Ant Financial’s Alipay, the mobile-payment service used by 600 million consumers, and processor First Data are expanding the number of US merchant locations that can accept the China-based payment method in stores.
Alipay aims to simplify the payment experience of Chinese tourists’ travelling to North America. From ride-hailing, purchasing luxury goods, to making reservations at hotels and restaurants, Alipay’s goal is to make payments seamless and convenient.
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Souheil Badran, president at Alipay Americas, stated: “First Data continues to be a premier partner for Alipay.
“In a few short months, First Data has significantly expanded the number of merchant locations accepting Alipay through seamless integration. Now, Chinese travellers are enjoying the familiarity of their Alipay Mobile Wallet at many of their favourite locations across the United States. We look forward to continuing to partner with First Data as we aim to enable Alipay at millions of additional merchant locations in 2018.”
The extended partnership between First Data and Alipay allows US merchants to offer Alipay’s 600 million registered Chinese users the same, convenient payment experience they enjoy at home while travelling in the US. The digital payment platform has added 35,000 merchants across the region.
Nandan Sheth, general manager for global debit solutions at First Data, said: “We are thrilled with the significant interest we’ve seen from merchants who want to offer Alipay at the point-of-sale.
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By GlobalData“As our partnership continues to mature, we are excited to roll out Alipay on an even larger scale. Businesses that offer Alipay are able to benefit from the growing number of Chinese travellers coming to the US by offering a frictionless payment experience that transcends country, currency and language barriers.”
Howard Wu, president – North America and chief technology officer of Millennium Hotels and Resorts, added: “Following the success of Alipay at Millennium Hotels and Resorts in Asia, we are pleased to partner with the digital payment platform again to launch the service in New York, Boston and Los Angeles in an effort to make the travel experience as seamless as possible for guests.
“As a hospitality brand, we are always looking for ways to enhance the overall guest experience, and expect Alipay to be well received by Chinese travellers visiting key markets in the US.”
First Data first announced in May 2017 that it would be integrating Alipay into its Clover POS systems at US merchants.
