General Information » Money » Credit Cards

MasterCard, Visa, American Express, Diner’s Club and JCB cards are accepted in the majority of Shanghai’s hotels, some high-end restaurants and a selection of larger retailers. Shops usually use a combination of chip-and-pin and signature but often restaurants only ask for the latter. Smaller shops, particularly those in markets, rarely accept anything but cash.

It is well worth subscribing to a credit card protection policy that will replace your card anywhere in the world in the event of its loss or theft, arrange for cash advances to be sent to you if you are stranded without money or cards, organise temporary travel documents for you if you lose your passport and cover you in the event of credit card fraud. You can apply for these protection plans through your individual international bank or directly with companies such as CCP Direct (www.ccp.co.uk) or Sentinel Card Protection (www.sentinelcardprotection.com).