Bank Zenit
Renaissance Bank
LOCO-Bank
T-Bank
Bank Sinara
Credit Europe BankUnionPay debit cards
Articles about debit cards
AllDebit card reviews
AllРедакционный автоотзыв: Платежный стикер от ВТБ представляет собой современный банковский инструмент, предназначенный для совершения бесконтактных покупок. Этот формат карты удобен для пользователей, предпочитающих альтернативные способы оплаты со смартфона или без использования классического пластикового носителя. На страницах финансового портала Sravnim24 можно подробно изучить актуальные условия обслуживания, тарифы и порядок оформления данного банковского продукта. Специалисты сервиса собрали проверенную информацию, которая поможет взвесить все аспекты использования стикера и принять информированное решение перед подачей заявки на его выпуск.
Редакционный автоотзыв: Пенсионная Альфа-карта от Альфа-Банка представляет собой специализированное платежное средство, разработанное с учетом потребностей получателей социальных выплат. Продукт ориентирован на удобное управление личными финансами и повседневные расчеты. В рамках данного предложения пользователям доступен базовый функционал современной дебетовой карты, включая бесплатное обслуживание и возможность переводов. Оформление карты позволяет пенсионерам перевести получение пенсии на новый счет и пользоваться финансовыми сервисами банка. Подробные условия обслуживания, тарифы и порядок подачи заявки можно изучить на сайте Sravnim24.
Editorial auto-review: The Privilege debit card from VTB is tailored for clients interested in enhanced banking and premium services. The product combines standard settlement functions with additional privileges available within the bank's packaged services framework. When choosing the card, it is important to carefully review current tariffs, free-maintenance conditions, and up-to-date requirements for minimum account balances or purchase volumes. Applications are available online on the official website or via financial marketplaces.
Best offers
All
In 2022, major payment systems Visa and MasterCard stopped their operations in Russia. For the majority of people who do not travel abroad and do not make purchases in foreign online stores, this event went unnoticed. However, those who like to travel to other countries faced the need to find alternative ways to pay and withdraw cash abroad instead of the usual Visa and MasterCard cards.
What is the UnionPay payment system?
In 2024, international payment systems Visa and MasterCard stopped their operations in Russia. Inside the country, these cards can still be used, but they no longer work abroad. This created certain difficulties for those who frequently travel or go on business trips: using cash abroad can be inconvenient and unsafe.
As an alternative to Visa and Mastercard, you can consider the MIR debit card. It allows you to pay abroad, although the list of countries where cards of this payment system are accepted is limited. In 2024, the MIR card could be used in Azerbaijan, Armenia, Belarus, Vietnam, Kazakhstan, Cuba, Tajikistan, Turkey, Venezuela, and Laos. But even in these countries, there are restrictions on the use of MIR cards. For example, in many of them, such cards are accepted by only one bank.
Another alternative to Visa and Mastercard is the Chinese international payment system UnionPay. It was created in the early 2000s and already in 2015 became the largest payment system in the world.
What is the difference between UnionPay, Visa, and MasterCard?
UnionPay debit cards have several features that distinguish them from other popular payment systems:
- UnionPay cards issued in the People's Republic of China are protected by a six-digit PIN code;
- the currency of a premium debit card can only be Chinese yuan;
- abroad, you can withdraw no more than 100,000 yuan with a debit card issued in the PRC;
- online payments with such a card are additionally protected;
- a UnionPay cardholder can get a VAT refund for purchases in partner stores abroad and receive a discount at Duty Free.
In which countries can you pay with a UnionPay card?
Currently, a UnionPay debit card can be used to pay in 157 countries worldwide. Among them are: Azerbaijan, Vietnam, Germany, Greece, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Spain, Italy, United Arab Emirates, Serbia, Turkey, and others.
You can issue a card in 70 countries. At the same time, the payment system's website states that the card works in 181 countries, but this applies to debit cards issued outside of Russia. UnionPay cards issued in Russia are not accepted everywhere and not by all retail outlets, and you can cash out funds from them only in a limited number of countries.
Pros and cons of UnionPay debit cards
Let's start with the advantages of the UnionPay debit card. It works in Russia, you can pay with it almost anywhere, withdraw cash at almost all ATMs, and use it for payments in Russian online stores.
However, MIR, Visa, and MasterCard debit cards issued in Russia have the same functions. Therefore, if you do not plan to travel abroad, getting a UnionPay card makes no sense.
One of the advantages of the UnionPay card is the ability to use it abroad. Today it is available in 157 countries. But there are limitations here as well. You can pay with a UnionPay card issued in Russia far from everywhere. Also, not all ATMs accept this card for cash withdrawals. Thus, UnionPay may turn out to be useless for a traveler.
Therefore, we recommend that UnionPay cardholders carry cash in the currency of the country they are visiting.
Now let's look at the disadvantages of the card. First, it cannot be used everywhere, and most owners face difficulties. Cards of the Chinese payment system are not accepted at all retail outlets and ATMs. For this reason, the cardholder still needs to carry cash, which is inconvenient and unsafe.
Second, there is a high conversion fee. All settlements abroad are made in yuan, so when paying, a double or even triple conversion occurs. As a result, the UnionPay holder has to pay a significant commission when trying to pay in stores, restaurants, and other places.
Third, the UnionPay debit card cannot be linked to Google Pay and Apple Pay services. This applies to cards issued in Russia. However, the payment system has its own QuickPass service, which can be installed on all Android-based phones.
Smart UnionPay Debit Card from Gazprombank Conclusion
UnionPay is an alternative to Visa and MasterCard payment systems. We recommend getting a card from this payment system if you frequently travel abroad. But to avoid getting into a difficult situation during travel or a business trip, still take some cash with you in the currency of the country you are heading to.
And if you do not fly abroad and use the card only at home, it is better to pay attention to the MIR payment system. Cards issued by this payment system are more profitable to maintain and more convenient to use.
