BC Card announced that it would introduce a new “Zhong Guo Tong” gift card for use both in Korea and China. Earlier, the company had issued Zhong Guo Tong (literally meaning “Around China”) credit and debit cards in partnership with China UnionPay.
The card comes in handy for those unable to obtain credit cards, as well as those tourists and students in China where the card is accepted widely by member merchants. The card has another benefit in that the user does not have to pay a 7% fee when changing money. All the user pays is 50 U.S. cents for each transaction and the amount is debited based on the exchange rate of the day.
Since the card, the first of its kind available in Korea, is transferable to anyone, it is perfect for a gift or for business use. For those users registering their names through the BC Card website or call center, tax deduction benefits may be provided for amounts spent domestically.
The Zhong Guo Tong card is available in any BC Card location as well as in branch offices of the following commercial banks: Industrial Bank of Korea, Kookmin Bank, National Agricultural Cooperative Federation, Busan Bank, and Kyongnam Bank. The card is usable for up to five years and can be recharged up to three times.
A BC Card official said, “The biggest advantages of the Zhong Guo Tong card are that you don’t have to pay foreign exchange fees, and it is accepted almost everywhere in China. It will be the card you can’t leave home without for business travelers and tourists to China.”
BC Zhong Guo Tong gift card design (2 types)
Designs of cards issued by IBK, KB, and NACF
Designs of cards issued by Busan, Kyongnam, and BC Card
