Do you want to know how to earn credit card points? Fortunately, it won’t be a challenge since most reward points come from daily spending. But there are ways to boost your potential to earn more points.
The key is to use your credit card often to earn significant points. But your credit card spending should align with your spending habits and financial capacity so that you can pay them off in full and on time.
What are Credit Card Points?
Credit card points are a type of reward that banks offer their customers. Aside from points, credit cardholders can also earn airline miles and cashback.
With each type of credit card, you earn points at a set rate per peso you spend. Some credit card issuers have a fixed points system, while others double or triple your points for specific bonus categories.
For example, travel credit cards offer more points when you make travel-related purchases such as airline tickets, tour packages, or hotel room bookings.
How Do Credit Card Points Work?
Use your credit card to pay for various purchases and transactions to start earning points. Earning rates for points differ per bank, but you can earn more points using a specific credit card in a particular category.
Wondering what to do with credit card points? Once you accumulate enough points, you can redeem them for items like gift certificates, shopping credits, cashback, or annual fee waivers.
How to Earn Credit Card Points Fast in the Philippines
Want to know the best way to earn credit card points? Aside from taking advantage of excellent credit card hacks, here’s how to earn more points on your credit card.
✔️ Take Advantage of the Bonus Category Spending
Earn double, triple, or even 5x rewards points when you use your qualified credit card on specific spending categories. For example, use your credit card for online or foreign currency spending if this particular category will give you more points.
The same goes for your travel credit card. Use it to pay for travel expenses, so you can rack points faster.
✔️ Get That Sign-Up Bonus
When you apply and get approved for a new credit card, you can get a sign-up bonus or a welcome gift, such as a significant amount of points, miles, cash, or physical gifts.
To receive the bonus or gift, meet your credit card issuer’s spend requirement within the first few months of activating the card.
✔️ Make Referrals
Some banks also give referral bonuses when their existing cardholders invite family or friends to apply for a credit card. You must send them the referral link to qualify for the referral bonus or points. The number of points you’ll get for a successful referral depends on your credit card issuer.
Check out some of the best rewards credit cards below:
Credit Card | Points Earn Rate |
UnionBank Rewards Credit Card
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Metrobank Titanium Mastercard®
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HSBC Red Mastercard
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Security Bank Gold Mastercard
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1 point for every ₱20 spend
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BPI Blue Mastercard
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1 BPI Point for every ₱35 spend
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2 BPI Points for every ₱30 local spend and ₱20 foreign currency spend online or abroad
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Find more details and credit card options below:
💳 How to Earn Credit Card Points in UnionBank
Earn points with purchases made using your UnionBank credit card. Depending on your UnionBank credit card, you can collect points for every ₱25 to ₱200 qualified spend.
Here are some of the best rewards credit cards from UnionBank:
- 1 point for every ₱35 spend
- 3x points for shopping and dining here and abroad
🎁 Free Welcome Gift: No Annual Fee for Life Plus Maximum Rewards for U!
Eligible card: UnionBank Rewards Credit Card
Promo period: Until September 30, 2023
Say goodbye to annual fees forever and hello to leveled-up rewards with your new UnionBank Rewards Card! Just apply via Moneymax and get approved within the promo period, and then meet the ₱20,000 spend requirement within 60 days from your card approval date.
This Moneymax UnionBank Rewards Credit Card No Annual Fee Promo runs until September 30, 2023 only. Per DTI Fair Trade Permit No. FTEB-172472 Series of 2023. Click the banner above to apply now!
Note: The promo is exclusive to applicants who do not have an existing principal credit card issued by UnionBank and/or Citi.
UnionBank Cebu Pacific Gold
- 1 Go Rewards Point for every ₱200 spend
- 1 Go Rewards Point for every ₱100 spend in Cebu Pacific
UnionBank Gold Visa
- 1 point for every ₱35 spend
- Non-expiring points
UnionBank Miles+ Platinum Visa
- 1 point for every ₱25 spend
- 1.5 points for all travel-related spend
UnionBank PlayEveryday
- Refer a friend or family member to get 300 points
- Deposit at least ₱10,000 to your debit account to earn 100 points
💳 How to Earn Credit Card Points in Metrobank
Metrobank offers different credit cards that let you earn rewards points on your purchases. Earn points faster when you use qualified Metrobank credit cards on specific categories.
Metrobank Titanium Mastercard®
- 1 point for every ₱20 spend
- 2x rewards points for dining, online, or department store purchases
Metrobank Platinum Mastercard®
- 1 point for every ₱20 spend
- Free 310,000 reward points (for first-time Metrobank cardholders who apply until February 29, 2024 and meet a minimum spend of ₱70,000 within 60 days from the card approval date)
- 1 point for every ₱20 spend
- 2 points for every ₱20 international spend
- Free 300,000 rewards points (for first-time Metrobank cardholders who apply until February 29, 2024 and meet a minimum spend of ₱90,000 within 60 days from the card approval date)
🎁 Free Gift from Moneymax: ₱2,500 eGift, Xiaomi Soundbar, or Mi Band 7 Smartwatch
Eligible cards: Metrobank World Mastercard®, Platinum Mastercard®, and Titanium Mastercard®
Promo period: Until September 30, 2023
How do you get an awesome Metrobank credit card welcome gift? Simple! Just apply and get approved for any eligible card through the Moneymax website. Choose from a ₱2,500 eGift voucher via Giftaway, Xiaomi Redmi Soundbar (worth ₱2,499), or a Xiaomi Mi Band 7 smartwatch (worth ₱2,499) as your free special gift!
Per DTI Fair Trade Permit No. FTEB-175599 Series of 2023. Terms and conditions apply. This Moneymax Metrobank eGift/Xiaomi promo runs until September 30, 2023 only. So hurry and apply now!
Note: Applicant must be an existing credit cardholder from any bank excluding Metrobank for at least 9 months.
Metrobank Rewards Plus Visa
- 1 point for every ₱20 spend
- 2x rewards points on gadget and electronics purchases, delivery services, and online spend
💳 How to Earn Credit Card Points in HSBC
Earn shopping points or air miles with every purchase you make with your HSBC credit card. Through the HSBC Accelerated Rewards program,[1] shop at any online or shopping merchant to earn bonus points faster. If you have the following HSBC credit cards, here’s how to get reward points.
- Up to 4x bonus points for every ₱20 spend on dining and online transactions, shopping, and overseas spending
- 1 rewards point for every ₱20 spend
🎁 Free Gift from Moneymax: ₱2,500 eGift, ₱2,500 SM Gift Pass, or Dolce Gusto Coffee Machine
Eligible cards: HSBC Red Mastercard, Gold Visa Cash Back, and Platinum Visa Rebate
Promo period: Until September 30, 2023
Not an HSBC credit cardholder yet? Apply for an HSBC card through Moneymax during the promo period (and get approved subsequently) to receive an exciting free welcome gift! Choose from a free eGift voucher worth ₱2,500, SM Gift Pass worth ₱2,500, or a Nescafé Dolce Gusto Piccolo XS coffee machine (worth ₱5,199).
Per DTI Fair Trade Permit No. FTEB-173270 Series of 2023. Terms and conditions apply. This Moneymax HSBC Giftaway/SM Gift Pass/Dolce Gusto promo runs until September 30 only. So hurry and apply now!
HSBC Premier Mastercard
- 4 bonus points for every ₱20 spent on overseas purchases
- 3x bonus points on local shopping or dining
💳 How to Earn Credit Card Points in Security Bank
To earn points on your Security Bank credit card, use it to pay for groceries and other lifestyle purchases. Accumulate reward points with Security Bank’s reward credit cards, such as Classic, Gold, Platinum, and World Mastercard.
- 1 point for every ₱20 spend
- Non-expiring points
Security Bank Platinum Mastercard
- 2 points for every ₱20 spend
- Points convertible to air miles and other exclusive rewards
Security Bank World Mastercard
- 3 points for every ₱20 spend
- 1 million rewards points when you redeem any reward from July 1 to August 31, 2023[2]
🎁 Free Gift from Moneymax: ₱2,500 eGift, Sony Wireless Headphones, or De'Longhi Blade Coffee Grinder
Eligible cards: Select Security Bank credit cards
Promo period: Until November 11, 2023
Want a credit card from Security Bank? You're in for a treat if you apply and get approved for an eligible card through Moneymax and meet the minimum spend requirement. Pick your free Security Bank welcome gift: a ₱2,500 Giftaway eGift voucher, Sony WH-CH520 wireless headphones (worth ₱3,299), or a De’Longhi Blade Coffee Grinder (worth ₱3,800).
Per DTI Fair Trade Permit No. FTEB-175575 Series of 2023. Terms and conditions apply. This Moneymax Security Bank Giftaway/De'Longhi credit card promo runs until November 11, 2023 only. Apply now!
Security Bank Classic Mastercard
- 1 point for every ₱20 spend
- Non-expiring points
💳 How to Earn Credit Card Points in BPI
Whenever you use your BPI credit card, you earn BPI Points, which you can use to redeem air miles, gift certificates, or shopping credits.
Here are some of the best rewards credit cards from BPI and the corresponding points you can earn per qualified spend:
- 1 BPI Point for every ₱35 spend
- Points convertible to exciting rewards and freebies
- 1 BPI Point for every ₱35 spend
- Exclusive deals all year round
- 1 BPI Point for every ₱35 spend
- Points redeemable for shopping credits, gift vouchers, air miles, and more
- 2 BPI Points for every ₱20 spend
- Points redeemable for miles, shopping credits or gift certificates from premium merchants
BPI Platinum Rewards Mastercard
- 2 BPI Points for every ₱30 local spend
- 2 BPI Points for every ₱20 foreign online or overseas transactions
💳 How to Earn Credit Card Points in RCBC
Want to know how to earn points with your RCBC credit card? First, get an RCBC credit card suited to your needs and lifestyle. If you make a lot of essential or lifestyle purchases, there are different options that you can choose from.
For instance, there’s an RCBC credit card that lets you earn double rewards points on two or three of your preferred categories.
Here are some RCBC credit cards and their corresponding credit card points earn rate:
RCBC Gold Mastercard
- 1 rewards point for every ₱36 spend
- Points redeemable for air miles and other rewards
RCBC Visa Infinite
- 5 rewards points for every ₱30 spend online or overseas in-store
- 1 rewards point for every ₱30 spend
RCBC Flex Visa
- 2x rewards points on two preferred categories
- 2 rewards points for every ₱50 spend
RCBC AirAsia Credit Card
- 2 AirAsia BIG points for every ₱25 AirAsia spend
- 1 AirAsia BIG point for every ₱28 domestic retail spend
- 1 AirAsia BIG point for every ₱22 international retail spend
- Free 8,000 AirAsia BIG points when you spend ₱20,000 within 60 days of issuance
RCBC Visa Platinum
- Preferred Airmiles for as low as ₱25 overseas spend or ₱48 local spend
- 1 Preferred Airmile = 1 point with AirAsia Rewards, GetGo Points, Asia Miles, or Mabuhay Miles
Related reading:
- Credit Card Dos and Don’ts: What Should You Do and Not Do With Your Card?
- No Overspending and Late Payments: How to Manage Multiple Credit Cards
How to Earn Credit Card Points: FAQs
1. When do credit card points expire?
Fortunately, most credit card providers in the Philippines don't enforce expiration dates on their rewards programs. However, banks such as HSBC have a two or three-year expiry on rewards points.
With non-expiring rewards, you can redeem points anytime as long as your credit card account is in good standing. Generally, this means the following:
- No violation of the credit card terms and conditions
- Paying credit card bills on time and in full, or at least the minimum amount due
- Active and valid credit card account
- Staying below credit card limit
2. Can I lose my earned points?
Yes, the bank may forfeit your accumulated points, under any of the following circumstances:
- Inactive, delinquent, suspended, blocked, or canceled credit card account
- Defaulting on credit card payments (at least 90 days overdue)
- Breaking any rule in the credit card terms and conditions
- Exceeding credit card limit
- Fraud and abuse in earning rewards points
- Lost card
- Conversion to another credit card type
Keep your account in good standing so your hard-earned credit card rewards points won't go to waste.
Read more: Ask Moneymax: What is Credit Card Delinquency and How to Avoid It?
3. My credit card points are about to expire. What should I do?
Redeem your points immediately before they become invalid. Most banks now allow rewards redemption online. Go to your issuer's website, find its credit card rewards page, and complete the online form.
Related: Say Goodbye to Late Payments with These Credit Card Payment Methods
Final Thoughts
The process of how to earn credit card points fast will depend on your credit card’s earning structure and point value. So be strategic. Be smart with your everyday spending—don’t use up your credit card limit and don’t spend beyond your means.
Understand fully how your credit card’s reward program works. The better you understand how to get rewards points on your credit card, the more you can maximize your credit card usage and expand your rewards-earning potential.
Overwhelmed by the many credit card choices out there? Compare credit cards via Moneymax to find the best rewards credit card. It’s easy and free!
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