UnionPay International and Bank of China Launch SplendorPlus Card in Germany

UnionPay International and Bank of China Unveil SplendorPlus Card in Germany

On September 25, 2025, UnionPay International (UPI) and the Frankfurt branch of the Bank of China announced the launch of the SplendorPlus debit card in Germany. This card marks the first instance of its availability in Europe and is designed specifically for German customers traveling to China. The initiative addresses the rising interest in travel to China, providing an effective and convenient payment solution for cross-border transactions during trips.

The SplendorPlus card combines the esteemed reputation of the Bank of China with the extensive global network of UnionPay, allowing users to enjoy seamless shopping both locally and internationally, particularly within China. A major highlight for cardholders is the cashback program that offers 1% back on transactions made through the UnionPay network in mainland China.

UnionPay’s services are readily accessible throughout Germany in key tourist areas such as airports, shopping districts, and outlet towns. The card can be used in various venues, including department stores, duty-free shops, restaurants, hotels, and car rental services. Moreover, through a partnership with Epay, UnionPay QR code payments are now accepted at major retail chains, including Müller, Galeria, and Heinemann duty-free shops.

As part of the Project Excellence initiative, the SplendorPlus card will be widely accepted across China, with more than 1.31 million merchants in sectors such as transportation, dining, shopping, and entertainment recognizing its value. To enhance its usability, UnionPay has partnered with 213 brick-and-mortar merchants that utilize a universal payment code, supporting the card's international acceptance and enabling users to enjoy hassle-free payments in both traditional stores and online sales.

This collaboration between UnionPay and the Bank of China’s Frankfurt branch allows for the integration of the SplendorPlus card benefits into existing card products, thus boosting the competitiveness of the dual-currency debit cards issued by the Bank of China. Starting October 1, 2025, the current dual-currency debit cards will be upgraded to the SplendorPlus card, with access to cashback rewards through the UnionPay U Rewards mobile platform. This initiative is expected to streamline incoming payments for cardholders and contribute to the growth of both issued card volumes and transactional activity.

UnionPay International launched Project Excellence in 2024 to cultivate multi-tiered, diverse payment services. By early 2025, the program expanded into three key areas: acceptance scenario development, product modernization, and international expansion. The aim is to simplify payments in China for foreign customers. Transactional data confirm the program's effectiveness—volume from UnionPay cards issued outside China and cross-border cards grew year-over-year by 103%, with value increasing by 31%.

To cater to diverse user needs, UnionPay has introduced specialized products. The SplendorPlus card, tailored for long-term visitors to China and local residents in need of cross-border payment solutions, is globally recognized while featuring functionalities optimized for the Chinese market. Currently, the card is offered by 56 institutions across 20 markets, significantly increasing UnionPay's share in the global market, which now encompasses hundreds of millions of cards issued in 84 countries and regions. For users who prefer mobile solutions, more than 200 standard digital wallets are available on 37 markets.

Additionally, UnionPay has expanded its tax refund services, offering instant refund options both at airports and in city centers. It is actively advancing cross-border QR code interoperability, having established agreements with networks in 19 countries and regions, allowing international customers to utilize familiar payment tools in China while further enhancing the convenience and availability of payments for overseas tourists and local vendors.