Using Revolut with Alipay in China: The Complete 2025 Guide

Welcome to the definitive guide for Revolut users traveling to China. If you're wondering whether your favorite fintech card works within China's digital payment kingdom, you've come to the right place. The good news is that it does, but the process has a few quirks. This guide will walk you through everything, step-by-step, transforming you from a confused tourist into a confident mobile payment pro.

Why Bother? The Huge Advantages of Using Revolut with Alipay

Before we dive into the "how," let's talk about the "why." China's payment landscape is dominated by QR codes. Without a working mobile payment app, simple things like buying a bottle of water or paying for a taxi can become complicated. Here's why your Revolut card is the perfect key to this ecosystem:

If you're new to mobile payments in China, you might want to check our complete Alipay setup guide and WeChat Pay guide first to understand the basics.

• Access the Cashless Economy: From high-end restaurants to street food stalls, QR code payments are king. Alipay is your gateway, and Revolut is your power source.
• Leverage Revolut's Exchange Rates: While the final exchange rate has nuances (which we'll cover in detail), using Revolut still protects you from the poor rates often found at airport exchange counters or on some traditional bank cards.
• Enhanced Security and Control: You can instantly see every transaction in your Revolut app. If you lose your phone, you can immediately freeze your card from another device.
• Avoid Carrying Large Amounts of Cash: This is safer and much more convenient.

Prerequisites: What You'll Need Before You Start

Let's get everything in order first. It'll make the process much smoother. Here is your pre-flight checklist:

The Step-by-Step Guide to Linking Revolut to Alipay

Follow these steps carefully. The most common failures happen at the name and verification stages, so pay close attention to the tips provided.

Step 1: Download and Set Up the Alipay App

If you haven't already, download the Alipay app. When you first open it, it will ask for your phone number. Use your regular, home country phone number (e.g., +44, +1, +33). You will receive an SMS code to verify it. Once verified, you have a basic Alipay account.

Step 2: Begin Adding Your Revolut Card

From the Alipay home screen, look for one of these options:

• Tap on "Me" in the bottom right corner. Then, tap on "Bank Cards".
• Alternatively, on the main screen, tap "Scan" and scan a merchant QR code. Alipay will realize you have no payment method and prompt you to add one.

Tap the "+ Add Card" button to begin.

Step 3: Enter Your Revolut Card Number

You can either use the camera to scan your card or enter the number manually. Manual entry is often more reliable. Enter the 16-digit number from your physical or virtual Revolut Visa or Mastercard.

Not sure if your card will work? Use our card compatibility checker to verify before you travel. You can also check our Visa vs Mastercard comparison to understand which card type works better in China.

Step 4: Fill in Your Personal Details (The Most Important Step!)

This is where most errors occur. You will be asked for your Name, Card Expiry Date, and CVV. The Expiry and CVV are straightforward. The Name is critical.

Step 5: Add Billing Information

Alipay will ask for your billing address. Just enter your home address that is associated with your Revolut account. This is a standard verification step.

Step 6: Success! Your Card is Added

If all the details are correct, you should see a success screen showing your Revolut card has been added to your Alipay wallet. Congratulations!

Understanding the Fees and Limits for Revolut on Alipay

So, what does it cost to use your Revolut card via Alipay? The fee structure is actually set by Alipay for all international cards and is quite reasonable for tourists.

How Are Exchange Rates Calculated? The Real Story

This is a key question for savvy Revolut users. You're used to getting the interbank rate, but when using Alipay, there's a middleman. The process isn't a direct Revolut conversion.

Here's how it works in simple terms:

1. You scan a QR code to pay for something costing ¥100 CNY.
2. Alipay's system takes the ¥100 CNY and converts it to a major currency (usually USD) using the rate provided by its partner bank (e.g., Bank of China, ICBC).
3. Alipay then requests that USD amount (e.g., $13.80) from your Revolut account.
4. Revolut receives the request for $13.80, converts it to your home currency (e.g., GBP or EUR) using its own excellent rate, and approves the transaction.

The bottom line is that the initial CNY to USD/EUR conversion is handled by Alipay's network, not Revolut. However, these rates are generally very competitive and far better than typical tourist rates. You still benefit from Revolut's fee-free conversion on the final leg of the transaction.

Troubleshooting: What to Do When Things Go Wrong

Sometimes, technology doesn't cooperate. Here are the most common problems and how to solve them.

Problem #1: Alipay says "Card Declined by Issuing Bank"

This is a very common issue, especially on the first attempt. If you get specific error codes, you can look them up in our payment error code database.

• Why it happens: Revolut's automated security system (named "Sherlock") might see a strange transaction from a Chinese entity and block it to prevent fraud.
• The Solution:
  1. Open your Revolut app immediately.
  2. You will likely see a notification asking you to verify the payment.
  3. Tap on the notification and approve the transaction.
  4. Go back to Alipay and try the payment again. It should now go through.

Problem #2: Identity Verification Fails

• Why it happens: This is almost always due to the name you entered when adding the card not matching your passport name exactly.
• The Solution: Remove the card from your Alipay wallet and add it again, this time being extremely careful to match the name format described in Step 4.

If you're still having issues with name matching, our detailed name mismatch fix guide has step-by-step solutions.

Problem #3: The Payment Simply Fails with a Generic Error

• Why it happens: This could be due to a poor internet connection, a temporary issue with the merchant's terminal, or Alipay's own risk management system being overly cautious.
• The Solution:
  • First, try again. Sometimes a second attempt works.
  • Ensure you have a stable Wi-Fi or data connection.
  • If it consistently fails at one merchant but works at others, the issue is with that specific merchant.
  • As a last resort, having a backup is always wise. (See our guide on Backup Payment Options in China).

The Final Verdict: Is Revolut + Alipay the Perfect Combo?

So, what's the final word? For a tourist visiting China in 2025, using your Revolut card linked to Alipay is one of the most effective and convenient payment strategies available.

Our strategic advice: Use your Revolut-powered Alipay as your primary payment method for all day-to-day expenses. The convenience is unbeatable. For peace of mind, always have a backup, such as a small amount of emergency cash (around ¥500 CNY) and perhaps one other physical Visa or Mastercard for hotels or ATMs. For more tips on whether you need cash in China, check our comprehensive guide.