12 Credit Card Fees in the Philippines to Watch Out For
- By Pierre Salonga
- May 11, 2021
“Having a credit card is expensive and often leads to unmanageable debt.” Agree or disagree? This is a common concern—and a big misconception—of the average Filipino about owning a plastic card. But credit cards don’t deserve such a bad rep. Just as money isn’t the root of all evil, a credit card in itself won’t drown you in debt. Rather, it’s how you compare, choose, and use credit cards. Credit card bill shock is real, so you must find ways on how to avoid or manage it. Start by knowing the types of credit card charges in the Philippines.[1] In doing so, you can easily come up with some ways on how to save on your monthly bills. We’ve listed down the most common types of credit card fees and charges. For easier understanding, we’ve divided the credit card fees into two categories. Each of the fees also includes the rates of the country’s major credit card providers. Credit Card Charges in the Philippines: Service Fees for Card Use/Transactions 1. Annual Fee: PHP 300 to PHP 12,000 The annual fee is the membership fee you’ll pay every year for the convenience of using a credit card. The amount remains the same whether you use your card often or rarely. Credit Card Annual Fees in the Philippines Note that the rates above are just for principal cards. Annual fees of supplementary cards are usually half of the principal cards’ fees. For example, if you pay PHP 1,500 for your principal card’s annual fee, your supplementary card’s annual fee will be PHP 750….
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Top Tips for Freelancers in the Philippines Who Want a Credit Card
- By Pierre Salonga
- April 21, 2021
“Can a freelancer get a credit card?” For anyone who has started a work-from-home career, concerns like getting a credit card for freelancers in the Philippines always come to mind. Credit cards are useful for self-employed Filipinos just as they are for employees. Having one allows freelancers to verify their PayPal accounts for receiving payments online. It can also be used to buy software programs, web hosting services, and other important work tools. Of course, it comes in handy when shopping online, paying bills, or booking flights. While a Visa/Mastercard debit card or prepaid card can get those things done, it’s better to use a credit card for certain transactions. For example, you can pay for big purchases like laptops or appliances in monthly installments with no interest. You can earn rewards points with your credit card transactions. More importantly, you can also use your credit card during financial emergencies when you have no access to cash. Read more: Visa vs Mastercard: Which Credit Card Brand is Better? 8 Steps to Prepare Financially for the Freelancer Life Unfortunately, it’s challenging to get a credit card for freelancers in the Philippines. To qualify for one, you have to own a registered business with a profitable operation for at least one to two years. To prove that, you’re required to submit an income tax return (ITR), business registration papers, and financial statements. Beginning freelancers typically don’t have these documents on hand. But don’t lose hope—you can still get a credit card even if you don’t have stable employment. Here are different ways…
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Shopping in the Time of COVID-19: 30 Online Grocery Stores with Delivery Services
- By Pierre Salonga
- April 13, 2021
How do you keep your pantry stocked without leaving home? Use an online grocery delivery service. Online grocery stores in the Philippines have been around for a while. Some of these online shops even started operating before the COVID-19 outbreak. More online supermarkets have opened during the pandemic. Suddenly, Filipinos have realized their value now that the country is under quarantine. So that you don’t risk spreading or getting infected with the coronavirus, just stay at home and order your needed food and supplies from online grocery shops with delivery service. Know if you are at risk for COVID-19 with our COVID-19 Self Assessment tool. Click here. What is Online Grocery Delivery? Online grocery delivery is a web-based service that makes it convenient and safe for people to order groceries, food, and other household essentials and then have them delivered to their homes. Back to the main article: 21 Online Shopping Sites for Every Type of Need How Does Online Grocery Delivery Work? Online ordering is quickly and easily done using a smartphone or laptop through the store’s e-commerce site, mobile app, Facebook/Instagram page, online order form, and/or partner online shops. Usually, online shops accept cash on delivery. But more stores have shifted to safer, contactless payment methods such as credit cards, debit cards, e-wallets, and online bank transfers. Once the customer’s payment is confirmed, the items are gathered by a personal shopper, the order is processed, and the delivery is arranged. Supermarkets, delivery apps, online marketplaces, and stand-alone e-commerce stores (typically small businesses) provide online grocery delivery in the Philippines….
