China Bank Freedom Mastercard: fees, interest and requirements
The China Bank Freedom Mastercard has no annual fee, charges 3% a month on unpaid balances and needs a minimum income of ₱250,000 a year.
Verdict: Worth it if you redeem the points it earns; with no annual fee it costs nothing to hold when you pay in full. Skip it if this would be your first credit card or if you earn under ₱250,000 a year.
From China Bank credit card fees and charges (table image, as of February 2023). Interest cap, in force since 2023: BSP Circular No. 1165, s.2023.
₱20,000 repaid in 3 equal monthly payments at 3% a month costs ₱1,212 in interest and there is no annual fee to add, 2nd lowest of 127 cards open to the public (tied with 12).
China Bank's closest card is the China Bank World Mastercard. Against it, this card costs nothing instead of ₱6,000 and has different perks.
BSP supervised: China Banking Corporation, universal and commercial bank, BSP institution ID 31, is on the BSP Verifier list dated Sep 28, 2026.
What the China Bank Freedom Mastercard gives you
- 1 rewards point for every ₱30 qualified spend China Bank card page
- 0% merchant instalment, balance transfer and transaction conversion same page
Who should get the China Bank Freedom Mastercard
| If | Then |
|---|---|
| You pay in full every month and want a rewards points card | No rewards points card from another bank costs less a year for the same or a lower income. |
| This would be your first credit card | Skip it for now: China Bank asks for a principal credit card from another bank, active for at least 12 months. Start with one of the first cards that need no card history. |
China Bank Freedom Mastercard downsides, and what a late payment costs
- Not a first card: you need a card from another bank already.
- Foreign currency purchases cost 2.5% extra.
If you pay late: China Bank charges up to ₱750, and 3% a month interest runs on what is unpaid. Safe action: pay at least the minimum due by the due date, or the full balance to pay no interest.
China Bank Freedom Mastercard annual fee, interest and charges
| Charge | China Bank Freedom Mastercard | When, and the rule |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | No annual fee Supplementary: free | Fee table: WaivedChina Bank fee table, February 2023 |
| Interest | 3% a month | At the BSP ceiling of 3% a month (Circ. 1165). same table |
| Late payment | ₱750 | same table |
| Foreign transactions | 2.5% | same table |
Figures from China Bank credit card fees and charges (table image, as of February 2023), China Bank card page. BSP ceilings: BSP Circular No. 1165, s.2023. How China Bank words its late-fee, foreign-fee and minimum-due rules, the same on all its cards: China Bank billing rules.
Requirements and how to apply
Card history: China Bank asks for a principal credit card from another bank, active for at least 12 months, so this cannot be your first card.
Income: at least ₱250,000 a year (about ₱20,833 a month). bank page
Apply with the button below. Channels, documents, status and hotline: China Bank contact and requirements.
Apply for the China Bank Freedom Mastercard on China Bank's site
Interest on your own balance
- Interest you pay at 3% a month:
- ₱1,212
- Monthly payment:
- ₱7,071
- Total you pay:
- ₱21,212
Against similar cards from other banks
| Card | Annual fee | Interest a month | ₱20,000 over 3 months, plus fees | Minimum income |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| China Bank Freedom Mastercard China Bank | No annual fee | 3% | ₱1,212 | ₱250,000 a year |
| PNB Essentials Mastercard PNB | ₱1,200 a year first year free | 3% | ₱2,412 | ₱120,000 a year |
| BDO Visa Classic BDO | ₱150 a month first year free | 3% | ₱3,012 | ₱180,000 a year |
| BDO Standard Mastercard BDO | ₱150 a month first year free | 3% | ₱3,012 | ₱180,000 a year |
Questions
What are the requirements for the China Bank Freedom Mastercard?
At least ₱250,000 a year in income (about ₱20,833 a month). China Bank asks for a principal credit card from another bank, active for at least 12 months. China Bank's age and document rules are the same for all its cards.