Best Credit Cards for Travel in the Philippines (2026): Miles, Lounge Access and Foreign Fees

The shortlist

Choose the PNB-PAL Mabuhay Miles NOW Mastercard (PNB) if you travel a few times a year and want the lowest fee without a premium income rule.
₱1,000 a year. PNB fee table, June 2026Not for: earners under ₱120,000 a year; anyone whose perks will not cover ₱1,000 a year.
Choose the EastWest Platinum Mastercard (EastWest) if you want airport lounge access.
Cheapest card with complimentary lounge access: no annual fee. EastWest credit card fees and chargesNot for: earners under ₱1,800,000 a year; carrying a balance (3% a month).
Choose the HSBC Premier Travel Card (HSBC) if you spend a lot abroad.
Lowest foreign transaction fee: 0.99%. HSBC Premier Travel Card pageNot for: carrying a balance (3% a month).
Choose the Maya Black Credit Card (Maya) if you collect airline miles.
1 Maya Mile per ₱40 spent, up to 10x at Maya Black Preferred merchants. Maya pageNot for: earners under ₱180,000 a year; a card you leave unused.

Ranked by yearly fee among cards anyone can apply for; a higher fee earns its place only through lounge visits or miles you will use.

Cheapest here to carry a balance: the EastWest Platinum Mastercard. ₱20,000 repaid in 3 equal monthly payments at 3% a month is ₱1,212 of interest with no yearly fee on top, 2nd of 127 cards open to the public.

All 50 compared: fee, income, earn rate and interest

Best travel credit cards in the Philippines: annual fee and waiver, income needed, earn rate, interest and who each card is not for
#	Card	Annual fee and waiver, with the fee table's date	Income needed	Earn rate	Interest a month	Lounge	Foreign fee	Not for	Source
1	EastWest Platinum Mastercard EastWest	No annual fee For life, no conditions	₱1,800,000 a year	Priority Pass membership; the US$27 lounge fee is credited back for every ₱100,000 accumulated spend	3% at the cap, BSP Circ. 1165	Included	2.5%	earners under ₱1,800,000 a year; carrying a balance (3% a month)	EastWest credit card fees and charges income and earn rate: card page
2	EastWest Priority Visa Infinite EastWest	No annual fee For life, no conditions	-	Complimentary Priority Pass with six free lounge visits a year for eligible EastWest Priority cardholders	3% at the cap, BSP Circ. 1165	Included	1.7%	carrying a balance (3% a month)	EastWest credit card fees and charges income and earn rate: card page
3	Maya Black Credit Card Maya	No annual fee No annual fee as long as you use the card at least once a month; a ₱50 inactivity fee applies from the 7th month in any month without a transaction	₱180,000 a year	1 Maya Mile per ₱40 spent, up to 10x at Maya Black Preferred merchants.	3% at the cap, BSP Circ. 1165	Included	2%	earners under ₱180,000 a year; a card you leave unused	Maya Black Credit Card page income: Maya credit card eligibility
4	PNB-PAL Mabuhay Miles NOW Mastercard PNB	₱1,000 a year effective June 2026 Free for the first 3 years. Supplementary cards have no annual fee for life	₱120,000 a year	PHP 58 = 1 rewards point = 1 Mabuhay Mile. Mabuhay Miles number required.	3% at the cap, BSP Circ. 1165	-	2.5%	earners under ₱120,000 a year; anyone whose perks will not cover ₱1,000 a year	PNB fee table, June 2026 income: PNB Credit Card Application Form (PNBCardsOmnibusAF_JUN2026)
5	PNB Essentials Mastercard PNB	₱1,200 a year effective June 2026 Free for the first year. Supplementary cards have no annual fee for life	₱120,000 a year	Earn rewards points for Cash Credits and Mabuhay Miles	3% at the cap, BSP Circ. 1165	-	2.5%	earners under ₱120,000 a year; anyone whose perks will not cover ₱1,200 a year	PNB fee table, June 2026 income: PNB Credit Card Application Form (PNBCardsOmnibusAF_JUN2026)
6	BPI Rewards Card BPI	₱1,550 a year effective July 2026 Waived in the first year. First supplementary card free for life	-	You can redeem your accumulated, non-expiring points for shopping credits, shopping eGCs, dining eGCs or miles, and more.	3% at the cap, BSP Circ. 1165	-	1.85%	anyone whose perks will not cover ₱1,550 a year; carrying a balance (3% a month)	BPI fee table, July 2026 income and earn rate: card page
7	BDO JCB Lucky Cat BDO	₱150 a month effective September 2026	₱180,000 a year	JCB Plaza Lounge Services: Enjoy FREE access to JCB Plaza Lounges.	3% at the cap, BSP Circ. 1165	Included	2.5%	earners under ₱180,000 a year; anyone whose perks will not cover ₱1,800 a year	BDO fee table, September 2026 income and earn rate: card page
8	BDO JCB Gold BDO	₱200 a month effective September 2026 First supplementary cardholder is free for life. Prinicipal cardholder and the succeeding supplementary cardholders can enjoy free membership fee for the first year	₱396,000 a year	JCB Airport Lounge: Enjoy six (6) free access to airport lounges in Japan and Hawaii.	3% at the cap, BSP Circ. 1165	Included	2.5%	earners under ₱396,000 a year; anyone whose perks will not cover ₱2,400 a year	BDO fee table, September 2026 income and earn rate: card page
9	EastWest JCB Gold EastWest	₱2,500 a year Free on the first year	₱480,000 a year	Up to six free visits a year to JCB Airport Lounges in Japan and Hawaii	3% at the cap, BSP Circ. 1165	Included	2%	earners under ₱480,000 a year; anyone whose perks will not cover ₱2,500 a year	EastWest credit card fees and charges income and earn rate: card page
10	UnionBank Gold Visa UnionBank	₱2,500 a year effective July 2025	₱360,000 a year	Free Airport Lounge Access	3% at the cap, BSP Circ. 1165	Included	3%	earners under ₱360,000 a year; anyone whose perks will not cover ₱2,500 a year	UnionBank fee table, July 2025 income: UnionBank credit card requirements
11	BDO Diners Club International BDO	₱250 a month effective September 2026 Enjoy waived membership fee for the first year	₱396,000 a year	Earn one (1) Travel Mile for every ₱50 spend.	3% at the cap, BSP Circ. 1165	Included	2.5%	earners under ₱396,000 a year; anyone whose perks will not cover ₱3,000 a year	BDO fee table, September 2026 income and earn rate: card page
12	PNB JCB Platinum PNB	₱3,000 a year effective June 2026 Free for the first year. Supplementary cards have no annual fee for life	₱600,000 a year	Relax in style with up to 14 complimentary airport lounge visits worldwide	3% at the cap, BSP Circ. 1165	Included	2.5%	earners under ₱600,000 a year; anyone whose perks will not cover ₱3,000 a year	PNB fee table, June 2026 income: PNB Credit Card Application Form (PNBCardsOmnibusAF_JUN2026)
13	PNB Platinum Mastercard PNB	₱3,000 a year effective June 2026 Free for the first year. Supplementary cards have no annual fee for life	₱600,000 a year	Earn rewards points for Cash Credits and Mabuhay Miles	3% at the cap, BSP Circ. 1165	-	2.5%	earners under ₱600,000 a year; anyone whose perks will not cover ₱3,000 a year	PNB fee table, June 2026 income: PNB Credit Card Application Form (PNBCardsOmnibusAF_JUN2026)
14	PNB-PAL Mabuhay Miles Platinum Mastercard PNB	₱3,000 a year effective June 2026 Free for the first year. Supplementary cards have no annual fee for life	₱1,200,000 a year	PHP 48 = 1 rewards point = 1 Mabuhay Mile. Mabuhay Miles number required.	3% at the cap, BSP Circ. 1165	-	2.5%	earners under ₱1,200,000 a year; anyone whose perks will not cover ₱3,000 a year	PNB fee table, June 2026 income: PNB Credit Card Application Form (PNBCardsOmnibusAF_JUN2026)
15	UnionBank Miles+ Platinum Visa UnionBank	₱3,000 a year effective July 2025	₱600,000 a year	1 point per ₱25 spent, 1.5 points on travel spend; redeem as cash back, airline miles or fee waivers	3% at the cap, BSP Circ. 1165	Included	2%	earners under ₱600,000 a year; anyone whose perks will not cover ₱3,000 a year	UnionBank fee table, July 2025 income: UnionBank credit card requirements
16	UnionBank Platinum Visa UnionBank	₱3,000 a year effective July 2025	₱600,000 a year	Free Airport Lounge Access	3% at the cap, BSP Circ. 1165	Included	2%	earners under ₱600,000 a year; anyone whose perks will not cover ₱3,000 a year	UnionBank fee table, July 2025 income: UnionBank credit card requirements
17	EastWest JCB Platinum EastWest	₱3,500 a year Free on the first year	₱1,000,000 a year	Up to six free visits a year to JCB Airport Lounges in Japan and Hawaii	3% at the cap, BSP Circ. 1165	Included	2%	earners under ₱1,000,000 a year; anyone whose perks will not cover ₱3,500 a year	EastWest credit card fees and charges income and earn rate: card page
18	AirAsia Credit Card by RCBC RCBC	₱300 a month First-year membership fee waived	-	1 AirAsia point for every ₱22 international spend and every ₱28 domestic spend; 2 points for every ₱25 spent with AirAsia	3% at the cap, BSP Circ. 1165	-	2.5%	anyone whose perks will not cover ₱3,600 a year; carrying a balance (3% a month)	RCBC Credit Cards fees and charges income and earn rate: card page
19	RCBC JCB Platinum RCBC	₱3,600 a year First-year membership fee waived	-	Up to 8 complimentary LoungeKey visits at JCB-selected lounges abroad	3% at the cap, BSP Circ. 1165	Included	3.5%	anyone whose perks will not cover ₱3,600 a year; heavy spending abroad (3.5% foreign fee)	RCBC Credit Cards fees and charges income and earn rate: card page
20	BDO American Express Explorer Credit Card BDO	₱4,000 a year effective September 2026 Your first year's membership fee is on us! Plus, get automatic annual membership fee waiver when you spend at least ₱450,000 per year	₱792,000 a year	Earn one (1) Membership Rewards® point for every ₱30 spend that you can redeem for air miles across 6 airline loyalty program partners (1 POINT = 1 AIR MILE).	3% at the cap, BSP Circ. 1165	Included	1.85%	earners under ₱792,000 a year; light spenders, who pay the ₱4,000 fee	BDO fee table, September 2026 income and earn rate: card page
21	BPI Platinum Rewards Card BPI	₱4,000 a year effective July 2026 Waived in the first year. First supplementary card free for life	-	Having the widest choice of airlines, redeem your points for miles at our various airline partners.	3% at the cap, BSP Circ. 1165	Included	1.85%	anyone whose perks will not cover ₱4,000 a year; carrying a balance (3% a month)	BPI fee table, July 2026 income and earn rate: card page
22	China Bank Destinations Platinum Mastercard China Bank	₱4,000 a year effective February 2023 Waived for the first year	₱250,000 a year	1 point for every ₱60 spent; 1 point equals 1 airline mile	3% at the cap, BSP Circ. 1165	Included	2.5%	a first card: it needs another bank's card; earners under ₱250,000 a year	China Bank fee table, February 2023 income and earn rate: card page
23	EastWest Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Platinum Mastercard EastWest	₱4,000 a year	₱1,200,000 a year	1 KrisFlyer Mile for every ₱15 spent on Singapore Airlines, Scoot, KrisShop, travel agencies, hotels and cross-border; ₱45 on other airlines, local e-commerce and dining; ₱88 on local essentials	3% at the cap, BSP Circ. 1165	Included	1.7%	earners under ₱1,200,000 a year; anyone whose perks will not cover ₱4,000 a year	EastWest credit card fees and charges income and earn rate: card page
24	Security Bank Platinum Mastercard Security Bank	₱4,000 a year effective 29 August 2025 Annual fee waived for the first year	₱780,000 a year	Two complimentary visits a year to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide	3% at the cap, BSP Circ. 1165	Included	2.5%	earners under ₱780,000 a year; anyone whose perks will not cover ₱4,000 a year	Security Bank fee table, 29 August 2025 income and earn rate: card page
25	BDO Diners Club Premiere BDO	₱4,500 a year effective September 2026 Enjoy waived membership fee for the first year	₱924,000 a year	Earn one (1) Travel Mile for every ₱30 spend.	3% at the cap, BSP Circ. 1165	Included	1.85%	earners under ₱924,000 a year; anyone whose perks will not cover ₱4,500 a year	BDO fee table, September 2026 income and earn rate: card page
26	BDO JCB Platinum BDO	₱4,500 a year effective September 2026 Valid for the principal cardholder for a spend of at least ₱600,000/year. Receive a Lifetime Annual Fee Waiver for 6 supplementary accounts	₱924,000 a year	JCB Airport Lounge Access: Enjoy free lounge access at select airports in Asia, Europe, and Hawaii.	3% at the cap, BSP Circ. 1165	Included	1.85%	earners under ₱924,000 a year; light spenders, who pay the ₱4,500 fee	BDO fee table, September 2026 income and earn rate: card page
27	BDO Visa Platinum BDO	₱4,500 a year effective September 2026 Free membership for life for the principal cardholder with a spend of at least ₱600,000 a year. Lifetime annual fee waiver for 6 supplementary accounts	₱924,000 a year	Free Priority Pass Membership: Enjoy the Lounge Class experience with Priority Pass and get access to over 1,900 VIP airport lounges worldwide.	3% at the cap, BSP Circ. 1165	Included	1.85%	earners under ₱924,000 a year; light spenders, who pay the ₱4,500 fee	BDO fee table, September 2026 income and earn rate: card page
28	AirAsia Platinum Credit Card by RCBC RCBC	₱400 a month First-year membership fee waived	-	Earns AirAsia points, plus 500 bonus AirAsia points a month when you meet the minimum monthly spend	3% at the cap, BSP Circ. 1165	Included	1.85%	anyone whose perks will not cover ₱4,800 a year; carrying a balance (3% a month)	RCBC Credit Cards fees and charges income and earn rate: card page
29	BDO American Express Platinum Credit Card BDO	₱5,000 a year effective September 2026 Your first year's membership fee is on us! Plus, get automatic annual membership fee waiver when you spend at least ₱600,000 per year	₱1,116,000 a year	Unlimited Complimentary Airport Lounge Access: Enjoy complimentary access at partner airport lounges every time you travel overseas.	3% at the cap, BSP Circ. 1165	Included	1.85%	earners under ₱1,116,000 a year; light spenders, who pay the ₱5,000 fee	BDO fee table, September 2026 income and earn rate: card page
30	EastWest Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer World Mastercard EastWest	₱5,000 a year	-	1 KrisFlyer Mile for every ₱12 spent on Singapore Airlines, Scoot, KrisShop, travel agencies, hotels and cross-border; ₱38 on other airlines, local e-commerce and dining; ₱78 on local essentials	3% at the cap, BSP Circ. 1165	Included	1.7%	anyone whose perks will not cover ₱5,000 a year; carrying a balance (3% a month)	EastWest credit card fees and charges income and earn rate: card page
31	Security Bank World Mastercard Security Bank	₱5,000 a year effective 29 August 2025	₱3,000,000 a year	Six complimentary visits a year to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide through Mastercard Travel Pass	3% at the cap, BSP Circ. 1165	Included	2.5%	earners under ₱3,000,000 a year; anyone whose perks will not cover ₱5,000 a year	Security Bank fee table, 29 August 2025
32	UnionBank Cebu Pacific Platinum UnionBank	₱5,000 a year effective July 2025	₱600,000 a year	Free Airport Lounge Access	3% at the cap, BSP Circ. 1165	Included	2%	earners under ₱600,000 a year; anyone whose perks will not cover ₱5,000 a year	UnionBank fee table, July 2025 income: UnionBank card comparison
33	UnionBank Go Rewards Platinum Visa UnionBank	₱5,000 a year effective July 2025	₱600,000 a year	Enjoy free Airport Lounge Access	3% at the cap, BSP Circ. 1165	Included	2%	earners under ₱600,000 a year; anyone whose perks will not cover ₱5,000 a year	UnionBank fee table, July 2025 income: UnionBank credit card requirements
34	UnionBank Miles+ Visa Signature UnionBank	₱5,000 a year effective July 2025	₱360,000 a year	1 never-expiring UB mile per ₱30 spent, convertible to airline miles	3% at the cap, BSP Circ. 1165	Included	3.525%	earners under ₱360,000 a year; anyone whose perks will not cover ₱5,000 a year	UnionBank fee table, July 2025 income: UnionBank card comparison
35	UnionBank Miles+ World Mastercard UnionBank	₱5,000 a year effective July 2025	₱360,000 a year	1 never-expiring UB mile per ₱30 spent, convertible to airline miles or cash credits	3% at the cap, BSP Circ. 1165	Included	3.525%	earners under ₱360,000 a year; anyone whose perks will not cover ₱5,000 a year	UnionBank fee table, July 2025 income: UnionBank card comparison
36	UnionBank Platinum Mastercard (card number starts with 552097) UnionBank	₱5,000 a year effective July 2025	-	VIP lounge access at select lounges here and abroad with free DragonPass Membership and two (2) complimentary visits per membership year	3% at the cap, BSP Circ. 1165	Included	See card	anyone whose perks will not cover ₱5,000 a year; carrying a balance (3% a month)	UnionBank fee table, July 2025 income and earn rate: card page
37	BDO Visa Signature BDO	₱5,500 a year effective September 2026	₱1,980,000 a year	Complimentary Priority Pass Airport Lounge Access: Get access to over 1,900 VIP airport lounges worldwide via Priority Pass. Enjoy 2 complimentary visits per calendar year.	3% at the cap, BSP Circ. 1165	Included	1.7%	earners under ₱1,980,000 a year; anyone whose perks will not cover ₱5,500 a year	BDO fee table, September 2026 income and earn rate: card page
38	BPI Signature Card BPI	₱5,500 a year effective July 2026 Waived in the first year. First supplementary card free for life	-	Relax before your flight and enjoy complimentary airport lounge access at PAGSS international lounge in NAIA 1.	3% at the cap, BSP Circ. 1165	Included	1.85%	anyone whose perks will not cover ₱5,500 a year; carrying a balance (3% a month)	BPI fee table, July 2026 income and earn rate: card page
39	Metrobank Travel Signature Visa Metrobank	₱5,500 a year effective 15 June 2026 Waived in the first year. Supplementary: free for life on the first two supplementary	₱700,000 a year	1 airmile = 1.5 Reward Points = PHP 30 spend (PHP 20 x 1.5 Reward points); 1 mile for every PHP 30 spend	3% at the cap, BSP Circ. 1165	Included	1.68%	earners under ₱700,000 a year; anyone whose perks will not cover ₱5,500 a year	Metrobank fee table, 15 June 2026 income: Metrobank credit card comparison
40	RCBC AirMiles Visa Signature RCBC	₱5,500 a year First-year membership fee waived	-	1 Signature Airmile for every ₱25 overseas spend and every ₱48 local spend, converted 1:1 to partner mileage programs. Airmiles do not expire.	3% at the cap, BSP Circ. 1165	Included	1.7%	anyone whose perks will not cover ₱5,500 a year; carrying a balance (3% a month)	RCBC Credit Cards fees and charges income and earn rate: card page
41	China Bank Destinations World Mastercard China Bank	₱6,000 a year effective February 2023 Waived for the first year	₱250,000 a year	1 point for every ₱30 spent; 1 point equals 1 airline mile	3% at the cap, BSP Circ. 1165	Included	1.7%	a first card: it needs another bank's card; earners under ₱250,000 a year	China Bank fee table, February 2023 income and earn rate: card page
42	HSBC Premier Mastercard HSBC	₱6,000 a year Free for life for HSBC Premier account holders. ₱6,000 a year (supplementary ₱3,000) if you do not keep the Premier Total Relationship Balance	-	Enjoy membership to more than 1,300 airport lounges worldwide.	3% at the cap, BSP Circ. 1165	Included	3.5%	heavy spending abroad (3.5% foreign fee); carrying a balance (3% a month)	HSBC Credit Card Fees and Charges income and earn rate: card page
43	Metrobank World Mastercard Metrobank	₱6,000 a year effective 15 June 2026 Waived in the first year. Supplementary: free for life on the first two supplementary	₱700,000 a year	PHP 20 = 3 points on foreign currency spend; PHP 20 = 1 point on other categories; 2.5 points = 1 air mile	3% at the cap, BSP Circ. 1165	Included	1.85%	earners under ₱700,000 a year; anyone whose perks will not cover ₱6,000 a year	Metrobank fee table, 15 June 2026 income: Metrobank credit card comparison
44	PNB-PAL Mabuhay Miles World Mastercard PNB	₱6,000 a year effective June 2026 Free for the first year. Supplementary cards have no annual fee for life	₱2,400,000 a year	PHP 38 = 1 rewards point = 1 Mabuhay Mile. Mabuhay Miles number required.	3% at the cap, BSP Circ. 1165	Included	2.5%	earners under ₱2,400,000 a year; anyone whose perks will not cover ₱6,000 a year	PNB fee table, June 2026 income: PNB Credit Card Application Form (PNBCardsOmnibusAF_JUN2026)
45	RCBC Visa Infinite RCBC	₱6,000 a year First-year membership fee waived	-	Complimentary Priority Pass membership	3% at the cap, BSP Circ. 1165	Included	3.5%	anyone whose perks will not cover ₱6,000 a year; heavy spending abroad (3.5% foreign fee)	RCBC Credit Cards fees and charges income and earn rate: card page
46	RCBC World Mastercard RCBC	₱6,000 a year First-year membership fee waived	-	Unlimited free access to PAGSS International Lounge	3% at the cap, BSP Circ. 1165	Included	3.5%	anyone whose perks will not cover ₱6,000 a year; heavy spending abroad (3.5% foreign fee)	RCBC Credit Cards fees and charges income and earn rate: card page
47	UnionBank Reserve Visa Infinite UnionBank	₱12,000 a year effective July 2025 Cannot be waived. Supplementary card fee waived for up to 7 accounts	-	Complimentary Priority Pass Membership for primary cardmembers with unlimited access to over 1,500 VIP airport lounges worldwide Complimentary Airport Meet and Assist services and one-way luxury airport transfers for primary cardmembers at select airports, twice (2x) per calendar year	3% at the cap, BSP Circ. 1165	Included	1%	anyone whose perks will not cover ₱12,000 a year; carrying a balance (3% a month)	UnionBank fee table, July 2025 income and earn rate: card page
48	UnionBank Reserve World Elite Mastercard UnionBank	₱12,000 a year effective July 2025 Cannot be waived. Supplementary card fee waived for up to 7 accounts	-	Get unlimited access to over 1,500 airport lounges worldwide through Priority Pass	3% at the cap, BSP Circ. 1165	Included	1%	anyone whose perks will not cover ₱12,000 a year; carrying a balance (3% a month)	UnionBank fee table, July 2025 income and earn rate: card page
49	HSBC Premier Travel Card HSBC	₱12,500 a year Waived if customer has at least PHP5Mn Total Relationship Balance (TRB)	-	Enjoy 10 complimentary visits to 1,800 airport lounges worldwide.	3% at the cap, BSP Circ. 1165	Included	0.99%	carrying a balance (3% a month)	HSBC Credit Card Fees and Charges income and earn rate: card page
50	China Bank Destinations World Dollar Mastercard China Bank	US$100 a year effective February 2023 Waived for the first year	₱250,000 a year	1 point for every USD1 spent; 1 point equals 1 airline mile	3% at the cap, BSP Circ. 1165	Included	1.7%	a first card: it needs another bank's card; earners under ₱250,000 a year	China Bank fee table, February 2023 income and earn rate: card page

Fees and rates are effective as of the date each bank prints on its fee table (Source column); income and earn rates are from each card's own page. Interest is capped at 36% a year (3% a month) by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas under BSP Circular No. 1165, s.2023, in force since 2023. A dash means the bank does not print that figure.

How to apply, bank by bank

Where to apply for each bank's cards on this list, and its card hotline
Bank	Apply	Card hotline	Requirements and status
BDO	BDO online application Apply online at apply.bdo.com.ph and upload the form and documents	(+632) 8888-0000	BDO documents contact and application status
BPI	BPI online application Apply online on BPI's website	(+632) 889-10000	BPI documents contact and application status
Metrobank	Metrobank online application Apply online at apply.metrobank.com.ph, or submit an application at any Metrobank branch	(02) 88-700-700	Metrobank documents contact and application status
Security Bank	Security Bank credit cards page	(02) 8887-9188	Security Bank documents contact and application status
RCBC	RCBC online application Apply online at applications.rcbccredit.com	(02) 8888-1888	RCBC documents contact and application status
UnionBank	UnionBank online application Apply online at apply.cc-pl.unionbankph.com and pick your card	(+632) 8841-8600	UnionBank documents contact and application status
EastWest	EastWest online application Apply online through EastWest's ESTA chatbot; every Apply Now button on EastWest's card pages opens it	(632) 8888-1700	EastWest documents contact and application status
HSBC	HSBC online application Apply online or at an HSBC branch	(02) 8858-0000	HSBC documents contact and application status
China Bank	China Bank online application Email the application form and documents to cbccardsales@chinabank.ph, or submit them at any China Bank branch	+632 888-55-888	China Bank documents contact and application status
Maya	Maya online application Apply only in the Maya app (Cards tab), with an upgraded Maya account; the Landers card also needs an active Landers membership number	+632 8845 7788	Maya documents contact and application status
PNB	PNB online application Apply online with the Apply Now button on each card page at pnb.com.ph, which opens PNB's online application form	(+632) 8818 9818	PNB documents contact and application status

Lowest foreign transaction fees

Every purchase in a foreign currency, abroad or online, carries this fee on top of the network's conversion. On ₱50,000 of spending abroad, the gap between a 1% and a 3% card is ₱1,000.

HSBC Premier Travel Card (HSBC): 0.99%
UnionBank Reserve Visa Infinite (UnionBank): 1%
UnionBank Reserve World Elite Mastercard (UnionBank): 1%
Metrobank Travel Signature Visa (Metrobank): 1.68%
EastWest Priority Visa Infinite (EastWest): 1.7%

Fees rise with the perks

Lounge access and higher earn rates sit on cards with higher annual fees and income requirements. If you travel once or twice a year, a lower-fee card with a low foreign fee may cost less overall than a premium card.

Questions

What is the best credit card for travel in the Philippines?

If you fly a few times a year, start with the lowest yearly fee: EastWest Platinum Mastercard (EastWest), EastWest Priority Visa Infinite (EastWest), Maya Black Credit Card (Maya). If you want airport lounge access, the cheapest cards that include it are EastWest Platinum Mastercard (EastWest), EastWest Priority Visa Infinite (EastWest). A higher fee only pays off if you use the lounge or miles it adds.

Which credit cards have airport lounge access?

EastWest Platinum Mastercard, EastWest Priority Visa Infinite, Maya Black Credit Card, BDO JCB Lucky Cat, BDO JCB Gold, EastWest JCB Gold, UnionBank Gold Visa, BDO Diners Club International, PNB JCB Platinum, UnionBank Miles+ Platinum Visa, UnionBank Platinum Visa, EastWest JCB Platinum, RCBC JCB Platinum, BDO American Express Explorer Credit Card, BPI Platinum Rewards Card, China Bank Destinations Platinum Mastercard, EastWest Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Platinum Mastercard, Security Bank Platinum Mastercard, BDO Diners Club Premiere, BDO JCB Platinum, BDO Visa Platinum, AirAsia Platinum Credit Card by RCBC, BDO American Express Platinum Credit Card, EastWest Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer World Mastercard, Security Bank World Mastercard, UnionBank Cebu Pacific Platinum, UnionBank Go Rewards Platinum Visa, UnionBank Miles+ Visa Signature, UnionBank Miles+ World Mastercard, UnionBank Platinum Mastercard (card number starts with 552097), BDO Visa Signature, BPI Signature Card, Metrobank Travel Signature Visa, RCBC AirMiles Visa Signature, China Bank Destinations World Mastercard, HSBC Premier Mastercard, Metrobank World Mastercard, PNB-PAL Mabuhay Miles World Mastercard, RCBC Visa Infinite, RCBC World Mastercard, UnionBank Reserve Visa Infinite, UnionBank Reserve World Elite Mastercard, HSBC Premier Travel Card. Each card page quotes the bank's lounge wording.

Do travel credit cards charge a foreign transaction fee?

Yes. Philippine banks add a charge on purchases in foreign currency on top of the network conversion, from about 1% to over 3% on the cards here. The foreign fee column shows each card's.

Can I deduct credit card fees and interest from my taxes?

Not against a salary: Section 34 of the Tax Code allows no deductions against compensation income. A self-employed person who elects the 40% optional standard deduction takes it in place of itemized expenses, so card charges do not reduce tax there either.

Scope: A card is on this list only if its bank names miles, points that convert to miles, or complimentary lounge access; travel insurance alone does not count.

Best travel credit cards in the Philippines