Ufone Introducing a Legit Debit Card From Union Pay? Upaisa Debit Card Review!

UFone's Upaisa Debit Card From UnionPay

What i think about the Debit Card From Ufone?

The functions of Pakistani banking on mobile phone service providers are not new to anyone. While there are many service provider like Telenor, Mobilink, Warid and Ufone are offering services that are similar to banks and Western Union. Some of the mobile service provider like Telenor and Ufone got a little ahead from the other by introducing a banking system and an ATM card.....
But the ATM cards and banking system that is introduced by Telenor is useless because the system can only work in Pakistan and not outside because there is no Visa, MasterCard or other Debit Card provider's stamp on the card but on the other hand Ufone has introduced a debit card which is supported by UnionPay a not so popular credit card service provider but none the less still a debit card which can be used outside and inside the country without any kind of problem.

The card is still new and even if its launched the company's site don't shed much details on card. According to Ufone you can use the card on ATM machines, Restaurants and couple of other places in Pakistan but there is no evidence on the main site that it can be used on international site or not.

The card is supported by Union pay but the main problem is that many online merchants don't support this kind of card in fact many merchant only support the giants credit and debit card issuers like Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express etc.

Even in Pakistan this card is not supported by many banks and Pos machines.

But we still have to see if the Card is better then its rival UBL's VISA card which can be taken from any UBL branch IF YOU HAVE PROOF OF BUSINESS!

You saw that i made the fonts bold. Well that is because on the other hand there is no document require to get the card. You can visit your nearest Ufone center and get the card if you own a Ufone sim.

Below are some of the Pro and Cons of Upaisa Debit Card.

PROS:-

1. No documents required to get the debit card which is a good thing. Getting a bank account in Pakistan is like getting medicine without prescription!!
2. You can get the card instantly. Unlike UBL where they force you to go from branch to branch.
3. An international Credit Card and Debit Card company Union Pay supported which means surely you can use the card internationally where accepted.
4. Minimum deposit of hundred rupee required which is not a lot like other debit cards.
5. There is no Annual or monthly charges written on the site but i am assuming there isn't like UBL's cards.
6. Balance inquiry charges are zero which is a good thing and you can keep track easily.
7. Available from your nearest Ufone center.
8. Internal Bank Transfer throughout Pakistan also available.

Cons:-

1. The card is a bit expensive to use. They charge you 25 Rupee for cash withdrawal on the same network where other debit card companies charge only 5 Rupee! That is five times more the charges!
2. There is no guidelines or anything that is related to fees for international transactions!
3. This is a no name card like the ubl's cards. Which means that many merchants won't accept them since they don't have details about who really owns the card.
4. Many online stores don't accept Union Pay because they are not new but mainly used in Asia. while on the other hand when you wanna purchase anything online you will need Visa or MasterCard.
5. You need a Ufone Sim card to get the card. Now this cannot be marked as a con but many people don't use ufone and will be converting to ufone or purchasing new sim because of the card.