UnionPay International and Bank of China Introduce SplendorPlus Card in Germany's Financial Market

UnionPay International and Bank of China Unveil SplendorPlus Debit Card in Germany

On September 24, 2025, UnionPay International (UPI) alongside the Bank of China Frankfurt Branch, marked a significant milestone by launching the SplendorPlus Debit Card. This new card signifies UPI's first entry into the European market, offering a tailored financial product designed primarily for local residents traveling to China.

The SplendorPlus Debit Card is designed to meet the growing demand for hassle-free cross-border payment options among travelers. By focusing on enhancing user convenience, UPI aims to create seamless transaction experiences as Germans visit China. The card is not only a local payment solution but also acts as a gateway for effortless spending while abroad, particularly within the Chinese mainland.

One of the card’s standout features is its cashback offer, with users earning 1% cash back on all transactions made using the UnionPay network in China. This incentive aims to encourage spending and reward cardholders for their transactions while enhancing their overall experience in navigating payments during their travels.

In Germany, UnionPay services are readily available in key hotspot locations such as major airports, bustling shopping districts, and popular outlet villages. Users will find access to UnionPay services across a variety of local merchants, including department stores, duty-free shops, restaurants, hotels, and car rental services. Moreover, through a partnership with Epay, UnionPay QR code payments can also be used at noted retail chains, enhancing accessibility further.

As part of its broader strategy, known as Project Excellence, the SplendorPlus Card maintains acceptance at over 1.31 million merchants throughout various sectors in China, ranging from transportation to dining, shopping, and entertainment. Notably, UPI has built robust partnerships with 213 offline aggregated code merchants and 166 significant online platforms to accept international cards, ensuring customers benefit from a smooth payment experience in both physical and digital markets.

The collaboration between UnionPay and the Bank of China aims to integrate the advantages of the SplendorPlus Card with existing debit card offerings. Starting October 1, 2025, current dual-currency debit card holders will be transitioned to the SplendorPlus Card, allowing them to take full advantage of enhanced cashback rewards through UPI's U Rewards Platform.

This initiative is a part of UnionPay’s ongoing commitment to enhancing cross-border payment experiences, underpinning higher transaction volumes and driving growth in card issuance. Since the launch of Project Excellence in 2024, UnionPay has introduced innovative, diversified payment services and enhanced acceptance scenarios, making significant strides in simplifying financial transactions for international customers.

The success of the program is evident in the transaction data; in just one year, the volume of foreign-issued and cross-border UnionPay cards soared by an impressive 103%, with transaction values also seeing a healthy 31% increase. This growth underlines the demand and efficiency of the SplendorPlus card within the ever-evolving financial landscape.

UnionPay has thoughtfully designed the SplendorPlus Card, keeping in mind the unique needs of long-term visitors and local residents engaging in cross-border transactions. The card aligns global transaction capabilities with China-centric features, expanding UnionPay’s reach to 56 institutions across 20 international markets.

For tech-savvy users, UPI offers over 200 digital wallet solutions, enabling smoother transactions in 37 markets, further catering to the influx of global travelers heading to China. Additionally, UnionPay’s tax refund services have also expanded, providing instant refund options both in airport and city-center locations, a much-appreciated feature for international customers.

Lastly, through advancements in cross-border QR code interoperability, agreements have been established in 19 countries, making local payment tools usable in China, thereby continuously improving the accessibility and convenience of payments for foreign visitors.

As UnionPay International continues to carve out its niche within the European financial markets, the launch of the SplendorPlus Debit Card stands as a testament to its commitment to enhancing cross-border payment capabilities and catering to the evolving needs of international travelers.