The Best 2017 Travel Credit Cards for Filipinos

Mar 16 20171 comment

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If you do a lot of traveling, you should consider applying for a travel credit card to reward you for your purchases. There is an abundance of travel credit cards out there, so how do you choose the one that is right for you? We’ve compiled a list of the best travel credit cards for 2017 to help you choose the one that best suits your needs.

BDO Diners Club International Card: The Economical Card

The Basics:

With the BDO Diners Club International credit card, you can earn one reward point for every ₱20.00 in spend.  Accumulate your points and exchange them for shopping gift cards, hotel loyalty points, airline miles, and much more. Best of all, your rewards points never expire! There is an annual fee of ₱2,000.00 for the primary account; however, this annual fee is much lower than other top travel cards.

The Benefits:

What makes this card stand tall against the competition are the benefits you get as a cardholder. With your card, you gain access to over 500 airport lounges worldwide, in addition to exclusive Diners Club privileges like complimentary room upgrades, free meals, and free rounds of golf.

Promotions:

There are multiple BDO credit cards promo running right now, but the one that stands out is the “Book Now Pay Later” promo that runs through May 31, 2017. This promo allows you to book your trip completely on installment and get up to 50% off, and one month billing holiday at 0% interest!

The Bottom Line:

If you’re looking for a basic, straight-forward, and affordable travel credit card, the BDO Diners Club International credit card is for you.

EastWest Bank Gold Card: The All-Purpose Card

The Basics:

EastWest Bank offers some of the best credit cards on the market. With the EastWest Bank Gold Card you can enjoy limitless rewards and one reward point for every ₱100.00 in spend. You can redeem your accumulated points to receive vouchers that you can exchange for gift certificates or purchases at EastWest Bank partner establishments. There is an annual fee of ₱2,000.00 on the primary account, and an annual fee of ₱1,250 on each supplemental account.

The Benefits:

With your EastWest Bank Gold Card you will receive up to 20% discount all year on all EastWest Bank partner establishments from a variety of categories, such as shopping, dining, health and wellness, and travel.

Promotions:

Right now there is a great promo associated with EastWest Bank credit cards. Any cardholder who uses their EastWest credit card to book a flight, hotel accommodation, tour package, or attraction tickets on Asiatravel.com will get ₱2,000.00 worth of cash vouchers for free!

The Bottom Line:

If you’re looking for an easy-to-understand credit card that offers exclusive member discounts both local and abroad, the EastWest Bank Gold Card is for you.

HSBC Platinum Card: Ultimate Overseas Companion

The Basics:

With your HSBC Platinum Card, you will receive one air mile for as low as ₱25.00 spend, with accelerated reward points for up to ₱60,000.00 in spend. In addition, you will earn bonus points for various other activities. There is an annual fee of ₱5,000.00, which is waived for the first year.

The Benefits:

With the HSBC Platinum Card you can earn rewards fast. You have the ability to earn four bonus points for every ₱20.00 spent on purchases overseas when you travel abroad or shop online. In addition, you can earn 3x rewards points when you shop or dine locally in the Philippines.

Promotions:

HSBC is waiving the ₱5,000 annual fee for new cardholders, allowing you to take advantage of this attractive card for free during the first year. In addition, HSBC is offering a free American Tourister Spinner luggage when you apply for a credit card and reach ₱5,000.00 in spend.

The Bottom Line:

If you want one of the best travel cards in the industry, the ability to earn rewards fast, and no-annual fee for the first year, this is the card for you.

Which Card Will You Pick?

We have provided you with great information on the best three travel credit cards of 2017. The choice is ultimately yours to make. If you are looking for a robust travel rewards program, the HSBC Platinum card is for you. If you’re looking for an affordable card, the BDO Diners Club International credit card could suit your needs. However, if you are looking for more of an overall travel card with cardholder exclusive discounts all year long, the EastWest Bank Gold Card may be just what you are looking for.


This article is contributed by John from iMoney.ph, the leading financial comparison site in the Philippines. Our aim is to inform the common Filipino on the importance of financial responsibility as well as broadening their knowledge regarding various financial products, its proper use, for their own benefit.
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About the Author

Pam is an outdoors-loving millennial momma who loves to hike, trek and camp in the beaches and mountains with her partner and their 3-year-old daughter. When not exploring the great outdoors, she moonlights as a freelance writer specializing in the travel, parenting, personal finance and digital marketing niches. You can also follow her via social media: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest!