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What Fees are Charged on a Credit Card? Here’s an Up-to-Date List

Rouselle Isla

Rouselle Isla

Last updated September 22, 2023

"Having a credit card is expensive and often leads to unmanageable debt." 

This is a common concern—albeit 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 won't necessarily drown you in debt. It's all about how you choose and use credit cards.

Credit card bill shock is real, so you must find ways 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 ways to save on your monthly bills.

We’ve listed the most common types of credit card fees and charges. We’ve divided them into two categories for easier understanding. Each fee also includes rates of the major credit card providers.

Credit Card Charges in the Philippines: Service Fees for Card Use/Transactions

credit card charges philippines - service fees

📌 Annual Fee: ₱300 to ₱6,000

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

Bank Credit Card Annual Fee
AUB Free for life
Bank of Commerce ₱1,500 to ₱6,000
BPI ₱1,320 - ₱5,500
China Bank ₱1,500 - ₱6,000
HSBC
  • HSBC Premier Mastercard: Free for life
    Other HSBC cards: ₱1,200 - ₱5,000
Metrobank ₱2,500 - ₱6,000
PNB
  • Ze-Lo Mastercard, Cart Mastercard, and select co-branded cards: Free for life
    Other PNB cards: ₱300 - ₱6,000
RCBC
  • Hexagon Club: Free for life
    Other RCBC Bankard cards: ₱1,500 - ₱5,000
Robinsons Bank ₱1,200 - ₱3,000
Security Bank ₱1,000 - ₱2,500
UnionBank ₱1,500 - ₱5,000

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 ₱1,500 for your principal card’s annual fee, your supplementary card’s annual fee will be ₱750.

How to Avoid Annual Fees

  • Apply for or switch to a no-annual-fee credit card. Banks like AUB and Metrobank offer credit cards with free annual fees for life.
  • Get a card with a waived annual fee for the first year. If none of the credit cards with zero annual fees matches your needs, the next best option is a card that doesn't charge an annual fee for the first year. At least you'll save thousands of pesos in a year before you start paying the annual fee.
  • Redeem your credit card rewards points for an annual fee waiver. If you've accumulated enough reward points, you can use them to waive your annual fee.
  • Contact the bank to request an annual fee waiver. It may be worth asking the bank to waive your annual fee if your card is in good standing and you meet the minimum spending requirement within a certain period.

 


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📌 Cash Advance Fee: ₱200 per transaction

Banks charge a fixed service fee of ₱200 every time you withdraw cash from an ATM using your credit card.

Here’s a friendly reminder from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP): Credit card companies cannot impose other charges on cash advances except for a maximum processing fee.

How to Avoid Cash Advance Fees

As much as possible, avoid making cash advances, especially for non-emergencies. If you need instant cash, pay off your credit card balance to avoid debt. Consider alternatives such as low-interest personal loans.

📌 Foreign Currency Transaction Fee: Varies per bank

If you use your credit card when traveling abroad, you'll be charged a percentage of the overseas transaction amount, automatically converted to Philippine pesos. 

Visa, Mastercard, or another credit card network may charge an additional 1% assessment fee.

Foreign Currency Transaction Fees in the Philippines

Bank Foreign Currency Transaction Fee
AUB 1.5% service fee
Bank of Commerce 2.5%, including the Mastercard assessment fee
BPI 1.85% of the converted amount, including the Mastercard/Visa assessment fee of 1%
China Bank 2.5%, including the Mastercard assessment fee
HSBC 2.5% of the converted sum plus reimbursement of the assessment fee charged by Visa/MasterCard to HSBC, equivalent to 1% of the converted sum
Metrobank Mastercard/Visa’s assessment fee plus a 2.5% processing fee
PNB 2.5% of the converted amount using Mastercard/ Visa/UnionPay’s conversion rate of the day
RCBC 3.5% (bank’s service fee and Mastercard/Visa/JCB/UnionPay assessment fee)
Robinsons Bank 3%
Security Bank 1% Mastercard assessment fee and 1.5% service fee
UnionBank
  • Classic and Gold cards: 3% covering the cost of processing transactions in foreign currencies
  • Platinum cards: 2% covering the cost of processing transactions in foreign currencies

How to Avoid Foreign Transaction Fees

Find a credit card with a low foreign currency transaction fee. AUB and BPI, for example, charge relatively lower foreign transaction fees. Or pay in cash instead of using your credit card abroad.

📌 Balance Transfer Fee: ₱250 to ₱650 per transaction

If you’re dealing with credit card debt, you may want to transfer all your balance to a new credit card with a 0% interest rate. That way, you’ll be able to reduce the amount of interest you’re going to pay. 

Moreover, it will help you pay your credit card debt more quickly. Just keep in mind, though, that balance transfers come with a fee.

Balance Transfer Fees in the Philippines

Bank Balance Transfer Fee
AUB ₱250
Bank of Commerce ₱100
BPI ₱300
HSBC ₱650
Metrobank ₱350
RCBC ₱250
Robinsons Bank Varies depending on the amount and installment term

Read more: 6 Strategies to Manage and Quickly Pay Off Your Credit Card Debt

📌 Gambling/Gaming/Casino Fee: 3% to 5% or ₱500 to ₱1,000 per transaction

If you use your credit card to pay for gaming or gambling activities (e.g., online betting, buying lottery tickets, etc.) in a casino or any similar establishment, you'll have to pay a service fee to your bank.

Gambling/Gaming Fees in the Philippines

Bank Gambling/Gaming Fee
Bank of Commerce 5% of the transaction amount
BPI ₱500 or 3% of the gaming transaction, whichever is higher, for every gaming transaction in casinos and/or online betting
Metrobank 5% of the transacted amount
RCBC 5% of every transaction or ₱1,000, whichever is higher
Robinsons Bank 5% of the transaction amount
UnionBank 5% service fee

How to Avoid Gambling Fees

Gambling is an addicting habit. The convenience of paying with a credit card and spending money you don't have at the casino makes the addiction even worse.

Perennial gamblers don't proactively find ways to avoid shelling out extra bucks to sustain their habit. Concerned family and friends can help these people by monitoring and taking charge of their finances, including credit cards. 

If the behavior still doesn't improve, consider canceling the credit card, as gambling is one of the worst reasons to have a credit card.

📌 Charge Slip Retrieval Fee: ₱150 to ₱500 per slip

Sometimes, you spot inconsistencies in your credit card records, which may be a clerical error or a possible sign of fraud. You’ll need to get a charge slip to verify things. However, retrieval of a charge slip or sales invoice comes with a fee.

Charge Slip Retrieval Fees in the Philippines

Bank Charge Slip Retrieval Fee
AUB ₱250 - ₱500
Bank of Commerce ₱300 or US$6
BPI ₱300
China Bank ₱500 or US$20
HSBC ₱275
PNB ₱400
RCBC ₱150
Robinsons Bank ₱500
Security Bank ₱400
UnionBank ₱200

📌 Card Replacement Fee: ₱400 to ₱1,000 per card

Replacing your lost, stolen, or damaged credit card comes with a fee. In addition, you'll have to spend around ₱150 to ₱300 for the notarial fee, as banks require a notarized affidavit of loss from clients who request a replacement of their lost or stolen credit card.

Credit Card Replacement Fees in the Philippines

Bank Card Replacement Fee
AUB ₱500
Bank of Commerce ₱200 for damaged card, ₱300 for lost card
BPI ₱400
China Bank ₱500
HSBC ₱400
Metrobank ₱400
PNB ₱400
RCBC ₱500 - ₱1,000
Robinsons Bank ₱750
Security Bank ₱400
UnionBank ₱400

How to Avoid Credit Card Replacement Fee

Keep your credit card safe to reduce the risk of it getting lost, stolen, or damaged. If you're not using it often, leave your card at home.

 

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Credit Card Charges in the Philippines: Penalty Fees

credit card charges philippines - penalty fees

📌 Late Payment Fee: ₱250 to ₱1,000 or the unpaid minimum amount due

Making timely credit card payments is as important as paying your bills in full. When you miss the due date, the bank will charge you a penalty fee on your following statement. 

On top of that, the late penalty fee is added to the finance charge computation,[2] which further increases the amount you'll have to pay next month.

Credit Card Penalty Late Payment Fees in the Philippines

Bank Late Payment Fee
AUB ₱250 - ₱1,000, depending on the payment option, or the unpaid minimum amount due, whichever is lower
Bank of Commerce ₱1,000 or the unpaid minimum amount due, whichever is lower; US$20 for dollar billing
BPI ₱850 or the unpaid minimum amount due, whichever is lower
China Bank ₱750 or the unpaid minimum amount due, whichever is lower
HSBC ₱1,000 or the unpaid minimum amount due, whichever is lower
Metrobank ₱1,000 or the unpaid minimum amount due, whichever is lower
PNB ₱1,000 (Peso) or US$20 (Dollar) or the unpaid minimum amount due, whichever is lower
RCBC ₱850 or the unpaid minimum amount due, whichever is lower
Robinsons Bank ₱750
Security Bank ₱1,000 (US$20) or the unpaid minimum amount due, whichever is lower
UnionBank ₱1,000

How to Avoid Late Payment Fees

Avoid a late payment fee by paying your credit card bill on time. Also, pay off your monthly balances as much as you can. Pay the minimum amount due at the very least.

If you’re dealing with debts from multiple credit cards, you’re also dealing with multiple due dates. To avoid missing due dates, consider consolidating your credit card debts or transferring your balance to a 0% interest credit card. That way, you’ll only have one due date to remember.

See also: No Overspending and Late Payments: How to Manage Multiple Credit Cards

📌 Overlimit Fee: ₱500 to ₱800

A credit card over limit fee is a type of fee the bank charges when you exceed your credit card limit within a billing period. If a bank doesn’t charge an over-the-limit fee, your transaction will be automatically declined when you exceed your credit limit.

Credit Card Overlimit Fees in the Philippines

Bank Overlimit Charge
Bank of Commerce ₱500
China Bank ₱500
HSBC ₱800
Metrobank ₱750
PNB ₱500 or US$10
RCBC ₱600 or US$12
Robinsons Bank ₱750
Security Bank ₱500
UnionBank ₱500

How to Avoid Overlimit Fees

Maxing out your credit card is a big no-no if you're trying to cut down on your bills. It's easy to exceed your credit limit that way. 

Each time you whip out your card to buy something, ask yourself: "Can I afford to pay this in cash?" If the answer is no, the purchase isn't worth the trouble.

Also, control your credit card spending. Regularly monitor your billing statements online to ensure you aren't spending more than 30% of your credit limit.

 

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📌 Multiple Payment Fee: ₱40 to ₱50 per payment in excess of maximum transactions

Some banks set a limit on the number of credit card payment transactions within a billing period. 

For instance, Bank of Commerce, PNB, and RCBC allow only three credit card payment transactions in a billing period. If you go over that, the bank will charge an additional fee.

Multiple Payment Fees on Credit Cards in the Philippines

Bank Multiple Payment Fee
Bank of Commerce ₱50 per payment in excess of three payments within the same cycle
PNB ₱40 per payment in excess of three for all approved payment channels
RCBC ₱40 per payment in excess of three payments within a statement cycle in non-RCBC payment channels
Robinsons Bank ₱40
Security Bank ₱50 per payment in excess of two payments within a billing cycle

How to Avoid Multiple Payment Fees

Credit card payments in any of your bank's branches, online and mobile banking facilities, and ATMs are exempted from this fee. Use only the payment channels of your issuing bank when paying your monthly balances.

📌 Installment Pre-Termination Fee: ₱500 to ₱550 or 2% to 5% of the unpaid amount

The bank may charge you a pre-termination fee if you make an advance payment to cancel or pre-terminate your installment plan transaction.

Credit Card Installment Pre-Termination Fees in the Philippines

Bank Installment Pre-Termination Fee
AUB ₱500 or 5% of the unpaid principal amount, whichever is higher
Bank of Commerce ₱1,000
BPI
  • ₱550 plus 2% of the loan principal amount if pre-terminated before the first billing
  • ₱550 plus applicable interest of the next monthly payment if pre-terminated after the first billing using the diminishing balance method
China Bank ₱500 or 5% of the unpaid installment balance, whichever is higher
HSBC
  • ₱500 for merchant installment
  • 5% of the remaining principal balance or ₱300, whichever is higher, for Balance Transfer, Cash Installment Plan, and Balance Conversion Plan
Metrobank 5% of the remaining principal balance or ₱550, whichever is higher
PNB 5% based on the remaining unpaid installment or ₱500, whichever is higher
RCBC 5% of the unpaid amount or ₱500, whichever is higher
Robinsons Bank 5% of the remaining principal
Security Bank 5% of the unbilled portion of the principal amount
UnionBank 5% based on the remaining unpaid installment or ₱500, whichever is higher

How to Avoid Pre-Termination Fees

Check with your credit card provider or read the terms and conditions to see if the bank charges a pre-termination fee on its installment program. If it does, just continue paying your monthly amortizations until you finish.

📌 Returned Check Fee: ₱100 to ₱1,500 per returned check

Do you make credit card payments through a check? When you issue a check to pay your credit card bills, the bank may return it due to insufficient funds, closed accounts, or incorrect details. 

In cases like that, you'll be charged a returned check fee for the inconvenience it caused the bank.

Returned Check Fees on Credit Cards in the Philippines

Bank Returned Check Fee
AUB ₱1,000
Bank of Commerce ₱1,000
BPI ₱100 for every returned check and an additional 6% of the check amount
China Bank ₱1,000
HSBC ₱1,000
Metrobank ₱1,500
PNB ₱1,000 or US$10
RCBC ₱1,500 or US$30
Robinsons Bank ₱1,000
Security Bank ₱1,250 or US$25
UnionBank ₱1,500

How to Avoid Returned Check Fees

Issuing a check to pay your credit card bill can be a hassle. If you can, avoid it altogether and use more convenient channels for settling your credit card bills, such as your issuer's ATM, online, and mobile banking facilities. You can also pay using your smartphone through mobile payment apps like GCash.

Looking for more tips on how to avoid credit card fees? Check out this video: 

 

Final Thoughts

Always remember that credit cards don’t just give you exciting perks and fun privileges. Owning one is a responsibility, especially with the many types of credit card charges in the Philippines.

An effective way to make credit card payments easier on the budget is to avoid certain credit card charges or at least minimize them. Practicing financial discipline and choosing the right card can help you eliminate some credit card fees from your billing statements. 

If you’re shopping for a new credit card, make sure to read the fine print. Usually, you can find information about credit card payments and fees on the credit card provider's website, specifically the Terms and Conditions page.

 

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Sources:

Rouselle has over eight years of writing experience in the personal finance niche. She has written feature stories, articles, and how-to guides on various personal finance and trending lifestyle topics. Before that, she briefly worked in banking and was a licensed life insurance advisor. When not writing, Rouselle likes to read books and binge-watch films and series. Follow Rouselle on Linkedin.

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