Typical Phone App - Rubbish
Rubbish. Tried to set up AliPay/Tourcard and the app (everything's an app...!) just crashes every time I try and verify with the camera. Tried to verify using another phone and it got to the end of the process (a miracle, only took 3 hours...). Failed verification. Obviously there was no reason given, so who knows why. I'm past caring. They ask for a photo of the passport (why can't we just upload an image like the main AliPay app that holidaymakers can't use!?!?), a photo of you, and your UK tax number(!?!). And on my phone it's sloooooowwwwwwwwww. It's also been reported that your local bank will probably have a hissy fit if you try and use it, so your purchase might be blocked anyway unless you want to spend your holiday calling the bank. Presumably it needs an Internet connection (i.e. a different SIM) to work, and we don't fart around with rubbish like that on holiday. Not everyone needs the security blanket of connectivity 24-7... Apparently it's a hassle for vendors to take cash but that's what we'll be doing. Odd that any country would make it so difficult to spend money while on holiday. Ah well.