using alipay without a chinese bank account. possible.

FionaX

i read that alipay now allows foreign credit cards. tested it on my trip.

here's what i did. downloaded alipay before leaving. signed up with my international phone number.

uploaded my passport and a selfie. verification took about 12 hours.

added my chase credit card. it worked right away.

once in china, i used alipay everywhere. street food, subway, didi. maybe 90% of places accepted it.

one problem. some small vendors only take wechat pay. but most places took both.

cash worked for the rest. i withdrew 200 yuan from an atm at the airport. lasted me 2 weeks.

alipay showed the exchange rate when i paid. not the best rate but convenient.

bring some cash as backup. but alipay covers most things.

anyone else got alipay to work with foreign cards? which bank?