Hanacard "Last Year End Payment in China Doubled... Demand from Non-Visa Travelers Expected to Increase"

Hana Card announced on the 21st that the amount spent using cards in China at the end of last year nearly doubled. It is expected that card payments will increase due to the recent implementation of the Chinese government's visa-free policy, which has boosted demand for travel to China.

Analyzing overseas debit and credit card data used locally in China from November 8 to December 31 last year, Hana Card found that the spending amount reached 23.7 billion KRW, approximately 1.9 times higher than the same period the previous year (12.5 billion KRW).

From November last year to December 31 this year, some countries including South Korea have been granted visa-free entry to China, with the maximum stay extended to 30 days. Accordingly, the number of travelers to China and card payments are expected to increase.

Hana Card launched the Travelog UnionPay debit card in 2023. Among travel cards currently on the market, Travelog is the only one to issue a UnionPay card under an international brand. UnionPay is a local Chinese financial company and is more useful than Visa or MasterCard when visiting China.

In China, simple QR payment services such as Alipay and WeChat Pay are more widely used than credit cards. By linking the Travelog UnionPay card to the Hana Pay app and scanning the QR code displayed at local stores, payments can be conveniently made.

With the UnionPay card, no 3% payment fee is charged for simple payments over 200 yuan. Cash withdrawal fees at local ATMs in China are also free.

Hana Card is running an event until June 30, where if you pre-register via the app or web and use QR payment, 20% of the amount spent will be refunded as Hana Money. Up to 20,000 Hana Money will be given monthly.

Until the end of the year, there is an event offering a 10 yuan discount on entrance fees of 40 yuan or more at the ‘Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea Historic Site’ located in Shanghai.

Bang Seung-su, Head of the Digital Global Group (Executive Director), said, "Visa-free travel to China will be a pleasant experience," adding, "The Travelog UnionPay card and Hana Pay QR payment will be a perfect combination for those who enjoy economical and smart travel trends."