A couple of years back, I out of curiosity applied for the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China Standard Card online. Just wanted to see how fast they could issue a card, and boy, was I surprised! They approved it on the same day and gave me a credit limit of 50K, which was the maximum for a gold card. I was genuinely touched by their service.
Though not as aggressive as banks like Pufa and China CITIC, Industrial and Commercial Bank has been consistently working hard over the past couple of years. They’ve optimized the benefits of some card products and occasionally some attractive promotional activities. Their overseas discounts have always been quite good. I’ll write a separate article on the valuable activities of Industrial and Commercial Bank recently, but this one will focus on a few popular cards worth applying for.
The "Xingye Xingyou Bai" card is often promoted by card experts, but for most users, a gold card or a "small white gold" card would suffice. They have lower maintenance costs and are basically a no-brainer to get.
Let’s talk about the "Xingye Rui Bai" card, a popular "small white gold" card.
Here’s a tip for avoiding the annual fee:
First-time applicants who spend over 2K RMB or an equivalent in foreign currency within 60 days of card approval can waive the first-year fee. Spend 5K in installments within a year to waive the second-year fee, or if you don’t meet that condition, you can also waive the second-year fee if your balance is over 30K on the fee calculation date.
The benefits of the Rui Bai card include:
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Domestic airport VIP services: From January 1, 2017, to December 31, 2017, cardholders can enjoy domestic flight departure VIP services at over 20 major city airports. You can have 2 free passes, but you can’t bring along companions, and it’s a bit limited, but better than nothing.
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Up to 10 million in public transportation accident insurance: If you pay for your tickets with the card, you’ll be covered for up to 10 million.
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24-hour non-accident road rescue service: If your car breaks down, you can get assistance, including emergency towing, on-the-spot repairs, and emergency fuel delivery.
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Exclusive car rental offers: Get discounts and special offers when renting a car.
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Waiver of certain fees: Such as lost card fees, transaction notification SMS service fees, emergency card replacement fees, and emergency cash withdrawal fees abroad.
Now, a quick word on how to apply for these cards:
The main application channel is online, including through WeChat. The advantage is that it’s fast, the information goes directly to the bank’s credit card center, and they review it online, then send the card by. Also, the approval rate is higher online. The downside is that they mainly look at whether the applicant has a job and the credit limit is usually low. Offline applications allow you to submit more information, are suitable for freelancers, offer more card choices, and can have a high initial credit limit. But the process is slow, especially in local branches.
Click here to apply for multiple Industrial and Commercial Bank credit cards, and you can get your card in as fast as one week!
Next up is the Xingye Constellation Card.
The Constellation Card comes in two versions: the UnionPay standard RMB version and the UnionPay + VISA dual-currency version. The dual-currency version consists of two cards, one standard-sized RMB/USD card and one mini dual-currency card (about 43% smaller than standard). Currently, you can only apply for the UnionPay standard RMB version online. If you want the dual-currency version, you’ll have to go to a physical branch with your ID.
A quick note: Due to regulatory requirements, banks have stopped issuing dual-currency cards, so new dual-currency cards are few and far between, but you can still apply for this dual-currency constellation card at a branch.
The main benefits of the Constellation Card include:
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The first withdrawal transaction each billing month is fee-free.
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2 million in air accident insurance.
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Exclusive car rental offers.
Some pitfalls to watch out for include the annual fee and issuance fee, but there are ways to waive them if you meet certain conditions.
Finally, let’s talk about the Xingye New Car Friend card.
This card comes in three levels: platinum (standard edition), platinum (elite edition), and gold. I recommend that most users apply for the gold card, and those with high-end benefits needs can apply for the standard platinum card, which has a rigid annual fee.
The main benefits of the New Car Friend gold card include:
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24-hour non-accident road rescue service.
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Double points at designated merchants.
Some pitfalls include the annual fee and issuance fee, but again, there are ways to waive them if you meet certain conditions.
For those with a taste for luxury, the platinum card offers even more benefits, such as airport VIP lounge access and a points program that can be redeemed for fuel.
So there you have it, a few credit cards from Industrial and Commercial Bank that might be worth your while. Remember to check out the specific terms and conditions and apply for the one that suits your needs best. Stay tuned for more tips and tricks on how to make the most of your credit cards and enjoy a high-quality life!
