Interested in the best credit cards for beginners in the Philippines?
Think you’re ready to get your first credit card?
I still remember the first time I applied for a credit card. Back then, it was super difficult to get one, especially if you’re working online.
Thankfully, years of experience taught me how to get approved for a credit card.
All it takes is a stable job (even an online job’s okay!), a good payment history and a trusted credit card issuer to help you get started.
Not sure which credit cards to get?
Then this article can help you find the easiest credit cards to apply for, especially if you’re a newbie.
Best Credit Card for Beginners Philippines
Here, we’ll talk about the best credit card for first time applicants in the Philippines.
Since this is a long article, feel free to click on the credit card you’d like to skip ahead:
2. Citi Simplicity+ Mastercard
4. Maybank Standard Mastercard
5. EastWest Practical Mastercard
Check out the full features and details of each credit card below.
1. RCBC Bankard Flex Visa
Are you a millennial who loves travelling?
With travel-friendly benefits like access to Skyview Airport Lounge, free travel insurance and 2x rewards in travel-related spending, RCBC Bankard Flex Visa is the perfect credit card for you.
When you get approved for this credit card, you can also use this RCBC credit card to get real-time SMS advisories every time you use your credit card for purchases.
⭐ RCBC Bankard Flex Visa Fees
Interest rate: 2% per month
Annual fee: ₱1,500 (free for the first year)
☑️ RCBC Bankard Flex Visa application requirements
Monthly income requirement: ₱15,000
Eligible for ages: 21-65 years old
Eligible for: Employees, self-employed or businessmen
- Mobile number and office landline number
- Valid ID
- Latest ITR/Latest one-month payslip/Certificate of Employment issued within the last six months (for employed)
- Latest ITR/audited financial statement (for self-employed)
Why is RCBC Bankard Flex Visa the best credit card for beginners in the Philippines?
This is the best credit card for beginners in the Philippines because of its low monthly income requirement.
Plus, RCBC has an unli-installment feature. By using this credit card, you can convert your straight purchases to installment for up to 36 months!
As an RCBC cardholder, I find this feature super convenient, especially since you can do this online. That’s why for me, newbies should consider this card because RCBC is one of the best credit card issuers in the Philippines. #notsponsored 😀
2. Citi Simplicity+ Mastercard
Want to keep your credit card fees as simple as possible?
With Citi Simplicity+ Mastercard, you get NO annual fee every single year so it’s a great choice especially for credit card newbies.
This credit card also has a 10%-money back feature: if you pay at least the minimum due on or before the due date, you get 10% back on interest charges.
⭐ Citi Simplicity+ Fees
Interest rate: 2% per month
Annual fee: No annual fee for life
☑️ Citi Simplicity+ Mastercard application requirements
Monthly income requirement: ₱20,833.33
Eligible for ages: at least 21 years old
Eligible for: Employees, self-employed or businessmen
- Active landline or mobile number
- Valid ID
- Valid TIN/SSS/GSIS/UMID number
- Latest one-month pay slip/Latest ITR (BIR Form 2316)/Certificate of Employment
- Bank statement of payroll account showing the applicant’s one-month salary
Why is Citi Simplicity+ the best credit card in Philippines?
This credit card is similar to a savings account with no maintaining balance — because Citi Simplicity+ doesn’t have an annual fee. For life!
Some people think of Citi Simplicity+ as the best credit card in the Philippines because it also doesn’t ask you to pay a late payment fee and overlimit fee. By using this card, you don’t have to spend a lot of money in paying charges that you don’t want. 🙂
3. PNB Visa Classic
PNB has a lot of credit card offers, but their Visa Classic is the perfect credit card for first time applicants in the Philippines because of its low monthly income requirement.
⭐ PNB Visa Classic Fees
Interest rate: 2% per month
Annual fee: ₱300
☑️ PNB Visa Classic application requirements
Monthly income requirement: ₱10,000
Eligible for ages: at least 21 years old
Eligible for: Filipino citizen or foreign resident in the Philippines
- At least one-year regular employment status/two-year profitable self-employment status
- Active landline or mobile number
- Valid ID
- Latest three-month pay slips/Latest ITR/Certificate of Employment (for employed)
- Latest ITR/Latest audited financial statements/DTI or SEC registration papers (for self-employed)
Why is PNB Visa Classic the best credit card in Philippines for newbies?
PNB Visa Classic is one of the best credit cards in the Philippines for beginners because it also comes with free purchase protection insurance, free travel insurance and fraud transaction insurance, which are all helpful for newbie cardholders.
4. Maybank Standard Mastercard
Are you a frequent traveler?
Accepted worldwide in over 275 countries and territories, Maybank Standard Mastercard is preferred by first time credit card applicants who like to spend their money abroad.
Similar to RCBC credit cards, Maybank credit cards also come with real-time SMS for every successful transaction — just make sure you have international roaming number so you can access your texts right away.
⭐ Maybank Standard Mastercard Fees
Interest rate: 2% per month
Annual fee: ₱2,000 (free for the first year)
☑️ Maybank Standard Mastercard application requirements
Monthly income requirement: ₱16,250
Eligible for ages: at least 21 years old
Eligible for: Filipino citizen or foreign resident in the Philippines
- Two valid IDs
- Employed: Latest ITR/Latest pay slips/Certificate of Employment
- Self-employed: Latest ITR/audited financial statements
Why is Maybank Standard Mastercard the best credit card for first time applicant Philippines?
Compared to other credit cards that Maybank offers, this card has the lowest income requirement so it’s suitable for first time Filipino applicants.
5. EastWest Practical Mastercard
If you’ve just started your first job and you’re a first time credit credit card applicant, it’s worth looking into EastWest Practical Mastercard.
True to its name, this card is practical because it lets you choose if you want to pay your annual fee every month, every quarter of every year, depending on your budget.
⭐ EastWest Practical Mastercard Fees
Interest rate: 2% per month
Annual fee: ₱1,400 (free for the first year)
☑️ EastWest Practical Mastercard application requirements
Monthly income requirement: ₱10,000
Eligible for ages: at least 21 years old
Eligible for: Filipino citizen or foreign resident in the Philippines
- Home landline or mobile number and business/office landline
- Valid ID
- Latest ITR, Certificate of Employment, and latest three-month pay slips (for employed)
- Latest ITR and latest audited financial statement (for self-employed)
- ACR with permanent status/visa/embassy certification (for foreign residents)
Which is the Best Credit Card for Beginners Philippines?
All of the Philippine-based credit cards included in this list are perfect for newbies.
If your concern is mostly on having a low monthly income requirement, then go with PNB Visa Classic or EastWest Practical Mastercard. Both of them have ₱10,000 monthly income requirement.
Want to have a no annual fee credit card instead? Then Citi Simplicity+ is perfect for you. Keep in mind it has a monthly income requirement of ₱20,000+, though.
Are you going to use your credit card mostly for installment transactions? You may find RCBC Flex Visa helpful in your situation.
If you’re having a hard time getting approved for credit cards, you can also try applying for secured credit cards.
Before you get a credit card, though, make sure your emergency fund is in place. Check out our next post on best tips to build your emergency fund (so you actually have one).
Your Adulting + Travel Accomplice,
Live Free With Lianne