
Discover cards can be used in China, including in airports, at merchants that accept UnionPay or display the Diners Club logo. Discover cards do not charge foreign transaction fees, but some merchants may only accept Visa or Chinese-issued cards. It is recommended to have multiple payment options when travelling to China, such as cash or a Visa/Mastercard, as card acceptance can vary and UnionPay logos are not always displayed.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Can Discover Card be used in China? | Yes, Discover Card can be used in China. |
| Where can Discover Card be used? | Discover Card can be used at merchants that display the Diners Club or UnionPay logo. |
| Are there any fees for using Discover Card in China? | Discover Card does not charge foreign transaction fees. However, there may be other fees associated with using the card, such as cash advance fees and high-interest rates. |
| Is there widespread acceptance of Discover Card in China? | Discover Card is accepted at millions of merchants in China, including in Hong Kong and Taiwan. However, it is always useful to have some cash or a card with higher global acceptance, such as Visa or Mastercard, as acceptance may vary. |
| How does Discover Card compare to other cards in China? | American bank-issued credit cards are generally less accepted outside of major cities in mainland China compared to Discover Card. Visa and Mastercard may be accepted at some larger malls, restaurants, and ATMs, but acceptance is not guaranteed. |
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What You'll Learn
- Discover cards can be used at Chinese merchants with the Diners Club logo
- Discover cards are accepted at UnionPay terminals
- Discover cards are accepted at some Chinese airports
- American bank-issued credit cards are not widely accepted outside of major cities
- Mobile payment solutions like Alipay or WeChat Pay are more commonly used in China

Discover cards can be used at Chinese merchants with the Diners Club logo
Within mainland China, Discover cards can be used at any merchant that displays a Diners Club or UnionPay logo. UnionPay is the most widely accepted card in China, and the logo can be found in all kinds of places and shops. Even if a merchant does not display an acceptance decal, it is always worth trying to present your Discover card when paying.
It is important to note that while Discover cards are widely accepted in China, it is not guaranteed that every merchant will accept them. Some merchants may only take Visa, and many only accept Chinese-issued cards. Additionally, American bank-issued credit cards may not be accepted outside of major cities in mainland China. It is always useful to have some cash or a card with higher global acceptance, such as Visa or Mastercard, as a backup.
Discover cards do not charge foreign transaction fees in China, which is a benefit for cardholders. However, it is important to be aware of potential hidden fees or dynamic exchange rates that may impact the cost of purchases. Overall, Discover cards are a convenient option for making purchases in China, especially at merchants with the Diners Club logo.
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Discover cards are accepted at UnionPay terminals
UnionPay cards are accepted at over 80% of merchants in the United States, including duty-free shops at major airports. First Data merchants can also automatically accept UnionPay cards through the Discover network.
However, it is important to note that American bank-issued credit cards may not be accepted outside of major cities in mainland China. It is recommended to always carry some extra cash or a card with higher global acceptance, such as Visa or Mastercard, as card acceptance may vary.
Additionally, when using co-branded cards, payment through the UnionPay network may not be available at most merchants. Cardholders should look for UnionPay signage or inquire about UnionPay acceptance before attempting to use their cards.
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Discover cards are accepted at some Chinese airports
Discover cards are generally accepted at merchants in Hong Kong and Taiwan, and cardholders can get cash advances in China from ICBC and UP. It is recommended to always carry extra cash or a card with higher global acceptance, such as Visa or Mastercard, as American bank-issued credit cards may not be accepted outside of major cities in mainland China.
Discover cardholders can use their cards at millions of merchants globally, but some locations may not display acceptance decals. Cardholders can try presenting their card when paying, and they can contact Discover's international customer service number if needed. It is also recommended to notify Discover before travelling internationally to ensure uninterrupted use of the card.
Discover cards can be used in China at places that accept UnionPay, which is widely accepted in the country. However, even if a merchant displays the UnionPay logo, they may not accept Discover cards due to their merchant agreement. Discover provides instructions in Chinese on their website, which cardholders can print and show to cashiers explaining how to process the card.
Some travellers have reported success in using their Discover cards at Chinese airports by presenting these instructions, while others have reported that their cards were not accepted at certain establishments, even with the instructions. Overall, Discover cards can be used at some Chinese airports and merchants that accept UnionPay, but it is advisable to carry alternative forms of payment as acceptance may vary.
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American bank-issued credit cards are not widely accepted outside of major cities
Discover cards are generally accepted in China, including in Hong Kong and Taiwan. You can use your Discover card at any merchant that displays a Diners Club or UnionPay logo. However, it is not accepted at all merchants, and it is recommended to carry cash or another card as a backup.
American bank-issued credit cards may not be widely accepted outside of major cities in mainland China. This is likely because Discover operates differently than Visa and Mastercard, which are the most accepted credit card issuers worldwide. Discover is both an issuer and network, while Visa and Mastercard are only networks that process payments in conjunction with banks. As a result, Visa and Mastercard have more partnerships and are more widely accepted by merchants.
In addition, American bank-issued credit cards may be subject to higher fees and less favourable exchange rates when used internationally. For example, some credit cards charge a ""foreign transaction fee" on each foreign purchase, which can increase the cost of using the card abroad.
Furthermore, there have been reports of American bank credit cards being frozen when used outside of the US. In some cases, cardholders have had to show ID at a physical branch to unlock their cards. This can be inconvenient and impact the cardholder's ability to make purchases or access cash while travelling.
Therefore, it is recommended to carry multiple forms of payment when travelling outside of the US, including cash and cards from different issuers. It is also advisable to notify your bank of your travel plans and confirm which cards are accepted at your destination to avoid any issues with card acceptance or fraud detection algorithms.
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Mobile payment solutions like Alipay or WeChat Pay are more commonly used in China
Discover cards can be used in China, including in airports, at merchants that display a Diners Club or UnionPay logo. However, it is always useful to carry extra cash or a card with higher global acceptance, such as Visa or Mastercard, as American bank-issued credit cards are generally not accepted outside of major cities in mainland China.
WeChat Pay is the second most popular payment app in China, with 800 million users and a 38% market share. It is integrated into the WeChat social networking platform, which is used by millions of people every day. WeChat Pay enables users to carry out a range of activities without the need for cash or physical cards, such as ordering food, online shopping, and booking taxis. It also facilitates international transactions by supporting major foreign currencies.
Both Alipay and WeChat Pay are essential for businesses that want to attract customers and drive sales in China. They are widely used by Chinese consumers, who appreciate the convenience and ease of mobile payments.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Discover cards can be used in China, although they are more widely accepted in major cities. Discover cards can be used at merchants that display the Diners Club or UnionPay logo.
Discover cards can be used at millions of merchants in mainland China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan.
Discover cards can be used at ATMs with a UnionPay logo. However, foreign cards may not work in all ATMs. It is recommended to use ATMs inside well-known hotels or at bigger banks, which generally accept foreign cards.
Discover cards do not charge foreign transaction fees, but there may be other fees or charges applied by the merchant or ATM operator. It is recommended to check with the financial institution for the most accurate and up-to-date information.











































