Yeah mines fully funded and I have made investments. I like the app.
I’m in US quite a few times a year. So really I just wanted this card and account so I can access a branch in the US.
I’m travelling to China in a few weeks, but I very much doubt I’ll be needing it there.
Keep us posted!
Have a great time in China, I was there a few months ago.
Visa/Mastercard can be used in some Point of Sale but most places will only take Alipay and WeChat Pay. Both can be linked to foreign Visa/MC but some times will be charged an extra fee. Never used cash when I was there. I got cash as a tax refund.
Or reseach an Chinese bank that will open an account to foreigners 
I’m listening
They don’t care if you don’t use the account for investing. I pretty much said the same thing that I just want it for ATM fee refunds and the rep didn’t say anything about that.
In China, most places don’t even have POS machines. If you need cash, you can withdraw from an ATM. The ATMs of the major banks there are fee free so you can just use your regular travel debit card.
In the US though, 99% of the ATMs charge fees so this card would be very handy there. As the account is also in USD, you can just use to pay as well.
To my knowledge, HSBC China won’t usually open your account unless you either have premier status in another country or have a residence permit in China.
ICBC though is typically the easiest to open for tourists. You’ll have the best luck in a foreigner rich area. Usually all they need is a local phone number and your passport. Though luck often varies so be ready to visit more than one branch/bank. Often time it depends on the temperature of tea they had that morning.
Thanks!
I’m planning on sticking to Alipay and WeChat. I do have the HSBC HK account but that is also considered foreign, for obvious reasons, despite it being a Union Pay card.
I would like an ICBC account. Hmmmmm
The UnionPay card will work wherever UP is accepted worldwide including mainland China. The problem with it is it only allows you to spend/withdraw from your HKD balance. The Mastercard is used for other currencies. But yeah just stick to WeChat and Alipay.
Stick to AliPay. With WeChat, people will often ask to add you to their chat (happened mostly in local retail stores and smaller shops)
Thing is some places only have WeChat not Alipay or vice versa. Better to have both and an RMB cash backup.
Yeah, it was just when I was trying to verify my Alipay account to be able to send money to others. It requires you to use a China Debit Card. I doubt I’ll ever need that function of the app though.
If you really want a Chinese bank account then get a +86 number , easiest and most hassle free way is to buy it at a kiosk at the airport. If your account gets opened you’ll get a UnionPay card printed on the spot.
Paging @schaueichmehrkarten to the Chinese account phone.
Arrived today, HSBC Australia, glad I was able to snag it before HSBC leaves Au. Took some effort to convince them to open my account.
My debit card request with Schwab was declined as I didn’t use a ‘wet signature’.
Yeah, you need to print the form, scan it, and email it to them.
They need the signature as they still use that in the US.
I just used a pdf editing website to draw my signature with my mouse.
The first one I submitted I (stupidly) used ‘text to writing’ - declined.
I’ve just submitted a new request form with my signature I’ve wrote using my MacBook touchpad. Fingers crossed that’s accepted.
I don’t own a printer/scanner anymore.
I signed mine with my actual digital signature, not with ink. But I’m still waiting a reply. No rejection as yet.
It’s been 13 days.
I’d message them via live chat and ask about the status.
