International Visitors Can Now Use Alipay in China (Finally!) - Here's How to Set it Up Right Now!

Mobile Payments are huge in China and we are not talking about credit cards that you add onto your mobile wallet (e.g. Apple Pay). While I have personally been fortunate enough to get WeChat to work despite not having a Chinese bank account, many international travellers have struggled with WeChat Pay and Alipay. If you have been to China, you will notice that majority of the population actually scan some sort of QR Code to make payment - this facilitates payments and opens up a whole new dimension of efficiency for both merchants and consumers. Today, international visitors can finally top-up their Alipay wallet (by loading a prepaid card issued by Bank of Shanghai) officially - all you need is an international phone number, credit card, as well as your passport and visa details (if applicable). 

Photo Credit: Alipay

Using Alipay's 'Tour Pass' mini-program, international visitors will be able top-up in increments as much as CNY 2,000 (Approximately SGD 390) but it is unclear at the time of writing what the maximum balance can be. Once you have an existing balance in your account (it will be stored in a prepaid card issued by the Bank of Shanghai), you will be able to use it to make payment across all merchants in China that accept Alipay. Additionally, you will also be able to use it for online payments like paying for car rides (e.g. DiDi), purchasing train tickets as well as booking hotels. Access to Tour Pass lasts three months, and then any leftover funds are refunded automatically.

How to Set-up Tour Pass on Alipay?

Before looking for Tour Pass, you will have to first download Alipay from the app store. Once you have done so, you must register for an account using an international mobile number - I am using my mobile number from Singapore and it works fine. Tour Pass is a mini-program within the Alipay app and while I am not sure what the best way to access it is, I have managed to find it using the search box located on top of the app after entering 'tourpass' into that field.

The minimum and maximum amount that you may top-up per transaction is CNY 100 and CNY 2,000 respectively. Once you have selected the amount, you will be required to fill in certain information like your nationality, passport number, full name, date of birth, as well as your Chinese visa photo (if applicable). Obviously, you will also need to enter your credit card information - I am using the OCBC 90°N Card in hopes that it would continue to give me 4 miles per dollar on these transactions. Do note that American Express cards are not supported at the time of writing and this service is only complimentary until 31 December 2019 (a fee may be levied following this).

What is the Maximum Amount I Can Have in My Alipay Wallet?

Currently, the maximum amount you can have in the Alipay Wallet as an international visitor is CNY 2,000 (SGD 390) and that makes hotel reservations difficult. With that being said, the main purpose of an Alipay Wallet (or a WeChat Pay one) is to facilitate transactions in restaurants as well as smaller vendors. It is extremely inconvenient to pay using cash when you are buying something of little value along the streets and being able to use Alipay makes it better for you and the merchant both.

How to Use Alipay in China?

There are two ways to make payment using Alipay - one can either scan the QR Code of a merchant or show your private QR Code to the merchant (and have the merchant scan yours). In China, the act of scanning is known as 扫 (pronounced as 'sao') so it is common to hear things like 我扫你 (pronounced as 'wo sao ni') or 你扫我 (pronounced as 'ni sao wo') - if the merchant says 我扫你, this means you will have to open up your Payment QR Code (bottom left); if the merchant says 你扫我, you will have to select the 'Scan to Pay' option (bottom right) in the Alipay app. 

What Are The Charges?

At the time of writing, there are no fees involved with topping up your prepaid card but this might change after 31 December 2019. The only fees you will pay are the usual ones charged by your credit cards (typically ranges from 2.8% to 3.5%) for foreign transactions. Now being able to use Alipay as an international guest is not about saving money so if you are truly concerned about the fees and exchange rates involved, this might not be for you now. I would gladly pay a small premium to be able to use Alipay in China as that really makes your life a lot easier.