UnionPay International Teams Up with IHG for Exclusive Travel Discounts for Visitors to China

UnionPay International Partners with IHG for Exclusive Discounts

UnionPay International (UPI), a leading player in global payment solutions, has unveiled an exciting promotional partnership with InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) aimed at enhancing the travel experience for international visitors to China. This initiative offers an exclusive opportunity for UnionPay credit cardholders from around the globe to enjoy instant discounts of up to 15% when booking accommodations at selected hotels in mainland China.

Details of the Promotion

The promotion encompasses over 500 designated hotels operated by IHG throughout mainland China that accept UnionPay for online payments. This collaboration focuses on providing international travelers with a seamless and rewarding payment experience during their stay.

Among the hotel brands included in this special offer are luxury and lifestyle brands like Six Senses Hotels, Resorts & Spas, Regent Hotels & Resorts, Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants, InterContinental Hotels & Resorts, Vignette Collection, and Hotel Indigo. Additionally, premium brands like Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts, HUALUXE Hotels & Resorts, EVEN Hotels, and voco hotels are part of this exciting partnership, along with mid-tier options such as Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Express.

From June 10 to October 31, 2025, travelers using UnionPay credit cards issued outside of mainland China can take advantage of these discounts when booking eligible hotels through the InterContinental Hotels website or the IHG One Rewards Mobile App, provided that the UnionPay online payment method is used at checkout.

Cardholders with UnionPay credit cards from South Korea or the exclusive UnionPay SplendorPlus card can receive a whopping 15% discount, up to 400 RMB.
Other overseas-issued UnionPay credit cards will qualify for a 10% discount, capped at 200 RMB.

UnionPay's Global Reach

UnionPay is committed to ensuring that international travelers can enjoy the benefits of its payment network. With extensive acceptance across China—from ATMs to major merchants—more than 200 million UnionPay cards have been issued in 83 countries and regions outside mainland China. This allows international users to enjoy direct currency conversion at local rates without incurring excessive fees.

An added benefit for travelers is the ability to use UnionPay QR codes with popular mobile wallets abroad, enabling smooth in-store payments without the need for additional applications. Furthermore, travelers can link their UnionPay cards issued overseas to platforms like Alipay or WeChat Pay, thereby accessing local promotional discounts without incurring extra fees.

To further enhance the traveling experience, UnionPay introduced the SplendorPlus card last year, specifically designed for international visitors to China. This card comes equipped with numerous advantages, including domestic airport privileges, access to prominent tourist attractions, cultural experiences, culinary perks, and a 1% cashback reward on spending within mainland China. Currently, UPI has collaborated with 56 institutions across 20 international markets to rolled out the SplendorPlus program, issuing over 10 million cards.

About IHG

The InterContinental Hotels Group is a globally recognized hotel management company, featuring more than 20 distinct hotel brands and operating over 6,000 hotels in 110 countries. IHG is well-known for its luxurious and lifestyle brands and has made significant strides in Chinese markets by establishing more than 800 hotels, of which over 500 now support UnionPay online payments and actively participate in this promotional offer.

About UnionPay International

UnionPay International focuses on global business growth and support, working with over 2,600 partners internationally. UPI facilitates card acceptance in 183 countries and issues cards in 84 nations. It delivers high-quality, cost-effective, and secure cross-border payment services to the world's largest cardholder base while ensuring convenient local services for a growing community of global UnionPay cardholders and merchants.

This collaboration between UnionPay International and IHG stands as a testament to their commitment to enhancing the international travel experience by providing valuable rewards and seamless payment solutions amidst an ever-evolving tourism landscape.