PNB Essentials Mastercard: fees, interest and requirements
The PNB Essentials Mastercard has an annual fee of ₱1,200 a year, waived in the first year, charges 3% a month on unpaid balances and needs a minimum income of ₱120,000 a year.
Verdict: Worth it if you fly often enough that its miles or lounge access are worth more than ₱1,200 a year to you. The first year is free. Skip it if you earn under ₱120,000 a year.
From PNB Applicable Credit Card Fees and Charges (June 2026 v2). 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; add the ₱1,200 annual fee and a year comes to ₱2,412, 18th lowest of 127 cards open to the public (tied with 4).
PNB's closest card is the PNB Cashback Titanium Mastercard. Against it, this card costs ₱1,200 a year instead of ₱2,500, earns rewards on different terms and has different perks.
BSP supervised: Philippine National Bank, universal and commercial bank, BSP institution ID 34, is on the BSP Verifier list dated Sep 28, 2026.
What the PNB Essentials Mastercard gives you
- PHP 70 = 1 rewards point = 1 Mabuhay Mile (redeemable in blocks of 2,000 points); 4 rewards points = P1 Cash Credit (redeemable in blocks of 500 points) PNB card page
- Earn rewards points for Cash Credits and Mabuhay Miles same page
- Free Travel Insurance: Up to P1M covered when you charge your entire roundtrip land, air, or sea tickets to your PNB Essentials Mastercard. Travel-related concerns such as flight delay and lost baggage are covered. same page
- Free Purchase Protection Insurance: Up to P250k covered annually. Your purchased items are covered against accidental damage and theft within 90 days from date of purchase. same page
- Experience 0% installment up to 24 months when you shop from select PNB-affiliated partner merchants. same page
PNB Essentials Mastercard downsides, and what a late payment costs
- The ₱1,200 fee is charged every year after the waiver ends.
- Foreign currency purchases cost 2.5% extra.
If you pay late: PNB charges up to ₱1,000, 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.
PNB Essentials Mastercard annual fee, interest and charges
| Charge | PNB Essentials Mastercard | When, and the rule |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | ₱1,200 a year Supplementary: free | Free for the first year. Supplementary cards have no annual fee for life. Fee table: PHP 1,200 for Essentials Mastercard, Alturas Visa.PNB fee table, June 2026 |
| Interest | 3% a month | At the BSP ceiling of 3% a month (Circ. 1165). same table |
| Cash advance | ₱200 a withdrawal | The BSP maximum (Circ. 1165). same table |
| Late payment | ₱1,000 | same table |
| Foreign transactions | 2.5% | same table |
Figures from PNB Applicable Credit Card Fees and Charges (June 2026 v2), PNB Credit Card Application Form (PNBCardsOmnibusAF_JUN2026). BSP ceilings: BSP Circular No. 1165, s.2023. How PNB words its late-fee, foreign-fee and minimum-due rules, the same on all its cards: PNB billing rules.
Requirements and how to apply
Income: at least ₱120,000 a year (about ₱10,000 a month). bank page
Apply with the button below. Channels, documents, status and hotline: PNB contact and requirements.
Interest on your own balance
- Interest you pay at 3% a month:
- ₱1,212
- Monthly payment:
- ₱7,071
- Total you pay:
- ₱21,212