We choose credit cards depending on the type of benefits that we prefer to have. Personally, since I like to travel, I have always opted for travel credit cards. My current credit cards are both travel-oriented wherein I earn miles and gain free (and for a fee) access to airport lounges locally and internationally. But since travel will not be my main priority in the coming years except if it’s side hustle related, I’m on the lookout for the best cashback credit cards in the Philippines.
Note: This post is best viewed on your desktop or laptop.
After the lockdown is lifted, I might apply for a cashback credit card, I’m also considering having one of my cards changed into a cashback credit card. I have not decided yet though which card to let go of. I’ll keep you posted. I hope there will be a free annual fee-for-life promo in the coming months so I won’t have to let go of any of my travel credit cards.
Note to Readers: Please be advised that the information written here is valid as of the time of writing but may have been updated by the time you see/read this post. Please refer to the linked Philippine bank’s web pages to get the updated details. If the links are not working by the time you see the article, please go to the bank’s homepage.
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Advantages of Having a Cashback Credit Card
Cashback credit cards in the Philippines are geared toward people who shop a lot for both essential and non-essential products and services. Some cards aside from the cashback offer additional benefits to make their product stand out from their competitors.
I will not be including in this list co-branded credit cards for shopping, or fuel rebate credit cards but rather, I’ll only be listing cashback cards for both general essentials and non-essential purchases.
If you’re also on the lookout for a new credit card, check out my list of the best cashback credit cards in the Philippines.
| Credit Card | Minimum Income Requirement | Annual Membership Fee for Primary Card | Cashback on Supermarket | Cashback on Other Purchases | Max Rebate per Statement Month | Max Rebate Per Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Citibank Cash Back Card | P180,000 | P4,500 (1st Year is Free as of Oct 2023) | 6% | 2% on Meralco Bill Payment via Citibank and 0.20% on Other Purchases | P1,250 | P15,000 |
| American Express Cashback Credit Card | P33,000/Month | P250/Month (1st Year is Free as of Oct 2023) | Pls confirm with BDO | 1% Local Spend 2% Overseas Spend Bonus cashback % on the first 3 months (See Terms & Conditions) | Pls confirm with BDO | Pls confirm with BDO |
| HSBC Gold Visa Cash Back Credit Card | P200,000 | P2,500 | 0.5% | 5% on Dining 1% on Back-to-school Items and Overseas Purchase 3% Fuel rebate with Caltex | P1,200 | Pls confirm with HSBC |
| EastWest Everyday Titanium Mastercard | Pls confirm with EastWest | P2,800 | 0.5% - 5% for Supermarket spend depending on non-essential purchase requirement | 0.5% - 5% for gas spend depending on non-essential purchase requirement | Pls confirm with EastWest | Pls confirm with EastWest |
| EastWest Visa Platinum Card | Pls confirm with EastWest | P3,600 as of June 27, 2023 ((Automatically waived upon reaching Php1.5Mn accumulated spend for the past 12 months from card anniversary date)) | 0.3% | 0.3% - 3% depending on spend category | P1250 | Pls confirm with EastWest |
| Security Bank Complete Cash Back Platinum Mastercard | P480,000 | P3,000 | 5% | Local spend only: 5% on Groceris, 4% on Gas, 3% on Utilities, 2% on Dining and 1% on Shopping | P1,000 | P12,000 |
| Chinabank Cash Reward Mastercard | P250,000 | P299/Mont | Pls confirm with Chinabank | Pls confirm with Chinabank | Pls confirm with Chinabank | Pls confirm with Chinabank |
| BPI Amore Cashback Credit Card | Pls confirm with BPI | P2050 | 4% | 1% on Drug Stores and Utilities and 0.30% on Other Purchases | Pls confirm with BPI | P15,000 |
| BPI Amore Platinum Cashback Credit Card | Pls confirm with BPI | P5000 | 4% | 1% on Drug Stores and Utilities and 0.30% on Other Purchases | Pls confirm with BPI | P15,000 |
| Unionbank Cash Back Visa Platinum | Pls confirm with BPI | P3000 | 0.20% - 6% | 0.20% - 6% on Supermarket Purchases and 0.20% - 2% on Meralco Bill Payments and 0.20% on Other Purchases | P1,250 | Up to P15,000 |
| Robinsons Cashback | P180,000 is Single and P240,00 if Married | P2,500 | 0.5% - 3% | 0.5% - 3% rebate on your purchases worth P3,500 and up at Robinsons Brands and Affiliate Stores and 0 - 1% rebate on all your purchases worth P3,500 and up at other merchants | P1,800 | Up to P20,000 |
| Metrobank Cashback Credit Card | P350,000 | P3,500 | 0.20% - 5% | 0.20% - 5% on Select Merchant Codes | P1,000 | Up to P12,000 |
What are the available Cashback Credit Cards in The Philippines?
Citibank Cash Back Card
Citibank is probably one of the most generous cashback credit cards in the Philippines when it comes to supermarket purchases. They are offering as much as 6% with a P1,250 rebate cap per statement month and P15,000 rebate cap per anniversary year. They are also offering up to 2% cashback on Meralco bill payments through Citibank Online or Citi® One Bill®. The cashback rate for other purchases though is only 0.20%.
Please do note though that the 6% rebates on supermarket purchases and 2% on Meralco can only be availed if you have spent at least P10,000 per month on non-supermarket and non-Meralco expenses, such as gas, medicine, dining bills, or department store.
If your monthly grocery spend is really high then you’ll really benefit a lot from owning this card. If your family spends P2,000 per week on groceries or P8,000 per month on groceries, then you’d be able to get P480/month worth of cashback or the equivalent of P5,760/year.
Click here if you want to apply or if you want to learn more about Citibank Cash Back Card
American Express® Cashback Credit Card
American Express® Cashback Credit Card as we all know is only available via BDO. You can get 1% cashback on local purchases and 2% on overseas purchases. You can also enjoy up to 10% cashback within the first 3 months of card issuance (See Terms & Conditions).
The cashback only applies to goods and services and there are excluded items so be sure to check the entire mechanics and read the updated Terms and Conditions before you sign up.
10% Cashback (Up to P2500) for the first 3 months of card issuance is applicable to Cardmembers with Cards issued starting September 1, 2022. Cardmembers with Cards issued prior to September 1, 2022, will earn 5% cashback under the Welcome Offer Program.
Aside from cashback, this card also offers additional benefits which include 24/7 Global Travel Assistance for emergencies and complimentary travel & inconvenience insurance protection.
The first annual membership fee is also waived.
Click here to learn more about American Express® Cashback Credit Card
HSBC Gold Visa Cash Back Credit Card
HSBC offers a well-rounded cashback credit card which I think is more geared toward car-owner urban professionals who eat out frequently. The supermarket rebate falls under the other purchases category which only means you’ll get 0.5% on your groceries.
However, it offers a 5% dining rebate with participating restaurants and a 3% Caltex fuel rebate all year round.
Please note that cashback applies to merchants that are included in their Merchant Category Code.
Cardholders can also get a 1% rebate for purchases made in May, June, July, and August on Back-to-school items with participating department stores. You’ll also get a 1% rebate on overseas spend for purchases made in January, April, May, and December.
Click here to learn more about HSBC Gold Visa Cash Back Credit Card
EastWest Everyday Titanium Mastercard
EastWest Bank also offers a well-rounded card that gives up to a 5% cash rebate on your everyday essential spend on supermarket, gas, and drugstore purchases. The essential rebates increase as your non-essential purchases increase. The rebate for non-essential purchases worth P5,000 and below is 0.5%, 3% for non-essential purchases worth between P5,000 and P10,000, and 5% for P10,000 and up non-essential spend.
Non-essential spend consists of non-supermarket, non-gas, or non-drugstore purchases. If you shop a lot on a monthly basis then you will be able to maximize the benefit of this card.
However, if you don’t shop a lot of non-essentials, then this card might not be the right fit for you.
Annual income requirement and rebate cap are not mentioned on the website though, so better confirm this before you sign up with EastWest Bank.
Click here to learn more about EastWest Everyday Titanium Mastercard
EastWest Visa Platinum Credit Card
This card is geared towards shoppers and those who frequently eat out. According to EastWest Bank’s website, you can get up to 8.88%* on your favorite categories like department stores (both in-store & online), restaurants, fast food chains & food delivery apps, airlines, lodging or hotels, travel services, vehicle rentals, fuel, and even utilities.
Please note that Purchases from the following are not considered Department Store transactions (not an exclusive list): supermarkets/groceries, convenience stores, furniture shops, drugstores, hardware & appliance stores. Purchases made at these establishments will only be eligible for 0.3% Cash Rewards.
To avoid confusion, be sure to read their Terms and Conditions including their Glossary of Terms.
Aside from the rebate, you are entitled to free travel accident and inconvenience insurance.
Click here to learn more about EastWest Visa Platinum Credit Card
Security Bank Complete Cash Back Platinum Mastercard
This is probably the best card for moms and dads and breadwinners of the family. It offers a 5% rebate on supermarket purchases, 4% on gas, 3% on utilities, 2% on dining, and 1% on shopping. It offers cashback on all basic necessities of almost anyone.
The maximum rebate on a monthly bill is P1,000 and P12,000 annually. Please be aware that the cashback only covers participating shops covered on their list of merchant category codes and online and international purchases are not included.
Click here to learn more about Security Bank Complete Cash Back Platinum Mastercard
Chinabank Cash Reward Mastercard
As I am updating this post, all I can find on their website is that this card offers up to 6% cash rebate. I couldn’t see anymore the breakdown of their cash-back program. Before you apply for this card, contact Chinabank to get the information that you need.
Click here to learn more about Chinabank Cash Reward Mastercard
Maybank Platinum Mastercard
Another credit card that offers cashback is Maybank Platinum Mastercard. It offers a 1% rebate on overseas purchases with a P12,000 annual cap. However, it’s not indicated on the website the rebate for local purchases which is why I didn’t include this on the table. Aside from the 1% rebate, you are also eligible to earn points that you can exchange for miles.
Click here if you want to know more about the Maybank Platinum Mastercard
BPI Amore Cash Back Credit Card
If the majority of monthly purchases consist of only the essentials, you can also consider getting a BPI Amore Cashback Credit Card. This card allows you to enjoy cashback when you pay for your needs, whether in-store or online. It also lets you enjoy cashback on your other local spend.
Please note though that you have to spend a minimum of P1000 per transaction to avail of the cashback. And also this is only applicable to select merchant codes. Please check the Terms and Conditions before you apply for this card.
Click here if you want to know more about the BPI Amore Cashback Credit Card
BPI Amore Platinum Cash Back Credit Card
If BPI is your preferred bank and if you are qualified for the Platinum variant, then check out if this is a better option for you. The Platinum variant of the Amore Cashback Credit Card has more available merchant codes and also, a higher Annual Fee.
The Cashback percentage and annual cap are the same for both but you might be able to save more with Platinum because it has more qualified merchant codes for the Cashback program. Please check the Terms and Conditions before you apply for this card.
Click here if you want to know more about the BPI Amore Platinum Cashback Credit Card
Unionbank Cash Back Visa Platinum
If you can meet the P10,000 on non-supermarket and non-Meralco purchases, then you would be able to get the 6% Rebate on your supermarket purchases and 2% on Meralco Bills payments. This is the mechanics behind the Unionbank Cash Back Visa Platinum.
Please note that mechanics is subject to change so be sure to check out Unionbank’s website for the latest update before you sign up.
Click here if you want to know more about the Unionbank Cash Back Visa Platinum
Robinsons Cashback Credit Card
If you find yourself always shopping at Robinsons Mall or buying from Robinsons Brand and Affiliated Stores, then this might be the best option for you. As of the time of writing, this is the card that has the highest monthly (P1,800) and annual (P20,000) annual cap.
However, the minimum purchase to avail of the maximum Cashback percentage should be P3,500. If your purchase with Robinsons Retail Group (RRG) does not meet P3,500, then the Cashback percentage is only at 0.5%, and 0 if you purchase for less than P3,500 with non-RRG stores.
An interesting twist on their mechanics is that the Cashback percentage for your RRG purchases increases to up to 5% in the succeeding years of your membership if you meet the annual spend threshold. Just like all credit card mechanics and rules, they are subject to change so be sure to check Robinsons Bank’s website for the latest update before you sign up for a Robinsons Cashback Credit Card.
Click here if you want to know more about the Robinsons Cashback Credit Card
Metrobank Cashback Credit Card
If you can meet the P12,000 minimum spend on non-supermarket/grocery, non-telecommunications, non-school, and non-bookstore related purchases, then you would be able to get the 5% Rebate on your on all supermarket/grocery, telecom (eg. cable, streaming services), school and bookstore spend (Select Merchant Codes).
Be sure to check Metrobank’s website for the latest update before you sign up for a Metrobank Cashback Credit Card.
Click here if you want to know more about the Metrobank Cashback Credit Card
Which One is the Right Card for You?
Most cashback credit cards have minimum spend requirements before you can avail of the highest cashback rebate percentage that they offer.
In choosing the best cashback credit card for yourself, I suggest that you do not look at which card has the highest rebate percentage but understand what your monthly expenses look like.
After analyzing your monthly expenses, narrow down your choices based on which cashback credit card spending requirements you can meet and then choose the one that offers the best value.
Also, do consider the annual fee that you will have to spend in order to maintain this card.
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Before you Sign Up for a Card
Before you sign up for any credit card, be sure to read the terms and conditions and the fine print on the bank’s website to ensure that you are getting the updated information.
If you are unsure of some details, do not hesitate to contact the bank so their representatives can explain it further to you.
Note: Updated October 24, 2023
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Do you have any cashback credit cards? Feel free to share your tips and recommendations in the comment section below.
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