UnionPay Prepaid Cards Now Available in the United States through ECARD

U.S. travelers bound for Asia will soon be able to purchase UnionPay prepaid cards issued by Global Bank and marketed by ECARD, a financial services technology company based in New York.

Release time : 2018-07-10 10:01:13

source : PR Newswire

U.S. travelers bound for Asia will soon be able to purchase UnionPay prepaid cards issued by Global Bank and marketed by ECARD, a financial services technology company based in New York.

UnionPay cards can be used at over 51 million merchants worldwide - including 100% of merchants that accept payment cards in China. The reloadable general purpose cards provide U.S. citizens an ideal way to conveniently pay for things in Asia and track spending in U.S. dollars.

Some 5.7 million people visited Asia from the U.S. in 2017 - a 7.2 percent increase from the previous year - according to U.S. Department of Commerce, International Trade Administration and National Travel and Tourism Office (NTTO).

UnionPay cards are now accepted in 169 countries and regions. Upon return to the U.S., the cardholder can use any remaining funds on the card at millions of U.S. merchants.

"ECARD allows one-time or regular travelers to Asia to enjoy the convenience of card payments in restaurants, hotels, ATMs, gift shops at cultural attractions and just about anywhere payment is accepted," said Wayne Tsao, Chief Executive Officer of ECARD. "Asian-Americans who visit the Pacific countries regularly for business or personal travel can return time and again with their card and not worry about making special arrangements. There is no need to transfer funds out of the account as UnionPay is widely accepted at U.S. merchants and ATMs."

ECARD will be available starting in the third quarter of 2018. At that time, U.S. consumers can open an account online and service the account via an application downloaded onto a mobile device. Funds can be added to general purpose reloadable cards online or at retail locations.

"With its broad utility in Asia, smart travelers will get and load a UnionPay card before visiting the region," said June Chen, General Manager-Americas, UnionPay International. "That way, the traveler doesn't need to worry about having cash