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• Best Credit Cards for Grocery Shopping in the Philippines

Best Credit Cards for Grocery Shopping in the Philippines

Spending more money on groceries lately? These days, using a credit card just for grocery purchases is a wise and practical decision, whether you shop at a supermarket or on an online grocery store.

A dedicated card for groceries allows you to track your grocery spending and manage your budget better. You may also get cash back, rewards, discounts, and other special offers from your issuing bank.

There are plenty of best credit cards for groceries in the Philippines, but the right one for you will depend on your preference. You might want to earn cash back or rewards with your card, or you might prefer something that lets you save on credit card fees and charges.

Based on such criteria, here are the best credit cards for grocery shopping in the Philippines.

Best Credit Cards with Cash Back for Grocery Shopping

Citi Cash Back Visa

Grocery cash back rate: Up to 6%

Minimum monthly income requirement: PHP 15,000 (for existing cardholders) / PHP 20,833.33 (for first-time cardholders)

Citibank offers the highest rebate rate on grocery purchases in the Philippines through the Citi Cash Back Visa. To qualify for the maximum 6% rebate, the total credit card transaction (excluding groceries and Meralco bill payments) must be at least PHP 10,000 per month.

As such, this is the best credit card for people who always do grocery shopping for a large family. Savings from using this cash back card can reach up to PHP 12,000 per year. Earned rebates don’t expire, so they can be used anytime making it one of the best credit cards for groceries and cash back.

Other features and benefits:

• PHP 5,000 welcome eGift^[1] for new cardholders (until July 31, 2020)
• Up to 2% cash back on Meralco bill payments through Citibank Online or Citi One Bill
• 0.20% cash back on all other purchases
• PHP 1,000 maximum monthly rebate

Fees and charges:

• Annual fee: PHP 3,500 (free for the first year)
• Interest rate: 3.50%
• Late payment fee: PHP 850 or the unpaid minimum balance, whichever is lower
• Overlimit fee: PHP 750 or the overlimit amount, whichever is lower

Security Bank Complete Cashback Mastercard

Grocery cash back rate: 5%

Minimum monthly income requirement: PHP 30,000

If you’re looking for a second (or third) credit card to use only for essential purchases in the Philippines, this cash back credit card can give you the best value.

Security Bank offers a tiered cash back scheme on its Complete Cashback Mastercard. Grocery purchases earn the highest rebate at 5%, followed by gas, utility payments, dining, and shopping transactions. This lets you save as much as PHP 12,000 cash back per year.

Online and overseas transactions, however, are not eligible for rebates. Also, you should have an existing credit card for at least one year to qualify for the Complete Cashback Mastercard.

Other features and benefits:

• Cash back on other essentials: fuel (4%), utilities (3%), dining (2%), and shopping (1%)
• PHP 1,000 maximum monthly rebate

Fees and charges:

• Annual fee: PHP 3,000 (free for the first year)
• Interest rate: 3.50%
• Late payment fee: PHP 600 or 6% of the minimum balance, whichever is lower
• Overlimit fee: PHP 500

EastWest EveryDay Titanium Mastercard

Grocery cash back rate: 0.5% to 5%

Minimum monthly income requirement: PHP 40,000

The EastWest EveryDay Mastercard is ideal for high-income earners who frequently purchase both essentials and non-essentials. The cash back you’ll earn depends on how much you spend on non-essentials (those made at merchants other than supermarkets, gasoline stations, and drugstores).

You can earn the highest rebate of 5% on essential spending (groceries, fuel, and medicines) if your non-essential purchases reach at least PHP 10,000 per month. If your total monthly non-essential purchase falls between PHP 5,000 and PHP 10,000, you’ll get a 3% rebate on your essential purchases. Lastly, if your total non-essential transaction for the month is below PHP 5,000, your cash back on essential purchases will be 0.5%.

Both local and overseas purchases using the card will earn cash back.

Other features and benefits:

• Up to 5% cash back on other essential purchases at gas stations and drugstores
• PHP 1,000 maximum monthly rebate

Fees and charges:

• Annual fee: PHP 2,800
• Interest rate: 3.50%
• Late payment fee: 8% of the minimum balance
• Overlimit fee: PHP 700

RCBC Bankard Landmark Anson’s Mastercard

Grocery cash back rate: 5% at Landmark Supermarket

Do you live or work near a Landmark establishment? This co-branded RCBC credit card is perfect for maximizing cash back on your purchases not only at Landmark Supermarket but also at Anson’s and Landmark Department Store.

Unlike other cash back credit cards in the Philippines, the RCBC Landmark Anson’s Mastercard has no maximum rebate cap, which means there’s no limit to the cash back you can earn in a month or year. Also, transactions made with this card earn rewards points—so it’s a cash back-and-rewards credit card in one.

However, only straight-charge transactions made from Mondays to Fridays are qualified for rebates.

Other features and benefits:

• 5% cash back on purchases at Landmark Department Store and Anson’s
• No maximum rebate cap
• 1 rewards point per PHP 50 spend at Landmark and Anson’s or per PHP 83.33 elsewhere

Fees and charges:

• Annual fee: PHP 80 per month
• Interest rate: 3.50%
• Late payment fee: PHP 400 – PHP 600
• Overlimit fee: PHP 500

Robinsons Cashback Credit Card

Grocery cash back rate: Up to 3% at Robinsons Supermarket / Up to 1% at other supermarkets

Minimum monthly income requirement: PHP 15,000 (if single) / PHP 20,000 (if married)

Loyal Robinsons shoppers can save a great deal on groceries and other types of spending with Robinsons Bank’s cash back credit card.

Earn up to PHP 20,000 rebate every year when you shop at Robinsons Supermarket, Robinsons Department Store, Robinsons Appliances, South Star Drug, Daiso, and other Robinsons-affiliated merchants.

Transactions worth over PHP 3,500 at other establishments also qualify for cash back of up to 1% using this Robinsons credit card.

Other features and benefits:

• Up to 3% cash back at Robinsons-branded and Robinsons-affiliated stores
• Up to 1% cash back on purchases (minimum of PHP 3,500) at non-Robinsons merchants

Fees and charges:

• Annual fee: PHP 2,500
• Interest rate: 3.88%
• Late payment fee: PHP 700
• Overlimit fee: PHP 500

UnionBank Gold Mastercard

Grocery cash back rate: 1.5%

Minimum monthly income requirement: PHP 50,000

With this UnionBank credit card, all your purchases—including groceries—earn a 1.5% rebate. Cash back earned with the Gold Mastercard has no limits and no expiration, so you can save as much money on your purchases and redeem your rebates anytime.

Other features and benefits:

• 1.5% cash back on all purchases
• No maximum rebate cap

Fees and charges:

• Annual fee: PHP 2,500
• Interest rate: 3.50%
• Late payment fee: PHP 750
• Overlimit fee: PHP 500

Best Credit Cards with Grocery Rewards

HSBC Red Mastercard

Grocery rewards earn rate: 1 point per PHP 20 spend / 4x points per PHP 20 spent online

Minimum monthly income requirement: PHP 16,667.67

For grocery spending, HSBC gives one rewards point per PHP 20 spent using the Red Mastercard. This is already a fast way to collect points, but you can earn rewards faster with other spending types. For instance, buying items online can earn you 4 points per PHP 20 spend, making it the one of the best credit cards for groceries and online shopping.

To get an HSBC Red Mastercard, you should have a credit card issued in the Philippines for at least 12 months. You may also qualify for a welcome gift if you apply for this HSBC credit card within the promo period.

Other features and benefits:

• Welcome gift of PHP 2,500 cash rebate^[2] for new cardholders (until December 31, 2020)
• 4x bonus points on dining, shopping, and international transactions
• 1 point per PHP 20 spend on all other types of purchases
• 6% rebate on the first Caltex fuel purchase plus 3% rebate all year round

Fees and charges:

• Annual fee: PHP 1,500
• Interest rate: 3.50%
• Late payment fee: PHP 700 or the unpaid minimum balance, whichever is lower
• Overlimit fee: PHP 500

Citi Rewards Mastercard

Grocery rewards earn rate: 1 point per PHP 30 spend

Minimum monthly income requirement: PHP 15,000 (for existing cardholders) / PHP 20,833.33 (for first-time cardholders)

Citi Rewards is one of the best credit cards with grocery rewards because of its fast earn rate. It lets you earn 1 point for every PHP 30 spent anywhere, including supermarkets, online stores, and food delivery apps. You can earn as many points as possible—there’s no earning limit. Accumulated points don’t expire, too.

Other features and benefits:

• No annual fee forever^[3] for new cardholders (until July 31, 2020)
• 3x points on dining and shopping
• 1 point per PHP 30 spend on all other types of purchases

Fees and charges:

• Annual fee: PHP 2,500 (free for the first year)
• Interest rate: 3.50%
• Late payment fee: PHP 850 or the unpaid minimum balance, whichever is lower
• Overlimit fee: PHP 750 or the over-limit amount, whichever is lower

RCBC Bankard Flex Gold Visa

Grocery rewards earn rate: 2 points per PHP 125 spend

Minimum monthly income requirement: PHP 30,000

The Flex Gold Visa allows you to maximize your rewards from grocery shopping. True to its name, this RCBC credit card provides flexibility. You can choose to double your points on your supermarket purchases and two other spending categories. You also have the option to switch your preferred categories for receiving 2x points every billing cycle based on changes to your spending habits.

Other features and benefits:

• 2x points per PHP 50 spend on two other categories of your choice (aside from groceries): household appliances, department store, gas, or travel
• 1 point per PHP 50 purchase at other non-service merchants
• 1 point per PHP 125 purchase at service merchants
• 1 point per PHP 250 utility bills payment

Fees and charges:

• Annual fee: PHP 3,000
• Interest rate: 3.50%
• Late payment fee: PHP 400 – PHP 600
• Overlimit fee: PHP 500

Mercury Drug Citi

Grocery rewards earn rate: 5 points per PHP 200 spend at Mercury Drug per month / 1 point per PHP 200 spend anywhere

Minimum monthly income requirement: PHP 15,000 (for existing cardholders) / PHP 20,833.33 (for first-time cardholders)

If you often buy groceries and medicines at Mercury Drug, you might as well get yourself this Citibank credit card that provides a lot of benefits for loyal customers of the Philippines’ leading pharmacy chain.

With this Citi card, you can get 5x points on up to PHP 320,000 total monthly purchase at Mercury Drug per month. Purchases exceeding that monthly limit still earn 1 point per PHP 200 spend. The same earn rate also applies to transactions elsewhere (except for the drugstore chain’s competitors) using the Mercury Drug Citi. This is one of Citi’s best credit cards for groceries and health-related purchases.

Other features and benefits:

• PHP 5,000 cash credits^[4] for new cardholders (until July 31, 2020)
• 3x points on health, beauty, and wellness spend
• 3x points on overseas transactions
• 24/7 ambulance service within Metro Manila worth PHP 10,000 once a year

Fees and charges:

• Annual fee: PHP 2,000
• Interest rate: 3.50%
• Late payment fee: PHP 850 or the unpaid minimum balance, whichever is lower
• Overlimit fee: PHP 750 or the over-limit amount, whichever is lower

BDO ShopMore Mastercard

Grocery rewards earn rate: 1 point per PHP 400 spend at SM Markets and other partner supermarkets / 0.50 point per PHP 200 spend anywhere

Minimum monthly income requirement: PHP 15,000

This BDO credit card is a must-have for frequent SM shoppers, including those who always buy groceries from SM Markets (SM Supermarket, SM Hypermarket, and Savemore) and other retail partners such as WalterMart and Alfamart.

The ShopMore Mastercard comes with a free SM Advantage Card, which lets you rack up points each time you shop at any SM establishment and partner merchants.

Other features and benefits:

• 1 point per PHP 200 spend at The SM Store, Ace Hardware, Uniqlo, and other retail partners
• 1 point per PHP 250 spend at Shell stations
• 1 point per PHP 400 spend at Watsons, SM Appliance Center, and other partner merchants
• Up to PHP 10,000 rebates on select days at The SM Store, participating SM Retail affiliates. and retail partners
• Exclusive discounts, special offers, and access to sale events at SM and other retail partners in the Philippines

Fees and charges:

• Annual fee: PHP 125 per month (free for the first year)
• Interest rate: 3.50%
• Late payment fee: 7% of the overdue amount
• Overlimit fee: None

Best No Annual Fee Credit Cards for Groceries

AUB Easy Mastercard

Minimum monthly income requirement: PHP 21,000

Aside from waived annual fees, what makes owning an AUB credit card easy on the budget is its payment flexibility. You can choose when, how often, and how much minimum amount to pay for your credit card bill. For instance, you may opt to set your due date/s every payday, whether it’s once or twice a month.

The Easy Mastercard isn’t just affordable to own but also rewarding to use. Rack up non-expiring points, as the card lets you earn 1 point per only PHP 20 spend. It’s one of the best credit cards for groceries you can have if you wish to save money on annual fees.

Key features and benefits:

• 1 rewards point per PHP 20 spend
• Flexible credit card payment frequency and due date

Fees and charges:

• Annual fee: No annual fee for life
• Interest rate: 3.50%
• Late payment fee: PHP 175 – PHP 700 or the unpaid minimum balance, whichever is lower
• Overlimit fee: None

EastWest Platinum Mastercard

Minimum monthly income requirement: PHP 150,000

With its zero annual fees and low interest rate, the EastWest Platinum Mastercard allows you to save on your credit card payment. This rewards credit card comes with a free virtual card for secure online shopping.

Key features and benefits:

• 1 rewards point per PHP 40 spend
• Up to PHP 20 million travel insurance
• 24/7 worldwide concierge service

Fees and charges:

• Annual fee: No annual fee for life
• Interest rate: 2.75%
• Late payment fee: 8% of the minimum balance
• Overlimit fee: PHP 500

Citi Simplicity+

Minimum monthly income requirement: PHP 15,000 (for existing cardholders) / PHP 20,833.33 (for first-time cardholders)

Simplicity+ is Citibank’s no-frills credit card. With this card, you’ll never be charged annual fees, late payment fee, and overlimit fee. You’ll even get 10% cash back on interest charges when you pay at least your minimum balance on time.

Fees and charges:

• Annual fee: No annual fee for life
• Interest rate: 3.50%
• Late payment fee: None
• Overlimit fee: None

PNB Ze-Lo Mastercard

Minimum monthly income requirement: PHP 10,000

This new PNB credit card is great for low-income earners and first-timers who need a card that lets them pay for groceries and other essentials without being burdened with steep fees.

On top of its waived annual fees, the PNB Ze-Lo Mastercard also has a lower interest rate than the industry standard. No worries when you suddenly fall short of budget because you won’t be charged when you miss a payment due date, or when your transaction exceeds your credit limit.

Fees and charges:

• Annual fee: No annual fee for life
• Interest rate: 2.25% (outstanding balance of at least PHP 100,000) / 2.99% (outstanding balance of below PHP 100,000)
• Late payment fee: None
• Overlimit fee: None

Related: Credit Cards With No Annual Fee in the Philippines

Best Credit Cards for Groceries in the Philippines

After comparing the different options listed above, here are our most recommended credit cards for grocery shopping:

• Best credit card with grocery cash back: Citi Cash Back Visa
• Credit card with the best grocery rewards: HSBC Red Mastercard
• Best no annual fee grocery credit card: AUB Easy Mastercard
• Best credit card for online grocery shopping: Citi Rewards Mastercard

How to Use a Credit Card in Grocery Stores

Paying with a credit card at a grocery store is simple and straightforward. Just present your card to the cashier, who will swipe it on the point-of-sale (POS) terminal. You’ll be asked to enter your PIN using the terminal or put your signature on the charge slip. Then wait for your card and receipt to be given to you.

However, there’s a faster and safer way to pay for groceries with your credit card. You may simply tap your card over the POS terminal at the counter if your card has the contactless payment icon. The POS terminal is contactless-enabled if your total purchase is PHP 2,000 or below. Contactless payments don’t require a signature or PIN.

Remember to clean your hands with water and soap or rubbing alcohol after every transaction. You may even clean your credit card with an alcohol-based sanitizer or disinfecting wipe after using it.

Related: Tap and Go: Everything You Need to Know about Contactless Credit Cards

Final Thoughts

The best credit cards for groceries are those that allow you to maximize the benefits you want to gain from your card—be it cash back, rewards, or savings on credit card fees.

While you’re deciding which credit card to get, you may also want to check out these articles about making wise choices when grocery shopping:

• Grocery List Essentials to Help You Shop During the COVID-19 Pandemic
• Shopping in the Time of COVID-19: 25 Online Grocery Stores with Delivery Services

Sources:

• ^{[1] [3] [4]} Citibank Welcome Gift Promo
• ^[2] HSBC Cash Rebate Promo

Venus Zoleta

Venus is an experienced personal finance writer with a background in digital marketing, public relations, and journalism. She’s into stock, VUL, and mutual fund investing. Follow Venus on LinkedIn.