alipay and eSims questions.

Question

Hi All, I am traveling to China and was wondering if I should set up an Airalo eSim in the US or if I should get an eSim in China.

I also was researching Alipay, TourCard and e-wallets (Wise and Swapsy). If I attach my US credit card to Alipay, what are the fees from both US side and Chinese side, and is this considered a cash advance on my credit card? If I use the Tour card and fund/top off with my US credit card what are the fees and is this also considered a cash advance or a purchase on my credit card? When I use the Tour card to purchase, are there fees?

Also, does anyone have experience with Swapsy or Wise to fund the Alipay account instead of a credit card- have their been issues because they aren't a Chinese bank? And will I have an issue if I don't have a Chinese phone number?

Thank you!

Answer

Traveling to China with eSIMs and digital payment apps requires some preparation. Here’s a detailed overview addressing your questions:

eSIM Options:

Setting up an Airalo eSIM in the US is possible and convenient, as you can activate it before departure. Coverage is generally good for basic data usage such as maps, messaging apps, and browsing.
Buying a local Chinese eSIM upon arrival may provide better data speed and coverage, especially in rural or less-populated areas, but it usually requires a Chinese ID or passport registration and sometimes a Chinese phone number.
For short-term travelers, an Airalo eSIM is typically sufficient and avoids the hassle of local registration.

Alipay with US Credit Card:

Linking a US credit card to Alipay is possible for certain cards, but acceptance is limited. Many users report Visa and Mastercard sometimes work, but not consistently for all merchants.
Fees depend on your bank. Some US banks may treat Alipay payments as foreign transactions or cash advances. Typically, this can include:

Foreign transaction fee (1–3%)
Cash advance fee if the bank classifies it as such (varies by bank)
Higher interest rates if considered cash advance

On the Chinese side, Alipay usually does not charge extra fees for linking a foreign credit card, but it may restrict the transaction amount or reject payments.

TourCard / Prepaid Cards:

TourCard allows you to load funds using your US credit card. Fees for funding depend on the card provider and may include foreign transaction fees, but typically purchases made with the card in China are treated as local transactions.
When using the TourCard to purchase goods, there are usually no additional fees from the card provider for in-store payments, but check the terms to ensure limits and charges.

Using Wise or Swapsy to fund Alipay:

Wise and Swapsy are non-Chinese financial services. Some travelers report being able to fund Alipay indirectly through these services, but results can vary.
Occasional issues may occur if the platform is not recognized by Alipay or flagged for verification. Chinese regulations sometimes limit foreign payment services, so always have a backup plan.

Chinese Phone Number Requirement:

Alipay registration generally requires a phone number. A foreign number may work in some cases, but certain features, such as local transfers and linking to Chinese banks, require a local Chinese mobile number.
Tourist cards or prepaid e-wallets may circumvent this requirement partially, but limitations exist.

In summary, for short trips:

Use Airalo eSIM for convenience and guaranteed connectivity.
Use Alipay or TourCard for payments, but verify fees and whether your credit card treats it as cash advance.
Consider having a local number if you plan extensive use of Alipay and local services.
Have backup payment methods (cash or credit cards) in case digital wallets are restricted.