Can I use my Unionbank debit and credit card abroad: guide for Filipinos

Travelling soon and wondering “can I use my Unionbank debit and credit card abroad?” If you need to make foreign currency payments and withdrawals using your UnionBank cards, we’ve got you covered.

Continue reading to find out if you can use your UnionBank app, Union Bank debit card¹ and Unionbank credit card² abroad. We'll also introduce the Wise card, a handy travel companion to make seamless card payments when you're overseas.

Can I use my Unionbank debit card abroad?

Yes. You can use your UnionBank debit card abroad. Just like any other debit card, make sure it has been activated for use and that you have sufficient funds in your Union bank account.

Do note that using a Unionbank debit card overseas will typically incur foreign currency conversion fees and charges.

Here are some popular UnionBank debit cards:

Unionbank debit card overseas activation

When you receive a new UnionBank debit card, you will first need to activate it and set your PIN. You can do so via UnionBank Online App³.

How to activate your UnionBank debit card:

1. Click "Manage Cards"
2. Click "Activate Card"
3. Enter your card details
4. Enter OTP code
5. Click "Set PIN"
6. Input your desired PIN code
7. Re-enter your desired PIN code

In the UnionBank Online App, you can also set transaction controls for your Union bank Visa debit card. This allows you to lock/unlock the card, and enable/disable online, international and local transactions. Before you fly, do check that these are enabled.

Fees and charges when using the Unionbank debit card abroad

When using your UnionBank debit card abroad, there will be fees and charges⁴ for the service of converting the foreign currency into pesos. This is applicable when making purchases, or when withdrawing from overseas ATMs.

The service fee for foreign currency transactions on your Union bank debit card for all charges made in currencies other than Philippine pesos is 3.5% of the transaction amount.

When you use your UnionBank debit card to withdraw money from an International VISA Plus ATM, you will need to pay PHP 175 for the service. If you withdraw cash from over the counter, the fee is PHP 100. Make sure your Union bank account has enough funds, because a declined withdrawal due to insufficient funds will also cost you: PHP 75.

The exception is the UnionBank US Dollar Debit Card, as there are no currency conversion fees with USD purchases since it is linked to a USD account.

Can I use my Unionbank credit card abroad?

Yes, you can use your Union bank credit card overseas. Do note that using a Unionbank debit card overseas will typically incur foreign currency conversion fees and charges.

Here are some popular UnionBank debit cards for your travel needs:

Unionbank credit card overseas activation

You will first need to activate and set the PIN for your new UnionBank credit card via the UnionBank Online App, similar to what we’ve outlined above for the UnionBank debit card.

After that, also using the UnionBank Online App, check if your UnionBank credit card has been enabled for international transactions. Set transaction controls such as locking/unlocking the card, and enabling/disabling online, international and local transactions (Visa only).

Fees and charges when using the Unionbank credit card abroad

When using your UnionBank credit card overseas, you will incur service fees and charges⁵ for foreign currency transactions, international ATM withdrawals and so on. Do keep these in mind to avoid bill shock.

Before September 14, 2025

All charges made in foreign currencies will be automatically converted to PHP at the prevailing exchange rate determined by Mastercard/Visa. Other than USD, the foreign currency amount will first be converted to USD before being converted to its PHP equivalent. This will incur a 1% fee charged by Mastercard/Visa, and a service fee of up to 2.525% charged by UnionBank on the converted amount.

From September 15, 2025

The foreign transaction service fee will also apply to transactions by foreign merchants or by a foreign bank – whether in the Philippines, overseas or online.

For UnionBank Reserve World Elite Mastercard / Visa Infinite credit cardholders, there will be no service fee charged by UnionBank. They will only incur the 1% fee charged by Mastercard/ Visa.

Those using their UnionBank credit card to withdraw cash from an ATM overseas will also have to pay PHP 200 per UnionBank Cash Advance transaction. As the cash received is on credit, they will additionally pay up 3.04% of the Cash Advance Monthly Effective Interest Rate, inclusive of the UnionBank Cash Advance Service Charge.

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

Frequently asked questions

Before getting a Union bank debit or credit card, always read the fine print and be sure of all the fees and charges. If you still have some questions about using your UnionBank debit card and credit card abroad, here are some questions that frequently get asked.

Do I need to inform Unionbank when travelling abroad?

No. While it can be good practice for first-timers to inform UnionBank before travelling abroad, either via a phone call or by heading to the bank branch, a quick and easy way is to set transaction controls via the UnionBank Online App. One of the options is to enable or disable international transactions.

Can I use the Unionbank app abroad?

Yes. You can use the UnionBank Online App while abroad, as long as you have an internet connection overseas.