American Express (Amex) customers traveling to China can now access their cards via Alipay’s digital wallet via a link.
All eligible global Amex customers can link their cards to the Alipay digital wallet to enable payments at millions of merchants across China, aiming to simplify travel payments and provide local businesses with more opportunities to attract travelling customers.
Mohammed Badi, President of Global Network Services at American Express, said: “Our collaboration with Alipay helps advance our commitment to providing an exceptional
experience to American Express card members traveling to and within China.
“By integrating with Alipay’s digital wallet, we are empowering our card members with more ways to transact and connect with a vast network of merchants across China.”
Amex is the first foreign payments network to be cleared to enable Renminbi transactions across China. This was accomplished through the Express Company joint venture in the Chinese mainland in June 2020 after receiving approval by the People’s Bank of China.
Through its Express Company joint venture, it has partnered with more than 30 Chinese banks, third-party payment institutions and mobile wallet operators to enable card members to use Amex Cards at millions of merchants in China.
Amex cards issued by third parties outside of the Chinese mainland are currently not eligible to be added to the Alipay digital wallets as per the recent agreement.
Cyril Han Xinyi, President of Ant Group – parent company of Alipay – said: “Travel is an essential link for global connectivity and shared prosperity. We are thrilled to expand our collaboration with leading industry innovators like American Express, continuously developing a vibrant and mutually beneficial ecosystem.
“Through consistent breakthroughs in innovation, we aim to help small businesses achieve cross-border growth and enable people to deepen cultural understanding and mutual trust through safe and convenient travel experiences.”
International visitors to China will be able to use up to seven card brands from the Alipay major global card network. Alipay digital wallet is a unified payments gateway that enables users to pay with more than 12 e-wallets and payment apps across Asia.
Jiang-Ming Yang, Chief Innovation Officer of Ant International, added: “Facilitating inbound digital payments into China through Alipay+ is a testament to Ant International’s commitment to pushing the frontier of digital innovation beyond borders and resource gaps.”
