Alipay is primarily designed for payments within China, but international users can now link foreign-issued Visa or Mastercard credit and debit cards to make purchases when visiting the Chinese mainland. If you’re based in the US, your experience with Alipay will depend on whether you’re trying to pay for things in China, shop at the limited number of US merchants that accept it, or send money to someone in China.
What US Users Can Actually Do on Alipay
Alipay opened its platform to international bank cards so that visitors to China could participate in the country’s cashless economy, where mobile payments dominate everyday transactions. As a US resident, you can download the Alipay app and link a Visa or Mastercard (credit or debit) issued by your US bank. This lets you scan QR codes and pay at millions of merchants across mainland China, from street food vendors to department stores.
What you cannot do is use Alipay the same way a Chinese resident does. You won’t be able to hold a stored balance in your Alipay wallet or access most of the app’s financial services like investments or insurance products. Your linked US card acts as a pass-through: each time you pay, the charge goes directly to your card, converted from Chinese yuan at the exchange rate set by your card network and issuing bank. Alipay itself does not add extra fees on top of that conversion, though your bank may charge a foreign transaction fee, typically 1% to 3% depending on the card.
Setting Up the App With a US Card
Download the latest version of Alipay from the Apple App Store or Google Play. You’ll register with your phone number, and Alipay will text you a confirmation code. A US phone number works for the initial signup. Set a login password, and the app will sign you in.
Once inside, tap “Me” in the bottom right corner, then go to “My Account” and select “Add Card.” Enter your US-issued Visa or Mastercard details. The first time you add a card, you’ll also create a six-digit payment password. This is the PIN you’ll enter every time you make a purchase, so pick something you’ll remember but that isn’t easy to guess. Fill in your name and personal information exactly as it appears on your bank account. Alipay may send a verification code to the phone number your bank has on file.
You do not need a Chinese bank account or Chinese phone number to use this international card linking feature. That requirement applies to the full domestic version of Alipay, which is a separate setup aimed at people living and working in China long term.
Paying in China
This is where Alipay is most useful for US-based users. Nearly every shop, restaurant, taxi, and vending machine in Chinese cities accepts Alipay via QR code. To pay, open the app, tap the scan button, and point your camera at the merchant’s QR code. Alternatively, many merchants will scan a payment code that you generate on your screen. Enter your six-digit payment password to confirm, and the transaction processes in seconds.
The exchange rate applied to your transaction comes from the card network (Visa or Mastercard) and your issuing bank. Rates fluctuate daily, so the exact amount that posts to your statement may differ slightly from what you see at the point of sale. Before your trip, check whether your card charges a foreign transaction fee. If it does, consider using a travel credit card that waives that fee to avoid the extra cost on every purchase.
Using Alipay at US Merchants
A small but growing number of US businesses accept Alipay, primarily in areas with high Chinese tourist traffic. These tend to be luxury retailers, duty-free shops, hotels, casino resorts, and some e-commerce platforms. Payment processors like Citcon have enabled Alipay acceptance at brands including Caesars Entertainment Group, DFS, and various retail and hospitality businesses.
In practice, though, most everyday US stores and restaurants do not accept Alipay. If you’re hoping to use Alipay as your primary payment method for daily spending in the US the way you might use Apple Pay or a debit card, that’s not realistic. The merchant network outside China remains limited and concentrated in specific industries.
Sending Money to China
If you need to transfer money from the US to someone’s Alipay account in China, you generally can’t do it directly through the Alipay app with a US-linked card. Instead, some US banks offer Alipay transfer services. East West Bank, for example, lets customers send funds to Alipay accounts in China through its online banking platform. Transfer limits and delivery times vary by bank, and additional verification checks can extend processing to four days or longer, especially if the recipient hasn’t linked a bank account on their end.
For larger or more frequent transfers, dedicated international remittance services like Wise or Remitly may offer competitive exchange rates and lower fees compared to bank-facilitated Alipay transfers. Compare the total cost, including the exchange rate markup, before choosing a method.
Tips for a Smooth Experience
Set up and test your Alipay account before you travel to China. Link your card, verify your identity, and make sure the app recognizes your payment method while you still have easy access to your US bank’s customer service. Some users report issues with card verification that are easier to resolve from home than from a hotel lobby in Shanghai.
Keep your app updated. Alipay frequently changes its interface and features for international users, and an outdated version may not support the latest card-linking options. Also, make sure your phone has reliable mobile data in China, either through an international roaming plan or a local SIM card, since you need an internet connection to generate and scan QR codes.
Carry a backup payment method. While Alipay is accepted nearly everywhere in China, international card transactions occasionally fail due to bank security flags or network issues. Having a physical Visa or Mastercard, or some cash in yuan, ensures you’re never stuck unable to pay.