Complete Guide to Binding Credit Cards to Alipay#
In recent years, mobile payment in mainland China has developed rapidly, almost creating a “cashless society.” Whether taking the subway, shopping, or buying street food, everything can be done easily with just a mobile phone. For backpackers who love to travel, learning to use Alipay will definitely make your journey smoother!
Today, we’ll teach you step by step how to complete Alipay registration, identity verification, and successfully bind your Taiwanese credit card, so you can easily experience the convenience of seamless travel in mainland China!
What is Alipay? What can I use it for?#
Alipay is one of the most popular mobile payment tools in mainland China. For Taiwanese travelers, using Alipay has become very convenient after it opened support for binding overseas international credit cards (such as Visa, Mastercard, and JCB). However, the functionality of binding Taiwanese credit cards is currently mainly focused on “payment transactions,” which includes:
- Online shopping: For example, shopping on e-commerce platforms like Taobao and Tmall
- Offline merchant payments: In shopping malls, restaurants, supermarkets, convenience stores, and even street vendors, as long as the merchant supports Alipay, you can pay by scanning QR codes
- Transportation: Taking subways, buses, shared bikes, etc.
It should be noted that functions such as account top-up and investment management still require a mainland China bank account to use!
Is identity verification mandatory?#
This question is asked by many people. According to Alipay’s official instructions, if you only bind an overseas credit card without completing identity verification, you may sometimes encounter payment failures!
Why? Because in mainland China, many scenarios (such as certain merchants, transportation systems, or platforms) require users to have completed identity verification before they can make payments. Completing verification in advance can avoid the embarrassing situation of wanting to buy something but not being able to pay during your trip, making your journey smoother!
How to complete identity verification?#
Taiwanese people need to prepare their valid “Taiwan Compatriot Resident Certificate” for identity verification. Please note that a Taiwanese passport cannot be used for verification!
The verification steps are roughly as follows:
- In the Alipay app, tap “Me” in the bottom right corner
- Tap the profile picture area at the top to enter the personal information page
- Find the “Identity Information (Identity Verification)” option and follow the system prompts
- During the process, you will need to upload photos of your Taiwan Compatriot Resident Certificate and may need to complete facial recognition
Just follow the system’s instructions step by step - the process is not complicated!
Finally, please note that if your Taiwan Compatriot Resident Certificate expires, you will need to re-upload your ID photos for verification to avoid payment restrictions!
You can tap your Alipay profile picture to check if all information has been filled out completely!
Complete Step-by-Step Guide to Binding Credit Cards to Alipay#
Next comes the main event! Please follow the steps below to bind your credit card!
Step 1: Find “Receive/Pay” or “Wallet” function#
Open your Alipay app. In the most prominent area on the home page, you can find the “Receive/Pay” icon, or find the “Wallet” function in the function list. After tapping, you will see the “Bank Card” option.
Step 2: Add a bank card#
On the bank card page, tap the “Add Bank Card” or “+” button in the top right corner, and the system will guide you through the binding process.
Step 3: Enter credit card information#
The system will ask you to enter the following information:
- Card number: Enter your credit card number (Visa, Mastercard, or JCB are all supported)
- Cardholder name: Please enter the English name as it appears on your credit card
- Expiry date: Select your credit card’s expiration date (month/year)
- Security code: Enter the CVV2 security code on the back of your credit card (usually 3 digits)
After filling in the information, the system may require you to verify your phone number or perform other security verifications.
Step 4: Complete the binding!#
After verification is passed, your credit card will be successfully bound to your Alipay account! When using Alipay for payments, you can then choose to pay with this credit card.
Fees and Supported Card Types#
Fee Information#
When using overseas credit cards for Alipay payments, a certain fee is usually charged. The specific fee amount may vary depending on the bank and credit card type. It is recommended to check with your issuing bank about related fees before use.
Supported Card Types#
Alipay currently supports cards issued by the following international credit card organizations:
- Visa: Most Visa credit cards can be bound and used
- Mastercard: Mastercard is also supported for binding
- JCB: Japanese JCB credit cards are also supported for binding
It should be noted that not all merchants accept payments from overseas credit cards, so it is recommended to carry a small amount of cash as a backup.
Important Reminders#
Usage Notes#
- Network connection: Ensure you can connect to the network normally when in mainland China. It is recommended to purchase a local SIM card in advance or enable international roaming
- Account security: Please keep your Alipay account password and payment password safe. Do not perform sensitive operations on public networks
- Payment limits: Some credit cards may have single transaction or daily payment limits. Please understand these in advance and prepare accordingly
- Backup plan: Although Alipay is very popular, some merchants may not accept payments from overseas credit cards. It is recommended to carry a small amount of cash as a backup
Frequently Asked Questions#
Q: Can I use it immediately after binding a credit card? A: Usually you can use it immediately after successful binding, but it is recommended to test with a small amount at a merchant that supports Alipay first to ensure everything works normally.
Q: What should I do if payment fails? A: Payment failures may have various reasons, including:
- Insufficient credit card limit
- Bank security verification not passed
- Merchant does not support overseas credit cards
- Network connection issues
It is recommended to check the above situations first. If the problem persists, you can contact Alipay customer service or your issuing bank.
Q: Can I still use it if my Taiwan Compatriot Resident Certificate expires? A: After your Taiwan Compatriot Resident Certificate expires, you need to re-upload your ID photos for verification, otherwise payment functions may be restricted.
Q: Can I bind multiple credit cards? A: Yes, Alipay supports binding multiple credit cards. You can choose which card to use when making payments.
That’s it for this Alipay credit card binding guide! Isn’t it much simpler than you imagined? Follow the guide and set up your Alipay account. Next time you travel to mainland China, you can explore everywhere with just your mobile phone!
Reference Sources#
This article references the following sources:
- 支付寶綁定信用卡教學，一篇搞定！ - CHILL 遊中國