Maya offers rebates for Middle East remittances to ease costs for Filipino families

Maya has introduced a limited-time rebate program aimed at Filipino families receiving remittances from the Middle East, as financial pressures persist across key overseas corridors.

Running from March 23 to April 10, the initiative provides transaction rebates to help users reduce everyday costs when accessing and managing funds sent from abroad.

Focus on reducing transaction costs for households

The program targets common expenses tied to remittance usage, particularly cash withdrawals and bank transfers.

Eligible users can receive:

  • ₱18 rebate per ATM withdrawal
  • ₱15 rebate per InstaPay transfer

In addition, users may earn 1% to 3% cashback on mobile load purchases, depending on their engagement level within the app.

These incentives aim to stretch the value of remittances, especially for households that rely on frequent transactions to manage daily expenses.

Coverage includes key Middle East remittance corridors

The offer applies to remittances sent from major Middle East countries, including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman, Israel, Lebanon, and Jordan.

The region remains a critical source of overseas Filipino income. Data from the Department of Foreign Affairs estimates around 2.4 million Filipinos working in the Middle East, contributing over $6.4 billion in remittances in 2025, according to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas.

Maya XP drives engagement with rewards-based system

Access to the rebates is tied to Maya XP, a feature that rewards users for active engagement within the app.

After receiving a qualifying remittance, users are invited to activate Maya XP, which unlocks benefits such as:

  • Transaction rebates
  • Cashback rewards
  • Tiered incentives based on usage

The feature reflects a broader fintech trend of using gamified systems and rewards programs to encourage consistent use of digital financial services.

Financial inclusion

Maya’s initiative highlights the growing role of fintech platforms in supporting remittance-dependent households, particularly in managing transaction costs that can accumulate over time.

By reducing fees on withdrawals, transfers, and mobile services, the program aims to improve how families access and use funds—an important factor in advancing financial inclusion in the Philippines.

As remittances continue to play a major role in the economy, digital platforms like Maya are increasingly focused on optimizing not just access, but everyday usability of funds.

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