Philippine Credit Cards for Travel
When you’re a young, single twentysomething and you’re finally earning your own money, travel is most likely at the top of your list. While there are many ways to save for travel, there are ways to reduce the costs of travel through using accumulated credit card points.
There are many things you should consider when choosing a credit card, but for the purpose of this article I’ll be using point to mile conversion, partner airlines, and lounge access. This article doesn’t factor in interest rates, ease of bills payments and rates of approval for application. Keep in mind that you are also limited by your credit standing and income bracket when applying.
1. BPI Skymiles Mastercard
Mile Conversion: Php 45 = 1 Mile
Partner Airlines: Delta Air Lines & SkyTeam Partners (Aeroflot Russian Airlines, Aerolineas Argentinas, Aeromexico, Air Europa, Air France, Alitalia, China Airlines, China Eastern, China Southern, Czech Airlines, Garuda Indonesia, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Kenya Airways, Korean Air, Middle East Airlines, Saudi Airlines, Tarom, Vietnam Airlines, Xiamen Airlines) — Note: Mileage credit is only applicable to SkyTeam marketed flights.
Lounge Access: None.
Mile Expiration & Transfers: No expiration. Transferable.
Annual Fees: PHP 2050 (Waived for the first year)
Annual Income Requirement: PHP 180,000.
2. BPI SkyMiles Platinum MasterCard
Mile Conversion: Php 45 = 1 Mile
Partner Airlines: Delta Air Lines & SkyTeam Partners (Aeroflot Russian Airlines, Aerolineas Argentinas, Aeromexico, Air Europa, Air France, Alitalia, China Airlines, China Eastern, China Southern, Czech Airlines, Garuda Indonesia, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Kenya Airways, Korean Air, Middle East Airlines, Saudi Airlines, Tarom, Vietnam Airlines, Xiamen Airlines) — Note: Mileage credit is only applicable to SkyTeam marketed flights. Earn double miles for every PHP 45 spend on Delta Air Lines tickets.
Lounge Access: Pacific Club at NAIA Terminal 3
Mile Expiration & Transfers: No expiration. Transferable.
Annual Fees: PHP 5000 (Waived for the first year)
Annual Income Requirement: PHP 1,000,000
3. Unionbank Cebu Pacific GetGo Credit Card
Mile Conversion: Php 30 = 1 point
Partner Airlines: Cebu Pacific (+ early alerts for all cebpac seat sales)
Lounge Access:Skyview Lounge at NAIA Terminal 3 and the MIASCOR Lounge at the Davao international Airport,
Mile Expiration & Transfers: No expiration. Transferable.
Annual Fees: PHP 3000
Annual Income Requirement: (undisclosed)
4. Unionbank Ceb Pacific GetGo Platinum Credit Card
Mile Conversion: Php 30 = 1 point
Partner Airlines: Cebu Pacific (+ early alerts for all cebpac seat sales)
Lounge Access:Skyview Lounge at NAIA Terminal 3 and the MIASCOR Lounge at the Davao international Airport,
Mile Expiration & Transfers: No expiration. Transferable.
Annual Fees: PHP 5000
Annual Income Requirement: PHP 1,200,000
5. Unionbank Miles+ Platinum Card
Mile Conversion: Php 25 = 1 point = 1.55 Miles
Partner Airlines: Philippines Airlines, Cebu Pacific
Lounge Access: Skyview Lounge at NAIA Terminal 3, Club Manila Lounge at NAIA Terminal 1, MIASCOR Lounges at NAIA Terminal 1 and Davao International Airport
Mile Expiration & Transfers: No expiration. Transferable.
Annual Fees: PHP 3000
Annual Income Requirement: PHP 600,000
6. Citibank Premiere Miles
Mile Conversion: Php 30 = 1 mile
Partner Airlines: Philippines Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Singapore Airlines, Thai Airways, Northwest Airlines and more than 50 other airlines.
Lounge Access: MIASCOR Lounge at NAIA 1, Sky View Lounge at NAIA 3 lounges, Plaza Premium Lounges Worldwide
Mile Expiration & Transfers: No expiration. Transferable.
Annual Fees: PHP 5000
Annual Income Requirement: P360,000 (Note: You must already have an existing credit card from any bank to apply.)
7. Chinabank Mabuhay Miles
Mile Conversion: Php 25 = 1 point = 0.125 miles or Php 200 = 1 mile
Partner Airlines: Mabuhay Miles
Lounge Access: N/A
Mile Expiration & Transfers: No expiration. Transferable.
Annual Fees: PHP 3000
Annual Income Requirement: P360,000 (Note: You must already have an existing credit card from any bank to apply.)
7. Standard Charter Priority Banking Visa Infinite Card
Mile Conversion: Php 40 = 1 Mile
Partner Airlines: Mabuhay Miles, Asia Miles (25 partner airlines)
Lounge Access:MIASCOR Lounge in Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1 (Max 2 visits per year, fee of USD 27 per person for succeeding visits) Over 500+ members of Loungekey
Mile Expiration & Transfers: No expiration. Transferable.
Annual Fees: Php 5,000 (Waived for the first year)
Annual Income Requirement: (undisclosed)
8. BDO Cathay Pacific American Express Elite Card
Mile Conversion: Php 42 = 1 Mile
Partner Airlines: Asia Miles (25 partner airlines)
Lounge Access: N/A
Mile Expiration & Transfers: (undisclosed)
Annual Fees: Php 4,000 (Waived for the first year)
Annual Income Requirement: Php 1,200,000
9. BDO Cathay Pacific American Express
Mile Conversion: Php 42 = 1 mile
Partner Airlines: Asia Miles (25 partner airlines)
Lounge Access: N/A
Mile Expiration & Transfers: (undisclosed)
Annual Fees: Php 1,600 (Waived for the first year)
Annual Income Requirement: Php 480,000
10. PNB Mabuhay Miles World Mastercard
Mile Conversion: Php 33 = 1 Mile
Partner Airlines: Philippine Airlines
Lounge Access: N/A
Mile Expiration & Transfers: Miles valid for 5 years.
Annual Fees: Free
Annual Income Requirement: Php 480,000
11. PNB Mabuhay Miles World Platinum Mastercard
Mile Conversion: Php 33 = 1 Mile
Partner Airlines: Philippine Airlines
Lounge Access: N/A
Mile Expiration & Transfers: Miles valid for 5 years.
Annual Fees: Php 3000
Annual Income Requirement: Php 480,000
Each credit card has a different value proposition that you can evaluate based on your needs. Some are better for local travel, some for international, some for those who only plan to travel frequently to a certain country. Which card is the best for you? Let me know in the comments!
