Setting Up DiDi in China is part of the TPOL in Shanghai Trip Report.
You’ve read the post about how TPOL Is the Creepy Old Guy in Shanghai. While I didn’t try to set up a Chinese bank account, after much effort I did manage to get Didi to work. It is an essential. Trying to hail a cab is next to impossible during peak times.
Initially, I couldn’t link a credit card and could only use DiDi to call taxis. This was still more convenient than trying to flag down a cab on the street. Eventually, the credit card did work though I’m not sure which of the following did the trick:
- Updating the DiDi app.
- Deleting my Citi Prestige MasterCard and switching to Chase Ink Visa.
- Trying continuously despite receiving error messages.
Once it finally worked, I never had an issue until I had to pay a 3RMB fee for making a driver, who never showed up to the right location, wait. For that, I couldn’t use my credit card and I couldn’t book another ride until I paid the fee. Luckily, I had 30RMB in my WeChat from years ago. I was able to pay and book another ride. But for that, I would still be locked out.
TPOL’s TIP: You definitely should take the time to set up DiDi. It’s worth the error messages. Don’t cancel a ride if you owe a driver for waiting. I would be out of luck if I hadn’t had that credit in my account.
Thank you for reading Setting Up DiDi in China. Keep up the fun by reading the TPOL in Shanghai Trip Report.
