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Alipay+: Connecting you to over a billion customers

Last updated on June 19, 2024

With a growing emphasis on digitalisation and a shift towards cashless societies, having a robust and far-reaching payment system is paramount for businesses, particularly those seeking to tap into the vast and diverse Asia-Pacific market. Enter Alipay+, a remarkable payment platform that transcends boundaries, offering flexibility and seamless integration for merchants, including SMEs, across the globe.

Alipay+ is more than just a payment system; it's a gateway that unifies the most popular e-wallets in the Asia-Pacific region, making cross-border payments smoother than ever before. 

Whether you are an existing Alipay merchant or a new entrant, this comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know about Alipay+, including its features, transaction flow, pricing, and how to enable it for your business.

Learn more: What is Alipay?

What is Alipay+?

Alipay+ is a comprehensive payment system that caters to merchants across the globe, with a particular focus on the Asia-Pacific region. It integrates various e-wallets and payment options, enhancing the scope of cross-border payments and simplifying transactions for both merchants and customers.

- Unlock the power of global commerce with Alipay+

In a world where digital transactions have become the lifeblood of the global marketplace, Alipay+ stands as a revolutionary tool to redefine how merchants interact with their customers. 

Here's how Alipay+ empowers your business:

- Expand your reach

With over a billion customers worldwide, Alipay+ connects your products and services to a diverse and expanding market. From local corner shops to international superbrands, no business is too small or too big to benefit.

Enhance online experiences

  • Optimised Payment Experience: Alipay+'s efficient technical integration offers a seamless checkout experience, allowing customers to choose from multiple payment methods. This means less friction and more conversions.
  • Cashier Payment and Auto Debit: Reduce interruptions during payment and provide targeted incentives at online or in-store checkouts.
  • Payment Marketing: Through collaboration with leading payment apps like GCash and Kakao Pay, Alipay+ ensures that your best deals reach customers directly.

Innovate your in-store business

  • QR Code Payments: Leveraging Ant Group's extensive retail payment experience, QR code payments are efficient and secure.
  • In-Store Promotion Codes: Turn foot traffic into sales by offering promotion codes directly at the cashier.
  • Go Digital with Mini-Program Technology: With Alipay+ D-store, you can create customised in-app stores, integrate with POS and CRM systems, and enjoy a new channel for placing and managing orders.

- Strong partnerships and testimonials

As emphasised by leaders in various industries, such as Xiaolei Wang, Technical Director at Cider, and Damien Pfirsch, Chief Commercial Officer at Agoda, Alipay+ offers a one-stop solution for integrating various payment methods. This helps expand business in key markets like Asia and allows for creative integrations of new payment solutions and rewards programs.

- Build a financially connected world

Developed by the International Business Group of Ant Group, Alipay+ is more than just a payment gateway. It represents a commitment to break down the barriers between businesses and people across the globe, making financial transactions more accessible and convenient. Whether you are looking to accept cashless payment options such as Malaysia’s Touch 'n Go eWallet or South Korea’s Kakao Pay, Alipay+ is your ally in creating a more financially connected world.

If you want to grow your online business or elevate the in-store shopping experience, Alipay+ is designed to be your partner in innovation and growth. With an array of tools tailored to meet the unique needs of every merchant, embracing Alipay+ is a step towards a future where the world is your marketplace.

Integrating popular e-wallets in Asia-Pacific

Through Alipay+, merchants, including Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), can automatically accept payments from popular e-wallets across countries such as South Korea, Japan, Thailand, India, Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines.

Alipay+ mobile payment providers

The versatility of Alipay+ is further strengthened by its integration with a diverse array of mobile payment apps. The collaboration with these partners ensures smooth cross-border payments. 

Here's a look at some of the major providers:

- Akulaku PayLater (Indonesia): A Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) solution that provides flexible payment options.

- Alipay (Chinese mainland): A trusted digital wallet, evolved into an open platform for businesses and institutions.

- AlipayHK (Hong Kong SAR, China): Diversified mobile payment services for Hong Kong users.

- Boost (Malaysia): A fintech platform offering payment, micro-financing, and micro-insurance services.

- BPI (The Philippines): A major retail bank app with over 5 million digital users.

- DANA (Indonesia): A financial technology company promoting cashless society and financial inclusion.

- EZ-Link Wallet (Singapore): A QR code payment service from a predominant transportation card company.

- GCash (The Philippines): Leading eWallet with over 55 million users.

- HelloMoney by AUB (The Philippines): An eWallet providing easy access to digital financial services.

- Kakao Pay (South Korea): A lifestyle financial platform through Kakao Talk and Kakao Pay app.

- MPay (Macao SAR, China): Predominant mobile payment app linking bank accounts or credit cards.

- Rabbit LINE Pay (Thailand): Leading digital payment platform with lifestyle solutions.

- Tinaba (Italy): Italian digital wallet offering mobile payments, investments, and value-added services.

- TrueMoney Wallet (Thailand): An all-in-one app for everyday payment needs.

- Touch 'n Go eWallet (Malaysia): Largest eWallet in Malaysia, serving over 17 million users.

Expanding reach and accessibility

The widespread integration of these platforms means that Alipay+ is a key player in the evolving digital payment landscape. By aligning with different e-wallets and financial tools, Alipay+ has successfully positioned itself as an inclusive solution for global transactions.

Alipay+ is not merely a payment gateway; it's a robust ecosystem that combines various payment systems across the Asia-Pacific region and beyond, providing seamless transaction experiences.

Transaction flow and pricing info

Understanding the transaction flow and pricing structure is crucial for merchants considering Alipay+. In this section, we'll outline the face-to-face and e-commerce transactions process and the related pricing information.

1. Face-to-face transaction flow

Executing a face-to-face transaction using Alipay+ is a straightforward process. Below are the steps involved:

  1. Press "Sale."
  2. Enter the sales amount.
  3. Confirm the sales amount.
  4. Press the Manual Bar Icon or shortcut icon for Alipay Plus if available.
  5. Select "Alipay Plus."
  6. Ask the customer to scan the QR code and authorize the transaction or scan the customer's QR code to complete the transaction.
  7. Receive a green "Approved" or red "Declined" notification.
  8. Merchant receipt will print.
  9. Print the cardholder receipt.

2. E-commerce transaction flow

E-commerce transactions differ slightly based on whether the user is on a PC or mobile device.

For PC users:

  1. The customer clicks payment links and proceeds to the payment confirmation page, selecting to pay by Alipay+.
  2. The customer will be redirected to Alipay+ and select one of the supported Alipay+ wallets.
  3. The customer selects one of the supported wallets, and a QR code will be generated. The customer then uses the wallet and scans the QR code to complete the payment.
  4. For wallets supporting login to pay, the customer can also complete the payment by selecting individual wallets.

For mobile users:

  1. After steps 1 and 2, depending on the specific wallet, the payment will trigger the wallet app to confirm or prompt the customer to log in and complete the payment.

3. Pricing information

Alipay+ has designed a structured pricing model to accommodate various transaction types. Here's how the pricing is organised:

  • Point of Sale (POS) Pricing
  • Alipay China Wallet: A specific tier for transactions using Alipay China Wallet.
  • All Other Wallets: A separate tier encompassing all other wallets, excluding Alipay China Wallet.
  • E-commerce Pricing
  • Alipay China: This tier has its distinct pricing.
  • Majority of Wallets: Most other wallets fall under a common pricing tier.
  • Kakao Pay and True Money: Separate pricing applies to these specific wallets.
  • Special Categories: For transactions within app stores, gaming, and social media, special (and higher) pricing is applicable for True Money and Rabbit Line Pay.

A comprehensive breakdown of these pricing tiers, including specific rates and conditions, can be found in the tables below.

The transaction flow for Alipay+ is designed to be user-friendly, whether it's a face-to-face or an online purchase. The pricing structure is transparent and segmented to cater to different needs and wallets, providing clear options for merchants.

How to enable Alipay+?

Enabling Alipay+ for your business can be a strategic move better to serve customers, especially customers from the Asia-Pacific. Here's how you can onboard and enable Alipay+, whether an existing Alipay merchant or new to the platform.

1. Existing Alipay merchant

The onboarding process is streamlined for existing Alipay merchants looking to upgrade to Alipay+. Here's a step-by-step guide:

  • Maintain Existing MID: Your current Merchant Identification Number (MID) for Alipay will seamlessly carry over to Alipay+.
  • Set Pricing for Alipay+: You can choose pricing for each wallet individually or opt for a blended rate in MMR (Monthly Minimum Requirement).
  • Terminal ID Configuration: Please ensure your Terminal ID is properly set and present.
  • Sales Communication: Our Sales (Account Managers) / Commercial team will be in touch to discuss your upgrade to Alipay+.
  • Sign Legal Agreement: You'll need to sign a supplementary agreement or addendum to confirm the new pricing structure for Alipay+.
  • Contact Onboarding Team: Simply email the details to onboarding@planetpayment.com after completing the first two steps.
  • Gateway Configuration: We will handle the updates to pricing in MMR, register the MID with Alipay+, and coordinate the merchant gateway setup. (Note: Ensure the Terminal ID is present, as a missing ID might lead to reconciliation issues.)
  • Finalise Setup: We will manage the terminal and e-commerce gateway configurations, and our Sales/Commercial team will be in touch to complete the process.
  • Special Note: The pricing for Alipay China remains unchanged, and each wallet handles registration and approval individually.

We're here to make the transition to Alipay+ as smooth as possible, so please don't hesitate to reach out if you need assistance!

2. New merchant

If you're a new merchant looking to get started, here's what you'll need to do:

  • Registration Portal: Choose the correct registration portal, as Alipay and Alipay+ have different ones.
  • Set Pricing: You can individually specify pricing for each Alipay+ wallet or opt for a blended rate in MMR.
  • Agreement: Agree to enable Alipay+ and raise a request to Planet.
  • Commercial Contracts: Our Sales/Commercial team will sign the commercial contracts with you and guide you through onboarding.
  • KYC and AML Checks: Our Onboarding Team will perform KYC (Know Your Customer) and AML (Anti-Money Laundering) checks and then submit your registration application.
  • Gateway Configuration: Once registered successfully, our teams will handle the necessary terminal and e-commerce gateway configurations and set-up.
  • Terminal Delivery: We'll deliver the terminals to your stores, and you can start accepting Alipay+. If you already have terminals, we'll support you in updating them to enable Alipay+.

Getting started with Alipay+ is simple. Follow these steps, and you'll soon be able to offer this convenient payment option to your customers. If you have any questions, our teams are here to assist you. Join us in embracing the future of digital payments!

Enabling Alipay+ is a detailed process, but the comprehensive guidance and support from the respective teams ensure a smooth transition for both existing and new merchants. This access to one of the most prominent payment platforms in the Asia-Pacific region can significantly enhance a merchant's ability to reach and serve a broader customer base.

The adoption of Alipay+ represents a strategic alignment with the digital future, one that empowers merchants with unparalleled access to some of the most popular and widely-used e-wallets in the Asia-Pacific region. With over 1.3 billion users and growing, Alipay+ offers a unique opportunity for businesses to expand their reach, improve customer experience, and streamline operations.

Its simplified onboarding process, diverse payment options, and competitive pricing structure make Alipay+ a must-have for merchants aiming to enhance their global footprint. From its ease of integration to its adaptability across different markets, Alipay+ is not just a payment tool; it's a business solution crafted to foster growth and drive success in a rapidly changing commercial landscape.

FAQs

Does Planet do acquiring for Alipay+?

Yes, Planet is an Alipay+ acquirer, and offers both face to face and ecommerce solutions.

In what countries can Alipay+ be used?

Merchants in UK and most European countries can sign up for Alipay+, except some countries that need to transact or settle in ISK, PLN, ROL and HUF.

How do you trace an Alipay+ transaction in Planet's system?

A merchant can search for an Alipay+ transaction in the portal using the Order number.
Does Alipay+ support refunds?
Yes, next day refunds are supported and partial refunds will also be supported. 
Does Alipay+ support recurring payments?
Alipay+ support recurring payments also known as Auto Debit.  
How does Alipay+ handle disputes and chargebacks?
Alipay+ will handle disputes and chargebacks in the same way as Alipay does today.
If there are more wallets in future, what will merchants need to do to support them?
There are no technical requirements, you may need to sign a supplementary agreement if the pricing is different.
What terminals will be able to support Alipay+?
Verifone, Worldline, Ingenico and PAX terminals will be able to support Alipay+. 
What is the transaction limit of Alipay+?
As Alipay+ supports multiple wallets, and each is subject to different regulatory requirements and risk controls, the transaction limits will vary by wallet. 
Will the current Alipay API or product be phased out soon?
Alipay+ has confirmed there is no timeline to sunset the current Alipay products. However, no new features will be added to the existing Alipay solution. Existing Alipay merchants are encouraged to migrate to Alipay+ in order to maximise the business potential of additional wallets.

 

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