UnionPay International announced today that it has deepened its cooperation with First Data, a global leader in commerce-enabling solutions. According to the new partnership, the two sides will: First, complete the chip migration of all of First Data’s payment platforms and eventually extend the acceptance of UnionPay credit cards to the four million merchant locations that First Data serves across the U.S. Second, enable UnionPay Online Payment at a vast array of First Data online retailers within the travel and entertainment industries, supporting online payment with UnionPay debit cards in particular. This cooperation will further improve UnionPay cardholders’ payment experience in the U.S.

Previously, First Data has enabled the majority of its offline merchants to accept UnionPay. With this new partnership, much more merchants in the U.S. will be able to accept UnionPay chip cards, making it safer to pay with UnionPay cards in the U.S. and laying a solid foundation for the future rollout of UnionPay innovative products such as UnionPay mobile QuickPass. Meanwhile, many online retailers, including airlines, cruise lines, entertainment theme parks and OTAs, will accept UnionPay cards, including UnionPay debit cards. This offers more choices and flexibility for tourists who want to take free-and-independent trips in the U.S.

In the U.S. today, almost all the ATMs accept UnionPay cards for cash withdrawal and UnionPay cardholders can pay with UnionPay credit cards at more than 80% of the local merchants. UnionPay is also extensively accepted at over 90% of the merchants in popular shopping centers and Outlets in New York Hawaii, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Orlando and Chicago. Tourists are able to pay with UnionPay cards at many hotels including Hilton, Holiday Inn and Super 8. UnionPay is also accepted by United Airlines, Hertz, Avis, Mobil and the subways in East Coast cities like New York and Boston. UnionPay cardholders can purchase the ticket to tourist attractions including the Statue of Liberty and the Golden Gate Bridge.

In addition, UnionPay cardholders can enjoy many privileges in the U.S. For instance, UnionPay cardholders can get free-entry tickets to many renowned museums in New York and Chicago. The largest department store chain in the U.S., the Macy’s, has joined UnionPay International’s cross-border marketing platform, U Plan. UnionPay cardholders may get exclusive e-coupons on their mobile phones and then enjoy instant discount in-store when paying with UnionPay cards.