Recently, I used my browser to scan a QR code and renew my QQ membership, paying through WeChat with my Citi Premier. This card earns 2x TYP on certain travel and dining purchases, and WeChat transactions can usually earn 2x as well. See my earlier guide here: How to Use American Credit Cards with WeChat Pay. However, after this transaction finally posted, it earned only 1x TYP. After taking a closer look, I found that the difference came down to the purchase category.
- Transaction description: wechatpay*Tencent
- Purchase category: Services - Telephone Service
- This category may not actually be new; I may simply not have noticed it before
The purchase category assignment for Visa/Mastercard is usually consistent, although the final cashback or rewards rate can vary by bank. Since I do not have a Chase credit card, I do not yet know whether this category would trigger the Freedom quarterly 5% category bonus. (Of course, most people would not use Freedom for WeChat anyway... because of the FTF.)
- For more tips on using American credit cards with WeChat Pay, see the article below:
https://www.uscreditcards101.com/wechat-payment-with-american-credit-card/