Credit Cards for Students in the Philippines to Manage Finances Early

Who says credit cards are for adults only? Students like you can also get a credit card of your own. No need to bother your parents for additional allowance. You can practice financial responsibility as early as now by checking out these credit cards for students in the Philippines.

But before you go shopping for credit cards, you should know the types of cards you can apply for as well as the requirements you will need to submit. So take the time to read this guide before deciding on the right credit card for a student like you.

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

It would be awkward if the answer is no, wouldn't it? But yes, it is possible for students to apply for a credit card. There are various ways for you to get a credit card and while they don't require a steady income, having one will certainly help your chances of approval.

But the question is do you really need a credit card? If you're going to use it just for shopping, forget it. A credit card is not a free ticket to spend recklessly. Only apply for one if you don't have enough allowance and you don't have a high-paying part-time job to make ends meet.

How to Get a Credit Card for Students

Before you compare credit cards, find out what types of credit cards you can apply for as a student.

Supplementary Cards

The easiest way to get a credit card as a student is to ask a parent to apply for a supplementary card for you. Even if you're under 18 years old, your cardholder relative can get you the same benefits of his or her credit card. Note that you'll be sharing the credit limit with the primary cardholder so be careful with your spending.

Secured Credit Cards

If you have a bank account where you store your savings from your allowances, call your bank and apply for a secured credit card from them. They won't ask you for income documents but they will instead set your credit limit depending on your deposit. So the more you save, the more your credit limit increases.

Low-Income Credit Cards

If you have a part-time job, you can apply for a low-income credit card. Since you're already earning a small income, you can easily meet the requirements of the most basic credit cards out there. Plus, these credit cards usually have little to no additional fees.

Best Credit Cards for Students in the Philippines

Security Bank Fast Track Secured Credit Card

✅ Minimum deposit requirement: PHP 15,000

Secured credit cards are a good way to start your credit card journey. For starters, you can open a bank account at Security Bank and apply for a secured credit card right after.^[1] With only a PHP 15,000 minimum deposit, you'll instantly get a credit card that can help you in crucial times.

📌 Key features and benefits:

No annual fee for the first year
100% guaranteed credit approval
Credit limit is at 80% of the holdout amount
Get rebates and rewards on every purchase
Fast processing in 3 banking days

BPI Express Start Secured Credit Card

✅ Minimum deposit requirement: PHP 10,000

If you're looking for the best credit cards for students in the Philippines, check out the BPI Express Start Secured Credit Card. With only a PHP 10,000 minimum deposit requirement and with a credit limit of 90% of the holdout amount, it's an easy credit card to apply for right now.

📌 Key features and benefits:

100% guaranteed credit approval
No income document required
Credit limit is at 90% of the holdout amount

AUB Secured Credit Card

✅ Minimum deposit requirement: PHP 25,000

If you have more savings lying around, you can open a bank account at AUB and apply for an AUB secured credit card.^[2] While its minimum deposit requirement is a bit high, you'll be rewarded with waived annual fees for life. It's a credit card any student can easily manage.

📌 Key features and benefits:

No annual fees for life
100% guaranteed credit approval
No income document required
Credit limit is at 80% of the holdout amount

RCBC InstaCard

✅ Minimum deposit requirement: PHP 10,000

If you're above 21 years old looking for credit cards for students in the Philippines, consider the RCBC Instacard.^[3] With a low minimum deposit requirement, you can easily get one even if you're still a part-time college student. It also has a generous credit limit at 90% of houldout amount.

📌 Key features and benefits:

No annual fee for the first year
100% guaranteed credit approval
No income document required
Credit limit is at 90% of the holdout amount

Metrobank M Free Mastercard

✅ Minimum monthly income requirement: PHP 15,000

You can also go for the Metrobank M Free Mastercard if you're looking for a lower income requirement. This credit cards for students in the Philippines comes with no annual fees and a bunch of useful features for managing your finances. For a first time credit card, always go for the cheapest to maintain like this one.

📌 Key features and benefits:

No annual fee for life
Comes with an embedded EMV-chip
0% installment on a wide range of establishments
Metrobank features for managing your finances

HSBC Red Mastercard

✅ Minimum monthly income requirement: PHP 16,667

Because beginner credit cards don't have to be boring. If you're looking for a fun one out of all the credit cards for students in the Philippines, the HSBC Red Mastercard fits the bill. With all the rewards you can get on every swipe, you'd be surprised how low the income requirement is.

📌 Key features and benefits:

4x bonus points on online, shopping, dining, and online purchases
Up to 6% rebate on fuel purchases
Exclusive deals at over 27,000 participating establishments
Metrobank features for managing your finances

Final Thoughts

Financial responsibility doesn't require a certain age. Young or old, it's never too late to start being responsible when it comes to your finances. So as early as now, you should consider applying for a credit card, even if you're still relying on your parent's allowance.

Sources:

^[1] Security Bank Fast Track Secured Credit Card
^[2] AUB Secured Credit Card
^[3] RCBC InstaCard

Best Credit Cards for Money-Savvy Students in the Philippines

Ricky Publico