MANILA, Philippines (Aug 2026) – International tourists visiting the country can soon enjoy cashless convenience through the new Mastercard Pay Local service on the GCash app.
The joint initiative allows foreign travelers to easily transact with Pinoy merchants without the usual hassles of traditional travel banking.
Pay like a local without the hassle
Set to roll out in the third quarter of 2026, the collaboration allows eligible travelers to connect their Mastercard credit or debit cards directly to the local mobile wallet. Once linked, visitors can use their smartphones to pay participating businesses across the Philippines.
This setup eliminates the need to open a local bank account or preload funds into the digital wallet beforehand, offering a straightforward payment experience during their stay.
