WeChat Pay in the Mainland China has joined the international credit card trend! They’ve made it possible for international users to link their Mastercard and Visa credit cards to WeChat Pay. Now, when you travel to Mainland China, you can shop, dine, book accommodations, and pay for transportation with WeChat Pay, and the payment will be charged to your Hong Kong credit cards. It’s like having a magical money wand that works on both sides of the border!
So, if you’re looking for a convenient way to pay in Mainland China, keep reading to find out how to link your credit cards to WeChat Pay!
Understanding the Difference: WeChat Pay vs. WeChat Pay HK
Before we dive in, let’s clarify some important concepts:
- WeChat Pay (Mainland version) is different from WeChat Pay HK.
- There are several merchants in China that accept WeChat Pay HK, including Didi (Taxi service), MeiTuan (Food delivery), 12306 CHINA RAILWAY (Train ticket service), Hey Tea (Chinese tea drink), and HaiDiLao Hotpot, among others.
- In China, some merchants exclusively accept WeChat Pay as a payment method. Therefore, it may be necessary to obtain your own WeChat Pay account in China.
How to link your Hong Kong credit card to WeChat Pay in 4 simple steps
To link your credit card to WeChat Pay, follow these steps:
- Open WeChat and switch the region of your wallet to Mainland China.
- Select the credit card/debit card option.
- Follow the instructions to add your card details, including credit card information and billing address.
- Agree to the terms and conditions to successfully add your Visa or Mastercard credit card.
Step 1: Switch the region of your wallet to Mainland China
Inside WeChat, switch the region of your wallet to Mainland China by clicking on “Me” – “Services” – tapping the three dots in the upper right corner – “Switch Region” – “Mainland China”.
Step 2: Add a credit card
Click on “Service” – “Balance” – “Top-Up” – “Credit Card/Debit Card Top-up” – “Add Bank Card”
Step 3: Fill in credit card information.
Enter your credit card details, including card number, expiration date, security code, billing address, phone number, and email.
Step 4: Complete the linking process
After filling in the information, click “Next” and agree to the terms and conditions. The screen will show “Added” to indicate that your Visa or Mastercard credit card has been successfully added.
WeChat Pay Payment restrictions and fees
Using WeChat Pay for payments does not come without restrictions and fees. Before using it, take a look at the possible fees that may be incurred.
Payment Restrictions
| Single Day Payment Limit | 6,000 RMB |
| Monthly Accumulated Payment Limit | 50,000 RMB |
| Yearly Accumulated Payment Limit | 60,000 RMB |
Fee Regulations
In general, there’s a 3% transaction fee charged for international credit card transactions exceeding HK$200.
| Single Transaction Amount ≤ 200 RMB | Free payment |
| Single Transaction Amount > 200 RMB | 3% fee |
| Initiating a Refund | The refund fee will be returned in proportion to the refund amount |
Which credit cards are perfect for WeChat Pay HK?
Citi Rewards Mastercard: WeChat Pay spending is now included in the welcome offer
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What should I pay attention to if I want to travel abroad/return to the Mainland?
First, you should check if your SAR passport/return certificate needs to be renewed and also keep an eye on the exchange rates of different currencies, including RMB to HKD, JPY to HKD, GBP to HKD, and so on.
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Frequently asked questions: Linking credit cards to WeChat Pay
Is WeChat Pay HK the same as WeChat Pay?
WeChat Pay HK is not the same as WeChatPay. They have different servers, and funds cannot be freely transferred between the apps.
If I want to travel abroad/return to the Mainland, what should I pay attention to?
First, check if your SAR passport/return certificate needs to be renewed. Additionally, keep an eye on the exchange rates of various currencies, such as RMB to HKD, JPY to HKD, GBP to HKD, and others.
How do I switch the region of my wallet to Mainland China?
To switch the region of your wallet to Mainland China, follow these steps:
- Open WeChat and go to the “Me” section.
- Tap on “Services” and then tap the three dots in the upper right corner.
- Select “Switch Region” and choose “Mainland China”.
Once you have switched regions, you will be able to link your credit card to WeChat Pay in Mainland China.
Can I link my credit card to WeChat Pay HK?
No, WeChat Pay HK is not the same as WeChat Pay. They have different servers, and funds cannot be freely transferred between the apps. Therefore, you can only link your credit card to WeChat Pay in Mainland China.
Related articles
Are you wondering how to open a new account with WeChat Pay Hong Kong? Or how to top up your account balance? Perhaps you’re interested in making p2p transfers with WeChat Pay Hong Kong? Don’t worry, all these topics will be covered in the upcoming blog post.
WeChat and Alipay are two popular payment apps in China. If you are wondering which one to use, the following blog post provides a detailed explanation of both apps and a conclusion to help you decide which one is right for you.
Wanna stay ahead of the herd? Let’s check out the MoneySmart blog for more financial tips!
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