1 day ago
UPI Payment Glitch at Changi Highlights Overseas Reliability Questions
Nikhil George tried to pay with UPI at an airport shop in Singapore.
He used Google Pay, but the payment failed because the system could not find a conversion rate.
The cashier had warned him that UPI often does not work there.
Other travellers said UPI worked for them in Singapore, Sri Lanka, and on some websites.
This means UPI can work abroad, but not at every shop or terminal.
The result may depend on the app, the shop’s payment machine, and how the payment is set up.
Banks may also add currency-conversion costs and processing fees.
NPCI International asked George to send more details so it could investigate.
Nikhil George’s Google Pay UPI payment at The Cocoa Trees in Singapore’s Changi Airport failed with a conversion-rate error.
A cashier reportedly warned George that UPI “almost never works” at the location, prompting him to keep cards available when travelling.
Users described mixed international experiences, including successful UPI payments in Singapore, Sri Lanka through Lanka QR, and on some booking websites.
Commenters said outcomes may depend on the payment app, merchant terminal, platform setup, or whether the terminal has been updated.
Successful overseas UPI payments may still incur bank foreign-exchange markups of about 1.5% to 3.5% and processing fees of roughly Rs 15 to Rs 50.
- Who
- X user Nikhil George, other international UPI users, NPCI International Payments Limited, and participating overseas merchants.
- What
- A UPI payment attempt at Changi Airport failed, raising questions about the reliability and cost of using UPI abroad.
- Where
- The Cocoa Trees at Singapore’s Changi Airport; users also discussed Singapore’s Mustafa store, Sri Lanka, and international booking websites.
- When
- George shared the incident on September 27, 2026; the articles do not specify the exact payment time.
- Why
- The payment displayed a conversion-rate error, while user reports suggested that overseas UPI success can vary by app, merchant terminal, platform setup, and foreign-exchange processing.
UPI Can Work Abroad
UPI Remains Uneven Abroad
Payment reliability
UPI Can Work Abroad
Some users said UPI worked very well in two countries, including Sri Lanka through Lanka QR, and that PhonePe was successful for international payments.
UPI Remains Uneven Abroad
George’s payment failed at Changi Airport, and the cashier reportedly said UPI almost never works there.
Merchant and platform differences
UPI Can Work Abroad
Users reported using UPI at Mustafa in Singapore and on some international booking websites; one user said a 10% Mustafa discount helped offset the exchange markup.
UPI Remains Uneven Abroad
Other users said success may depend on the payment app, merchant terminal, platform setup, or whether the terminal has been updated.
Cost compared with cards
UPI Can Work Abroad
UPI may be convenient where it is accepted, and discounts can make it attractive for some purchases.
UPI Remains Uneven Abroad
Bank foreign-exchange markups and processing fees can increase the final cost, so travellers are advised to keep cards available as a backup.
Key facts
- Failed payment location
- The Cocoa Trees, Singapore’s Changi Airport
- Payment app used
- Google Pay
- Error message
- “Could not get conversion rate. Try scanning again.”
- Reported international use
- Users reported successful UPI payments in Singapore, Sri Lanka through Lanka QR, and on some international booking websites.
- International UPI links
- The articles mention connections with Singapore’s PayNow and cross-border merchant payments in France, the UAE, and Mauritius.
- Potential bank markup
- Foreign-exchange markups are generally about 1.5% to 3.5%, depending on the bank and account type.
- Potential processing fee
- Often about Rs 15 to Rs 50 per transaction.
Quotes
An unidentified frequent traveller
A social media user advising travellers about UPI’s inconsistent international acceptance.
“Keep your cards handy at all times because even today, UPI does not work everywhere.”
businesstoday.in
“Even if it works, the exchange rate kills it.”
businesstoday.in
NDTV
NPCI International Payments Limited
The organisation responsible for NPCI’s international payments operations.
“Hi Nikhilgeorge, we apologize for the inconvenience. Kindly share any additional details with us via DM, and we'll be happy to assist you further.”
businesstoday.in
NDTV
Sources
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