Best Credit Cards in the Philippines with Travel Perks

The right travel credit card doesn’t just save you money—it can turn every trip into a smoother, more rewarding journey.

Key Takeaways

• Travel credit cards offer more than miles. They bundle perks like lounge access, travel insurance, and forex savings that make trips safer and more comfortable.
  
• Choosing the right card depends on lifestyle. Whether you’re a frequent flyer, vacationer, or business traveler, banks in the Philippines offer tailored options.
  
• Maximizing perks requires strategy. Using one main card, redeeming points smartly, and tracking promos can unlock thousands in savings yearly.

A credit card with travel perks can transform the experience, giving you access to rewards, comfort, and protection every time you fly. In the Philippines, banks offer cards that cater to jet-setters, weekend explorers, and even professionals who frequently travel for work.

But which ones actually deliver the most value? This guide about the best travel credit cards compares top choices and helps you find the right card for your lifestyle.

Benefits of Using Credit Cards for Travel

Regular cards reward shopping or dining, but a credit card with travel perks focuses on experiences that matter when you’re away from home. These benefits can include:

• Airline miles that can be redeemed for free or discounted tickets.
  
• Airport lounge access, letting you escape the chaos of terminals.
  
• Travel insurance covering medical emergencies, accidents, or lost luggage.
  
• Hotel discounts and upgrades that make trips more luxurious.
  
• Foreign transaction savings give better exchange rates abroad.
  
• Concierge services for stress-free bookings, dining reservations, or trip planning.

For frequent flyers, these can add up to thousands of pesos in savings each year, not to mention convenience and peace of mind.

Factors to Consider When Choosing a Travel Credit Card

When selecting the best card with travel perks, you’ll want to evaluate it based on:

1. Rewards Program: How fast can you earn miles? What’s the peso-to-mile conversion?
   
2. Annual Fee vs. Benefits: Are the perks worth the yearly cost?
   
3. Foreign Transaction Fees: Some cards charge up to 3.5% extra per overseas swipe.
   
4. Airline/Hotel Partnerships: Certain cards are tied to specific loyalty programs like KrisFlyer or Mabuhay Miles.
   
5. Additional Benefits: Think about insurance, sign-up bonuses, or purchase protection.
   

With that in mind, let’s look at the best travel credit cards available to Filipino travelers today.

Best Credit Cards in the Philippines with Travel Perks

Whether you’re chasing miles  or simply want a stress-free airport experience, these credit cards stand out for the value they provide.

Credit Card	Annual Fee	Rewards Program	Lounge Access	Travel Insurance	Forex Fee	Best For
RCBC Visa Platinum	₱5,000	1 mile/₱25 abroad, non-expiring miles	Yes (Priority Pass + PAGSS)	Yes	~3.5%	Premium flyers, mileage collectors
Metrobank Travel Platinum Visa	₱5,000 (waived Y1)	1/₱17 travel spend, 1/₱50 others	Yes	Yes (₱5M)	~2.5%	Business travelers, frequent flyers
BDO AmEx Explorer	₱4,000 (waive @₱450k spend)	Partner hotel perks, lifestyle discounts	No	Limited	~2.5%	Vacationers, hotel lovers
China Bank Destinations World Mastercard	₱6,000 (waived Y1)	1/₱30 → 1:1 air miles	Yes	Yes	~1.7%	Low-fee seekers, practical spenders
EastWest Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Mastercard	₱5,000	1 mile/₱12 (travel), tiered rates	Yes	Yes	~1.7%	Singapore Airlines loyalists
BPI Platinum Rewards Card	₱5,000	2 pts/₱30 local, 2 pts/₱20 foreign/online	Yes (~1,300 lounges)	Yes (₱10M)	~1.85%	Balanced rewards + strong coverage
Citi PremierMiles Mastercard	₱5,000+ (often waived)	1/₱30 + up to 30k bonus miles	Optional	Varies	Check bank	Flexible redeemers, casual travelers
UnionBank Miles+ Platinum Visa	₱5,000	1/₱25 base, 1.5x travel spend, 10k bonus	Yes	Yes	Bank dependent	Everyday spenders who travel

10 Tips for Maximizing Credit Card Travel Perks

Getting a credit card with travel perks is just the first step, and using it wisely ensures you get the most out of every swipe. Here are 10 ways to maximize your benefits:

1. Concentrate your spending – Stick to one main card for most purchases so you accumulate points and miles faster.
   
2. Take advantage of sign-up bonuses – Some cards offer bonus miles equivalent to a free round-trip ticket just for meeting a spending threshold.
   
3. Use lounge access – Long layovers or delayed flights become more comfortable when you maximize complimentary lounge benefits.
   
4. Pay attention to forex fees – Choose cards with lower foreign transaction charges if you shop often abroad or online in foreign currency.
   
5. Always pay your balance in full – Interest charges can easily cancel out the value of the miles and perks you earn.
   
6. Stack rewards with promos – Watch for airline or hotel promos tied to your card for boosted miles or exclusive discounts.
   
7. Don’t forget the insurance – Built-in travel insurance can save you thousands in medical or emergency expenses. Activate it before every trip.
   
8. Redeem strategically – Use your points or miles for long-haul or peak-season flights to get the best redemption value.
   
9. Track your miles expiry – While some cards offer non-expiring miles, many still have cutoffs. Plan redemptions ahead.
   
10. Mix and match cards if needed – Pair a premium travel card with a no-forex-fee card for the best balance of rewards and savings.

Find the Best Credit Card for Your Next Trip

The right credit card with travel perks isn’t just about miles, but it’s also about creating safer and more enjoyable journeys.

Ultimately, the best choice depends on whether you travel often, occasionally, or just for short getaways. Ready to choose your perfect match? Start making your trips more rewarding today with Cards.ph.

Frequently Asked Questions About Travel Credit Cards

1. What is a credit card with travel perks?

A credit card with travel perks is designed to reward cardholders for travel-related spending. Instead of just earning points for shopping or dining, these cards offer benefits like air miles, airport lounge access, travel insurance, and hotel discounts. 

2. Are travel credit cards worth it in the Philippines?

Yes, especially if you travel at least a few times a year. The savings from free tickets, waived baggage fees, lounge access, or travel insurance can easily outweigh the annual fee. 

3. Do credit cards include travel insurance?

Most premium travel credit cards in the Philippines include travel insurance as part of their perks. Coverage often includes medical emergencies, accidents, lost baggage, and even trip cancellations. However, benefits and coverage amounts vary, so it’s important to read the fine print and know what’s included before relying on it.

4. Can I use my credit card with travel perks for non-travel expenses?

Absolutely. While these cards shine when used for flights, hotels, and international purchases, they also earn points or miles on everyday spending. 

5. What’s the difference between a regular rewards card and a travel credit card?

Regular rewards cards focus on cashback or discounts for shopping and dining. A travel credit card, on the other hand, tailors its benefits to frequent travelers—offering miles, forex savings, lounge access, and travel protection. If you travel often, the specialized perks can add up to more long-term value than a standard card.

6. Do miles or points from travel credit cards expire?

It depends on the bank and the specific card. Some cards, like RCBC Visa Platinum, offer non-expiring miles, while others may set expiration dates after a certain period of inactivity. To avoid losing rewards, track your balances and plan redemptions ahead of time.