Best Credit Card for Starters in the Philippines - A guide to getting your first credit card

💳 Get your free digital card

If you’re a young professional you may be looking out for the best credit card in the Philippines for starters, to begin to build stronger credit history and to access purchase financing solutions.

There’s no one single pick for the best credit card for beginners in the Philippines, because different banks have their own eligibility rules, fees and features. This guide walks through what to look out for and highlights some top options you may want to consider. We’ll also share more about the Wise card so you can maximise your spending abroad.

What to look out for in a credit card for starters?

If you’re looking for the best credit card for beginners in the Philippines you’re going to need to do a bit of research. There are different products available which all have their own pros and cons. While you’re comparing the options, consider the following:

Eligibility and requirements

Most credit cards have eligibility requirements which focus on age and income level. These may be published on the bank’s website, or you may need to apply with a proof of income to learn more about the best credit card for your specific situation. Banks may need to run a credit check to ensure you meet their rules when you apply.

Research these options based on your income and age, and call banks directly if you’re not sure which is the best starter credit card for your individual needs.

Charges and hidden fees

If you want a starter credit card, keeping the overall costs down is likely to be important. You may want to avoid ongoing and annual fees, for example, if you’re not sure how often you’ll use your card. Or, if you’re planning on using your card when you travel you may want to find a card with a low foreign transaction fee to avoid extra costs when you spend in foreign currencies.

Compare all the fee schedules for cards you’re interested in - as fees can vary a lot. To give an example, of the cards we’ve selected below, foreign transaction fees can vary from 1.85% to over 3.5%.

Additional benefits and rewards

Most credit cards will also offer some other perks to entice customers. The features and benefits available depend on the card you pick - but choosing one which has rewards you’ll really value can make a lot of sense. If you travel a lot, having a card which offers rewards you can redeem for air miles could help you upgrade your next flight, for example, while other cards offer complimentary travel insurance which can also be super handy.

As an alternative, some starter credit cards focus on offering rewards you can redeem as cash back on your bills, which might suit you if keeping costs down is your number one priority.

Best credit card for beginners

Let's dive into the details of our selections as the best credit card in the Philippines for starters. We’ve looked at the following criteria to assess whether - and why - these cards may suit beginners:

• Annual fee
• Eligibility
• Foreign transaction fee
• Cash advance fee
• Perks and benefits

Compare a few card options based on your own specific eligibility to see which may suit your needs the best.

PNB Ze-Lo Mastercard Credit Card¹

The PNB Ze-Lo Mastercard may be a good starter credit card if your income is above 120,000 PHP and you’re looking for a no annual fee card option. Because there’s no annual fee, you can use your card as often - or as infrequently - as you choose, without needing to worry about ongoing charges. However, PNB Ze-Lo Mastercard fees do apply when you transact, including finance charges, foreign transaction fees, and a cash advance fee if you use your card in an ATM

BPI Amore Cashback Credit Card³

To apply for the BPI Amore Cashback Card you’ll need to provide proof of income and you might need to undergo a credit check. Once you have your card, there’s an annual fee to pay, but you can earn pretty impressive BPI Amore Cashback Card cashback, of up to 4% depending on the type of spending. This can make this a good card choice for customers who want a starter credit card which lets you earn while you spend - you could get up to 4% back every time you shop for groceries.

RCBC Classic Mastercard Credit Card⁵

The RCBC Classic Mastercard is marketed for young professionals enjoying financial independence - making it a good starter credit card choice. You can apply from 18 years old, and although there’s an annual fee there are many good perks including rewards you can exchange for cash, vouchers or airmiles, travel insurance and lounge access. The RCBC Classic Mastercard fees you’ll need to pay include a fairly high foreign transaction fee of 3.5%, which may mean that this isn’t your best option when spending in foreign currencies.

UnionBank Rewards Visa Platinum Credit Card⁷

The eligibility criteria for the UnionBank Rewards Credit Card may vary, so you’ll need to talk to the bank to see if this is a suitable credit card for starters for your specific needs. The card has an annual fee and also a relatively high foreign transaction fee, but may be an attractive option if you want to earn reward points which you can use to either get merchandise and gadgets, or to use as credit against future UnionBank Rewards Credit Card invoices.

BPI Blue Mastercard Rewards Credit Card⁹

The BPI Rewards Card could be a good starter credit card as it offers no annual fee in the first year. This gives you a good chance to decide if the card is right for you before you commit to ongoing charges. The foreign transaction fee is also on the lower side with the BPI Rewards Card, although at 1.85% it does still push up the costs of overseas spending. Earn points while you spend, and get freebies and discounts through the BPI app.

UnionBank Rewards Gold Visa Credit Card¹⁰

You can earn rewards as you spend with the UnionBank Gold Visa which may make this an attractive option as a starter card if you’re looking for rewards and lifestyle benefits. Foreign transaction fees apply and there’s an annual fee to pay, but you can get complimentary Black membership of Go Rewards and exclusive offers, plus a welcome gift when you sign up.

Save when making card payments abroad with the Wise card

Take a look at the Wise card which has no ongoing fees - and as a debit card, no interest or penalties to worry about. There's also no minimum income required to sign up for one.

The Wise card lets you spend in 40+ currencies at the mid-market rate including USD, SGD, GBP, and JPY 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 PHP to get started.

A physical Wise card can be ordered for a low fee of 369.60 PHP. Having a physical Wise card allows you to make chip and pin payments, as well as 2 free ATM withdrawals to the value of 12,000 PHP each month, before low fees start.

While abroad, you can choose to spend directly in PHP 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 0.57%.

Save while you spend, and make overseas spending seamless.

💳 Get your Wise card today

Wise Pilipinas is regulated by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas. For any questions or concerns, check out our Help Centre, or log into your account to talk to us by phone, email or chat.

Sources:

1. PNB Ze-Lo Mastercard
2. PNB Ze-Lo Mastercard fees
3. BPI Amore Cashback Card
4. BPI Card fees
5. RCBC Classic Mastercard
6. RCBC Classic Mastercard fees
7. UnionBank Rewards Credit Card
8. UnionBank Rewards Credit Card fees
9. BPI Rewards Card
10. UnionBank Gold Visa