No Need to Cash In: GCash to Allow Direct Payments Using Visa, Mastercard This August
Pay by QR even when your e-wallet balance is empty.
by Zoe Andin
Published on Aug 7, 2026
(SPOT.ph) There are few things more annoying than realizing your GCash balance is low just as you’re about to pay. So now you have to cash in, wait for the OTP, and pretend not to notice the line forming behind you. Following the Philippine launch of Apple Pay earlier this week, another cashless payment option is on the way—this time through GCash.
Later this month, GCash users will be able to link up to three eligible Visa or Mastercard cards to their accounts. The cards can then be used directly as the source of funds for store purchases, even when the user’s GCash wallet balance is low or empty.
The feature is expected to be available for all GCash users within August, though no exact launch date has been announced. GCash has also yet to say whether this new service will incur additional service fees.
This aims to eliminate the need to cash in to the app’s wallet or have a physical card on hand. At present, users with insufficient funds on GCash must first cash in via over-the-counter, local or international bank transfers, or online payment and remittance platforms before making a purchase.
Also read: How to Use GCash and Debit/Credit Cards to Pay for Your MRT-3 Ride
How to link and pay with your card on GCash
Based on GCash’s preview of the feature, the function is eligible for Scan to Pay transactions through QR. Once available, users will find a new option to link a debit or credit card by clicking on "Cash In" on the app dashboard. Select "Can’t cash in? Link your debit/credit card!" Users must then enter their card details and verify the card through a one-time password (OTP).
You can add, manage, and unlink up to three cards in the app.
Paying works much like it already does on GCash: tap “Pay QR” on the dashboard and scan the merchant’s QR code. Since your card is linked, a new "Card" option will appear alongside your GCash balance as a payment source—just select the card to complete the transaction. Eligible payments will be authenticated through biometrics or your phone PIN.
For now, the card-linking function has only been announced for Scan to Pay transactions. GCash has not said whether linked cards can eventually be used for bills, online shopping, money transfers, or other services inside the app.
Also read: GCash Is Now Accepted on the EDSA Carousel
Zoe thinks a lot but forgets just as much. Writing helps her deal with both problems. When she isn't writing, she spends time baking sweets, wandering around, or staring up at the moon.