Can I use my credit card in the Philippines?

For many people, the Philippines is a dream destination, with thousands of islands to explore. From Palawan and its pristine beaches to Luzon and the bustling capital city of Manila, you may be wondering about your payment options while you’re there. 

Luckily, credit cards are accepted in many of the Philippines’ tourist areas. Keep reading to learn more about using your credit card in the Philippines.

What you’ll learn:

• Credit cards are accepted in most tourist areas of the Philippines. 
• Some credit card issuers charge foreign transaction fees when you use them abroad. Capital One doesn’t. View important rates and disclosures.
• Other perks of using a credit card in the Philippines include security features like card lock to help keep your money safe while traveling.
• You might need to use cash in the more remote areas of the country. 

Credit cards are accepted in most tourist destinations in the Philippines. Cards that are part of the Visa® or Mastercard® payment network are the most widely accepted. 

Some card issuers add a foreign transaction fee for every purchase made abroad. It’s typically 1%-3% of the total purchase amount. And some debit, credit or ATM networks charge a currency conversion fee when converting Philippine pesos to American dollars. Capital One doesn’t charge foreign transaction or currency conversion fees. View important rates and disclosures.

There’s another type of fee you can watch out for: dynamic currency conversion (DCC). This service shows you the American price of your goods instead of the Philippine one directly at the payment terminal. It’s convenient but not necessary, and it can come with a high currency conversion rate and a fee. Thankfully, you can typically opt out of DCC.  

Here are some advantages to using your credit card when traveling in the Philippines:

• Convenience: By using a credit card instead of cash, you can bypass the process of exchanging currency. Plus, it can be easier than managing unfamiliar pesos. 
• Security: Some credit card issuers, including Capital One, offer features like card lock and $0 liability for unauthorized purchases. And if your card is lost or stolen, you can typically report it through an app like the Capital One Mobile app. 
• Rewards: If you have a rewards card that offers cash back or travel miles, you may continue to earn rewards with your Philippines card purchases.
• Travel protections: Depending on the card, you may also be able to access travel insurance for added peace of mind while traveling. Learn more about how travel insurance works through Capital One cards. 

Using a credit card while you’re in the Philippines can be a convenient and easy way to make purchases. But it could also be helpful to have some pesos available in case you’re somewhere that doesn’t accept credit cards.

A credit card can come in handy when you’re in the Philippines, especially in the major tourist areas. And having a travel rewards credit card can help you earn rewards that you can use to cover airfare, car rentals, hotel stays and more. 

When you’re planning your trip, you might consider using Capital One Travel to help you find the lowest prices on flights, hotels and rental cars while earning rewards toward your next trip. Plus, you can compare Capital One’s travel and miles credit cards for rewards card options.