UOB credit card overseas activation guide for overseas use and spending abroad

Planning to use your UOB credit card on your next overseas trip? If you’re looking for information on UOB¹ credit card overseas activation, we’ve got you covered so you can shop and spend while abroad.

Read on for a step-by-step guide on how to activate your card as well as any UOB Malaysia credit card overseas transaction fee, and if there are any waivers available. We'll also introduce the Wise card, a handy travel companion to make seamless card payments when you're overseas.

Can I use a UOB credit card overseas?

Yes, definitely. You can use your UOB credit card overseas once it is activated for overseas transactions.

Here are some popular travel UOB credit cards² available:

• UOB Visa Infinite Card
• UOB PRVI Miles Elite Card
• UOB PRVI Miles Card
• UOB World Card
• UOB Zenith Card
• UOB Lady's Solitaire Card

Do note that some of these UOB credit cards require a higher minimum annual income, and some of them come with lounge benefits and other privileges as well.

And of course, when using your UOB credit card overseas, you are subject to charges and fees such as bank exchange rates, foreign transaction fees (MYR debit cards or non-foreign currency cards), and ATM withdrawal fees.

There’s also dynamic currency conversion (DCC)³, which allows you to pay in MYR no matter where you are. There are additional fees for this service, set by the foreign bank. So always pay in the local currency of the country you are in to avoid markups.

UOB Malaysia credit card overseas transaction fees

UOB credit card overseas transaction fees⁴ are payable when you use your card in another country or spend in a currency other than MYR.

Firstly, you’ll be subject to an overseas transaction fee. Transactions in a currency other than MYR will be converted through Visa/Mastercard at the determined conversion rate at the time the transaction is posted. An administration cost of 1% (or such other rate as determined by UOB) for the conversion of the transactions made in a foreign currency will be chargeable as well.

If you opt for foreign currency to be converted to MYR with Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC), you will be subject to additional fees as well. This exchange rate is determined by the overseas merchant and may be higher than the exchange rates determined by Visa/ Mastercard. In addition, a fee of 1% on the converted MYR amount will be charged.

Are there any UOB Malaysia credit card overseas transaction fee waivers?

The UOB Malaysia credit cards do not offer overseas transaction fee waivers. However, it is possible to waive other charges such as annual fees. What can be done, though, is to convert your annual fee into UNIRM, the rewards points for UOB Malaysia’s credit cards.

For the UOB PRVI Miles Elite Card⁵, renewal and payment of the full annual fee would entitle the user to a bonus of 60,000 UNIRM, credited to their UOB PRVI Miles Elite Card Account. UNIRM can be redeemed for rewards or converted to air miles.

UOB overseas ATM withdrawal fee

In a pinch, you can use your UOB credit card to withdraw cash from an ATM overseas. Withdrawals are subject to the same fees as transactions, depending on the currency selected for the transaction.

On top of the overseas transaction fee and DCC fee, you’ll also incur a cash advance fee of 5% or MYR 20, (whichever is higher) for each Cash Advance Withdrawal + 18% p.a. daily interest. This excludes any other charges as levied by the ATM provider.

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How to activate UOB credit card for overseas use

Before you set off on your holiday, check that your UOB credit card has been activated for overseas use and that you have set your six-digit PIN, which will be required if you need to draw money from an ATM overseas.

You can do this online via personal internet banking on the UOB website or the UOB TMRW App⁶. You can also contact UOB Malaysia⁷ directly for further assistance.

UOB Malaysia credit card overseas activation online

To check the status of your UOB credit card overseas activation, you can do so via the personal internet banking portal on the UOB website or via the UOB Malaysia TMRW App.

UOB Website:

1. Log in to UOB Personal Internet Banking via the UOB website
2. Go to “Account Services” > “Manage Cards” > Select your card to see the options available
3. You can also click “PIN Reset” to set your new 6-digit PIN

UOB TMRW App:

1. Download UOB TMRW app from Google Play Store, Apple App Store or Huawei AppGallery
2. Sign in to your UOB TMRW app
3. Select your card on "Accounts" to see the options available
4. If not yet done so, tap on "Activate now" under "Services" and set your new 6-digit PIN

How to use UOB credit card overseas

Once you have verified that your UOB credit card is activated for overseas use and that your six-digit PIN is all in order, you are all set to spend and shop overseas.

Depending on your UOB credit card, you might also be able to enjoy other travel perks, such as complimentary airport lounge access.

Get the Wise card and enjoy zero foreign transaction fees and the mid-market exchange rate when spending abroad

The Wise card lets you spend in 40+ currencies at the mid-market rate including CNY, JPY, GBP, and SGD so you know you'll be getting a great deal in over 150+ countries. Simply create a free Wise account, order a card and top-up MYR to get started.

Virtual cards are free and can be added to your Google or Apple Pay wallet, while a physical Wise card can be ordered for a low fee of 13.7 MYR. Having a physical Wise card allows you to make chip and pin payments, as well as two free ATM withdrawals to the value of 1,000 MYR each month, before low fees start.

While abroad, you can choose to spend with directly in MYR and let auto-conversion do the trick, or convert to your desired currency with your Wise account. Either way, you’ll get the exchange rate you see on Google, with low, transparent fees from 0.77%.

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1. UOB Malaysia
2. UOB Credit Cards
3. What is dynamic currency conversion (DCC)? - Wise
4. UOB Credit Card Charges & Fees
5. UOB PRVI Miles Elite Card
6. UOB Malaysia TMRW App
7. UOB Malaysia FAQs and Contact Information
8. Pricing/fees: Please see Terms of Use for your region or visit Wise Fees & Pricing for the most up to date pricing and fee information