One thing is that while China may be advanced in their implementation of digital payment, I think Malaysia is better in terms of QR code payment implementation.
In China, Alipay QR must use Alipay app and WeChat must use WeChat app.

Malaysia, as long as DuitNow QR, any wallet apps also can.

Thanks, now to look for a China WeChat qrpay code to use this method. Many thanks

From my own experience, it is invaluable to have both Touch and Go (via Alipay+) and WeChat Pay (previously I used WeChat Pay MY) to cover 99.9% of scenarios in China

Touch and Go (via Alipay+) sometimes does not work with some China vendors' qrpay payment codes (because they aren't on the Alipay+ payment regime), and all of the time (in my experience), the WeChat Pay can work as the backup. Big retailers also accept VISA, but the charges and bank's exchange rates aren't that competitive (since it's a credit based service, there will be fees and fees).

During my last trip to China, DuitNow QR was announced to work in China, but did not. I will try out Maybank's DuitNow QR Scan & Pay as another payment option in the next trip

This post has been edited by when2meets2boy: Sep 30 2024, 12:30 AM

Alipay+ works only when the recipient is using a merchant/business QR code. If they are using a personal QR code, it won't work—though, in most cases (about 80%), merchants use business QR codes.

To make payments to personal QR codes, you’ll need to use the Alipay International app, which requires you to preload funds into the account. You cannot pay directly by card through the international version of the app. The same applies to the international version of WeChat Pay.

One reason I prefer WeChat Pay is that they sometimes offer promotions when you scan their QR codes. For example, scanning a WeChat QR code might give you better deals than the Mei Tuan app. For instance, HeyTea offers 2 drinks for RMB15 through WeChat promotions.

Confirmed that we can add and use International Credit Cards with WeChat Pay (or Weixin Pay) to use in China. A friend confirmed this on my behalf.

As for the WeChat MY wallet, confirmed it only means that the Malaysian Wallet service is closed. The main impact is we can't move funds (cash) into the WeChat to pay in China - but we can link our international credit cards to WeChat to use in China

Can refer to:
https://help.wechat.com/cgi-bin/micromsg-bi...nnel=helpcenter

Now, for bean counting

(1) Foreigners opening a WeChat Pay account do not need a local phone number to receive the verification code, during the configuration process. A password is necessary to ensure the security of the account. Once the process is complete, visitors can start using WeChat Pay with their foreign card.

(2) Transaction fees (Our WeChat pays business transactions in China) will be waived for small operations.

(3) BUT For transactions above RMB 200 (Our WeChat pays business transactions in China), a 3 percent transaction fee is charged. In the event of a refund, the fee will be reimbursed proportionally based on the amount.

(4) ** The exchange rate is calculated based on the rate of the card and the issuing bank. ** For bean counters, this is where the hidden cost lie. Our Credit Cards will charge fees for the transactions. Normally we don't see this as the credit card companies already lumped this in into the "exchange rate" displayed in the credit card statement.

To my knowledge, this is normally around 1%-2% for VISA, 2.5-3% for AMEX. AMEX will have another level of hidden costs when spending overseas. When spending in Malaysia, there is not such costs, but if we use AMEX to spend in other currencies overseas, the foreign currency needs to be converted into USD first, and after then from USD converted to MYR. So it is expected to be more expensive to spend AMEX (Malaysia) overseas.

(5) There are some limitations customers should know about when using a foreign card with WeChat Pay.
Currently, foreign cards are restricted to daily consumption transactions, and do not support special features like red packets (a kind of monetary gift used during holidays or special occasions in China) and direct transfers.

(6) There are also certain transaction limits when using foreign cards through WeChat Pay. The maximum amount for a single transaction is RMB 6,000, with a monthly cumulative limit of RMB 50,000 and an annual cumulative limit of 60,000.

(7) Alipay, WeChat Pay’s competitor, offers a similar international card service in terms of recommended usage scenarios, transaction fees, and exchange rate calculations.

However, WeChat Pay has expanded its support for international card types by adding JCB cards, while Alipay does not offer this option. Additionally, when it comes to transaction limits, Alipay allows a maximum of RMB 3,000 per single transaction, whereas WeChat Pay allows up to RMB 6,000 per transaction.



Summary, Touch and Go top up via MYR cash is still the cheapest option for value driven bean counters

But WeChat linked to credit cards will still match Touch and Go's (1% included in exchange rate) VS. your bank's VISA credit card (1-1.5% included exchange rate)

You just have to compare the listed exchange rate diligently (easier to see this on Touch and Go app, hard to find out credit card exchange rates, depending on bank).

There are also special cases, like the MAYBANK AMEX cards, which gives you 5X reward points for any overseas payment charges, which is easily exchangeable for purchases back in Malaysia, this 5X reward points cash back is about a fixed 1% cashback in terms of value. But how much exact value, it will depend on the listed exchange rate on the day.

This post has been edited by when2meets2boy: Oct 4 2024, 02:11 PM

WISE and GX, I presume works like debit cards equivalent to MAE card, BigPay card, Touch n Go Card , correct, all these cards are working on a VISA Debit system, and their marketing always touts cheaper than credit cards because its no fees, transaction costs, etc. but omit telling you (just like the credit cards) that their 1% is already built into their listed exchange rates .

Of course credit cards usually will have more hidden fees and costs , which adds up to more than the 1%

OF course GX too have to make disclaimers like this https://help.gxbank.my/cards/Card_Usage/Wil..._the_GX_Card%3F

GX too have fees built in. Just that it is probably waived as part of promotions. We just have to do out own due diligence of the latest fees and charges when the time comes to travel.
https://wise.com/my/blog/gxbank-debit-card

https://wise.com/my/blog/gxbank-debit-card#...bank-debit-card

This post has been edited by when2meets2boy: Oct 4 2024, 02:53 PM


Attached thumbnail(s)

To keep things simple, I just check how much Wise or GX or credit card charges above the xe.com rates. For the time being, GX the best and Credit Card the worst.

I am wondering if we can use MY issued China debit card to top up wallet. Anyone tried before?
Example: Bank of China, ICBC

The last time I asked, they say their system in Malaysia and China not linked.

Looks like no choice.
Have to ask my China friend to transfer me.
Luckily most I encounter quite friendly and very willing.

been in and out china 4 times last few months for work

just dl alipay gaodim d

inside their app got mini apps can use diditaxi, book train etc

if worry cannot use cc linked alipay, just topup money with help from agent, i put 5k rmb inside, commission is like 30-40 rmb only

do they accept touch n go?

most of the time tng/alipay works.. but on rare occasions some of them only use wechat

so u got to find a way to load up wechat or bring some cash

Hi guys, for taking the bus and metro, do we need to buy the physical card like tngo card, or can we just use the alipay the card attached?

Ie. Chongqing

Use the Alipay app inside got metro card.
Then enter/exit with the QR code.

Hi all, i would also like to visit china one day for at least 2 weeks, but im scared with many things blocked, i cannot reply emails etc.

can i check if i use roaming sim, can i bypass those restriction? if not, how do i bypass those restrictions?

thanks.

Mintak your agent contact tq

Use alipay can already. Im currently in china and going back today. No issue with alipay at all. Can even take their subway using alipay to scan

This post has been edited by Burningsunz: Oct 26 2024, 08:29 AM

Roaming from ur own simcard if im not mistaken no block