What is the best credit card to have when visiting the Philippines?

I travel to the Philippines at least once a year, and typically always bring cash or travelers checks with me. This time around though, I was considering applying for a credit card that can be used in most provinces/cities (Bacolod City, mainly) in the Philippines, as well as earn mileage. Any thoughts, recommendations or suggestions? Thank you!|||Hello,


First stop bringing travels checks. The banks in the Philippines do not like them, but will cash them.


Get yourself a BPI account or a PNB account, or something that is also in your home town in the US. You can transfer money to your account in America to your account in the Philippines. That way you do not have to carry tons cash with a sign that says "Rob Me Please".


Most credit cards add a surcharge when used overseas. Make sure you check. Plus some give a rotten exchange rate and then charge you.


I bring a credit card but only use it for hotel rooms, or airlines tickets. I never use it any time else.|||I was on Biliran Island in Leyte for 10 months. They do not even know what a Master Card is there so I would say Visa. None of the banks or businesses there would accept a Master Card for a sale or cash advance or in an ATM machine. The casino's ATM machine in Cebu would accept my Master Card, but most other ATM's would not. Most banks would not either but I did find one that would.





Bill


http://www.asianintros.com|||For the Philippines, especially, I would not bring cash or travelers checks, for the reasons mentioned already (good decision on your part!). I will add, though, that if accumulating air miles was not so important to you, and/or if you don't get a credit card you want, you can survive quite well on a standard VISA or MasterCard debit card from your local bank.





Here's the reasoning: For those times when you do need cash, credit cards charge exhorbitant fees and/or interest on the cash advances. A debit card will get the cash for you at only the normal exchange rate you'd get at any bank in the Philippines, and you could take as little as, say 2,500 PHP per ATM visit. And, as for purchasing anything otherwise, a debit card works as well as a credit card.





But, if you can get a credit card, I'd consider taking both - credit and debit - and 'have your bases covered'. Then each could be used appropriately, as needed. (I've survived quite well on only debit card use for 3 Asian trips, and just accumulated air miles from the trip there and back.) Why not just buy your ticket online with the credit card for those extra air miles?|||I use the credit card from Northwest Airlines Visa (US Bank). I get air miles for every purchase and air miles whenever flying with Northwest (you must first sign up for Northwest World Perks Mileage to get the miles when flying). So far, in the past 4 years my wife and I have racked up enough miles to get 3 round trip (US 48 state) tickets each. We were just in the Philippines this past Dec/Jan and had no trouble using the card the places we went.|||Visa and Mastercard are both widely accepted but a pain in the butt to actually use for purchases. typically places will ask for several IDs and will call to get an approval. things work slower here than you may be used to and this is not very convenient. the place you are purchasing from will typically charge a 8 to 10 percent service charge for using the card. i think this may be illegal but they still do it anyway. your bank may also charge you extra for using your card in a foreign country and may give you a lower exchange rate.





the philippines also has a lot of credit card fraud so you may wish to call your credit card company BEFORE YOU LEAVE TO COME HERE about your travel plans. your card may be restricted unless you do this.





i have found that using my american credit union's ATM card to get cash to be the best way to pay for things here. ATM machines are widely available. not quite as many here as in the states but they arent too hard to find unless you are in a very remote area. my credit union charges me the exact exchange rate and no extra fees. again, you may wish to check with your bank before leaving. most ATMs take Visa, Mastercard, Plus and Cirrus.|||Mastercard. I use it all the time.|||Visa!|||You should have Mastercard or Visa card. Bring only small cash. US dollars can be exchanged in big malls at rates higher than some banks.|||none, they don't accept foreign issue credit cards.|||Visa|||Visa/MasterCard/American Express/JCB





any of the four. but, better if you bring visa/mc because most banks here issue credit cards from those chains.





you can only find limited stores that accept amex and more so jcb.





remember that it's best to charge international purchases using mc. their conversion rates are good. no surcharges.|||any visa credit card will work|||Mastercard. The Philippines must be one of the only places in the world where a Visa card is all but useless.|||VISA or Mastercard would be the card to choose from. AMEX or American Express is not a good choice, sad to say. I hear that most stores dont want to carry AMEX since they pay quite late and the store has a long wait time between payment cycles.





If you want to earn miles, you can choose from any card with a tie up with an AIRLINE company.|||visa|||Visa and / or Mastercard . I suggest bring two cards in case one gets lost . Be sure to ask for a PIN when applying|||HSBC I'm not sure yet!|||All credit cards bearing the logos of Mastercard and Visa are the most accepted cards. Do not worry about the rates, for whatever is the existing dollar-peso rate on the date of purchase, that is the conversion rate of your purchase.


If you use American Express, JCB, Diners Club then only major establishments would honor your card.


Enjoy shopping in the Philippines