UnionPay Debit Card in U.S.

[floridadave 195]

My wife is in China and will soon be issued a UnionPay debit card.  Somewhere I came across information in the net (and can’t remember the source anymore) that UnionPay debit cards can use Pulse branded ATM machines in the U.S.   Does anyone have any experience using UnionPay debit cards at ATM’s in the U.S., especially Pulse network branded machines.

 

What other U.S. network ATM's, if any, can UnionPay debit cards be used?

 

Thanks for any help.

[RandyW 149]

http://www.unionpayintl.com/en/mediaCenter/newsCenter/companyNews/2889.shtml

 

"Over 80% of merchants in the United States accept UnionPay credit cards and almost all ATMs accept UnionPay cards"

[floridadave 195]

10 hours ago, RandyW said:

http://www.unionpayintl.com/en/mediaCenter/newsCenter/companyNews/2889.shtml

 

"Over 80% of merchants in the United States accept UnionPay credit cards and almost all ATMs accept UnionPay cards"

Thanks.  That looks like the article I lost track of. 

 

Interesting the article mentions UnionPay cards beginning with "62" are usable.   So I will inform the wife to insure her card begins with 62.  Any have a card starting with anything other than 62 and still usable?

 

Why do I seem so paranoid about this?  Because the China bank is atrocious.  They don't allow bank transfers unless you are there in person to fill out the transaction paper.  If the UnionPay card is lost,  superseded, or eaten by an ATM machine she must travel to China in person to get a new card.  $2,200 round trip ticket plus hotel/food expense and gifts for family and friends.  All this just to replace a debit card.  So I just want to be sure my wife has a usable card that begins with the correct sequence of numbers.  And forget about asking the Chinese bank.  Worse than having wisdom teeth pulled without anesthesia.  And the banks here say, "just look at the back of the card.  If it matches the logo on our machine, it will work!"  Well, I think the UnionPay card is branded with 1 logo on the back, and it is UnionPay.  No other logo.  And I see no ATM machines with a UnionPay logo.

 

So that's where I'm at and why I was asking for anyone's personal experience.  

[RandyW 149]

The first two digits usually identify the country of issuance, so, yes, her card will most likely begin with 62. Mine does. Neither I nor my wife have tried using our cards in the U.S.

 

Any usage in the U.S. will be iffy - good luck with that.

[floridadave 195]

14 hours ago, RandyW said:

The first two digits usually identify the country of issuance, so, yes, her card will most likely begin with 62. Mine does. Neither I nor my wife have tried using our cards in the U.S.

 

Any usage in the U.S. will be iffy - good luck with that.

Hmmm, not getting email notifications of replies.  Anyway, thanks for the info.  Will just have to sweat it out I guess.  Worse case scenario is my wife just lets her pension accumulate for years and if we make it back to China she can withdraw it then.  Really, only need one ATM machine to work though.  When she gets back we can play ATM slots/lotto.  😅

 

Thanks again.

[lee rx7 0]

I know this is an old post. @floridadave, wonder if you have any updates regarding the usage of the unionpay card? also, what does it require for foreigner to apply for one such card? thx

[Ban Hammer 12,835]

29 minutes ago, lee rx7 said:

I know this is an old post. @floridadave, wonder if you have any updates regarding the usage of the unionpay card? also, what does it require for foreigner to apply for one such card? thx

the op has not been back on this site for 1.5 years.  this thread is now locked as it is a stale thread.  please create a new thread regarding this subject.