We may earn a referral reward if you sign up through our link, at no cost to you.
Short answer: For most Filipino travelers, the cheapest way to pay abroad is a multi-currency card like the Wise card, which converts pesos at the mid-market rate with a small conversion fee (about 0.3% to 0.55% for yen, won, Hong Kong dollars and Singapore dollars when we checked on October 27, 2026), instead of a Philippine credit card that adds a foreign transaction fee of roughly 1.85% to 3%. Bring a little local cash for small stalls and transport, and always choose to pay in the local currency, never in pesos, at the card terminal.
Planning a Japan, Korea, Hong Kong or Singapore trip for the long weekends or Christmas break? Pamasahe and hotel are only part of the cost. Every time you pay with a peso card or change money, a fee or a markup quietly eats into your budget. This guide compares the three usual options, with real fees from official pages, so you can decide before you pack.
How much do Philippine credit cards charge for spending abroad?
When you use a peso credit card in another currency, the bank converts the amount using Visa or Mastercard’s rate, then adds a foreign transaction fee. Here is what two big banks publish:
| Card | Foreign transaction fee | On a ₱50,000 trip spend |
|---|---|---|
| Most BPI credit cards | 1.85% (0.85% BPI + 1% Visa/Mastercard) | about ₱925 |
| BPI Free+ | 3% (2% + 1% Visa) | about ₱1,500 |
| UnionBank Classic and Gold cards | 3% | about ₱1,500 |
| UnionBank Platinum cards | 2% | about ₱1,000 |
| Some UnionBank cards (e.g. Miles+, Rewards and Cash Back Platinum) | up to 3.525% | up to about ₱1,763 |
Figures are from BPI’s rates and fees page (updated July 2026) and UnionBank’s credit card terms and conditions, both checked October 27, 2026. Other banks set their own rates, so check your card’s fee table before you fly. Also skip cash advances abroad: BPI, for example, charges ₱200 per cash advance plus interest of up to 3% a month. If you are still choosing a card, see our UnionBank credit card comparison and our guide to getting your first credit card.
How does the Wise card work for Filipinos?
Wise lists the Philippines among the countries where residents can get the Wise card. It is a debit card linked to your Wise account, so you spend money you have already added, not credit. Based on Wise’s Philippine pricing pages checked October 27, 2026:
- Opening the account: free, with no subscription fees.
- Physical card: one-time ₱369.60. A digital card is free and can be added to Google Pay right away.
- Spending a currency you already hold: free.
- Converting: mid-market rate plus a fee that varies by currency, from 0.27%. If you pay in yen but only hold pesos, Wise converts automatically from the balance with the lowest fee.
- ATM withdrawals: free up to ₱13,000 a month, then 2.69% on the amount above ₱13,000. The ATM operator may add its own fee.
Here is what converting ₱50,000 inside Wise cost when we checked on October 27, 2026 (around 10:08 AM, Philippine time):
| Trip currency | Wise fee on ₱50,000 | You get |
|---|---|---|
| Japanese yen | ₱174.38 | ¥122,742 |
| Korean won | ₱273.49 | ₩1,028,559 |
| Hong Kong dollar | ₱154.51 | HK$6,112.50 |
| Singapore dollar | ₱144.58 | S$998.11 |
Compare ₱144 to ₱273 with ₱925 to ₱1,500 in card fees on the same amount, and the savings cover the ₱369.60 card on the first trip. Credit cards also use the Visa or Mastercard rate on the posting date, which may differ from the mid-market rate. Rates move every minute, so check the live quote in the app before you convert.
Is it cheaper to bring cash or use a money changer?
Cash has no card fee, but the money changer earns from the gap between its buying and selling rate. That gap is not shown as a fee, so compare the rate you are offered against the mid-market rate on your phone. A few rules:
- Bring only what you need for cash-only spots, such as small food stalls, market vendors or some transport fares.
- Know the limits. Under BSP rules, you may take out up to ₱50,000 in Philippine pesos without BSP approval, and you must declare foreign currency above US$10,000 (or its equivalent) to the Bureau of Customs, including through eTravel.
- Compare a few changers before you buy, and keep some cash separate from your cards in case one gets lost.
Should you pay in pesos or in local currency at the terminal?
Always choose the local currency, like yen in Japan or won in Korea. When a shop or ATM offers to charge you in pesos, it uses its own exchange rate, which is usually worse. Both Wise and BPI tell cardholders to choose the local or foreign currency. On a BPI card, a peso charge from a foreign merchant still gets the 1% Visa/Mastercard fee.
What is the cheapest setup for your trip?
- Well before the trip: open a Wise account and order the card, since the physical card needs time to arrive by mail. Activate it with the 6-digit code that comes with the card.
- Add pesos to Wise from your bank. You can convert to yen, won or dollars ahead of time, or let the card convert as you spend.
- Bring a small amount of local cash for your first day, and withdraw more at an ATM if needed, keeping withdrawals within the ₱13,000 free monthly limit.
- Keep one credit card as backup for hotel deposits and emergencies, and pay it in full to avoid interest.
- Choose local currency every time a terminal or ATM asks.
Back home, park unused funds in a high-interest account. Our emergency fund guide explains where to keep it. Planning around the November long weekends? Check the November 2026 holiday dates and pay rules. If family abroad sends you pocket money, see our guide to the cheapest way to send money to the Philippines, and freelancers can read about receiving pay from foreign clients.
Frequently asked questions
Can Filipinos get the Wise card?
Yes. Wise lists the Philippines among the countries where account holders can order the card, for a one-time ₱369.60 fee (checked October 27, 2026).
Is the Wise card a credit card?
No. It is a debit card. You can only spend the money you have added to your Wise account.
How much can I withdraw from ATMs abroad for free with Wise?
Up to ₱13,000 a month. Above that, Wise charges 2.69% on the amount over ₱13,000, and the ATM operator may charge its own fee.
How much cash can I bring out of the Philippines?
Up to ₱50,000 in Philippine pesos without BSP approval. Foreign currency above US$10,000 or its equivalent must be declared.
Sources
- Wise, Wise card (Philippines), Pricing and Card fees (checked October 27, 2026)
- Wise Help Centre, Getting started with the Wise card and What if I spend money in a currency I don’t have? (checked October 27, 2026)
- Wise price quotes for ₱50,000 to JPY, KRW, HKD and SGD (October 27, 2026, about 10:08 AM Philippine time)
- BPI, Credit Card Rates and Fees (updated July 2026) and Foreign Exchange Conversion Rate (checked October 27, 2026)
- UnionBank, Credit Card Terms and Conditions, and Wise, Using a UnionBank card abroad (checked October 27, 2026)
- Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, FAQs on Cross-Border Transfer of Currencies, and Bureau of Customs, Rules on Currency Declaration for Travelers (checked October 27, 2026)
This guide is general information, not financial advice. Fees and rates change; confirm them with Wise or your bank before you travel.
About the Author
