Alipay Tour Pass Guide for Foreigners in China

So you're planning a trip to China and want to know about Alipay Tour Pass? It's a great way to navigate the country, especially in tourist areas.

Alipay Tour Pass is a digital travel card that offers discounts and rewards at participating merchants. You can use it to pay for public transportation, food, and other services.

To get started, you'll need to download the Alipay app and create an account. This will give you access to your Alipay Tour Pass, which you can then use to pay for things.

The Alipay Tour Pass is available in several cities, including Shanghai, Beijing, and Hangzhou.

Consider reading: How to Use Alipay

To set up Alipay Tour Pass, you'll need to download the Alipay app to your device. You can use an overseas mobile phone number to register an account. The process is similar to registering for any other app, but be aware that some steps may differ depending on your device.

To access the Tour Pass program, select the international version and navigate to the Tour Pass option from the home screen or search bar. You can also try looking for "More" on the home screen, then "Tour Pass" from there.

To link your bank card and load funds onto your prepaid electronic card, complete your information and follow the prompts. Be aware that there is a 24-hour checking time before you can use your Tour Pass, and the limit is 5,000 RMB. You can top up multiple times, but each time the maximum is 2,000 RMB.

You can use Alipay Tour Pass as long as you have a foreign passport and an entry visa to the PRC. Foreigners can use Alipay in China.

To be eligible for Alipay Tour Pass, you'll need to have an international card issued by relevant international card organizations, such as VISA International, MasterCard International, Diners Club International Ltd., or JCB Co. Ltd.

You'll need to submit a copy of your passport and a valid visa when setting up the service. Some travelers have reported that submitting a copy of their passport only has worked in lieu of a visa.

You can use your Revolut card with Alipay in China, as it meets the international card requirements.

To set up Alipay Tour Pass, you can download the international version of the Alipay app from Google Play or Apple Appstore. This is crucial, as using the local Alipay app or AlipayHK app won't work.

Register an account, and you can use an overseas mobile phone number. You'll need to select the international version and enter the Tour Pass program, which can be found on the home screen or from the search bar.

To complete the setup, you'll need to provide your information, link your bank card, and load funds to the prepaid electronic card. You can load a minimum of 100 RMB and a maximum of 2,000 RMB, and the exchange rate is close to the interbank rate.

Here are the steps to set up Alipay Tour Pass in more detail:

Remember, there is a 5,000 RMB cumulative hard cap for the card for the 90-day duration, so be mindful of this limit when loading funds.

The Alipay Tour Pass offers a range of convenient payment methods for tourists in China.

You can use your Visa, Mastercard, JCB, Discover, Diners Club, or UnionPay card to top up your Alipay Tour Card, which is a prepaid card provided by Shanghai Bank.

The card is only valid for 6 months, and you can top it up with a maximum of 10,000 CNY, but be aware that there's a 5% top-up fee.

If you're using a Mastercard like the YouTrip card, you're all set to go.

To pay with your Alipay Tour Card, simply ask the cashier if Alipay is accepted, and if so, you can use the "Pay" or "Scan" option within the Alipay app.

Some merchants may not accept foreign bank cards, so it's always a good idea to check first.

Here's a quick rundown of the accepted card types:

That way, you can plan your payments in advance and avoid any potential issues.

Paying in China is a breeze with Alipay Tour Pass. You no longer need a WeChat account or a China bank card to travel across the country.

To pay with Alipay Tour Pass, you can simply show your QR code to the cashier and ask if they accept Alipay. If they say yes, you can pay using the app. You can also scan the QR code at the cashier's terminal.

Make sure your prepaid card is topped up with the required amount before making a payment. Some shops may not accept foreign bank cards, so it's a good idea to check beforehand.

You can also use Alipay Tour Pass to pay for public transportation, such as buses and subways. Just choose your location and select the "Transport" option on the main screen.

Here are some ways to pay with Alipay Tour Pass:

The Alipay Tour Pass prepaid card has some limitations you should be aware of. The service does not work in Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan.

You can't give red packets, transfer money from one prepaid card to another, or purchase financial products. The card also has limits on single top-ups and annual cumulative payments, which may vary.

Here are some specific limitations to keep in mind:

To top up your prepaid card, you can choose the "loading service" option. This is the simplest way to add money to your card.

The total deduction amount from your international bank card will be the entered amount, the fee rate, and the exchange rate determined by the Bank of Shanghai.

Be aware that you'll be charged an exchange rate and fee rate when transferring money from your international card to your prepaid card. This can add up quickly, so it's a good idea to check your balance regularly.

The exchange rate and fee rate will be applied to the amount you're transferring, so make sure to factor this in when deciding how much to add to your card.

Curious to learn more? Check out: Money Pass Free Atm

There are several limitations on prepaid cards that you should be aware of. The Alipay Tour Pass prepaid card, for instance, does not work in Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan.

You cannot give red packets with this card, which might be a disappointment if you were looking forward to sending some digital gifts.

Also, you cannot transfer money from one prepaid card to another within the program, so you'll need to use a different method for that.

Another limitation is that you cannot purchase financial products with this card. This might be a drawback if you were planning to invest or buy insurance.

The single top-up and annual cumulative payment may be limited, so be sure to check those limits before using your card.

Alipay is exempted from liability for damages if the service doesn't work due to force majeure factors, power supply malfunction, improper use, malware attack, and other reasons.