Are you in the market for credit cards in the Philippines with no annual fee?
Having a credit card and using it responsibly lets you pay for your bills and other expenses, while earning rewards in the process.
But not all credit cards have free annual fees — some of them have expensive yearly fees you need to pay.
In this post, we’ll talk about the best credit cards in the Philippines with no annual fee. We’ll also share tips so you can waive your annual fee (and pay nothing!) each time it appears on your card statement.
Top Philippine Credit Cards with NO Annual Fee
5. EastWest Platinum Mastercard
6. Metrobank M Free Mastercard
Credit Cards in the Philippines with NO Annual Fee
Let’s start with the most popular zero annual fee credit card.
1. Citi Simplicity+ Card
Also a great credit card for beginners, Citi Simplicity+ Mastercard has NO annual fee every single year so it’s a good choice if you don’t want to pay annual fees.
This credit card is also popular because of its “no late payment fees” feature.
In addition, Citi Simplicity+ Card also doesn’t charge overlimit fees — but you still need to spend less than your limit so you have enough budget to pay off your credit card in full.
Credit Card Requirements:
- Minimum income of ₱180,000 per year
- Age 21 or older
- 1 photo-bearing government-issued ID
- Valid TIN, SSS, GSIS or UMID number
- Active landline or mobile phone number
- Bank statement of your Payroll Account showing your 1-month salary
- Proof of income: latest 1 month pay slip or latest BIR income tax return (BIR 2316)
2. AUB Classic Mastercard
Asia United Bank offers a lot of credit cards that you can use, but their Classic Mastercard is one of their best products. Its annual membership fee is waived for life.
Promoting their credit cards with the easiest payment terms, the AUB Classic MasterCard is the only credit card that gives you the freedom to choose when and how much you want to pay.
You can choose how many times you want to pay, and when to pay monthly.
You can even choose how much your fixed monthly payment is, although the terms can be confusing.
Plus, paying less than the total amount due will increase the amount of the interest and other charges you pay and the time it takes to repay your balance.
Credit Card Requirements:
- Minimum income of ₱252,000 per year
- Age 21-65
- If employed, must be on regular status with a registered Company/Corporation for at least one (1) year
- If self-employed, must be in a registered business, operating profitably for at least one (1) year
- Active landline or mobile phone number
- Bank statement of your Payroll Account showing your 1-month salary
- Proof of income: latest 1 month pay slip or latest income tax return (BIR 2316)
Pro-tip: AUB also offers a secured credit card, so it’s easier for you to get approved for a card you’d like.
3. RCBC Mastercard
Another credit card with no annual fee for life is RCBC Mastercard.
Personally, it’s my favorite credit card for travel since it comes with unlimited free access to the Skyview Airport Lounge Lounge.
RCBC Platinum Mastercard also has free travel insurance up to ₱1,000,000, as long as it’s the credit card you use to pay for your flight ticket.
In addition to its no annual fee feature, RCBC Mastercard also lets you enroll 5 supplementary credit cards, free for life! You can enroll your spouse, partner, parent, sibling or even your trusted friend so it’s easier for them to get credit card approval.
Credit Card Requirements:
- Age 21-65
- Minimum income of ₱1,200,000 per year
- Active mobile number and landline in your place of work
- A copy of one (1) valid ID with photo and signature (i.e. UMID, Passport, Driver’s License)
- Original Certificate of Employment (COE) with annual income details and signed by authorized Human Resources Group signatory. COE must not be more than 6 months old
4. PNB Ze-Lo Mastercard
Looking for a credit card with no annual fee, that also has a lower finance charge?
Then PNB Ze-Lo Mastercard may be just what you need.
In addition to this credit card’s no annual fee feature, it also has zero late payment fees and zero overlimit fees.
Plus, if you want to add supplementary cardholders to this credit card, you get to enjoy free annual fee for life too. It’s one of the reasons why Filipino freelancers prefer this credit card as well.
Credit Card Requirements:
- Age 21-65
- Minimum income of ₱120,000 per year
- Recent 1 month payslip or Certificate of Employment (stating Gross Income, Date Hired, and Position) or ITR or active principal credit card number (with at least 1 year membership)
- Photo-bearing Government-issued ID with signature (e.g. Driver’s License, Passport, TIN (Ecard only), SSS, or UMID or Company ID)
5. EastWest Platinum Mastercard
Designed as a premium credit card, EastWest Platinum Mastercard has waived its annual membership fee for life — for both principal and supplementary cardholders.
It’s marketed to travel enthusiasts more due to its low foreign currency conversion fee and free Priority Pass membership features.
Unlike other cards in this list, though, EastWest Platinum Mastercard has charges for late payment and overlimit, so be sure to take note of these when using it.
Credit Card Requirements:
- Age 21-65
- Minimum income of ₱1,500,000 per year
- Should be at least 1-year employed
- Or, should be operating profitably for at least 1 year
- Active landline or mobile phone number
- Proof of income: latest 1 month pay slip or latest income tax return (BIR 2316)
6. Metrobank M Free Mastercard
With “no annual fee for life” as its tagline, Metrobank M Free Mastercard is the best credit card for yuppies interested to get the most out of their cards.
The card comes with a “balance transfer” feature, so you can transfer balances from other cards for as low as 1% per month.
Like RCBC credit cards, it also has 0% installment programs to make it easier for you to pay for big-ticket purchases.
Credit Card Requirements:
- Must be 18 to 70 years old
- Minimum income of ₱867,000 per year
- At least 6 months employed as a regular employee
- Or should be a principal cardholder with another bank for at least 9 months
- Valid TIN, SSS, GSIS and UMID Number
How to Waive Annual Fee in Your Credit Card in the Philippines
What if your credit card doesn’t specifically have a “no annual fee” benefit, but you want to waive it? Here’s how:
1. Contact the credit card’s customer service
First, contact the credit card’s customer support hotline. I usually call their hotline or message them on Facebook.
Once an agent receives your call, tell them it’s to request for annual fee waiver.
2. Choose the “annual fee waiver” option you want
Next, the agent will ask you to choose the option you need to do so your annual fee is waived. This differs per bank, but the most common choices are:
- Spend ₱XX for 30 days
- Enroll your credit card in auto-debit
- Enroll in an installment program
Usually, I go with the 1st option (spend requirement) since I’ll be using my credit card for purchases anyway.
3. Check with customer service after 1 week
Finally, to make sure that your request for annual fee is noted, contact your customer service again and confirm with them. You can also check with them to make sure your spending requirement is being tracked.
Final Thoughts on Credit Cards in Philippines with Zero Annual Fee
Getting a no-fee credit card is convenient, since that’s one less expense you need to worry about.
We hope this list of the best credit cards in the Philippines with no annual fee helped you choose the card that suits your needs.
Liked this post? You can also see this next post on how to get approved for your first credit card.
Want to open a bank account? Here’s the best savings account with zero maintaining balance for Filipinos.
Make sure to follow Live Free With Lianne on Instagram for more adulting and travel tips!
Your Adulting + Travel Accomplice,
Live Free With Lianne