Dealing with Declined Credit Card Application in the Philippines

A declined credit card application can be frustrating. Aside from feeling disappointed, you’re probably wondering where things went wrong and feeling anxious about experiencing the same thing in the future.

The good news is it’s not the end of the world. You can always try again. But this time, you need to be more prepared.

Read on to see what you need to do next after a declined credit card application in the Philippines. You’ll also find some tips on how to increase the odds of your application getting approved.

Dealing with a Declined Credit Card Application in the Philippines: Tips to Remember

From double-checking with your bank to settling for a different kind of card, here are the things you need to do if you have an unfavorable credit card application status:

✔️ Check Your Credit Card Application Status

After you apply for a credit card, the bank will contact you after one to three weeks to inform you about its status. However, in some cases, banks take longer than usual to process a credit card application, leaving applicants worrying about a declined credit card application status. Some might also be wondering about the meaning of a deferred credit card application status.

You can check your status by calling the bank or making an online inquiry. Here's how to check or follow up on your credit card application status with some of the major issuers in the Philippines:

How to Check BPI Credit Card Application Status

You can check your BPI credit card application status in two ways: online or via the BPI 24-hour hotline.

To check via the BPI online banking facility, follow these steps:

Go to the BPI official website at www.bpi.com.ph
Log in to your account.
Click Other Services > Application Status Inquiry > Credit Card.
Enter your date of application.

To check via hotline, you can contact BPI's customer service through the following numbers:

Metro Manila: 889-10000
Domestic toll-free: 1-800-188-89100
Mobile phone and international: (+632) 889-10000

Dial 2 for Credit Cards and 2 for Credit Card Application Status Inquiry. Enter your 10-digit application ID number to know your credit card application status.

How to Check Citi Credit Card Application Status

Here's how to check your Citibank credit card application status:

Go to the Citi Application Status page.^[1]
Enter your 17-digit application ID, mother’s maiden name, date of birth, and picture passcode (CAPTCHA).

Alternatively, you can check your application status via the link provided in the confirmation email you received. Just enter the required 12-digit reference number.

How to Check EastWest Credit Card Application Status

To check the status of your credit card application with EastWest Bank, you may call their customer service hotline at (+632) 8888-1700 or email cards@eastwestbanker.com.

Also, you can use the bank’s ESTA or EastWest System Tech Assistant chatbot.^[2] Just enter your mobile number and wait for the system to get back to you.

How to Check Metrobank Credit Card Application Status

If you filed a credit card application with Metrobank, you can check its status by calling the bank's customer service hotline at 88-700-700 or the domestic toll-free number at 1-800-1-888-5775. Alternatively, you may send an email to customerservice@metrobankcard.com.

How to Check PNB Credit Card Application Status

You may call or email PNB to inquire about your credit card application status. Here are the bank’s contact details:

PNB Cards 24/7 Customer Service Hotline: (+632) 8818-9-818
PNB Credit Cards email address: pnbcreditcards@pnb.com.ph

How to Check UnionBank Credit Card Application Status

Applied for a UnionBank credit card? To check your credit card application status, just use UnionBank's Talk2Rafa facility.^[3]Once there, enter your reference number.

You can find this reference number in the email or SMS sent to you after completing your UnionBank credit card application. If you don't have your reference number, send an e-mail to customer.service@unionbankph.com.

✔️ Find Out Why You Were Rejected for a Credit Card

The bank may or may not tell you the reason your credit card application was rejected. Regardless, it helps to know why it happened so you can avoid making the same mistake in your next application and raise the likelihood of getting approved next time.

Common Reasons for a Declined Credit Card Application in the Philippines

Low income – Since your salary reflects your repayment capacity, banks may consider low income a risk.
Unstable job history – Banks usually approve applicants who are tenured at their jobs. They’re guaranteed a steady stream of income, which is essential for repayments.
Bad credit score – If your credit card application status shows that you were not approved, check your credit score. Your credit score shows banks how responsible you are when it comes to repayments. If it’s too low, the bank will likely reject your application.
Unpaid credit card balance – Banks favor applicants who use their credit lines responsibly. Struggling with outstanding balances is an indication that you aren’t using your card wisely.
Incomplete and inaccurate application details – If you fail to check for inconsistencies in your application details or submit all the required documents, there’s a chance that they’ll reject your application.

✔️ Wait At Least Three Months to Reapply

Got a declined credit card application in the Philippines? Don't apply for another credit card too soon. Financial experts recommend waiting three to six months to apply again.

Applying for too many credit cards within a short period can hurt your credit history. You're likely to get declined again, too.

Each time you apply for a credit card, the bank conducts a credit check and makes an additional inquiry on your credit report. Several inquiries on your credit report is a red flag for banks—it shows that you're desperate and struggling to get approved for a credit card.

✔️ Check Your Credit Report and Improve Your Credit Score

Before you apply for a credit card again, take the time to review your credit report, correct any errors, and work on increasing your credit score.

Get a free copy of your credit report from the Credit Information Corporation or any of its accredited credit bureaus^[4] once a year. Check the accuracy of the information on your credit report—an error may have caused denial on your credit card application. If you spot an incorrect negative remark, dispute it with the concerned lender for correction and request to update your credit report.

If your credit report accurately shows a history of loan default or high credit card balance, it's time to break those bad money habits that damage your credit score. Improve your credit score by paying down your balances, settling your overdue accounts, and reducing your loan and credit card applications.

✔️ Apply for the Right Credit Card

After getting a declined credit card application in the Philippines, make sure to find the right card this time—one that matches your financial situation.

Check the bank's eligibility requirements, particularly the annual income requirement. For example, BPI and Metrobank require a minimum annual income of ₱180,000 for basic credit cards. Application for premium credit cards requires a higher annual income.

Moreover, choose a credit card that matches your lifestyle so you can maximize its perks. For instance, get a credit card with rebates for online purchases if you're a big online shopper. Similarly, get a card that earns miles if you love traveling.

Rather than checking each bank’s website and spending hours researching, make your search for the perfect credit card more convenient by using an online credit card comparison tool. In just a few clicks, you can refine your search according to credit card providers and type of credit card, as well as sort the results based on annual income requirements, interest rates, and annual fees.

You can also apply for a credit card with easy application or low income requirements. Here are some options:

💳 Citi Simplicity Card+

Monthly income requirement: With an existing credit card: ₱15,000 / Without a credit card: ₱20,833
Annual fee: No annual fee for life
Interest rate: 3%
Ideal for: Credit card newbies who need a card for everyday transactions

Note: This product is sold by Union Bank of the Philippines, using certain trademarks temporarily under license from Citigroup Inc. and related group entities.

💳 HSBC Red Mastercard

Monthly income requirement: ₱16,667
Annual fee: ₱2,500
Interest rate: 3%
Ideal for: Those who put a premium on their lifestyle by dining out and shopping online

💳 AUB Easy Mastercard

Monthly income requirement: ₱21,000
Annual fee: Free
Interest rate: 3%
Ideal for: Credit card newbies who love shopping, dining, and sharing perks with their loved ones (since cardholders can extend some privileges through a supplementary card)

💳 BPI Edge Mastercard

Monthly income requirement: ₱15,000
Annual fee: ₱1,320
Interest rate: 3%
Ideal for: Credit card newbies who love collecting points for rewards and freebies

💳 PNB Ze-Lo Mastercard

Monthly income requirement: ₱10,000
Annual fee: Free
Interest rate: 3%
Ideal for: Applicants with a relatively low income or credit card newbies

💳 PNB Visa Classic

Monthly income requirement: ₱10,000
Annual fee: ₱300 (free for the first year)
Interest rate: 3%
Ideal for: Applicants with a relatively low income or those who want to save on their purchases with rebates

✔️ Get a Supplementary Card

If you don’t want to go through another stringent credit card application process, consider getting a supplementary card. A supplementary card is a card issued under the primary cardholder’s credit card account. Usually, supplementary cards are given to family members, siblings, and even friends.

With a supplementary card, you can use the primary cardholder’s credit limit. You may also enjoy the perks and benefits that come with the primary card.

Application for a supplementary card is easier since it usually comes with fewer requirements. Some banks won’t even require credit checks or income-related documents.

To get a supplementary card, talk to your parent, sibling, or romantic partner.

✔️ Get a Secured Credit Card or a Prepaid Card

If your current income and credit score aren't good enough to qualify for a credit card, consider alternatives such as secured credit cards and prepaid cards. These cards allow cashless transactions like regular credit cards.

It’s easier to get approved for such cards. Plus it's a great way to build a good credit history.

Secured Credit Cards

You don’t need income documents to get a secured credit card. Banks also don't conduct credit checks for secured credit card applications. Instead, you need to open a savings or time deposit account with the issuing bank and make an upfront security deposit.

This will serve as your collateral to the bank, which means when you miss your credit card payment, the unpaid amount will be deducted from your bank account.

Here are the secured credit cards in the Philippines you can apply for:

AUB Secured Credit Card
RCBC Bankard InstaCard
Security Bank Fast Track
China Bank Secured Credit Card

After a year of using your secured credit card responsibly, you may request the issuing bank to upgrade it to an unsecured one.

Prepaid Cards

With a prepaid card, you enjoy the functionalities and perks of a traditional credit card, except your spending is limited to the amount in it. To continue using the card, you have to top it up before your balance goes down to zero.

Some of the most popular prepaid cards in the Philippines include Maya, GCash Mastercard, and YAZZ Card. Banks such as BPI, EastWest Bank, PSBank, and UnionBank also offer prepaid cards.

How to Increase Your Chances of Getting Approved

According to RCBC Credit Card President and CEO Arniel Ong, "If you have an existing credit history—whether it's paying another card, another loan, or a bill that has your name on it—it's important to keep these things up to date and maintain good credit card standing. We actually cross-reference and check credit behavior against various sources of credit information."

In summary, here’s what you can do to get approved for a credit card:

Show that you have a steady stream of income. Show that you have a stable work history. If you’re new at your job, don’t apply for a credit card just yet. Wait it out a little, at least until you’re regularized. If you’re self-employed (e.g. freelancer or business owner), make sure you have documents that prove that your business is operating profitably.
Deal with your outstanding credit card balance. A high outstanding balance says a lot about how you use your credit card. It also affects your credit score. Pay it off through tested and proven methods, such as debt consolidation or balance transfer.
Double-check your application documents. Don’t offer your lender a reason to doubt your application. Rectify inconsistent details and make sure your documents are complete.
Apply for a credit card with less strict requirements. Some cards don’t even require proof of income. Aim for this type of card, especially if you’re a newbie.

denied credit card application - bpi gold mastercard

CREDIT CARDS	FEATURES AND BENEFITS
	BPI GOLD MASTERCARD Monthly income requirement: ₱40,000 Interest rate: 3% Premium perks and discounts all year Earn 1 reward point for every ₱35 spend
	BPI EDGE MASTERCARD Monthly income requirement: ₱15,000 Interest rate: 3% Low forex conversion rate of 1.85% Earn 1 reward point for every ₱50 spend
	EASTWEST PLATINUM MASTERCARD Monthly income requirement: ₱150,000 Interest rate: 3% No annual fees forever Premium perks and travel privileges
	METROBANK TOYOTA MASTERCARD Monthly income requirement: ₱15,000 Interest rate: 3% 2x reward points for every ₱20 spend at Toyota dealers 10% discount on parts, accessories, and labor at Toyota dealerships
	PNB ZE-LO MASTERCARD Monthly income requirement: ₱10,000 Interest rate: 3% No annual fees forever No late payment and overlimit fees
	PNB MABUHAY MILES WORLD MASTERCARD Monthly income requirement: ₱200,000 Interest rate: 3% Exclusive first-class features here and abroad 1 rewards point = 1 mile
	UNIONBANK MILES+ PLATINUM VISA Monthly income requirement: ₱50,000 Interest rate: 3% 1 reward point for every ₱25 spend Free travel insurance coverage of ₱1 million
	UNIONBANK CEBU PACIFIC GOLD Monthly income requirement: ₱30,000 Interest rate: 3% 1 Go reward point for every ₱200 spend Exclusive access to Cebu Pacific seat sales

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How to Deal with a Declined Credit Card Application in the Philippines

Jay Pagkatotohan