is essential, especially when visiting local shops or rural areas. Being prepared with cash ensures smoother transactions and avoids inconvenience in places with limited card acceptance.
If you are in a big city, ATMs accept foreign credit cards. However, be aware of the hefty fees that you might have to pay for withdrawing. The bank will give you Chinese currency, and it’s always advised to keep your receipts in case you have to present them somewhere. To reduce the impact of the hefty fees, try to limit the number of withdraws you make.
Bottom Line
If you are planning on traveling to China either for business or leisure, you do not have to carry significant sums of money. Nowadays, a credit card will be fine. As always, read the fine print of your credit card carefully to avoid any future disputes.
Disclaimer: All credit products carry risk. Be aware of these risks by reading the associated terms and conditions.
