What to Do If Your UnionBank Credit Card Isn’t Working Online

Frustrated that your UnionBank credit card suddenly stopped working online?
Don’t panic — you’re not alone. Many new credit cardholders in the Philippines experience this issue, especially after their first few online transactions.

Whether you’re shopping on Shopee, booking a flight, or paying your Netflix subscription, it’s annoying when your payment doesn’t go through. But the good news is: there are several simple reasons (and quick fixes) for why your UnionBank credit card might not be working online.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through all the possible causes, step-by-step solutions, and what to do if the issue persists — written in plain Filipino-English for easy understanding.

🧭 Why Your UnionBank Credit Card Might Not Work Online

Before calling customer service, it’s smart to first understand why your card might be declined online. Most of the time, the issue isn’t serious — it’s just a setting or security feature that can be easily fixed.

1. Online Transactions Are Turned Off

UnionBank credit cards have a built-in security feature that lets you disable online transactions for safety. If you recently turned this off (or it was turned off automatically), your card won’t work online until you re-enable it.

How to check:

Open your UnionBank Mobile App
Go to Credit Card → Card Settings → Security Controls
Toggle Online Transactions to “ON”

2. Your Card Is Not Activated

If your card is newly delivered, you must activate it first before using it online or in stores.

How to activate:

Log in to your UnionBank app
Tap your new credit card
Choose Activate Card and follow the instructions

📝 Tip: After activation, it may take up to 30 minutes before your card becomes usable online.

3. Incorrect Card Details

It’s easy to mistype your card number, expiry date, or CVV (the 3-digit number at the back). Even a single wrong digit will cause your payment to fail.

4. Insufficient Credit Limit

If you’ve reached your credit limit or made a large purchase recently, the transaction may be declined.
You can check your remaining balance in the UnionBank app under Credit Card → Available Credit.

5. Online Merchant Not Supported

Some international merchants or apps may not accept Philippine-issued cards. For example, smaller foreign websites or unverified stores may reject your card automatically.

✅ Pro tip: Try using your card on known platforms first (like Lazada, Shopee, or Grab) to confirm it’s working.

6. Suspicious Activity Detected

UnionBank automatically blocks transactions if they detect suspicious or unusual spending (for example, a foreign transaction or multiple failed attempts). This is part of their anti-fraud protection.

You can fix this by confirming your identity with UnionBank through a quick verification process.

🛠️ How to Fix a UnionBank Credit Card That’s Not Working Online

Here’s a simple checklist to help you troubleshoot the issue step-by-step.

Step 1: Check Card Activation

Make sure your credit card has been activated. If not, log in to the UnionBank mobile app and activate it immediately.

Step 2: Turn On Online Transactions

Sometimes, online transactions are disabled by default.
Enable them by:

Logging into the UnionBank App
Selecting Credit Card
Tapping Security Controls
Switching Online Transactions to “ON”

Step 3: Verify Credit Limit and Billing Status

If your payment was declined due to insufficient funds or unpaid balance, pay your minimum amount due first. You can check this under the “Billing” tab in the app.

Step 4: Double-Check Your Info

Make sure the card number, expiration date, and CVV you entered match exactly what’s on your card.

Step 5: Enable International Usage (If Needed)

If you’re shopping on an international site, make sure international transactions are also enabled in your app settings.

Step 6: Try Another Payment Gateway

If the card still fails, try using another platform (like PayPal, GPay, or Apple Pay) — this sometimes resolves technical payment issues.

💬 Common Situations and What to Do

Here are a few real-life examples that new credit card users might encounter:

🛍️ “My card works in stores but not online.”

This usually means online transactions are turned off in your app. Just go to Security Controls and enable them.

🌏 “It’s not working for international purchases.”

Check if foreign currency transactions are allowed in your card settings.
If you’re still having issues, contact UnionBank’s hotline — they can verify if the merchant is supported.

💸 “It says ‘Insufficient Funds’ but I just paid my bill!”

UnionBank sometimes takes 24–48 hours to update payments, especially if made through over-the-counter or third-party channels. Try again the next day or verify your available credit in the app.

🔐 “UnionBank blocked my card.”

If the bank suspects unusual activity, they may temporarily freeze your card. You’ll usually receive an SMS or email notification. Just follow the instructions or call UnionBank Customer Service to verify your identity.

⚙️ Using the Credit Card Cost Calculator

If your card isn’t working and you’re planning to buy something big online soon, it’s a good idea to check how much interest you might pay once your card starts working again.

Try the Credit Card Cost Calculator to estimate your monthly payments, total cost, and possible interest.
This is especially helpful if you’re comparing installment options or want to avoid overspending once your card is back in action.

💡 Tips to Prevent Future Online Issues

Keeping your UnionBank credit card active and secure doesn’t have to be complicated. Here are a few simple habits:

✅ Always enable online transactions only when needed
Turn it off after shopping for extra protection.
✅ Update your billing info regularly
If you moved or changed phone numbers, update your contact details in the app to avoid verification problems.
✅ Avoid using public Wi-Fi for transactions
Always connect via a secure network to prevent hacking.
✅ Monitor your statements monthly
Watch out for any unusual charges — report suspicious transactions immediately.
✅ Use the Credit Card Cost Calculator before major purchases
It helps you plan better and stay debt-free.

⚡ TL;DR (Too Long; Didn’t Read)

If your UnionBank credit card isn’t working online:

Make sure it’s activated
Turn on online transactions in the app
Check your available credit and billing status
Confirm your card details are correct
Enable international usage (if needed)
If all else fails, call UnionBank hotline for assistance

💡 Bonus Tip: Use the Credit Card Cost Calculator before making big purchases to estimate interest and avoid surprises on your next bill.

❓ FAQs — UnionBank Credit Card Not Working Online

1. Why is my UnionBank credit card being declined online?

Most likely, online transactions are turned off, or your card isn’t activated yet. It could also be due to insufficient credit limit or security blocks.

2. How do I activate my UnionBank credit card?

3. Can I use my UnionBank credit card for international websites?

Yes, but you must enable international usage in your app’s security settings.

4. How do I know if my online transaction was successful?

You’ll receive an SMS or email confirmation from UnionBank or the merchant once payment is approved.

5. Who can I contact if my card still doesn’t work?

You can call UnionBank Customer Service using the hotline on the back of your card to verify and fix any issues.

🏁 Final Thoughts

A UnionBank credit card opens doors to convenient shopping, travel bookings, and online payments — but like any tool, it works best when properly managed.
If your card isn’t working online, don’t stress. Just follow the steps above and you’ll likely have it resolved within minutes.

And before you make your next purchase, remember to use the Credit Card Cost Calculator to manage your spending smartly and enjoy the real benefits of responsible credit card ownership.

What to Do If Your UnionBank Credit Card Isn’t Working Online