For Back-to-School Expenses: 10 Best Credit Cards for Students

Who says credit cards are for adults only? Students can also get a credit card of their own. If you’re a parent, teach your child to practice financial responsibility as early as now with credit cards for students in the Philippines.

But before you shop for credit cards, you should know the types of cards you can apply for and the requirements you will need to submit. Take the time to read this guide before deciding on the right credit card for students.

Can a Student Apply for a Credit Card in the Philippines?

It would be awkward if the answer was no, wouldn't it? But yes, it is possible for students with no income and credit history to apply for a credit card. Here's how:

How to Get a Credit Card for Students

Find out what types of credit cards students can get:

👉 Supplementary Cards

The easiest way to get a credit card for a student is for you, the parent or guardian, to apply for a supplementary card. Students can enjoy the same benefits as the primary credit card. Note that you'll be sharing the credit limit, so make sure to educate your child on proper spending.

👉 Secured Credit Cards

If your child has a bank account, call your bank and apply for a secured credit card. They won't ask you for income documents but will instead set the credit limit depending on the deposit. The bigger the savings, the bigger the credit limit.

👉 Low-Income Credit Cards

If your child has a part-time job, they can apply for a low-income credit card. With a small income, they can easily meet the requirements of the most basic credit cards. Plus, these credit cards usually come with little to no additional fees.

Pros and Cons of Getting a Credit Card for Students in the Philippines

Should a student get a credit card? Weigh the advantages and disadvantages to make a wise decision: 

👍 Helps Build Credit History Early

Once your child enters the real world, they’ll find that a good credit history serves as a badge of honor and opens the door to loans with good rates. 

They can start building a good credit history by being a responsible cardholder. 

👍 Teaches Good Financial Habits 

A credit card teaches you to be mindful of your spending. Remind your child that if they don’t track their purchases and pay bills on time, they’ll find themselves covering penalties.

Plus, responsible cardholders get to enjoy higher credit limits down the line. 

👍 Earns Rewards 

Depending on the type, credit cards can earn points, airline miles, and rebates. Your child can use these rewards to treat themselves. For instance, they can exchange points for gift vouchers and exclusive merchandise. 

👍 Helps Deal With Emergencies 

A credit card can help students deal with unexpected school expenses, such as supplies, books, and even field trips. 

For fairness’ sake, here are some of the drawbacks of getting a credit card for students in the Philippines:

👎 May be Confusing to Use at First 

Since it’s full of jargon, the Statement of Account (SOA) may confuse your child. Make sure to sit them down and explain how certain things, like interest rates, work. 

👎 Low Credit Limit 

Credit cards for students in the Philippines tend to have low credit limits. Students with little to no income are typically considered high-risk clients. 

👎 Can be Tempting to Use All the Time 

With its convenience, your child may be tempted to use it for every transaction. A plastic card can give them a false sense of financial freedom. 

Best Credit Cards for Students in the Philippines

Ready to find the best credit card for students? Here are your top options: 

UnionBank Rewards Credit Card

✅ Minimum monthly income requirement: ₱15,000

📌 Key features and benefits:

• 1 rewards point for every ₱30 spend
• 3X points for shopping and dining transactions here and abroad
• Virtual card for online shopping

If you want a student credit card that makes spending rewarding, the UnionBank Rewards Credit Card is worth looking at. Every ₱30 spend earns 1 rewards point. Earn up to 3x points for shopping and dining transactions.

Once your child earns enough points, they can redeem gadgets, merch, and cash credits.^[1] 

Read more: UnionBank Credit Card Welcome Gifts for Music and Coffee Lovers

Metrobank Titanium Mastercard^®

✅ Minimum monthly income requirement: ₱15,000

📌 Key features and benefits:

• 1 rewards point for every ₱20 spend
• 2x points on online, department store, and dining transactions
• Exclusive discounts and promos

The Metrobank Titanium Mastercard^® is a great credit card for students. With this card, earn 2x points for department store and online purchases, such as school supplies.^[2] The points don’t expire, so your child can let them accumulate and use them when they’re ready.

Read more: 

• Save Big Time: 24 Metrobank Credit Card Promos for 2024
• Your Metrobank Welcome Gift: Cash Credits, Coffee Machine, or Speaker

HSBC Red Mastercard

✅ Minimum monthly income requirement: ₱17,000

📌 Key features and benefits:

• 4x bonus points on online, shopping, and dining transactions
• Up to 6% rebate on fuel purchases
• Travel privileges at more than 27,000 establishments across 160 countries, regions, and territories

Student credit cards don't have to be boring. Get the HSBC Red Mastercard as a supplementary card for your child. They can get up to 4x rewards with every swipe!

If your child drives to school, they can also get up to a 6% rebate on fuel spend. 

Security Bank Fast Track Secured Credit Card

✅ Minimum deposit requirement: ₱25,000

📌 Key features and benefits:

• No annual fee for the first year
• Credit limit is at 80% of the holdout amount
• Rewards points for every transaction (applies to Gold and Platinum Mastercard only)
• Fast processing in three banking days

Secured credit cards are a good way to start your child’s credit card journey. For starters, you can open a bank account for them at Security Bank and apply for a secured credit card afterward. With only a ₱25,000 minimum deposit, they get a credit card to use for school-related purchases.

BPI Edge Card

✅ Minimum monthly income requirement: ₱15,000

📌 Key features and benefits:

• Waived annual fee on the first year
• 1 BPI Rewards Point per ₱50 spend
• 0% installment

Marketed as a credit card for young professionals, the BPI Edge Card can also work as a reliable college student credit card. One of its most appealing points is its multiple installment options, such as 0% installment, Buy Now Pay Later, and extra installment limit with its Bonus Madness Limit. 

BPI Amore Cashback Card 

✅ Minimum monthly income requirement: ₱15,000

📌 Key features and benefits:

• 4% cashback on supermarket purchases
• 1% cashback on drug store and utility-related transactions
• 0% installment

The BPI Amore Cashback Card is one of the best college student credit cards, especially for those living away from home in a dorm. Your child can use this card for groceries and other household needs to earn 4% cashback. Meanwhile, they can earn 1% cashback on utilities, personal care purchases, and health essentials. 

BPI Rewards Card

✅ Minimum monthly income requirement: ₱15,000

📌 Key features and benefits:

• 1 BPI Rewards Point per ₱35 spend
• Exclusive discounts and promos all year round
• Lower forex conversion rate

The BPI Rewards Card is not just a household credit card—it can double as a college student credit card, especially for those living on their own. Every ₱35 spend earns 1 BPI Rewards Point. Points can be used to redeem shopping credits, gift vouchers, airline miles, and more.

If your child has an upcoming school trip abroad, they can pay for purchases using this card and enjoy a low conversion rate of 1.85%

PNB Ze-Lo Mastercard

✅ Minimum monthly income requirement: ₱10,000

📌 Key features and benefits:

• No annual fee for life
• No late payment and overlimit fees
• Low interest rate
• 0% installment at PNB-affiliated merchants 
• No annual fee for life for supplementary cards

The PNB Ze-Lo Mastercard is the perfect credit card for college students. Your child can access a credit line without needing to pay annual fees—forever!

If your child can’t settle the bill right away, the PNB Ze-Lo Mastercard fortunately doesn’t impose late payment fees. 

PNB Visa Classic

✅ Minimum monthly income requirement: ₱10,000

📌 Key features and benefits:

• 1% rebate on revolved interest
• Low annual fee
• No annual fee for life for supplementary cards

With its low income requirement, the PNB Visa Classic is the working student’s perfect credit card. Other than earning rebates, this card allows cardholders to convert their credit limit into cash in case of unexpected expenses.^[3]

AUB Secured Credit Card

✅ Minimum deposit requirement: ₱25,000

📌 Key features and benefits:

• No annual fees for life
• No income document required
• Credit limit is at 80% of the holdout amount

If your child has savings, you can open a bank account at AUB and apply for an AUB Secured Credit Card. While you may find its minimum deposit requirement a bit high, you'll be rewarded with waived annual fees for life. Any student can easily manage this credit card.

Read more: Moneymax Reviews: Comparing AUB’s Budget-Tier Credit Cards

Final Thoughts

Financial responsibility doesn't require a certain age. It's never too early to start being responsible when it comes to finances. 

So as early as now, consider getting your child a credit card for students in the Philippines!

Looking for more options? In the meantime, check out this list of credit cards for beginners:

Credit Card for First-Timers	Features and Benefits
UnionBank Rewards Credit Card	Monthly income requirement: ₱15,000 Interest rate: 3% Perks: 3x points when you shop and dine here and abroad 1 never-expiring point per ₱30 spend
Metrobank Titanium Mastercard®	Monthly income requirement: ₱15,000 Interest rate: 3% Perks: 2x rewards points on dining, department store, and online purchases 1 point for every ₱20 spend
Security Bank Gold Mastercard	Monthly income requirement: ₱30,000 Interest rate: 3% Perks: 1 rewards point per ₱20 spend Secure online shopping with SecureCode
BPI Rewards Card	Monthly income requirement: ₱15,000 Interest rate: 3% Perks: 1 BPI Point per ₱35 spend Up to 36 months of installment terms Up to ₱2 million travel insurance coverage
BPI Edge Card	Monthly income requirement: ₱15,000 Interest rate: 3% Perks: 1 BPI point per ₱50 spend Flexible installment plans and payment options
PNB Ze-Lo Mastercard	Monthly income requirement: ₱10,000 Interest rate: 2.5% Perks: Zero annual fees for life No late payment or overlimit fees
AUB Easy Mastercard	Monthly income requirement: ₱50,000 Interest rate: 3% Perks: No annual fees for life 0% interest on new purchases Flexible credit card payment due date
AUB Classic Mastercard	Monthly income requirement: ₱50,000 Interest rate: 3% Perks: No annual fee for life 0% interest on new purchases 1 rewards point per ₱50 spend

Sources: 

• ^[1] UnionBank Rewards Visa Platinum 
• ^[2] Metrobank Titanium
• ^[3] PNB Visa Classic