#Germany #Frankfurt #UnionPay #SplendorPlus #Bank of China

UnionPay International and Bank of China's SplendorPlus Debit Card Launch

In a significant move for cross-border transactions, UnionPay International (UPI) and the Frankfurt branch of Bank of China have unveiled the SplendorPlus Debit Card in Germany. This marks the card's European debut and is tailored specifically for local residents traveling to China. As international travel surges, this card provides a streamlined payment method, facilitating smooth transactions for users and promoting long-term institutional collaboration.

The SplendorPlus Debit Card is a fusion of Bank of China's robust branding and UnionPay's expansive global network. It assures customers a seamless shopping experience in both local and international markets, particularly in China. A key feature that stands out is the 1% cashback incentive on all purchases made via the UnionPay network in mainland China, significantly enhancing the card's appeal for frequent travelers.

In Germany, UnionPay's services are accessible at numerous tourist hotspots including airports, shopping districts, and outlets, as well as major retail chains like department stores, duty-free shops, restaurants, and hotels. Moreover, thanks to a partnership with Epay, UnionPay QR code payments are now accepted at prominent retailers such as Müller, Galeria, and Heinemann.

As part of its Project Excellence initiative launched in 2024, the SplendorPlus card enjoys broad acceptance across China, with over 1.31 million merchant locations encompassing transport, dining, shopping, and entertainment sectors. To further enhance its utility, UnionPay has joined forces with 213 offline merchants featuring integrated codes and 166 major online platforms to facilitate the card's international acceptance, ensuring users experience minimal disruptions whether they are shopping in physical stores or online.

This collaboration not only integrates the robust benefits of SplendorPlus into existing Bank of China offerings but also boosts the competitiveness of UnionPay's dual-currency debit cards. Starting October 1, 2025, existing dual-currency debit cards will be upgraded to SplendorPlus, featuring promotional cashback rewards accessible via UnionPay's U Rewards mobile platform. This initiative promises to elevate the payment experience for cardholders, driving both card issuance and transaction activities.

UnionPay International, through its Project Excellence, aims to diversify and enhance its payment services. In early 2025, the initiative shifted focus to three pivotal areas: improving acceptance scenarios, product upgrades, and international expansion—all with the goal of simplifying payments in China for foreign clients. Recent transaction data reveals the success of this strategy, as the volume of UnionPay cards issued abroad and for cross-border use surged 103% year-over-year, with transaction values growing by 31%.

To address the various needs of its users, UnionPay has launched specialized products. The SplendorPlus card is designed for long-term visitors and residents needing cross-border payment solutions, integrating global acceptance with features optimized for the Chinese market. Currently, it is accessible through 56 institutions across 20 markets, reinforcing UnionPay's global footprint, which now includes hundreds of millions of cards issued across 84 countries and regions. For users valuing mobility, UnionPay offers more than 200 standard digital wallets that can be deployed in 37 markets.

Additionally, UnionPay has expanded its tax refund services, providing instant refund options in airports and urban centers, while actively promoting the cross-border interoperability of QR codes, collaborating with networks across 19 countries and regions. This ensures international customers can utilize familiar payment tools while in China, continuously enhancing the convenience and accessibility of payments for foreign tourists and merchants alike.

In conclusion, the launch of the SplendorPlus Debit Card represents a pivotal advancement in cross-border payment solutions, meeting the increasing demand for efficient and reliable payment methods as travel between Europe and China expands. Its unique features and extensive acceptance network make it an attractive option for travelers, further solidifying UnionPay's commitment to simplifying the payment experience globally.