Top 10 Best Credit Card in Philippines for Local and International Travel 2018

Last updated May 4, 2019Life Tips, Personal Finance

It is really undeniable that a lot of Filipinos love to travel – that is why we compiled and created this list of best credit cards in the Philippines for Pinoy travelers in 2018.

Take advantage of credit card freebies like travel insurance, delayed flight coverage, VIP treatment, earn travel miles, points and promos, concierge lounge access and a lot more from this list of best Philippines credit cards for local and international travel!

Credit Card Perks for Travelers

1.  EastWest Priority Banking Visa Infinite Credit Card

The best thing about this card is its perpetual waiver of the Annual Membership Fees for both principal and supplementary members.

Points earned can be converted to Mabuhay Miles, Asia Miles, Singapore Airlines Krisflyer or convert it to Infinite Rewards Vouchers which you may use at partner merchants or convert these to cash rebates by calling their 24-Hour Customer Service Hotline.

How to Earn Free Miles:

Each ₱10 qualified spend corresponds to one (1) Infinite Rewards Point (₱4,000 Infinite Rewards Point can be converted to ₱1,000 PAL Mabuhay Miles).

Annual Fee:

Waived Perpetually.

  • The annual fee normally costs ₱3,000 to ₱5,000 but with EastWest bank, you’ll be free from annual fees for life.

Perks and Benefits:

  • Free Travel Accident and Inconvenience Insurance.
    • Travel accident insurance for you and your family up to ₱20 Million.
    • Medical expense reimbursement up to ₱30,000 per person, maximum of ₱50,000 per family.
    • Baggage delay up to ₱15,000 per person, maximum of ₱25,000 per family.
    • Loss of damage to baggage up to ₱35,000 per person, maximum of ₱75,000 per family.
    • Flight delay / flight cancellation / travel misconnection coverage up to ₱15,000 per person, maximum of ₱25,000 per family
    • Loss of travel documents with coverage of actual cost of documents.
    • Personal Liability (for International travel only) coverage up to ₱100,000.
  • VIP Airport Lounge Access while waiting for your flight.
    • Account holder is entitled to a complimentary Priority Pass membership which gives access to over 950 airport lounges in over 120 countries.
    • Enjoy up to two (2) complimentary access 1 per year to the MIASCOR lounges.
  • Fast track immigration.
    • Enjoy the convenience of fast track immigration at over 450 international airports. To avail of this service, visit the Airport Speed Pass website.
  • Upgrades and VIP privileges.
  • Concierge service available 24/7.
    • The Visa Infinite Concierge Service is available 24/7 to fulfill your lifestyle needs such as trip planning, worldwide hotel reservations, flight bookings, car rental, event ticket purchases, among others.
    • Visa’s hotline is at 1-800-1441-0014 (toll-free from anywhere in the Philippines).

EastWest Bank Sources and Support:

2.   Citi PremierMiles Card

By applying for this card or other Citibank Credit Card, you can have an eGift worth ₱5000 that can be used to Nike Park, TGIFridays, Tim Ho Wan, Vikings, Travelbook.ph or any Giftaway.ph merchant.

This promo is valid until September 30, 2018 but this has been extended a lot of times so check this link for updates and for their terms and conditions.

How to Earn Free Miles:

Earn 1 PremierMile for every ₱30 you spend both here and abroad (PremierMiles don’t expire).

Annual Fee:

₱5,000

Perks and Benefits:

  • Free Travel Accident and Inconvenience Insurance.
    • Free Common Carrier Travel Accident Insurance with coverage up to ₱1 Million. You may call the Chubb Customer Care Hotline at +632 849 6000.
    • Missed/delayed/cancelled flight up to ₱10,000 per person, max of ₱20,000 per family.
    • Delayed Luggage up to ₱10,000 per person, max of ₱20,000 per family.
    • Lost Luggage up to ₱30,000 per person, max of ₱60,000 per family.
    • Check this link on how to claim the Travel Inconvenience Protection.
  • Convert your PremierMile to loyalty points.
    • Transfer your miles to book flights and hotel stays for just 1 PremierMile = 1 airline mile loyalty point from over 60 airlines and 8,000 hotel choices.
  • 24/7 Visa Signature Concierge Service.
    • Call 1800 1441 0014 to make travel arrangements, reserve a restaurant table or even book performance tickets.
  • Free 30-Day Purchase Protection.
    • Purchases charged to your card are protected from accidental loss within 30 days from date of purchase.

Citibank Sources and Support:

3.  HSBC Premier Mastercard

HSBC Premier Card has an ongoing 2018 promo – waived or no annual fee for life or a chance to have a free round trip Cathay Pacific tickets from Manila/Clark to Hong Kong for its new clients.

Aside from the promo, HSBC Premier Mastercard has a lot of exclusive benefits.

How to Earn Free Miles:

  • Earn 1 air mile with as low as ₱25 spend
  • Get 4 Bonus Points for every ₱20 spent on online and overseas purchases

Annual Fee:

₱5,000

Perks and Benefits:

  • Free travel accident insurance up to ₱10 Million, ₱5 Million for spouse and ₱500,000 for children.
    • Includes 24/7 Travel and Medical Emergency Assistance Services.
    • Trip Cancellation up to ₱10,000.
    • Trip Curtailment up to ₱10,000.
    • Travel Delay or Missed Connecting Flight – ₱2,000 per hour, max of 96 hours equivalent to ₱16,000.
    • Loss or Damage of Baggage and Personal Effects up to ₱10,000.
    • Baggage delay ₱1,000 per hour up to ₱16,000.
  • Airport Experience – enjoy membership to more than 850 lounges in over 400 airports worldwide, as well as dining spa and retail offers from select exclusive airport merchants.
  • iPass access– avoid international roaming fees, iPass will keep you connected with access to millions of hotspots worldwide.
  • Enjoy 10% discount or 5% cashback or on hotels through Agoda or Airbnb.
  • Worldwide safety and security plus emergency advance that can be collected at over 245,000 outlets across 200 countries. Just call at + 1 314 275 6781.

HSBC Sources and Support:

4.  PNB-PAL Mabuhay Miles World MasterCard

The miles or points earned from using PNB-PAL Mabuhay Miles World MasterCard is exclusive to Philippine Airlines and are entitled for more travel awards and service class upgrades.

Credit card holders are prioritized for check-in at PAL Business Class Counters in NAIA Terminal 2.

How to Earn Free Miles:

Conversion of ₱33 only = 1 point = 1 mile

Annual Fee: 

₱3,000

Perks and Benefits:

  • Free welcome gift of:
    • ₱2,000 PAL Mabuhay Miles when you activate your card.
    • Additional free ₱10,000 PAL Mabuhay Miles when you make ₱100,000-worth of transactions at PAL.
  • Exclusive 5% discount on select Philippine Airlines (PAL) International Flights when you book via the Philippine Airlines website and selecting the Promo Code menu located below the Stopover/Multi – city option and enter the first six (6) digits of your PNB-PAL Mabuhay Miles MasterCard.
  • Free Travel Insurance of up to ₱10 Million.
  • Travel inconvenience benefits or coverage for flight delay and lost/damaged luggage.
  • Fraudulent transactions are covered with Fraud Transaction Insurance for only ₱10 per month or ₱120 per year.
  • 24/7 World Assist Concierge – world-class concierge service for domestic and international and medical/travel assistance. Call World Assist at (632) 687-8577 or send an email at [email protected]

PNB Sources and Support:

5.  UnionBank Miles+ Platinum Visa Card

Union Bank offers four credit card for travelers, namely

  • Cebu Pacific GetGo Platinum Credit Card
  • Cebu Pacific GetGo Credit Card
  • Cebu Parklane International Hotel Visa Card
    • allows business and leisure travelers to experience the Cebu’s vibrant and colorful rhythms amidst an exciting backdrop of businesses, shopping, dining and entertainment.
  • UnionBank Miles+ Platinum Visa Card

For this post, we’ll highlight UnionBank Miles+ Platinum Visa Card.

How to Earn Free Miles or Points:

  • Every ₱25 Spend = 1 Point
  • 1.5X Points for every ₱25 spend on airline tickets, hotel & lodging and overseas spend.

Annual Fee:

₱3,000

Perks and Benefits:

  • Points do not expire.
  • Enjoy complimentary pre-departure pampering at the following airport:
    • Skyview Lounge at NAIA Terminal 3
    • Club Manila Lounge at NAIA Terminal 1
    • MIASCOR Lounges at NAIA Terminal 1
    • Davao International Airport.
  • Travel insurance of up to ₱10 Million. The principal and supplementary member are covered for:
    • Accidental Death and/or Permanent & Total Disability Benefits
    • Medical Expense Reimbursement
    • Emergency Medical Evacuation
    • Repatriation of Mortal Remains
    • Flight Delay
    • Missed Connecting Flight
    • Trip Cancellation
    • Trip Interruption
    • Baggage Delay
    • Experience quick and easy shopping at Visa payWave accepting local and international merchants.
    • Have access to the Visa Platinum Concierge: For concierge services ranging from special bookings in a hotel or emergency assistance such as immediate card replacement anywhere in the world.
    • Visa Global Assistance Service (for emergencies)
      • Toll-free number from the Philippines: 1-800-1441-0015
      • International number: Collect call to +1 303 967 1090 through a call operator
    • Visa Platinum Concierge
      • Toll-free number from the Philippines: 1-800-1441-0014
      • International number: Collect call to (612) 92350260 through a call operator
      • Check Visa Platinum Concierge website here.
    • Year-End Account Summary. You can easily see your entire year’s credit activity for easier record keeping.

UnionBank Sources and Support:

6.  BPI SkyMiles Mastercard / BPI SkyMiles Platinum Mastercard: The Premium Travel Privilege Card

BPI in partnership with Delta Airlines offers mileage cards namely BPI SkyMiles Mastercard and BPI SkyMiles Platinum Mastercard.

Cardholders earns Skymiles which can be used in 26 Airlines:

  1. Aeroflot Russian Airlines
  2. Aerolineas Argentinas
  3. Aeromexico
  4. Air Europa
  5. Air France
  6. Alitalia
  7. China Airlines
  8. China Eastern
  9. China Southern
  10. Czech Airlines
  11. Delta Air Lines
  12. Garuda Indonesia
  13. Klm Royal Dutch Airlines
  14. Kenya Airways
  15. Korean Air
  16. Middle East Airlines
  17. Saudia Airlines
  18. Tarom
  19. Vietnam Airlines
  20. Xiamen Airlines
  21. Alaska Airlines
  22. Gol Airlines
  23. Great Lakes Airlines
  24. Hawaiian Airlines
  25. Virgin Australia
  26. Virgin Atlantic

How to Earn Free Miles or Points: 

  • Every ₱45 spent earns one (1) SkyMiles mile.
  • Earn double miles for every ₱45 spend on Delta Air Lines tickets for BPI SkyMiles Platinum Mastercard.

Annual Fee: 

  • ₱2,050 for BPI SkyMiles Mastercard
  • ₱5,000 for BPI SkyMiles Platinum Mastercard

Perks and Benefits:

  • SkyMiles miles are transferrable and do not expire.
  • Free Travel Insurance up to ₱10 Million or ₱20 Million.
  • Complimentary travel insurance coverage on medical expenses and other expenses due to trip interruption, inconveniences, and other losses.
    • Medical expenses up to ₱50,000 coverage.
    • Loss of Baggage up to ₱50,000 coverage.
    • Baggage Delay up to ₱20,000 coverage.
    • Cancelled/Delayed Flight up to ₱20,000 coverage.
    • Personal Liability up to ₱100,000 coverage
      • Legal liability of the Insured imposed upon by law for all accidents caused by the Insured’s negligence within the Territorial Limit (excluding United States & Canada).
    • Actual replacement cost of the lost passport.
  • Free access to Pacific Club at NAIA Terminal 3 for BPI SkyMiles Platinum Mastercard.
  • 1 supplementary cardholders with free annual membership fees for life.

BPI Sources and Support:

7.  RCBC Bankard Black Card Platinum Peso

RCBC credit card is also available in RCBC Bankard Black Platinum Mastercard DOLLAR.

Points earned can be converted to Airmiles, cash rebates, cash credit to RCBC Bankard, manager’s check, shopping vouchers or deposit it to your RCBC Savings Account.

There is no limit on how much you can earn and points never expire.

How to Earn Free Miles or Points: 

  • Earn one (1) rewards point each time you charge ₱36 to your card or ₱125 from supermarkets, drugstores, or gas stations.
  • For RCBC Bankard Black Platinum Mastercard DOLLAR, get one (1) Rewards point for every US$1.00 you charge.

Annual Fee:

₱3,600 

  • Annual membership fee is automatically reversed or waived upon card renewal if your total accumulated billings charged for the last 12 months is at least ₱500,000.

Perks and Benefits:

  • Free Travel Insurance up to ₱1 Million for both principal and supplementary members plus a maximum of 2 dependents.
    • Call 888-1-888 at least 3 working days before the scheduled flight to enroll in the free Travel Insurance.
    • Insurance also includes coverage on:
      • Emergency Medical Treatment for Accident or Sickness.
      • Car Rental Protection.
      • Sports Activities Extension.
      • Recovery of Travel Expenses for Emergency Trip Cancellation or Termination up to ₱10,000.
  • Free access to the Miascor and Skyview Lounges.
  • Free Purchase Protection up to ₱50,000 – coverage on accidental loss or damage of items you purchased abroad. Call 888-1-888 to avail and receive a Malayan Insurance electronic Confirmation of Cover (e-CoC) as proof of coverage.
  • Up to five (5) supplementary cardholders with free annual membership fees for life.
  • 0% Installment for your purchases abroad.

RCBC Sources and Support:

8.  Security Bank Platinum Rewards Mastercard / Security Bank World Rewards Mastercard

Points earned do not expire and can be used to redeem rewards items such as airline miles, items and electronic gift certificates.

How to earn free miles or points: 

Earn 1 Point for every ₱20 spent

Annual Fee: 

  • ₱4,000 for Security Bank Platinum Rewards Mastercard
  • ₱5,000 for Security Bank World Rewards Mastercard

Perks and Benefits:

  • Travel Insurance and Coverage on accidents and more when you book your airline ticket with your card.
  • Dual currency billing and no foreign transaction fees. Forget the hassle of exchanging currency. With Platinum, you can pay for international transactions in US Dollars.
  • Concierge Services & Waived Fees – Assistance with travel plans and events. Have it all without membership fees (with minimum annual spend).
  • Experience Global – Enjoy access to the latest offers by booking and reserving via [email protected] or by calling 1800 111 011 52.
  • Get priority access to leading nightspots, exclusive privileges at fine dining restaurants

Security Bank Sources and Support:

9.  Cathay Pacific American Express® Credit Card

Cathay Pacific American Express Credit Card is also offered through BDO website.

There are some differences like annual fee and some rewards privileges and for this post, all information are sourced directly from American Express website.

How to Earn Free Miles or Points: 

  • Earn 1 Asia Mile for every ₱42 spent locally and overseas.
  • Earn 2 Asia Miles for every ₱42 spent on Cathay Pacific flight bookings via the Cathay Pacific website

Annual Fee: 

₱2,400

Perks and Benefits:

  • Comprehensive Travel Accident and Inconvenience Protection Insurance
    • Travel Accident Protection of up to ₱10 Million.
    • Delayed Flight Departure – ₱10,000; max of ₱20,000 per family.
    • Missed Connection – ₱15,000; max of ₱30,000 per family.
    • Luggage Delay – ₱10,000; max of ₱20,000 per family.
    • Luggage Loss – ₱30,000; max of ₱60,000 per family.
  • As a Basic Card member, you’ll earn 1,500 Bonus Asia Miles with your very first purchase and upon membership anniversary when you spend at least ₱250,000 per annum.
  • 10% savings on the purchase of Asia Miles Gift Miles™
  • 10% savings on Mileage Renewal Fee
  • 10% savings on Mileage Transfer Fee
  • Basic Card members can enjoy a first year enrollment fee waiver for Green Tier membership of Marco Polo Club. If you are not yet a member, enroll by visiting the Cathay Pacific website
  • Purchase Protection – Your retail purchases are insured from theft, loss or damage within 30 days from purchase for up to ₱50,000 per occurrence or max of ₱250,000 per year

Cathay Pacific American Express Sources and Support:

  • Source:  Cathay Pacific American Express Website
  • Phone Support (same with BDO):
    • PLDT: 1-800-10-631-8000
    • Digitel: 1-800-3-631-8000
    • Bayantel: 1-800-5-631-8000
    • Globe: 1-800-8-631-8000
    • International Toll-Free: (IAC) +800-8-6318000

10.  BDO Diners Club International

As cliche as it may sound, this may be the last in our list but certainly not the least.

Security Bank used to provide privileges and act as the exclusive issuer of Diners Club International (DCI) credit cards in the Philippines.

They eventually sold the Diners Club Franchise to BDO.

The news was released through Security Bank website last June 14, 2016.

Here are the details and privileges of using BDO Diners Club International credit card:

How to earn free miles or points: 

Earn one (1) Mile for every ₱50 spend

Annual Fee:

₱3,000

Perks and Benefits:

  • Free Travel Insurance Coverage up to ₱5 Million on travel accident and inconvenience insurance
    • All principal and supplementary BDO Diners Club international credit cardholders including immediate family members.
  • Relax and recover from the fatigue of travel while waiting for your flight with admission to more than 700 Diners Club airport lounges across the globe.
  • Experience Diners Club Privileges in dining, travel and entertainment. Diners Club Privileges has more than 1,400 offers with partners in over 70 different. Visit www.dinersclubprivileges.com
  • Option to enroll on dual currency billing option. Call the BDO Customer Contact Center at (02) 631-8000 or click here to enroll online.

BDO Sources and Support:

  • Source:  BDO Website
  • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BDOUnibank
  • BDO Phone Support: 
    • PLDT: 1-800-10-631-8000
    • Digitel: 1-800-3-631-8000
    • Bayantel: 1-800-5-631-8000
    • Globe: 1-800-8-631-8000
    • International Toll-Free: (IAC) +800-8-6318000

 

There you have it!

This is the latest information we’ve come up as we search for the best credit card in terms of benefits for travelers. We will try our best to update this post with latest top credit card for Filipino travelers.

Lastly, this post lists the top 10 but it does not mean that it ranks the 10 credit cards mentioned. It was ordered in a random manner.

Did we miss anything in our list? Please let us know in the comment section and subscribe to our email list for more updates. Until next time!

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Emmanuel
Emmanuel
4 years ago

Hello,
I have a question, do I have the possibility to get a free travel insurance from AXA Singapore https://www.axa.com.sg/travel-insurance if I order this card ?

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Lulu
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Lulu
4 years ago
Reply to  Emmanuel

Hi Emmanuel, I am not sure. Are you in the Philippines?

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Don`t copy text!