How to Travel Smart and Stretch Your Peso this Holiday Season

Filipinos are practical travelers, often planning trips months in advance to get the best deals and make the most of holidays and long weekends. Known for being “budgetarians,” many map out their itineraries and expenses early on, ensuring they can enjoy the season without breaking the bank.

But one sneaky travel expense often gets overlooked: ATM and currency conversion fees. These extra charges may seem small, but they can quietly eat into your travel fund, especially when you’re hopping from one destination to another.

Wise, the global technology company building the smartest way to spend and manage money internationally, recently revealed the most expensive places to withdraw cash overseas – and some of Filipinos’ favourite travel hotspots are the worst offenders. Vietnam topped the list with an average fee of 27.10%, followed by South Korea at 5.80%, Thailand at 2.50%. and the US at 2.05%.¹ 

  ^{*Data source: BusinessMirror, August 26, 2025.}

These charges can quickly add up during a trip. And because every peso counts, especially during the busiest travel season of the year, it pays to plan smartly and keep more money in your pocket for pasalubong!

As the upcoming school holidays and Christmas break approaches, here are some practical tips to help travellers make the most of their money:

Set a realistic budget and commit to it 

Use the 50-30-20 rule to plan ahead: 50% of your income for needs, 30% for wants, and 20% for savings. Watch your favorite travel vloggers and check cost-of-living sites to estimate daily expenses, especially during peak holiday season.

Save with automatic transfers

Planning a trip next year? Set up automatic transfers to a separate savings account. This will help you stay consistent and avoid the temptation to use your travel fund for other expenses. For example, if you consistently deposit P3,000 each month starting today, you can save P36,000 in a year—enough for 5 days in Thailand. You can also use Wise’s Jars feature to set aside and organize your savings even in different currencies, so your travel budget stays on track.

Pick practical accommodations 

Choose hostels or apartments with hotel-like amenities at lower prices. Look for places with kitchens so you can cook meals and save money. Book early for better rates and options, especially during peak season.

Watch out for international transaction fees

Traditional cards often charge up to 3% in foreign transaction fees, plus poor exchange rates. Some merchants also use Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC), charging you in pesos instead of the local currency at inflated rates. Always choose to pay in the local currency to avoid unknown conversion rates and extra fees.

Find a card provider that helps you avoid unfair exchange rates 

Most banks add hidden margins to the mid-market exchange rate without telling you, meaning you don’t know how much extra you’re paying. That’s why finding a provider that uses the real exchange rate matters.

The Wise card offers spending in 40+ currencies, and uses Smart Conversion technology that automatically picks the currency with the lowest conversion fee for each transaction. This means you get true mid-market rates and can spend like a local – keeping more money for Pasalubong! 

Plus, if something unexpected happens during your trip, friends or family can easily send funds to your Wise account for fast access to emergency money.

Ready to spend wisely on your trip? Consider using the Wise app or visiting their website to start planning your next adventure.