The term 刷卡 holds a special place in China's recent history. For decades, China was a predominantly cash-based society. The rise of card payments in the early 2000s was a massive cultural and economic shift. To be able to 刷卡 was a sign of modernization, financial inclusion, and alignment with the global economy. It represented a new level of consumer convenience and trust in banking institutions. Unlike in the West, where the transition from cash to card took many decades, China's “card era” was relatively brief and intense. It was swiftly followed by an even bigger leapfrog in technology: mobile payments (扫码 - sǎomǎ). Today, while you can still 刷卡 in most mid-to-high-end establishments, the default non-cash payment method for most people, especially in smaller shops and restaurants, is scanning a QR code with their phone. Therefore, understanding 刷卡 is understanding a key “bridge” in China's development—the step between the era of cash and the current era of mobile wallets.
刷卡 is a neutral term used in a variety of formal and informal contexts.