Did You Know You Can Send Money Using Your Credit Card Limit? Here’s What You’re Missing Out On
Here’s a question: what if I told you that your credit card can do more than just let you swipe at the grocery or pay for your Shopee haul? What if it could send actual money — directly to a bank account or e-wallet — straight from your credit limit?
No, this is not a cash advance. This is something different, something smarter, and honestly something that not enough Filipinos know about yet. I’m talking about credit card money transfer features — and once you learn about this, you’ll never look at your credit card the same way again.
It’s a service offered by select Philippine banks that lets you use your available credit card limit to send money directly to a bank account or e-wallet. Think of it like borrowing from your credit line — but instead of swiping at a store, the money goes straight to someone’s bank account. It gets billed to your credit card statement, just like any purchase.
Why This Feature Exists (And Why It’s Actually Useful)
There are times in life when you need to pay for something, but the other party doesn’t accept credit cards. Maybe you need to pay rent to your landlord. Maybe you owe your supplier, or you need to settle a freelance service. Maybe you’re helping a family member with an emergency.
In situations like these, your credit card would normally be useless — or your only option would be a traditional cash advance, which usually comes with a high fee and immediate interest. But with money transfer features, you get a cleaner, more flexible way to use your credit line. Some of them even come with 0% processing fees or installment options. Pretty sweet, right?
The Banks Offering This in the Philippines
Let’s break them down one by one.
RCBC UnliPay
This is probably the most talked-about version of this feature right now, and for good reason. RCBC’s UnliPay lets you send money to any Philippine bank account or e-wallet that participates in InstaPay or PESONet — all using your available RCBC credit card limit.
There’s no need to pre-enroll your payees, and there’s no limit on the number of transactions per day (just a ₱100,000 daily cap and ₱300,000 rolling 30-day cap per cardholder). Transfers of ₱50,000 and below to any bank are done in real-time. Transfers above that amount, or those done after 2PM or on weekends, are credited the next banking day.
What makes it even better? You can convert your UnliPay transaction into an installment plan (Unli Installment) for 3 months or more — and your processing fee gets waived.
How to access it: RCBC Pulz app
Who can use it: RCBC principal cardholders in good standing with a PHP-denominated credit card
UnionBank PayDirect
UnionBank rolled out PayDirect as their answer to this growing trend — and it’s essentially their version of the Citi PayAll concept. With PayDirect, you can transfer funds from your UnionBank credit card limit to any bank account or e-wallet using the UnionBank app.
When it launched, PayDirect was noted to have a 0% processing fee on transfers — which made it especially attractive. Transfers are sent via PESONet, meaning they’re processed on banking days.
How to access it: Open the UnionBank app → Send Money → Manage PayDirect
Who can use it: UnionBank credit cardholders
BDO Cash Installment
BDO takes a slightly different angle with their Cash Installment program. Rather than a direct bank-to-bank transfer, they let you convert your available credit limit into actual cash deposited into your BDO account, which you can then use however you like — including transferring it out.
You can borrow up to 100% of your available credit limit and pay it back in installments over up to 36 months, with interest rates starting at a low 0.55% monthly add-on rate. A processing fee of ₱350 applies per transaction.
How to access it: BDO Pay app, BDO Online App (More → Installment Offers), or BDO branch
Who can use it: BDO credit and installment cardholders
Metrobank Cash2Go
Metrobank’s Cash2Go is their version of the credit-limit-to-cash service. It converts your available credit limit into cash, which is deposited directly into your designated bank account within days. You can pay it back in 3 to 60 monthly installments, with an add-on interest rate of up to 1% per month.
This is especially helpful if you need a longer repayment period — 60 months gives you a lot of breathing room if you’re managing a larger financial need. The processing fee is ₱350.
How to access it: Metrobank app or hotline at (02) 88-700-919
Who can use it: Active Metrobank cardholders in good credit standing
Quick Comparison Table
| Bank / Feature | Transfer Method | Processing Fee | Installment Option | Max Daily Limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RCBC UnliPay | InstaPay / PESONet to any bank or e-wallet | Has a fee (waived if converted to installment) | Yes (3 months+) | ₱100,000/day |
| UnionBank PayDirect | PESONet to any bank or e-wallet | 0% (at launch) | No direct option | Subject to credit limit |
| BDO Cash Installment | Cash credited to BDO account | ₱350 per transaction | Yes (up to 36 months) | Up to 100% of credit limit |
| Metrobank Cash2Go | Cash deposited to bank account | ₱350 per transaction | Yes (up to 60 months) | Based on available credit |
* Terms and fees are subject to change. Always verify current rates with your bank before availing.
So… Is This the Same as a Cash Advance?
Great question — and I totally understand the confusion. Here’s the key difference:
A traditional cash advance is when you withdraw physical cash from an ATM using your credit card. This usually comes with a high fee (think 3–5% of the amount or a flat minimum), and interest starts accruing immediately with no grace period.
A money transfer feature like UnliPay or PayDirect, on the other hand, is treated more like a regular credit card transaction. The amount is billed to your statement, you have a grace period (if you pay in full), and in some cases, you can spread it over installments at much lower interest. It’s a fundamentally different product designed to be more credit card-friendly.
Who Is This Feature Best For?
Honestly, this can be useful for so many people. But it’s especially helpful if you are:
- A renter whose landlord only accepts bank transfers
- A small business owner who needs to pay suppliers but has your cash tied up
- A freelancer or online seller who needs to bridge a financial gap between paydays
- Someone dealing with a family emergency and needs to move money fast
- Anyone who wants to maximize their credit limit beyond just swiping at stores
How to Get Started
If you already have a credit card from one of these banks, you’re one step away from using this feature:
- RCBC UnliPay: Download or log into the RCBC Pulz app. Look for the UnliPay option.
- UnionBank PayDirect: Open the UnionBank app → Send Money → Manage PayDirect → Try PayDirect Now.
- BDO Cash Installment: Open the BDO Pay app or BDO Online App → More → Installment Offers → Cash Installment.
- Metrobank Cash2Go: Call the Metrobank hotline at (02) 88-700-919 or apply through the Metrobank app.
Final Thoughts
One of the things I love most about writing about personal finance is discovering features that have been sitting right in front of us — underused, underappreciated, and full of potential. Credit card money transfer features are exactly that kind of hidden gem.
Whether you’re a total credit card beginner or someone who’s had a card for years, knowing that your credit limit can literally move money to any bank account in the Philippines opens up a whole new level of financial flexibility. The key, as always, is using it wisely.
Have you tried any of these features? Which bank do you use? Let me know in the comments — I’d love to hear your experience! 💛
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