Grap Philippines launches GrabPay Card powered by Mastercard

Grab Philippines launches GrabPay Card, a digital-first prepaid card powered by Mastercard that extends GrabPay’s reach globally with unparalleled card security, hassle-free online payments and expanded rewards ecosystem to bring the convenience of cashless payments to more Filipinos. The user complete control via the Grab app.

GrabPay Card

In a survey conducted by Mastercard in the Philippines in April 2020, 40% of Filipino consumers are now using contactless payments more often in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. The introduction of the GrabPay Card in the Philippines supports Grab’s direction to promote safer payments by doubling down on cashless services that help curb the spread of the virus.

“As cities slowly get back on their feet after months of lockdown brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, digital payments become the critical enabler to embrace this new reality. The launch of the digital GrabPay Card powered by Mastercard supports our mission of providing safer transactions and bringing more cashless opportunities to Filipinos not only for local transactions but also everywhere in the world,” said Jonny Bates, Head of GrabPay Philippines. 

The GrabPay Card is made possible with Grab’s partnership with Mastercard that aims to bring financial inclusion to the millions of underbanked and unbanked in Southeast Asia.

“Mastercard is pleased to further expand the partnership with Grab in Southeast Asia with the launch of GrabPay Mastercard in the Philippines. Now Filipino GrabPay users can enjoy a seamless digital payment experience through the GrabPay Mastercard. This partnership also gives GrabPay users access to an e-wallet that is now accepted worldwide, unlocking a whole new world of possibilities for them," said Rowell del Fierro, Country Manager, Philippines, Mastercard.

GrabPay Card Features:

Pay for everything online. The GrabPay digital card expands Grab’s online merchant ecosystem, allowing users to transact securely and easily online at nearly 53 million merchants worldwide that accept Mastercard cards.

Safe and secure cashless payments. As a digital-first card, the GrabPay card details are stored securely within the Grab app. It has an in-app card lock function enabled by Face ID and fingerprint biometric security, and PIN-protection that allow users to instantly suspend payments in case of lost cards or suspicious transactions.

Earn GrabRewards. Users can earn GrabRewards points for transactions made in millions of merchant-partners that accept Mastercard.

Unique benefits for Users. Users get Mobile Protection Insurance allowing them to pay for mobile postpaid phone bills using the GrabPay Card and receive protection against accidental damage or theft. The card is also equipped with E-commerce protection that allows users to receive coverage for online transactions in the event that a wrong and/or defective item is delivered, and incomplete or non-delivery of the item.

Regulated by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), GrabPay is a mobile wallet that can be used to transact within and outside the Grab app safely and securely. With a 24/7 fraud detection engine, users are assured that their personal information and payment transactions remain encrypted and protected. To use the GrabPay Card, simply upgrade the GrabPay wallet by following the in-app verification process.

Activating the GrabPay Card is simple and easy:

1. Tap ‘Payment’ icon at the bottom of your Grab homescreen
2. Ensure you have activated and upgraded your GrabPay Wallet 
3. Tap ‘Get your GrabPay Card now’ to access your card details
4. Enter your PIN to secure your card 
5. Start using your digital GrabPay Card details for your online transactions

Enjoy the everyday cashless convenience of the GrabPay Card by upgrading your GrabPay Wallet today! For more information, visit https://grb.to/grabpaycardph.

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Grab implements GrabProtect for GrabCar

Grab Philippines is doubling down on its safety and hygiene standards to minimize risks of the spread of COVID-19 for its mobility service - GrabCar by introducing GrabProtect - a robust set of initiatives and features that includes an online health and hygiene checklist, a mask selfie verification tool, safety and hygiene certification, hygiene kits, mandatory deep disinfection of vehicles.

“Safety has always been at the core of what we do at Grab and while we understand that the public health situation remains to be fluid and ever-changing, we will continue to introduce innovations and policies that would protect and support the lives and livelihoods of every Filipino. We have made significant strides on safety and we will not shy away from making more meaningful contributions to put our passengers, and driver-partners at ease as we move towards the New Reality,” says Grab Philippines President Brian Cu.

To support the regulations set by the government, individuals who belong to any these classifications are highly encouraged to stay at home and not to use any public transportation:

1. Individuals below the age of 21,  and those 60 years old and above (unless they will need to purchase essential items, or classified as workers belonging to operating industries) ;
2. Individuals who are infected with COVID-19
3. Individuals who are immune-deficient;
4. Individuals who are mandated to remain in-residence; and
5. Individuals who are pregnant

Implementing GrabProtect to further raise Grab’s existing standards on platform safety and hygiene

1. Checking that you’re well enough to head out

Grab driver- and delivery-partners have been submitting daily health declarations confirming they are well before starting their day with Grab. By the end of June, the Grab app will prompt passengers, drivers, and delivery-partners to complete the online health and hygiene checklist, confirming they do not exhibit any COVID-19 symptoms and have adopted the necessary safety and hygiene measures before they make a booking or start driving.

Drivers and passengers are strongly encouraged to submit feedback through Grab’s in-app Help Centre should either party appear unwell. Individuals who have received more than one report about exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms will be advised to see a doctor and will have their Grab accounts temporarily put on hold until they receive medical clearance.

2. Protecting each other by masking up

Grab driver- and delivery-partners are required to wear a mask whenever they are on the Grab platform. The same policy will apply to passengers in countries where masking-up is compulsory in public spaces. Both drivers and passengers can cancel the booking without penalty before the ride commences, by selecting “driver/passenger did not wear a mask” as their cancellation reason, should either party show up without a mask on. Grab will investigate accounts that have received such feedback multiple times.

Grab’s new “mask selfie verification feature” will help verify that drivers and delivery-partners are wearing a mask before they start receiving bookings and orders.

3. Keeping your surroundings clean for the next person

Grab drivers and delivery-partners are encouraged to carry hand sanitizer and disinfectant sprays with them at all times so that they can keep surfaces and hands clean after every booking. Grab has distributed over 4,000 bottles of hand sanitizers and disinfectant to its partners over the last few months.

4. Safety and Hygiene Certification for all driver-partners

Grab has instituted and mandated a rigorous safety and hygiene certification for all driver-partners who wish to ply the roads. In this training session, driver-partners are briefed on the mandatory temperature check, the existing government policies and public health safety standards, how to maintain sanitation and cleanliness in their vehicles, as well as implementing the contactless ride protocol.

After completing the Safety and Hygiene Certification, drivers will be provided with hygiene kits which are partially subsidized by Grab. Each hygiene kit will include a cloth face mask, surface disinfectant, and the non-permeable acetate barrier that they would need to install in their own vehicles.

5. Mandatory Deep Disinfection

On top of drivers disinfecting their vehicles after every trip, Grab will also require deep-disinfection of all the vehicles every other day. This will be done in partnership with select sanitation hubs who have deep-disinfection capability. Once cleaned, driver-partners are required to allow for the chemicals to dissipate prior to boarding any passenger. This layer of sanitation will ensure that all vehicles are safe and hygienic for public use.

6. Looking out for each other, by keeping everyone in check

Maintaining the safety and well-being of everyone in the platform is the utmost importance for Grab, which is why we encourage everyone to look out for each other and keep everyone in check. Grab will institute a feedback mechanism that would allow for both drivers and passengers to report to our Help Center, any incidents or violations which are counter to the safety and hygiene protocols.

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Grabtaxis now back! Now contactless and cashless!

Taxis have been meter-based and cash-based ever since but with today’s situation, the industry needs to innovate. To support the government efforts for a new safe normal environment, Grab Philippines goes cashless transactions during rides.

Grab Philippines President Brian Cu shares his thoughts “As we move towards the new reality, we would need to make significant adjustments in many aspects of our lives so that we can protect both the lives and livelihoods of our kababayans. Over a short period of time, we were able to help our taxi drivers - who are previously cash-based and meter-based, embrace digitalization, and adapt to cashless. We believe that by adopting cashless payment for public transportation, we will reduce the risk of spreading the infection through cash,  but likewise improve our contact tracing capability,’

Within days, Grab was able to conduct training programs for thousands of taxi drivers and operators, highlighting the ease of using GrabPay for accepting cashless payments, as well as several safety and hygiene best practices that taxi drivers can adapt. Cashless Payment can also be via credit card or debit card.

Through cashless payments, the spread of infection brought about by the exchange of cash is mitigated securing the rider as well as the driver. Grab's platform, make contact tracing easier with regards to public transportation.

In booking a ride, you need to wear a mask at all times. Trips are limited for up to 2 passengers only to observe social distancing. Limited to selected areas and key cities.

Around 400 taxi drivers from Baguio and Naga Cities will resume plying the roads, implementing cashless transactions during rides starting May 22. While awaiting the resumption of public transportation in other cities, Grab Philippines has trained and prepared almost 7,000 taxi drivers to likewise conduct cashless rides.

For those interested to be part of the GrabTaxi program and undergo the cashless training, they may visit register.grab.com/ph

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