What is the best credit card for students in the Philippines?

There is no universal best card. Students usually do better starting with a no annual fee, secured, supplementary, or low-fee card path, then comparing approval requirements directly with each bank.

Can students get credit cards in the Philippines?

Some students can qualify through supplementary cards, secured credit cards, or regular cards if they meet income and document requirements. Always check bank-specific eligibility before applying.

What is the best beginner credit card?

A beginner card should match your income, spending habits, and repayment discipline. No annual fee cards can be good for low upkeep, while rewards or cashback cards only help if you pay in full.

Which digital bank has the best savings rate?

Rates change often. Compare the current advertised rate, promo mechanics, caps, withholding tax, transfer fees, and whether the rate is base or boosted before choosing a digital bank.

Best No Annual Fee Credit Cards Philippines 2026

Compare no annual fee and low-upkeep credit cards for first-time cardholders. Updated May 2026 and based on official bank terms where available.

M Free Mastercard

Metrobank

CardVerify

Best for

No annual fee ownership

Annual fee

No annual fee for life, as advertised by Metrobank

Rewards / interest

Perks, promos, installments, and balance conversion rather than a core points card

Income / approval

Check official terms

+ No annual fee for life+ Strong traditional bank acceptance! Metrobank lists a high gross annual income requirement

Review

Ze-Lo Mastercard

PNB

Best No Annual FeeCardModerate

Best for

Low-fee starter ownership

Annual fee

No annual fee positioning; verify latest PNB terms

Rewards / interest

Low-fee positioning rather than rewards-heavy earning

Income / approval

Wise lists PHP 120,000 annual income; verify with PNB

+ No annual fee positioning+ Beginner-friendly cost profile! Fewer rewards than points or cashback cards

Review

Secured Credit Card

BDO

CardVerify

Best for

Beginners with no credit history

Annual fee

Check latest BDO secured card fees and hold-out terms

Rewards / interest

Credit-building access with collateralized approval path

Income / approval

Check official terms

+ Ideal beginner path when regular approval is hard+ Helps build credit behavior! Requires funds to be held as security

Review

BPI

BankVerify

Best for

Traditional banking for first payroll accounts

Balance

Varies by account type

Rewards / interest

Cards, deposits, mobile banking, investments, and bill payment ecosystem

Income / approval

Check official terms

+ Large traditional bank network+ Good first job payroll fit! Some accounts have maintaining balances

Review

BDO

BDO Unibank

BankVerify

Best for

Traditional bank access

Balance

Varies by account type; ATM Savings is positioned from PHP 2,000

Rewards / interest

Savings, secured credit card, installment card, regular cards, branch and ATM access

Income / approval

Check official terms

+ Massive ATM and branch network+ Good secured credit card path for no-history beginners! Digital UX can feel more traditional

Review

Metrobank

BankVerify

Best for

Traditional credit-building path

Balance

Varies by account type

Rewards / interest

Deposits, loans, credit cards, investments, and promos

Income / approval

Check official terms

+ Strong traditional bank reputation+ Clear card lineup! Some beginner cards still require strong eligibility

Review

Maya Black

Maya Bank

Top PicksCardModerate

Best for

Digital-first card users

Annual fee

Maya page lists waived annual fees; verify active card rules

Rewards / interest

Visa perks and Maya credit card promos subject to Maya terms

Income / approval

Maya lists age/residency/upgraded-account requirements; credit evaluation applies

+ App-first card ecosystem+ Modern digital bank experience! Approval subject to credit evaluation

Review

Flex Visa

RCBC

CardVerify

Best for

Flexible rewards categories

Annual fee

Check latest RCBC fees and waiver promos

Rewards / interest

2x Rewards points on selected categories, as advertised by RCBC

Income / approval

Check official terms

+ Designed around lifestyle categories+ Flexible rewards redemptions! Best value requires choosing categories well

Review

Classic Mastercard

RCBC

CardModerate

Best for

Young professionals building independence

Annual fee

Wise lists PHP 1,500; verify current RCBC fees

Rewards / interest

Non-expiring rewards and travel perks mentioned by Wise; verify latest RCBC terms

Income / approval

Proof of income may be required; verify with RCBC

+ Beginner positioning in external guides+ Rewards redemption options! Annual fee applies

Review

Visa Classic

BDO

CardVerify

Best for

Traditional starter card path

Annual fee

Check latest BDO Visa Classic fees

Rewards / interest

Traditional card features, promos, and installment support subject to card terms

Income / approval

Check official terms

+ Backed by a very large branch and ATM footprint+ Useful for cash-heavy users! Regular approval can be harder without income or credit history

Review

Next Mastercard

Security Bank

CardModerate

Best for

Installment-minded users

Annual fee

Check latest Security Bank Next fees

Rewards / interest

Installment support and Security Bank card ecosystem benefits

Income / approval

Check latest Security Bank requirements

+ Installment-friendly positioning+ Good for planned purchases! Installments can encourage overspending

Review

Live+ Credit Card

HSBC Philippines

CardVerify

Best for

Dining, shopping, entertainment, and fuel cashback

Annual fee

First year waived as advertised; check succeeding annual fee

Rewards / interest

Cashback on dining, shopping, entertainment, and selected fuel spend

Income / approval

Check official terms

+ Lifestyle cashback structure+ Travel and online shopping perks! HSBC lists existing local card history and income requirements

Review