Source: UnionPay International. Ge Huayong, Chairman of China UnionPay (sixth from the right), Cai Jianbo, CEO of UnionPay International (fifth from the right), and representatives from initial partners were present at the ceremony.
UnionPay International, in collaboration with Bank of China, China Merchants Bank, CYTS, Ctrip, Spring Airlines, SaSa Hong Kong, Prince Jewellery & Watch, LUKFOOK JEWELLERY, and ISA, has introduced 优计划 (Youjihua), translating to ‘a beneficial strategy’ and playing on the ‘you’ in UnionPay’s Chinese name. This pioneering initiative marks the first open cross-border marketing platform developed by a bankcard network. With plans to onboard additional merchants, 优计划 aims to provide cardholders with a wider array of offers and enhanced cross-border experiences.
Announced in Shanghai, China, 优计划 bolsters the card-based retail and marketing landscape through integrated cross-border functionalities. This platform empowers UnionPay International to strategically focus its global marketing efforts on airport duty-free shops, select travel destinations, and prominent business districts, ultimately enriching the cardholder journey.
Ge Huayong, Chairman of China UnionPay, highlighted that the launch of 优计划 embodies UnionPay’s core principle of “win-win cooperation and shared growth,” aligning with cardholders’ evolving payment preferences. He stated, “Collaboratively, we will cultivate a mobile internet-driven cross-border payment ecosystem that benefits all partners through this innovative business model. Representing a significant stride in marketing and service, 优计划 welcomes more commercial banks, travel agencies, and merchants to participate in enhancing our cross-border payment services and fostering multi-industry development.”
Developed by UnionPay International, 优计划 serves as a platform for cross-border service providers in finance, travel, and retail. It leverages mobile internet and location-based services to deliver targeted marketing and real-time discounts. Cardholders can access exclusive QR code coupons by engaging with the 优计划 logo (shown left) within mobile applications offered by UnionPay International, BOC, and China Merchants Bank. Alternatively, when booking flights and accommodations through apps from UnionPay International’s partner travel agencies, users can opt to receive discount coupons for promoted destinations. These coupons are accompanied by reminders upon arrival or when approaching participating merchants. By presenting the QR code and using their UnionPay cards, cardholders unlock the best available discounts at participating businesses.
Xu Luode, Deputy Governor of BOC, remarked, “UnionPay International’s 优计划 exhibits three key attributes. It capitalizes on UnionPay’s comprehensive resources to establish an open platform, aligns with mobile internet trends, and elevates the consumer experience. BOC is dedicated to continued collaboration with UnionPay International, striving to enhance cross-border payment experiences.”
CYTS President Zhang Lijun added, “优计划 is a significant milestone in cross-border payments and the four-party model, uniting suppliers, merchants, and customers. Under UnionPay International’s guidance, it offers services tailored to customer needs. 优计划 will greatly enhance the customer experience and is poised for widespread adoption."
Additionally, UnionPay International has introduced two global marketing initiatives: “100 Global Airport Duty-Free Shops” and “50 Selected Travel Destinations.” Cardholders can enjoy discounts of up to 10% at over 100 duty-free retailers across approximately 90 airports worldwide. Furthermore, from July 15 to October 15, over 300 merchants in 50 travel destinations are offering up to 15% off. These discounts apply to traditional shopping and dining experiences, along with airline and hotel reservations, transportation, and entertainment. Participating merchants from these programs are anticipated to join 优计划 in the future.