Experience Sharing: Applying for China Construction Bank American Express PLUS Lifestyle Credit Card

Last year, when I went to update my ID card at CCB, the staff insisted I apply for a CCB Lifestyle Card (UnionPay version). The approval process was fast, taking about 5 minutes. This card defaults to a digital card only, can be bound to domestic payment platforms for spending, but has a credit limit of 10,000.

I rarely used this card. Recently, I saw an option to apply for the "American Express PLUS" version of the credit card on the "CCB Lifestyle APP". Since I had never used an American Express card before, I decided to apply for one to collect. I applied via the APP, and it was approved in a few minutes. However, I encountered some issues during the application process, which I will share and record in this article.

Applying for the CCB Lifestyle "American Express PLUS" Credit Card

First, you need to install the "CCB Lifestyle" APP, then click "CCB Lifestyle Card" on the homepage.

Find the "American Express PLUS" version, fill in the information to apply, and note the following:

• Ensure all information is truthful.
• Address information must be specific down to the room number.
• You can customize the name (in Pinyin) on the card.

The application process was very fast. I received an SMS notification of approval within a few minutes. The message content was as follows:

Your Dragon Card credit card application (Number YS9******6980) has been approved. Please visit a nearby CCB branch with your application number and original ID card for face-to-face signing. [China Construction Bank]

Face-to-Face Signing

Following the instructions in the SMS, I went to a nearby CCB branch the next day and informed the staff that I needed to complete the credit card face-to-face signing. With their assistance, I completed the signing and successfully activated the digital card on the self-service machine within a few minutes. However, I was only granted a credit limit of 5,000, which was a bit disappointing.

Soon after, I was able to view my card number and other relevant information via the "CCB Lifestyle APP" and could bind it to domestic payment tools and e-commerce apps.

Receiving and Activating the Physical Card

After signing and activating, a physical card would be produced and mailed to you. My application timeline was as follows:

• 2023-08-05: Online application via CCB Lifestyle, approved in minutes.
• 2023-08-06: Face-to-face signing and digital card activation at a CCB branch.
• 2023-08-08: Received an SMS from CCB stating the physical card was shipped via EMS, along with a tracking number.
• 2023-08-10: Received the physical card.

After receiving the physical card, I tried to activate it via the CCB APP according to the instructions, but it prompted that the card was already activated (though the physical card was not actually activated).

I then called the CCB customer service hotline at 95533. Following the voice prompts, I completed the physical card activation. During activation, I was required to set a PIN code, which must be remembered carefully.

Once the physical card was activated, the digital card would become invalid (this does not affect domestic payment tools already bound). The physical card number is the same as the digital card number, but the expiration date and security code information are different.

Failed to Bind to PayPal

I attempted to bind this physical card to PayPal, but PayPal indicated an incorrect security code. I contacted the bank's customer service, who suggested that the information might not have synchronized yet and advised me to try again the next day. However, it still failed the next day. Finally, after asking in a community group, I learned about a common pitfall: the security code for American Express cards is printed as a 4-digit number on the front of the card, not the 3-digit number on the back. Friends using American Express cards must pay attention to this; otherwise, you may keep getting incorrect security code errors, and multiple failed attempts could even lock the card.

Conclusion

• The CCB "American Express PLUS" Lifestyle Card requires an online application followed by face-to-face signing.
• After approval, a physical card is mailed, which must be activated via phone.
• When binding to foreign payment tools like PayPal, the American Express security code is the 4-digit number on the front, not the 3-digit number on the back.
• American Express cards have limited usage scenarios; it is not recommended as a first credit card.
• This CCB American Express card has no special features; treat it as a collectible.