Credit cards designed for travel in the Philippines offer many perks and advantages. You could earn air miles, save on foreign transaction fees, or even get protection against fraud.
If you enjoy shopping and dining out, the PNB Mabuhay Miles Card may be the ideal card. Offering low point to Mabuhay Mile conversion and airport lounge access at Miascor and NAIA Terminal 1 as well as free travel insurance coverage, this card makes shopping and dining even more satisfying!
Get a credit card with no foreign transaction fees.
There are various credit cards in the Philippines that do not charge foreign transaction fees, making them attractive to travelers. Such cards may offer rewards programs or loyalty perks to make them even more desirable – however before applying for one it’s essential that you know what the basics of foreign transaction fees are.
Be it frequent traveler or just beginning their first international journey, having the right credit card can make the whole experience smoother and simpler. Here are some of the top travel cards available in the Philippines:
For loyal PAL and Cebu Pacific passengers, this card is an absolute necessity. Not only can you quickly earn and redeem Mabuhay Miles with it, but you also gain free Priority Pass membership access at airport lounges worldwide!
Spend at least P600,000 each year and you can start accruing bonus Asia Miles on both purchases as well as annual renewal. Although the initial enrollment fee of PHP18,500 might seem steep, its rewards could take you to over 900 cities in 160 countries!
Get a backup card.
Credit card fees charged for international transactions can quickly add up, including non-sterling transaction fees, cash withdrawal charges and currency conversion markups. Luckily, cards offering lower foreign exchange rates exist that can help keep travel costs under control.
Use of a credit or debit card equipped with an exchange rate calculator[3] can also help prevent overspending during your trip abroad. The tool shows you exactly how much any purchase will cost in local currency before you complete payment for it.
Some credit cards even provide special travel-related perks like free insurance and lounge access, such as the BPI Signature Visa which allows you to earn points faster with every P25 spend while giving you access to world-class airport lounges at NAIA Terminals 1 and 3.
RCBC Visa Infinite also comes with special perks, including free Priority Pass membership and exclusive access to Marhaba Lounge, plus it provides you with an automatic reward of 2,000 Mabuhay Miles when booking Philippine Airlines (PAL) flights.
Get some cash.
The best credit card for travel Philippines offers an effortless and secure method to access funds overseas without hidden fees or exchange rates that fluctuate unpredictably. Instead, it provides real mid-market exchange rates at transparent pricing models.
GCash Overseas and Metrobank Travel Platinum Visa are among the Philippines’ most widely held credit cards, boasting benefits like airport lounge access and shopping/dining discounts, with low spend-per-mile requirements and dual currency billing that help save you money abroad.
As the Philippines comprises over 7000 islands, it’s wise to bring along small denomination bills and coins just in case ATMs stop working properly. Furthermore, having change readily available when paying drivers or smaller establishments is also helpful when haggling for better deals on trips – keep an eye on Air Asia sales to take advantage of any savings while traveling with someone to share costs like flights and tours.
Inform your bank.
Philippines is an extremely safe travel destination and widely accepts credit cards; however, prior to traveling make sure your card is current and inform your bank of your plans; otherwise you could incur unexpected foreign transaction fees that can quickly add up.
Travel credit cards typically offer rewards for international purchases, including cashback and airline miles, but the ideal travel card in Philippines would include free travel insurance and airport lounge access.
Example: Unionbank Miles+ Platinum Visa allows you to earn air miles with every purchase starting at P30, and use them towards free flights or hotel rooms through special promos. Plus, enjoy exclusive rewards like airport lounge access and gas rewards – making this card ideal for efficiently earning miles quickly while being compatible with more airlines than competing cards.
