Common payment methods for studying in the United States

Not long after successfully obtaining the offer and visa, I will pack my bags and fly to the United States across the ocean to start a new journey in life. Are you ready? Along with the excitement, the payment of tuition and living expenses still leaves everyone confused. Today, we will take you through the commonly used payment methods for studying in the United States in one go.

What card should I bring when going abroad? Is it easy to apply for a US bank card? Today, I will explain to you several commonly used payment methods in the United States.

1. Credit/Debit Card Payment

Credit card is one of the most commonly used payment methods abroad. International credit card brands such as Visa, Mastercard, and American Express are widely accepted worldwide. Most merchants and service providers support credit card payments, including online shopping, restaurants, hotels, car rentals, and more.

2. E-Wallet

In some countries and regions, the use of electronic wallets for payment is gradually becoming popular. For example, PayPal is one of the most commonly used electronic wallets worldwide, where users can link their bank account or credit card for payment. In addition to PayPal, Apple Pay and Google Pay can also be used.

3. Online banking transfer/bank transfer （Online banking/Bank transfer）

In some cases, bank transfer is a common payment method. Especially when it comes to large transactions, bank transfers are widely used. The payment products that can be used are: Paytm、TransferWise、Revolut。

4. Prepaid Card

Some banks offer prepaid cards or travel cards, and you can recharge a certain amount to these cards for emergencies. The payment products that can be used are: iTunes Gift Card、Google Play Gift Card。

5. Cash/cash on delivery/offline payment （Cash/Pay on Delivery/Offline）

Payment can be made using cash or POS machines.

Now we will take you through the commonly used payment methods for studying in the United States one by one!

01 Online Payment

Is it easy to use WeChat and Alipay in the United States?

In order to meet the diverse needs of users, Alipay launched an international version, which supports overseas remittance, overseas shopping and other functions. If you have registered Alipay in China and opened the international version, you can use the international version of Alipay in the United States. The usage method is similar to that in China, payment can be made by scanning the code, entering the merchant's account, and other methods.

Similarly, WeChat Pay is also possible. Flywire, a third-party payment platform in the United States, can integrate with WeChat Pay. Chinese students can use WeChat Pay to make payments to educational institutions in their own currency, and higher education institutions will receive an equal amount of local currency.

Besides WeChat and Alipay in China, what other online payment methods are there?

01 PayPal

Usage: Online shopping, transfer (no transaction fee required), collection, international transfer (transaction fee required)

Usage steps:

① Registration: Register through email, and for personal registration, select "Personal Account".

② Binding bank card: can bind credit card and savings card. Credit card can only make payments, while savings card can make payments and receive payments.

③ Payment: When paying online, choose PayPal payment, similar to the payment method of Alipay.

02 Venmo

Purpose: Used for transferring and receiving funds, similar to domestic WeChat.

Usage steps:

① Registration: You can register on Venmo through email, Facebook, and other accounts.

② Add friends and bind bank cards: After logging into Venmo, add friends and family on the platform, bind the bank card, and you can transfer and receive money.

03 Apple Pay

Purpose: To integrate with third-party platforms, such as taxi hailing, food ordering, shopping, etc.

Usage steps:

① Bind bank card: Add the bank card to Apple's electronic products.

② System operation: Go to "Wallet", click "+", select the bank card you want to add, and fill in more information according to the prompts.

③ Payment: Convenient payment can be made through NFC and fingerprint recognition.

04 Zelle

Usage steps: When remitting, enter the recipient's account information to initiate a request to the recipient.

Credit Cards Accepted

1 BOA Cash Rewards

① No annual fee, but there is a Foreign Transaction Fee

② Online application offers a $200 card activation reward. Spend $1000 or more in the first three months to receive $200.

③ Specific categories (gas stations, gyms, supermarkets, etc.) have a 3% cashback, while all other consumption has a 1% cashback.

2 Chase Freedom Unlimited

① No annual fee, but there is a Foreign Transaction Fee.

② All purchases can receive a 1.5% cashback.

3 Discover it

① Low entry threshold, no annual fee, no Foreign Transaction Fee, can be used upon returning to China.

② By using a friend's link, you can receive a $50 card activation reward. Within three months of activation, using this card for purchases can earn you an additional $50 reward.

③ Each quarter, there is a 5% cashback for specific categories (gas stations, gyms, supermarkets, etc.) and a 1% cashback for all other consumption.

Note: Foreign Transaction Fee ： The overseas transaction handling fee is basically charged at 3% of the transaction amount

In short, there are various options for payment methods
We can customize according to our own needs and habits
Choose the appropriate payment method
Make our study abroad life more convenient
Whether it's shopping, dining, or traveling
We can all choose the most suitable payment method for ourselves Enjoy a wonderful study abroad experience
The greatest value and significance of studying abroad
It endows international students with unlimited possibilities
If you are preparing to study abroad in the United States
Want to obtain a more professional positioning evaluation
Please follow us at the Kane International Credit Certification Center
Because of Kane, we will safeguard your study abroad life!

Part1 Introduction to International Credit Transfer Programs

• Break down the barriers between domestic universities and overseas universities that do not allow credits to be exchanged

Transfer domestic course credits to foreign universities

• Provide study pathways for bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees from abroad in China

Part2 International Credit Transfer Program - Main Majors

William Jessup University

Patten University

University of Lincoln

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