Guide to Travel Bank Cards in the Philippines for E-prepaid and Credit Cards: What's the best bank account for travelling abroad ?

One of the most important aspects of traveling is your finances. It’s role is so big that it can make or break a trip. Which is why it is crucial that you choose the right financial tools available in the market to help you get the best deals without breaking the bank.

In the Philippines, different banks offer different tools for people like me who love to travel. Banks offer credit cards with miles reward for every use so you can earn free trips, there are also some who offer prepaid credit cards which you can use for booking stuff online which is the most convenient way nowadays. In this article, I will show you a few of the most travel-friendly banks in the Philippines and how to choose the best credit card or e-prepaid card for your travels abroad.

1. Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI)

Amore Visa Prepaid

BPI offers Amore Prepaid Card which is a prepaid credit card powered by Visa! You can use this card both here and abroad and can be reloaded for up to P100,000.00. You can apply for as low as P200.00 for the Amore Visa Prepaid PayWave and only P250 for the Amore Visa Prepaid Beep, at any BPI branch. Just fill up the online application form here and have your card ready for pick at your chosen branch!

You may also avail of the card at any of the following Ayala Malls Concierge:

• TriNoma (located at ground floor near McDonald’s)

• Alabang Town Center (upper ground floor, Activity Center)

• Glorietta 3 (ground floor, beside Cinderella)

• Market! Market! (ground floor near Lighters Galore)

• Ayala Center Cebu (ground floor, rotunda area)

All you have to bring is 1 valid government issued identification card and you the fee and you’re good to go! This card is valid for 4 years and does not have any required maintaining balance and may be reloaded through over-the-counter transaction or through their BPI Online Service and BPI Mobile App. Such a breeze right?

 BPI SkyMiles Mastercard

BPI SKyMiles Mastercard, on the other hand, is a credit card offer in partnership with Delta Air. This is BPI’s response “to the needs of the aspiring and frequent global travelers”. Cardholders automatically earn miles as they spend anywhere using their card. Every P45 spent earns one (1) SkyMiles miles, which means that the more you shop using a BPI SkyMiles card, the more miles you’ll earn which can used to travel to over 900 cities, 160 countries at 6 continents through Delta Air Lines and its SkyMiles Airline partners (the airfare must be charged to this card to claim the miles).

To apply, one must have an annual income of P180,000.00, with Income Tax Return (ITR) as proof, and filled up application form which you can fill up online here! Another bonus this card gives is that the SkyMiles are transferable so you can gift it to a loved one if you want to! Ain't that nice?!

2. EastWest Bank

EastWest Prepaid Card

For an application fee of only P100.00, EastWest Bank offers a prepaid Visa credit card that would allow you to pay for dining, shopping, fuel, groceries, utility bills and online purchases. For as long as the merchant or establishment that you are transacting with accepts VISA as a payment option, whether here or abroad, you will be able to use your Prepaid Card for payment. This card may be reloaded at any EastWest Bank branch without any extra fee. 

To apply, All you need to do is visit any EastWest Bank store and follow the simple steps below:

• Approach an EastWest sales officer and inquire about the Prepaid Card.

• Fully accomplish an EastWest Prepaid Card application form.

• Present at least one (1) valid government issued identification card.

• Pay a minimal card application fee of P100.

• Load your Prepaid Card with any amount between Php 100 to Php 100,000 and it will be credited to your prepaid card for immediate use.

EastWest Travel Money Card

Another offering from EastWest Bank is its Travel Money Card which is a multi-currency card. Yes, you can load up to six different currencies in just one card - US Dollar, Euro, British Pound, Hong Kong Dollar, Australian Dollar and Japanese Yen! Awesome, right? Oh, did I also mention that they exchange rate is locked-in for the currencies you have loaded. No need to worry about fluctuating exchange rates or to look for money exchange counter to give you the best deal on your rates. You can also withdraw in local currencies from all VISA-affiliated ATMs abroad. So so so great!

To apply for one, just visit any EastWest branch and follow the simple steps below:

• Fully accomplish the EastWest Travel Money application form.

• Present at least one (1) government-issued identification card.

• Pay a card application fee of P500.00

• Load your card with any of the six currencies purchased from EastWest.

To reload, you must personally visit any EastWest bank branch and fill out Purchase of Foreign Currency Application form and present this to the assigned EastWest personnel together with one (1) valid government-issued identification card.

3. UnionBank

UnionBank GetGo Rewards Card is in partnership with Cebu Pacific. Every P30.00 spent awards you with 1 GetGo point which you can accumulate and use to book discounted flights with Cebu Pacific! Cardholders are also treated to exclusive seat sale promos and early alerts for cheap flights! You just have to fill up the application form online and upload a government issued ID and ITR here!

4. Philippine National Bank (PNB)

Probably the most generous among the cards here is PNB’s Mabuhay Miles Master Card. Once you’re approved, PNB will give you a 2,000 Mabuhay Miles as a welcoming gift! Mabuhay Miles can be used to book domestic and international flights with the Philippine Airlines. And that’s not all, once you reach P100,000.00 worth of transaction with Philippine Airlines, you will be rewarded an additional 10,000 Mabuhay Miles! Additional travel perks include exclusive 5% discount on select PAL international flights, with P30.00 to 1 Mabuhay Miles point ratio! 

5. Banco De Oro (BDO)

Banco De Oro is the largest bank in the Philippines (in terms of assets) and one of their offerings is a Mastercard Cash Card which is a prepaid credit card that can be used both in the Philippines and abroad! You can get one with these few simple steps:

• Get your card for only P150

• No need to open a Checking or Savings Account

• No minimum maintaining balance

• Available at any BDO branch nationwide

The Cash Card is reloadable at any BDO branches nationwide or through their BDO Mobile App with only a minimum fee of P15.00 for every cash reload.

6. Philippine Savings Bank (PSBank)

Another prepaid card that you can use is PS Bank’s Prepaid Mastercard which you can use to book flights and hotel rooms online! Just reload at any PS Bank branches nationwide or through PS Bank online and you’re good to go! To apply, just comply with the following requirements:

• Completely filled-out bank forms:

  • Customer Information Sheet (CIS) for Individual Clients

  • Signature Card

  • Signing Instructions and Acknowledgement of Receipt

• Presentation of at least one (1) primary ID or two (2) valid secondary IDs, one of which with photo and signature.

7. Metrobank

Metrobank’s YAZZ card is a prepaid Visa card that can be used to shop at accredited VISA establishments worldwide including internet transactions. The YAZZ Reloadable VISA Card is available in all CD-R King, Family Mart, National Bookstore, Robinsons Department Store and at the SM Store, SM Hypermarket, SM Supermarket and SM Savemore. Convenient? Yasssss!!!

SWIPE RESPONSIBLY!

There you go! Choose from these options the best partner for your next travel! A little reminder though that having a credit card is a responsibility, so swipe responsibly!