Best Credit Cards for Travels
- Credit Wise PH
- Apr 10, 2020
- 4 min read
What are the best travel credit cards today?
There are plenty of credit cards in the Philippines that offer lots of travel perks. But the best credit cards for travel have these benefits in common:
Low spend per mile requirement – A great travel credit card should make it quick for a cardholder to accumulate air miles.
Travel insurance and travel assistance – Although it’s better if you won’t actually need them, these benefits do provide peace of mind while traveling.
Dual currency billing and low/zero foreign currency transaction fee – These features help you save money on your overseas travels.
Airport lounge access – While this may seem just a nice-to-have feature, it’s good to have a travel credit card that enables you to stay comfortable while waiting for your flight.
1.METROBANK TRAVEL PLATINUM VISA
Best travel credit card for: Earning miles and overseas spending
Frequent international travelers can rack up air miles quickly using the Metrobank Travel Platinum Visa with its low spend per mile conversion.
Metrobank Travel Platinum Visa Travel Benefits
1 mile per PHP 17 overseas, airline, and hotel spending
Up to PHP 5 million travel accident insurance coverage
Access to more than 950 airport lounges worldwide
24-hour VIP concierge service
Other Features and Benefits
1 rewards point per PHP 20 spent in all transactions
24/7 customer service on credit card-related needs
Minimum monthly income requirement: PHP 66,666.67
Fees and Charges
Annual fee: PHP 5,000 (free for the first year)
Interest rate: 3.54%
Foreign currency transaction fee: 3.50%
2.RCBC AIRASIA VISA
Best travel credit card for: Earning AirAsia BIG Points and exclusive AirAsia privileges
A partnership between RCBC and AirAsia, the AirAsia Credit Card offers generous perks for loyal customers of the budget airline. New cardholders can immediately redeem their 8,000 BIG Points for a free flight or save for future use. It’s also easy to collect BIG Points with the card’s low spend requirement for earning miles.
Cardholders get VIP treatment for their AirAsia flights, as they get to be the first to check-in, board the plane, and pick up their baggage ahead of other customers.
Having this travel card also entitles you to a free membership upgrade to BIG Loyalty Platinum. This means you can earn seven times more BIG Points and be the first to know about AirAsia’s BIG sale and join in the Final Call Sale for saving up to 90% on AirAsia flights.
AirAsia Credit Card Travel Benefits
Welcome gift of up to 8,000 BIG Points
1 BIG Point per PHP 22 spent abroad or PHP 28 spent locally
2 BIG Points per PHP 25 AirAsia purchase
Priority check-in, boarding, and baggage on AirAsia flights
Instant BIG Loyalty Platinum membership status
Free onboard Wi-Fi access on the first flight
Other Features and Benefits
Minimum monthly income requirement: PHP 15,000
Fees and Charges
Annual fee: PHP 200 monthly (free for the first year)
Interest rate: 3.50%
Foreign currency transaction fee: 3.50%
Read more: Best Credit Cards to Earn AirAsia BIG Point
3.PNB MABUHAY MILES MASTERCARD
Best travel credit card for: Earning PAL Mabuhay Miles and exclusive PAL privileges; dual currency billing
For loyal PAL clients, this PNB card is one of the best miles credit cards for collecting Mabuhay Miles and enjoying exclusive perks when flying with PAL. It also has an option for dual currency billing that bills overseas purchases in US Dollars and local purchases in Philippine Peso, which means cost savings when you use your credit card abroad.
Travel Benefits
Welcome gift of 2,000 PAL Mabuhay Miles
Additional free 10,000 Mabuhay Miles for PAL transactions worth PHP 100,000 within a year of card issuance
1 Mabuhay Mile per PHP 33 spend
Priority check-in at PAL Business Class counters at NAIA
5% discount on select PAL international flights booked via the PAL website
Up to PHP 10 million travel insurance coverage
Dual currency billing option
Emergency medical and travel assistance worldwide
Domestic concierge service on dining, entertainment, travel reservations, and other concerns
Other Features and Benefits
Up to PHP 250,000 purchase protection insurance coverage
Minimum monthly income requirement: PHP 40,000
Fees and Charges
Annual fee: PHP 6,000
Interest rate: 2.70%
Foreign currency transaction fee: 2.50%
4. BPI VISA SIGNITURE
Best travel credit card for: Low foreign transaction fee and special foreign exchange rates
The Signature Visa is the latest addition to the BPI credit card lineup and now one of BPI’s best travel credit cards to date. On top of a range of travel perks, cardholders can save money on their overseas travels with the low foreign currency transaction fee and special rates for exchanging foreign currencies.
BPI Signature Visa Travel Benefits
Special exchange rates when buying foreign currencies at any BPI branch
Up to PHP 20 million travel insurance coverage
24/7 Visa worldwide concierge and other Visa global services
Free Pacific Club Lounge access at NAIA 3
Other Features and Benefits
1 Real Thrills Rewards Premium Point per PHP 20 spend
50% discount at select partner merchants
Fees and Charges
Annual fee: PHP 5,500
Interest rate: 3.50%
Foreign currency transaction fee: 1.85%
5. SECURITY BANK PLATINUM MASTERCARD
Saving money and enjoying perks on overseas travels
The biggest appeal of this Security Bank travel credit card is its zero foreign currency transaction fee. Coupled with its dual currency billing feature, the Platinum Mastercard leads to savings when using your card abroad.
Travel Benefits
Dual currency billing
Two free access to over 1,000 lounges in 500 airports worldwide per year
Exclusive, automatic cashback offers from participating overseas merchants
Travel insurance
Other Features and Benefits
1 rewards point per PHP 20 spent
High credit limit
Minimum monthly income requirement: PHP 108,333.33
Fees and Charges
Annual fee: PHP 4,000 (free for the first year)
Interest rate: 3.50%
Foreign currency transaction fee: None
Read more: 5 Best Credit Cards for Overseas Spending
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