Can I use my Maya card abroad: guide for Filipinos

You’re looking forward to your next trip abroad, but there’s just one thing left to do: sort out your payment options overseas. For those of us with the Maya card¹, you might be wondering, “can I use my Maya card abroad?”.

This guide covers everything you need to know about using the Maya card abroad, and if you can use the Maya virtual card abroad too. We will also be sharing more about the Maya card withdrawal fees abroad, and any other charges you may incur. We'll also introduce the Wise card, a handy travel companion to make seamless card payments when you're overseas.

Can I use my Maya card abroad?

Yes. The physical Maya card can be used at any establishment where Visa or Mastercard is accepted for contactless payments, both locally and abroad. Meanwhile, the virtual Maya card can be used to shop and transact online, at global e-commerce sites that accept Visa or Mastercard.

As the Maya card is linked to the Maya e-wallet, you will need to ensure you have enough balance in your Maya account to make a successful purchase. Beyond the basic Maya card, Maya Digital Bank also offers two credit cards², the Landers Cashback Everywhere credit card and the new Maya Black credit card, which is currently only for those who have got early access. These Maya Bank credit cards can be used overseas as well.

Can I use my Maya virtual card abroad?

No, you cannot use your Maya virtual card abroad.

Once activated for use, your Maya virtual card can be used only for online purchases³. However, you can still make online purchases while abroad. Otherwise, for shopping while overseas, you will need a physical Maya card or a Maya Bank credit card. If you are paying via the Maya app, there is the option to use QR Ph payments. Which means it is limited to local in-store transactions only.

Exchange rate when using the Maya card overseas

When using your Maya card overseas, the exchange rate is based on the prevailing rate of Mastercard and Visa at the time your transaction is posted. There will also be foreign exchange conversion fee applied on top of this converted amount. We will elaborate on this below.

This also applies to those using the Maya Bank credit card overseas.

How to activate the Maya card for overseas use?

Once you have ordered your physical Maya card or Maya Bank credit card through the Maya app, you will need to link or activate the card before using it. Once that is done, your Maya card can be used overseas.

Link and activate your Maya card (purchased via the Maya app):

1. On your Maya app, tap the Cards tab
2. Locate your physical card under the Wallet Cards section, tap Activate now
3. Enter your physical card details on the next screen
4. Set a six-digit PIN to use when you withdraw money from an ATM or pay using your physical card
5. The Maya app will notify you that your physical card has successfully been activated.

This process is similar for Maya Bank credit cards.

For Maya cards purchased outside the Maya app, after tapping the Cards tab, select Don’t see your Maya Card? on the bottom of the Wallet Cards section. The rest of the steps are the same as above.

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How to use the Maya card abroad?

It’s easy to use your Maya card abroad. Just shop and pay as you would in the Philippines. Just remember to ensure you have enough balance or cash in your Maya account if you are using the basic Maya card as this is linked to your Maya e-wallet.

How to pay using your Maya card abroad:

1. Tap, swipe, or dip your physical Maya card at the point-of-sale terminal
2. When asked if your Maya card is for savings or current upon payment, say savings
3. You can check your transaction history in the Maya app

When transacting abroad, you will also see additional charges associated with foreign exchange and other service fees.

Fees and charges when spending with the Maya card overseas

When spending on your Maya card overseas, a 2.75% Foreign Exchange Conversion Fee⁴ is added on the converted amount. The converted amount is based on the prevailing rate of Mastercard and Visa respectively at the time the transaction was posted.

For the Maya Bank credit card, the Foreign Exchange Conversion Fee⁵ differs depending on the credit card you have. This is 2.5% for the Landers Credit Card, and 2% for the Maya Black credit card. This fee is applied to the converted amount based on the prevailing rate of Visa and Maya Bank at the time the transaction was posted. The rate may be adjusted from time to time.

What are the Maya card withdrawal fees abroad?

If you need to withdraw cash from an ATM overseas with your Maya card, the Maya card withdrawal fee abroad is PHP 200 fixed. Depending on the bank ATM, there may be additional fees as well.

You may also incur a fee when making an ATM balance inquiry, checking how much is in your account via the ATM. For this, fees will depend on the bank ATM.

For the Maya Bank credit card, you will need to pay a Cash Advance Fee of PHP 200 per transaction, regardless of the cash advance amount. This is on top of any foreign exchange conversion fees. The monthly interest for your cash advance is at a rate of 3% per month, starting from when the cash advance was made.

Stretch every peso when you spend abroad at the mid-market rate with the Wise card

With the Wise card, makaka gastos ka ng 40+ currencies sa mid-market rate, kasama ang USD, SGD, GBP at JPY. Kaya, siguradong makakakuha ka ng sulit na deal sa mahigit 150+ countries. Para makapagsimula, gumawa ka lang ng libreng Wise account, mag-order ng card, at mag-top-up ng PHP.

Maaari kang mag-order ng physical card ng Wise sa halagang 369.90 PHP. Kung mayroon kang physical na card, makakagawa ka ng chip and PIN payments, at may 2 libreng ATM withdrawals na aabot sa 12,000 PHP bawat buwan.

Kapag nasa abroad ka, puwede mong piliing gumastos ng direct as PHP at hayaan mag auto-convert, o i-convert sa gusto mong currency gamit ang iyong Wise account. Kahit ano piliin mo, makukuha mo ang rate na nakikita mo sa Google, na may kasamang low, transparent fees mula 0.57%.

Know how much you're spending upfront with no hidden fees and markups with Wise

💳 Kumuha ng Wise card

1. Maya Card
2. Maya Digital Bank: Credit Cards Philippines
3. Maya Help Center
4. Maya PH - Terms and Conditions
5. Maya Credit Card - Fees and Charges
6. Pricing/fees: Please see Terms of Use for your region or visit Wise Fees & Pricing for the most up to date pricing and fee information