How to use the Atome card: Complete guide for Filipinos

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Atome¹ - pronounced A-to-me meaning "Available to Me" - offers Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) card services in the Philippines and a selection of other countries around the region. If you have an Atome Card already you may be wondering how to use it, and what the difference between the Atome physical and virtual cards is.

This guide walks through the essentials of how to use an Atome Card, covering how to use your Atome physical card in a store, and how to pay using an Atome virtual card when you shop online. We’ll also talk about the Wise card, a handy way to maximise your foreign currency spending.

Table of contents
Where can I use my Atome Card? How to use Atome physical card How to pay using Atome virtual card Frequently asked questions (FAQ) Stretch your pesos when you spend in foreign currency with Wise

Types of Atome Card available

The Atome Card is a Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) card which can allow users to spend up to 200,000 PHP with flexible repayment terms.

To use your card with the lowest possible costs you can take advantage of up to 40 days of interest-free repayment options. Or you can choose to pay back your dues over monthly installments, for 3 or 6 months. Fees apply if you choose to repay over several months.

When you sign up for an Atome Card you can actually get 2 different card types²:

• An Atome physical card
• An Atome virtual card

The physical card will be mailed to you after you order, and your virtual card is available as soon as you’ve registered your account and been verified. Both cards have slightly different purposes - and they'll also both have their own different card numbers. However, whether you spend with the physical card or the virtual card, your purchases are all set against the same bill, and the same shared spending limit.

Where can I use my Atome Card?

Atome Cards are issued on the Mastercard network which is one of the most common card networks globally. You can use your Atome Card anywhere that Mastercard is accepted for payments, including in physical stores and restaurants, to spend online with ecommerce stores and to make in app purchases.

Atome Cards can be used to spend in the Philippines or overseas - but fees do apply if you spend in a foreign currency. This is the case when you travel and when you spend in international ecommerce stores.

You can’t use your virtual card for transactions where a physical card must be present - for example, where a merchant wants to process a Chip and PIN payment. And you can’t use either your physical or your virtual card for ATM withdrawals³. We’ll look in more detail at how to use an Atome physical card vs the Atome virtual card, next.

Atome physical card

You can use your Atome physical card to spend in stores here and when you travel. You’ll be able to make contactless payments, or use the card in the merchant’s payment terminal to make a Chip and PIN payment. Just make sure you remember your card’s 4 digit PIN which you’ll set when you receive your physical card in the mail.

There’s no fee to spend in pesos, as long as you then repay your bill within the 40 day grace period. If you decide to split your bill into 3 or 6 monthly installments, interest fees do start to apply.

If you’re using your physical card overseas, bear in mind that a 3.10% foreign transaction fee will apply⁴. Your spending will be converted back to PHP, including this fee, to be added to your Atome bill.

Another important question: is the Atome physical card free?

When you set up your Atome account you can get one physical card for free. However, if you lose or damage your card and need to order a new one, there’s a replacement fee. The Atome fee for a replacement card is 400 PHP which is added to your bill.

How to use Atome physical card

Your Atome physical card will feature your name, a unique card number, expiry date and security code. This is all the information needed for you to use your card for spending in person and online. When you get your card you’ll need to activate it and set a 4 digit PIN to allow you to complete Chip and PIN payments.

This means that you can use your Atome physical card:

• To tap and make contactless payments where supported
• To make in person Chip and PIN payments
• To spend online and by phone where supported

Atome virtual card

You’ll order your Atome virtual card at the same time that you set up your Atome account. This can be used even while you’re waiting for your physical card to be delivered. Here’s how to register with Atome and order an Atome virtual card:

1. Download the Atome app and tap on Atome Card
2. Choose the Atome Card design and type you want
3. Follow the prompts to add your personal information
4. Complete the verification step by using Face ID on your phone’s camera
5. You’ll get an in-app notification once your application is approved - usually within 3 days

As soon as your account is approved you can use your virtual Atome card to spend online and in apps.

How to pay using Atome virtual card

Your Atome virtual card can be used for online and in app spending. Simply use your virtual card details at the checkout when it’s time to pay. As Mastercard is very widely accepted, many ecommerce retailers can take payment from your Atome virtual card.

👀 Qualify for an Atome card? Read our full Atome card review with features, benefits and more to decide if it's for you.

Stretch your pesos when you spend in foreign currency with the Wise card

Before your next trip overseas, why not order a Wise card to spend while you travel with the mid-market exchange rate and low, transparent fees.

The Wise card lets you spend in 40+ currencies at the mid-market rate including USD, SGD, GBP, and JPY so you know you'll be getting a great deal in over 150+ countries. Simply create a free Wise account, order a card and top-up PHP to get started.

A physical Wise card can be ordered for a low fee of 369.60 PHP. Having a physical Wise card allows you to make chip and pin payments, as well as 2 free ATM withdrawals to the value of 12,000 PHP each month, before low fees start.

While abroad, you can choose to spend directly in PHP and let auto-conversion do the trick, or convert to your desired currency with your Wise account. Either way, you’ll get the exchange rate you see on Google, with low, transparent fees from 0.57%.

Save while you spend, and make overseas spending seamless with a Wise card.

💳 Get your Wise card today

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Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Still got questions about how to pay using Atome virtual card or how to use an Atome Card when you’re in the mall? Here are a few common questions about using the Atome Card at home and abroad, and the answers you need.

Can I use the Atome Card abroad?

Yes. You can use your Atome Card overseas anywhere you see the Mastercard logo⁵.

Bear in mind that there’s an Atome foreign transaction fee of 3.10%, which is added to all foreign currency purchases. This can include in person spending when you travel and also when you’re shopping with foreign retailers online.

What bank is the Atome Card under?

The Atome Card is backed by Asia United Bank, and issued in partnership with Mastercard.

Can I use Atome virtual card in a physical store?

Your Atome virtual card is intended for use when shopping online and in apps, rather than for in person spending or cash withdrawals. Use your virtual card at the checkout when you spend with ecommerce stores or make in app purchases, and keep your physical card handy when you go out to the mall.

Can I use the Atome Card in restaurants?

You can use your physical Atome Card in restaurants which accept Mastercard as a payment method. Mastercard is very widely accepted in the Philippines and globally - just look out for the logo at the payment terminal.

Can I use Atome without a physical card?

Yes. Once you’ve registered for Atome your physical card will be dispatched to you by mail - but to make sure you don’t have to wait, you can start to use your Atome virtual card online as soon as your account is verified. Verification processes can take up to 2 days.

Is the Atome card a credit card?

The Atome card is not a credit card. However, it works like one with it's buy now, pay later payment structure. Just like traditional credit cards which bill you monthly, you can pay first using the Atome card and decide on the repayment structure later on.

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*Do check respective bank websites for the latest information and promotions*

Wise Pilipinas is regulated by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas. For any questions or concerns, check out our Help Centre, or log into your account to talk to us by phone, email or chat.

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Sources:

1. Atome Card
2. Atome card user guide
3. Atome Help - ATM
4. Atome Help - fees
5. Atome Help - can I use an Atome Card abroad?