Visa, Google Pay team up to expand contactless payments in PH

Global payments giant Visa has rolled out a new contactless payment option in the Philippines through the integration of Visa debit and credit cards with Google Pay, allowing Filipinos to tap their smartphones for everyday transactions.

The move enables customers to add their Visa cards to Google Wallet and pay by simply tapping their phones at NFC-enabled terminals, eliminating the need to bring physical cards.

The feature supports in-store purchases, online checkouts, and in-app payments, all backed by Visa’s security infrastructure.

The service is now available through seven participating issuers — Chinabank, EastWest Bank, GoTyme Bank, Maya Bank, RCBC, UnionBank, and Wise — in line with guidelines set by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP).

Visa said security is reinforced through its tokenization technology, which replaces sensitive card numbers with unique digital tokens that are never shared with merchants. Each transaction is authenticated using a dynamic cryptogram, reducing fraud risk.

To date, Visa has issued more than 10 billion tokens globally, with over 1.5 million e-commerce merchants using Visa tokens daily.

The company said its Visa Token Service generated a $2-billion uplift for Asia-Pacific merchants in 2023 while helping drive fraud rates down by over 58%.

The rollout also aims to improve the payment experience for tourists and Filipino travelers. Visa research shows 97% of travelers prefer using cards abroad, while only 17% plan to carry foreign currency. However, 44% of tourists visiting the Philippines reported problems with merchant acceptance.

The launch comes as digital payments continue to rise nationwide. BSP data shows digital retail payments accounted for 57.4% of total transactions in the Philippines — surpassing the 2024 target — with the government aiming to hit 70% by 2028.

“By extending this secure, convenient way to pay across various sectors, we facilitate ease for consumers while supporting local merchants and the country’s move towards a cash-lite economy,” said Jeffrey Navarro, Visa country manager for the Philippines.