【Must-Read for Cross-Border Travel + RMB Spending】How to Save More with a Debit Card 💵
For many Hongkongers, travelling to Shenzhen for food, shopping and leisure has become a weekly routine. When it comes to saving on Mainland spending, most people immediately think of using AlipayHK or WeChat Pay HK. However, if you go to Shenzhen often, there is an even more convenient and cost-effective option — ✨adding your WeLab Global Wallet Debit Card to Alipay China / WeChat Pay China✨!
Once your debit card is added to the mainland digital wallet, you can scan and pay just like Mainland user. There’s no need to worry about HK digital wallets failing to scan, and you can finally skip relying on cash or other exchange methods. With the WeLab Global Wallet Debit Card, you can enjoy RMB $0 foreign currency exchange handling fees¹, lock in favourable exchange rates in advance, and have every transaction deducted directly from your RMB balance, at the same time enjoy the foreign currency transaction fee²!
Next, we’ll break down the key differences between Mainland digital wallets and HK digital wallets so you can choose the most cost-efficient way to pay. Avoid hidden fees, high exchange rates and unnecessary charges — and truly save while you spend! efficient way to pay. Avoid hidden fees, high exchange rates and unnecessary charges — and truly save while you spend!
Common Payment Problems Hongkongers Face When Spending in Mainland China
Cross-border spending is becoming more common, but many Hongkongers still face inconvenience when making payments. For example:
- Small Mainland merchants — such as taxi drivers or small stalls — only accept payments from Mainland personal wallets. This causes the Hong Kong versions of digital wallets to frequently run into issues like “unable to scan”.
- Cashless — Mainland merchants primarily support QR code payments, and cash is rarely accepted.
- HK digital wallets use platform set exchange rates, which are often higher than market rates — resulting in higher overall spending.
These payment challenges not only increase the cost of travelling in Mainland but may also disrupt your entire experience. If you want smoother payments, clearer exchange rates and a more cost-effective way to spend, there is a simple solution — add your WeLab Global Wallet Debit Card to Mainland digital wallets!
Why the WeLab Global Wallet Debit Card Is a Must-Have for Shenzhen Spending
1️⃣ Lock in Great Exchange Rates — Your Spending Will Be Deducted Directly From Your Pre-Exchanged RMB Exchanged RMB
When using the WeLab Global Wallet Debit Card for Mainland transactions, the amount is deducted directly from your already-exchanged RMB balance. This means you don’t need to worry about exchange rate fluctuations, and you won’t be guessing the final amount until receiving your monthly statement. Your spending stays clear and transparent.
✨ How to lock in the best exchange rate: You can use the “FX” feature in the WeLab Bank App anytime. The app shows you recent exchange rate movements, making it easier to lock in low rates and complete RMB exchange in just 3 steps⁴ — allowing you to “exchange first, enjoy the savings later”!
The screen displays and images on this website are for illustrative purpose only. Please refer to the information displayed in the WeLab Bank App on the transaction day.
✨ WeLab Bank offers a "Lowest Exchange Rate Guarantee³”, ensuring you enjoy the lowest rates in the market, helping you save even more. 👉 Learn more about “Best Rate Guarantee³”
2️⃣ RMB $0 Foreign Currency Exchange & Transaction Handling Fees¹,² — Save More on Cross-Border and Online Spending
Typically, using Hong Kong digital wallets or credit cards for RMB spending (including Mainland spending or Mainland e-commerce purchases) results in 1%–1.95% foreign transaction fees. Even when cashback or reward points are offered, the exchange rate spread plus fees may still lead to higher actual spending.
✨ But with the WeLab Global Wallet Debit Card: RMB transactions⁴ come with foreign currency transaction fees waiver² whether you’re spending in Mainland stores or shopping online (Taobao, Tmall, JD.com, Pinduoduo, etc.), as long as the payment is processed through a Mainland digital wallet!
How to Add Your WeLab Global Wallet Debit Card to Alipay China / WeChat Pay China 📲
Most Hongkongers are used to paying with HK digital wallets like Alipay+ or WeChat Pay HK, but did you know HK and Mainland digital wallet work differently? HK digital wallets settle in HKD, which involves platform set rates and potential fees. Meanwhile, Mainland digital wallets (Alipay China / WeChat Pay China / Weixin Pay) settle directly in RMB — offering a far smoother experience when spending in Mainland China / RMB set rates and potential fees.
By adding your WeLab Global Wallet Debit Card to Alipay China or WeChat Pay China, you can:
✔️ Ensure every transaction is paid in RMB instead of HKD
✔️ Spend using your pre-exchanged RMB at locked in rates
✔️ Avoid losses from HKD settlement, exchange spreads or extra fees
✔️ Enjoy RMB foreign currency transaction fee waiver²+cash rebate on spending⁶
🔷 How to Add Your Card to Alipay China
1️⃣ Download Alipay China and complete identity verification (no Mainland phone number or bank account required).
2️⃣ Go to Bank Cards → Add Card → Enter your WeLab Global Wallet Debit Card details to complete binding.
The sample will be demonstrated in Traditional Chinese.
3️⃣ Go to Settings → Payment Settings, and set the WeLab Global Wallet Debit Card as your preferred payment method.
🟢 How to Add Your Card to WeChat Pay China
1️⃣ Go to your WeChat profile → tap FAQ → select How to activate the Mainland wallet → tap Bind Bank Card.
The sample will be demonstrated in Traditional Chinese.
2️⃣ After binding, go to Profile → Services → Wallet, and switch your wallet region to Mainland China.
✨ Once added — whether you're spending in Mainland stores or paying RMB on e-commerce platforms — remember to select the WeLab Global Wallet Debit Card as your payment method instead of wallet balance. This ensures you fully enjoy the best exchange rates + $0 foreign currency exchange & transaction handling fees¹,²!
Conclusion:
For Hongkongers, travelling to Mainland China has become a lifestyle. And when it comes to saving money on RMB spending, choosing the right payment method makes all the difference. With combination of low exchange rates, RMB $0 foreign currency exchange & transaction handling fees¹,² and cash rebate⁶, WeLab Global Wallet Debit Card is a smart and cost-efficient payment choice. efficient payment choice.
Before your next Shenzhen trip, make sure to add the debit card to China Alipay / WeChat Pay (Weixin Pay) — then enjoy smoother, cheaper, and more transparent transactions with your go to WeLab Bank travel companion 💰.
🔥 Download the WeLab Bank App now — open an account in as fast as 5 minutes⁵ and save more on every RMB transaction!
Remarks:
(1) Handling fee refers to the waiver of foreign exchange transaction fees.
(2) Overseas spending may be settled either in the local currency of the country/region where the transaction takes place or in Hong Kong Dollar: (A) For transaction settled in the local currency, (i) foreign currency transaction fee waiver will apply if the transaction is settled in any of the 10 eligible foreign currencies (including Japanese Yen, US Dollar, Renminbi, Australian Dollar, Sterling Pound, Euro, Singapore Dollar, Canadian Dollar, Swiss Franc and New Zealand Dollar), and (ii) if a foreign currency exchange is required to complete the transaction, the exchange will be carried out at our prevailing exchange rate, and no foreign exchange transaction fee will be charged. (B) For transaction settled in Hong Kong Dollar, the transaction will not be treated as a foreign currency transaction and will be subject to the exchange rate, fees, and charges determined by the merchant bank, rather than by us.
(3) During the Promotion Period, if an Eligible Customer successfully converts HKD100,000 or above to an Eligible Foreign Currency in a single transaction through the “Foreign Exchange” function via the WeLab Bank App and find a Third-Party FX Quote under which the Eligible Customer could have used less HKD to buy the same amount of Eligible Foreign Currency within 5 minutes of completing the Eligible FX Transaction, WeLab Bank will rebate the difference between the sell-HKD amount of the Eligible FX Transaction and the sell-HKD amount of the Third-Party FX Quote. Each Eligible Customer can only enjoy the rebate for one Eligible FX Transaction every 12 calendar months (based on the transaction date of the Eligible FX Transaction). The maximum Rebate Amount is HKD 100. Offer is subject to terms and conditions. Please click here for details.
(4) In relation to FX Transactions involving the offshore Chinese Yuan Renminbi (CNY), the CNY exchange rate, like any other foreign currencies are affected by a wide range of factors and is subject to fluctuations. CNY cannot be freely exchanged for other currencies (including Hong Kong Dollars) and the exchange of CNY through banks in Hong Kong is subject to restriction specified by us, relevant policies, regulatory requirements and restrictions that applicable to such FX transactions from time to time. The actual exchange arrangement will depend on the policies, requirements and restrictions prevailing at the relevant time.
(5) Account opening time may vary depending on network conditions, mobile device, and required documents.
(6) From 1 January 2026 until 28 February 2026, enjoy 0.4% cash rebate on the Net Spending Amount of each Eligible Spending Transaction made with WeLab Global Wallet Debit Card. The Cash Rebate will be credited in the transaction settlement currency on or before 31 March 2026, capped at HKD100 or its equivalent. Terms and conditions apply. Please click here for promotion details.
Disclaimer: The content is for information only. Foreign Exchange involves Exchange Rate Risk. The value of foreign currency will be subject to the risk of exchange rate fluctuation. As a result, customer may incur gains or loss of principal in the event that the customer converts Hong Kong Dollar or foreign currency to another currency, and/or in the event that the customer converts a foreign to Hong Kong Dollar. The information above is not and does not constitute or form part of any offer, recommendation, invitation or solicitation to subscribe to or to enter into any transaction.
WeLab Bank is not the supplying merchant of the "內地支付寶", "微信支付", "Alipay HK", "WeChat Pay HK". We are not responsible for and shall have no liability in respect of the quality of goods and services provided by the supplying merchant.”