Is it possible to get a unionpay card issued in the uk?

philip1427

Hi all

I am relocating to Shanghai over the summer for a couple of months and I am concerned about how I am going to access money whilst I am in China.
I current bank with nationwide and I have a premier account with HSBC as well. Usually when I’m on holiday in Europe etc I just use my nationwide debit card to lift money from the hole in the wall as it has no fees associated with it. Also I use my nationwide select cc to pay when I can as it has no fees and it gives me a running total of what I have spent on my travels.

However..

These cards are both VISA cards which I have been told are not widely accepted throughout China, especially the credit card. I really don’t want to go and exchange loads of money before I go as I don’t think it’s safe. I thought I could ring HSBC and ask if they can open a Chinese credit card for me to use whilst abroad which would generate a statement in Chinese yuan then pay it off with my nationwide debit.

Is this even a remote possiblility or am I barking up the wrong tree? I know HSBC can open me a Chinese bank account for free but I don’t really want to be doing international bank transfers!

Thanks in advance

DCFC79

philip1427 wrote: »

Hi all

I am relocating to Shanghai over the summer for a couple of months and I am concerned about how I am going to access money whilst I am in China.
I current bank with nationwide and I have a premier account with HSBC as well. Usually when I!!!8217;m on holiday in Europe etc I just use my nationwide debit card to lift money from the hole in the wall as it has no fees associated with it. Also I use my nationwide select cc to pay when I can as it has no fees and it gives me a running total of what I have spent on my travels.

However..

These cards are both VISA cards which I have been told are not widely accepted throughout China, especially the credit card. I really don!!!8217;t want to go and exchange loads of money before I go as I don!!!8217;t think it!!!8217;s safe. I thought I could ring HSBC and ask if they can open a Chinese credit card for me to use whilst abroad which would generate a statement in Chinese yuan then pay it off with my nationwide debit.

Is this even a remote possiblility or am I barking up the wrong tree? I know HSBC can open me a Chinese bank account for free but I don!!!8217;t really want to be doing international bank transfers!

Thanks in advance

Why not ask HSBC that question.

Have you looked on maybe tripadvisor what others do ?

eDicky

Check what HSBC Hong Kong can offer you, as a Premier account holder you already fulfil the requirements to have a Premier account there.


For use until you open your local account in Shanghai with UnionPay card, while still UK resident you can open account(s) with Starling Bank, Monzo, or prepaid Loot.io, who all provide MasterCard with zero overseas fees, widely accepted in China. Revolut now issues either Visa or MasterCard, I'm not sure if you can choose. Starling has no limits on fee-free ATM withdrawals, the others do.

ywlgy

Can you ask to be paid in CNY while in China? That seems an easier way to avoid international transfer and currency conversion.

worried_jim

Starling bank. Transfer your wages as and when, no fees, no conversion and the MasterCard exchange rate. Simples.

https://www.starlingbank.com/

eDicky

philip1427 wrote: »

for a couple of months

I've only just noticed these words, so ignore most of my previous post. Assuming you'll be paid in pounds just use Starling Bank, with additional backup Monzo or Loot, or a 'travel' credit card such as Halifax Clarity, Santander Zero, Tandem.