FAQ
Why use UnionPay Prepaid card?
UnionPay Prepaid card is the world’s largest credit card brand with nearly four billion cards in circulation, surpassing Visa, MasterCard, American Express and all the others. It was founded in China in 2002 but has been expanding aggressively internationally and Prepaid UnionPay cards now be used in more than 142 countries worldwide. That includes all major countries of the world, as well as some, such as Cuba, where other major card brands are not accepted.
For precise and updated information on where you can use your UnionPay Prepaid cards we recommend you refer to the following link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/China_UnionPay#Use_abroad
However, in our experience the above link is not complete. Many merchants worldwide are now enabled to accept UnionPay cards. Some merchants do not even know that they have the facility, as banks are gradually rolling out and upgrading POS terminals via remote software upgrades. If in doubt, ask the merchant to swipe your card and see if it is accepted.
However, in our experience the above link is not complete. Many merchants worldwide are now enabled to accept UnionPay cards. Some merchants do not even know that they have the facility, as banks are gradually rolling out and upgrading POS terminals via remote software upgrades. If in doubt, ask the merchant to swipe your card and see if it is accepted.
No name is printed on the face of the card nor embossed on the magnetic strip. The face of the UnionPay Prepaid cards shows only the 16-digit card number beginning with 62 and the expiry date. However, valid ID is required in order to activate the card and this will be stored in Hong Kong and subject to the laws of the Hong Kong SAR.
Yes, the limit is two ChinaDirectCards per individual cardholder.
With your ChinaDirectCard number and 6-digit PIN code you have access
to a web interface, and a convenient IVR (interactive voice response) customer service number. For the web interface it is best to use Internet Explorer
as your browser.
This service is currently not supported, but we hope to introduce it in the near future.
The answer is no to the first part, but yes to the second. UnionPay does not use chip/EMV technology. However, each transaction is secured
with a 6-digit PIN code that is verified online for every transaction.
The PIN code is printed on the back of the card at the time it is delivered
to you inactive. As soon as you receive the card we recommend you immediately change the PIN number for security reasons. The easiest way
to do this is by calling the IVR system at the telephone number printed
on the back of the card, which will allow you to change your PIN instantly
at any time and free of charge.
Currently, this facility is not available on our cards. We hope to introduce it
in the future. At present the card must be swiped for every transaction.
Prepaid cards are designed to replace cash and should therefore be treated
as cash equivalents. They do not offer the same protection as typical credit cards, where cardholders are typically charged for overpriced fraud protection insurance. However, each card has a unique PIN code associated with it. All payments are made through a secure channel. The UnionPay Prepaid card network is one of the most secure in the world.
In the event that a card is lost or stolen it can be blocked, locking the funds on the card immediately, and replaced. Exposure to a loss is limited to the amount of funds that exist on the card at any point in time.
In the event that a card is lost or stolen it can be blocked, locking the funds on the card immediately, and replaced. Exposure to a loss is limited to the amount of funds that exist on the card at any point in time.
Your card will be within 7-10 working days. For applicants in the rest of the world cards will be delivered by international express courier which takes from 2-7 days depending on your location. A tracking number will be supplied.
Yes, the UnionPay Prepaid card expires after approximately one year.
If the cardholder is actively using the card, a replacement will be offered free of charge. The validity period is printed on the front of the card
There is no minimum balance requirement on the UnionPay Prepaid card.
You can use your UnionPay Prepaid card anywhere in the world where the UnionPay logo is displayed. Please be aware that although UnionPay has and is rapidly extending its network, there are still many countries and merchants where it is not accepted.