I am in Guangzhou and want to get a Visa or UnionPay card for online shopping.
Currently, I know three options:
Bank of China Great Wall Cross‑Border Debit Card
Industrial and Commercial Bank of China Constellation Credit Card
Hong Kong prepaid card
It is said that the Bank of China card is not very convenient and requires foreign‑exchange purchase.
As for the ICBC card, it’s a credit card, but my parents have taught me not to use such things, and I haven’t activated Huabei or Baitiao.
I’m not sure if the prepaid card is safe.
However, I don’t shop online very frequently, so I would appreciate any advice, folks.
Buying foreign exchange is a hassle; each time you have to read a lengthy agreement, and foreign exchange cannot be transferred across banks, so even if you really get a domestic card, it’s only recommended to hold one, otherwise you’ll end up with a bunch of fragmented foreign‑exchange balances. The exchange rate is actually best at Industrial and Commercial Bank of China.
Domestic credit cards won’t give you any credit limit, so there’s no overdraft opportunity. But actually placing assets in a savings account for investment and using a credit account for spending is a healthy consumption method. Of course, many people have poor self‑control, max out their cards and can’t pay them back.
In Hong Kong convenience stores you can buy many Visa/Mastercard gift cards, and some online channels do not accept them. Domestic zero‑limit credit cards may also be classified as prepaid cards.
Ha ha ha ha ha
But my friend at the Changsha branch reminded me that it’s best not to mess with credit cards; maxing them out is really a bottomless pit
I will definitely use it. Confident in my ability to control leverage. With good risk control, a credit card is a zero‑interest monetary borrowing tool.
Indeed
However, my family has a history of an elder maxing out credit cards, with several cards being used against each other
Which makes me a bit scared of these things now
Previously, to buy an Apple Watch I borrowed on a white‑bar credit
I can only say that this kind of thing feels super satisfying to use, but it’s very easy to overspend. I think each installment isn’t a lot, but actually paying it back is still quite stressful.
Later, after paying it off I voluntarily cancelled it and didn’t register again.
I checked my credit report online and couldn’t find it
I’m actually not from XJTU I’m studying at a college in Beijing
Then I went to the immigration bureau to handle it. They told me to get the counselor’s signature, but the counselor said I need to get the college supervisor’s signature. I didn’t want to, thought it was a hassle
I’ll wait until I go back to my household registration place to handle it.
Actually, using the bank’s money feels more secure. For example, if your card is fraudulently charged, with a credit card you can dispute the transaction with the bank, saying the money wasn’t yours, and you won’t have to repay it, leaving the loss to the bank; with a debit card, once the money is transferred out, it’s gone.
Just switch to a different immigration bureau; and now it’s processed nationwide, going to your place of household registration can only make it faster.
