The Amex User's Guide to Payments in China (2025): Why It Fails & What Works
As a loyal American Express cardholder, you're accustomed to premium service and valuable rewards. So it can be incredibly frustrating to discover that your trusted Amex card doesn't work as smoothly in China as it does elsewhere. You're not alone in this—and there are concrete reasons for it.
This guide is designed specifically for you. We'll demystify the problem and give you a clear, actionable plan to ensure you can still pay for things conveniently while maximizing the benefits of being an Amex member.
The Core Problem: Why Your Amex Struggles in China
Before we get to the solutions, it's crucial to understand the "why." The issue isn't with your card or with Amex itself; it's about fundamentally different financial infrastructures.
Think of it like different types of train tracks:
- UnionPay: This is China's domestic payment network. For decades, nearly all shops in China had terminals that only worked on the UnionPay tracks.
- Visa & Mastercard: These are the global standard tracks. Most of the world runs on them.
- American Express: Amex operates its own, separate, exclusive track.
Alipay and WeChat Pay have built massive "stations" that connect the local UnionPay tracks to the global Visa and Mastercard tracks. This is why tourists using Visa/Mastercard now find it relatively easy to pay. However, the connection to the exclusive Amex track is newer, less developed, and not as widely supported by the underlying Chinese banks and processors. This results in lower success rates for both linking the card and for transactions being approved.
Part 1: The Attempt - Linking Amex to Alipay & WeChat Pay
Linking Amex to Alipay (Higher Chance of Success)
The process is the same as for other cards, but pay close attention to the details. See Alipay setup guide.
- Download & Register: Open Alipay and sign up with your home country's phone number.
- Add Card: Go to Me > Bank Cards > + Add Card.
- Enter Details: Input your Amex card number, expiry, and CVV.
- CRITICAL - NAME MATCH: In the name field, enter your name EXACTLY as it appears on your passport (First Name + Middle Names in the "Given Name" field, Last Name in the "Surname" field). This is the most common point of failure. See name match fix.
- Verification: Follow the prompts to complete the identity verification by taking a photo of your passport. If the system accepts your card, this final step will activate it for payments.
Linking Amex to WeChat Pay (Lower Chance of Success)
Historically, WeChat Pay has been even more challenging for Amex cards. See WeChat Pay guide.
- Activate Wallet: Go to Me > Services > Wallet.
- Add Card: Inside the Wallet, tap Cards > + Add a Card.
- Enter Details: Follow the same process as Alipay, including the critical name matching step.
- Authorization: WeChat Pay may attempt a small verification charge. Be prepared to approve this in your Amex app. If this step fails with a "Card Not Supported" or "Issuer Not Available" error, it's unlikely you'll be able to link this specific Amex card to WeChat Pay.
Part 2: The Amex User's Strategic Playbook for China
Okay, so you've tried linking your card. Maybe it worked, maybe it didn't. Either way, you cannot rely on it as your primary payment method. A smart traveler needs a strategy. Here is your Amex-centric playbook.
Strategy #1: The "Companion Card" Method (Your Primary QR Code Solution)
This is the most important and reliable strategy. Accept that for daily QR code payments, Amex is not the right tool for the job. Instead, you need a dedicated "Companion Card"—a low-cost Visa or Mastercard that links flawlessly with Alipay and WeChat Pay.
Our Top Recommendation: The Wise Card
For this specific purpose, our top recommendation for Amex users is the Wise Card. It's a multi-currency debit card designed for international travelers and aligns perfectly with your needs in China.
- Excellent Exchange Rates: It uses the real mid-market exchange rate with a very small, transparent conversion fee.
- Flawless with Alipay/WeChat Pay: As a Visa or Mastercard debit card, it links to both apps with a near-100% success rate.
- App-Based Control: Easily top up your balance and track all your spending instantly from the Wise app.
Full disclosure: This is our preferred travel card. As a bonus for our readers, if you sign up using our referral link, you'll get a fee-free international transfer up to a certain amount. It's a great way to get started and support our work.
Your Action Plan:
- Get Your Companion Card. We strongly recommend ordering a Wise Card well before your trip. Other fintech cards like Revolut are also excellent alternatives.
- Link this new card to your Alipay account. The success rate will be near 100%.
- Use this setup for all your daily needs: taxis, subways, coffee, meals, etc.
Strategy #2: Use Amex Where It Shines (High-Value & Travel Bookings)
Don't forget that your Amex is still an incredibly powerful card. The key is to use it in the right places.
| Use Case | How and Why It Works |
|---|---|
| Flights & Hotels (Pre-Trip) | Book your international flights and major hotel chains on their official websites before you leave. You'll earn your valuable Membership Rewards points, and the transactions are processed outside of China's domestic system. |
| International Hotel Chains in China | Major international hotels (Marriott, Hilton, Hyatt, IHG, etc.) almost always have the correct terminals to process Amex cards directly at the front desk. This is the perfect place to pay for your accommodation. |
| High-End Shopping & Dining | Luxury brand stores (e.g., in SKP Beijing or IFC Shanghai) and upscale restaurants inside international hotels are more likely to accept Amex directly. |
| ATM Cash Withdrawals | As a last resort, you can use your Amex card to withdraw cash at major banks like ICBC, Bank of China, or China Construction Bank. Be aware of high cash advance fees and interest. For more details, see our guide on using cash in China. |
Troubleshooting: When Your Linked Amex Fails
Even if you successfully link your Amex card, you may face transaction failures. Here's what to do. See payment error codes.
- Error: "Payment Declined by Issuer."
Reason: Amex has a very sensitive fraud detection system. A sudden transaction from China can trigger it.
Solution: Immediately check your Amex app, email, or SMS messages. Amex will likely send a prompt asking you to verify the transaction. Approve it, and then ask the merchant to scan your QR code again. - Error: "Card Not Supported for this Merchant."
Reason: This confirms the core problem. The specific merchant's payment processor does not have a pathway to the Amex network.
Solution: There is no fix for this. Switch to your companion Visa/Mastercard linked in Alipay, or use your backup payment method.
The Final Verdict: Your Amex Strategy Summarized
Trying to use only your American Express card for everything in China will lead to frustration. Instead, adopt a smarter, hybrid approach to enjoy your trip and still reap your card's benefits.
Your 2025 Amex China Strategy:
- Primary QR Payments: Link a companion Visa/Mastercard to Alipay for all daily expenses.
- High-Value Payments: Use your Amex directly at international hotels and luxury retailers to earn points.
- Travel Bookings: Use your Amex before your trip to book flights and hotels.
- Backup: Keep a small amount of emergency cash handy.
By using the right card for the right job, you get the best of both worlds: the universal convenience of QR code payments and the premium rewards of your American Express membership.