9 Best Supplementary Credit Cards to Get for Your Loved Ones

You’ve been a credit cardholder for a few years now, and you’ve experienced firsthand how credit cards can help manage your finances efficiently. So naturally, you’re thinking of getting a supplementary credit card for your loved one to see if it can help them, too. 

While there’s nothing wrong with extending your credit line through supplementary credit cards, know that having supplementary cards may affect your account. Don’t get one if you’re not sure how supplementary credit cards work. 

Read this comprehensive guide to supplementary credit cards in the Philippines first before you decide on getting one for someone you love. 

What is a Supplementary Credit Card?

How does a supplementary credit card work? A supplementary credit card is a secondary card issued under a credit card account that the principal or primary cardholder can give to a family member (child, spouse, sibling, or parent), partner, or trusted friend.

Supplementary cards allow principal cardholders to extend their credit card benefits to their loved ones who are not qualified for a credit card due to age, lack of stable income, or poor/no credit history.

Who Should Get a Supplementary Credit Card?

A supplementary card is perfect for the following types of people:

• Students, aging parents, and stay-at-home wives and husbands who depend on a principal cardholder (parent, adult child, or spouse) for financial support
• People who lack a credit history and want an easy way to get their first credit card
• Freelancers, unemployed people, and others who lack financial documents that banks usually require
• Couples and families who want to accumulate credit card rewards faster and monitor each other's spending

Principal Card vs Supplementary Card: What is the Difference?

Supplementary cards enrolled under a principal credit card account are all treated as part of that account. This means credit limits, balances, and billing statements are consolidated into a single account.

The principal card and its supplementary card also typically share the same benefits and interest rates.

However, a supplementary card comes with its own credit card number, CVV number, and expiration date. The card also bears the supplementary cardholder's name.

Here are other key differences between primary and supplementary credit cards:

1. Simpler Supplementary Card Application Requirements and Process

The age requirement is more lenient for supplementary vs primary cardholders. Plus, no income documents or credit checks are required.

You don't even have to be earning an income to get a supplementary card. It's because the principal cardholder bears the responsibility for all the transactions made using the supplementary cards under their account.

2. Low Supplementary Card Annual Fees

Supplementary credit cards in the Philippines have either free or lower (or even zero) annual fees than principal cards. 

3. No Rewards Points Redemption for Supplementary Cardholders

Principal cardholders earn additional credit card rewards points or cashback from the credit card purchases made by their supplementary cardholders. All rewards points—including those earned from the supplementary cardholder's transactions—are credited to the principal cardholder's account.

You can't redeem your rewards points or convert them to air miles on your own if you're using a supplementary card. But the bank may allow you to make a redemption as long as you get authorization from the primary cardholder.

How to Choose the Best Supplementary Credit Card: 3 Features to Look For

Your supplementary card options are limited to what your issuing bank offers. Usually, principal cardholders can get only the same credit card type for their loved ones. Some banks, though, allow their clients to choose from among different cards (other than their own).

However, if you're applying for a new credit card plus supplementary cards to go with it, here are additional features to consider.

☑️ Waived Annual Fees for Life

Beneficial as they are, supplementary cards entail additional costs such as annual fees. Although the typical annual fee for supplementary cards is only half of that of the principal card, it will still add to the cost of your credit card bill, more so if you have two or more supplementary cards.

The best supplementary credit card helps cardholders save money by waiving annual fees for life on the principal card, the supplementary card, or both.

☑️ Control Over the Supplementary Credit Limit

By default, supplementary cards all share a single credit limit with the primary credit card. This can be a major disadvantage, depending on your supplementary cardholders' spending habits.

No matter how careful you are with your own card spending, it takes only one reckless, overspending supplementary cardholder to quickly max out your shared credit limit.

If that scenario is very likely in your family, keep your credit card expenses under control by going with a bank that allows you to set your supplementary cardholders' spending limit during your credit card application.

☑️ Supplementary Credit Card Benefits

Typically, supplementary cards share the same benefits (such as rewards, cashback, or miles) as the principal credit card. However, there may be certain features that are exclusive to the primary card only. Read the fine print carefully to make sure your supplementary cardholders can enjoy the benefits, too.

10 Best Supplementary Credit Cards in the Philippines

Based on the criteria above, here are the 10 best supplementary cards to consider for your family.

💳 AUB Classic Mastercard

• Maximum supplementary cards per account: No limit
• Age requirement for supplementary cardholder: At least 14 years old
• Supplementary credit limit: Assigned by the principal cardholder
• Minimum monthly income requirement for principal cardholder: ₱21,000

If you apply for an AUB Classic Mastercard, you may enroll as many supplementary credit cards^[1] under your account—without having to pay for annual fees on any card forever.

Using your AUB credit card, earn one reward point per only ₱20 spend. With multiple cards under one credit card account, you can collect and redeem rewards points faster than having just one card in your name.

Enjoy flexible credit card payments as well. Choose your own due date, payment frequency, and minimum amount due—so there's no way you'll miss paying your bills.

Fees and Charges:

• Annual fee: No annual fee for life (both principal and supplementary cards)
• Interest rate: 2%
• Late payment fee: For the monthly payment option, late payment fee of ₱1,000 or the unpaid minimum amount due, whichever is lower

💳 Citi Simplicity+ Card

• Maximum supplementary cards per account: Seven
• Age requirement for supplementary cardholder: At least 16 years old
• Supplementary credit limit: At least ₱10,000 and in increments of ₱5,000 (assigned by the principal cardholder)
• Minimum monthly income requirement for principal cardholder: ₱15,000 (for existing cardholders) / ₱20,833.33 (for first-time cardholders)

With this Citibank supplementary card, you can save a lot on credit card fees. The Citi Simplicity supplementary card has zero annual fees for both principal and supplementary cards,^[2] zero late payment fees, and zero over-limit fees. Pay at least the minimum amount due on or before the due date, and you'll get 10% back on interest charges.

You can also enjoy plenty of Citibank credit card promos.

Fees and Charges:

• Annual fee: No annual fee for life (both principal and supplementary cards)
• Interest rate: 2%
• Late payment fee: None
• Overlimit fee: None

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

💳 Metrobank M Free Mastercard

• Maximum supplementary cards per account: Four
• Age requirement for supplementary cardholder: 14 to 80 years old
• Supplementary credit limit: Up to 100% of the principal's credit limit (assigned by the principal cardholder)
• Minimum monthly income requirement for principal cardholder: ₱72,250

This no-annual-fee Metrobank card is one of the best supplementary credit cards for teen children and senior citizen parents. Metrobank's credit card promos include discounts, freebies, and other deals at M Here partner merchants, as well as 0% installment for up to 24 months.

Fees and Charges:

• Annual fee: No annual fee for life (both principal and supplementary cards)
• Interest rate: 2%
• Late payment fee: ₱1,000 or the unpaid minimum amount, whichever is lower
• Overlimit fee: ₱750

💳 Bank of Commerce Platinum Mastercard

• Maximum supplementary cards per account: Six
• Age requirement for supplementary cardholder: At least 15 years old
• Supplementary credit limit: At least ₱5,000 and in increments of ₱5,000 (assigned by the principal cardholder)
• Minimum monthly income requirement for principal cardholder: ₱100,000

This premium Bank of Commerce credit card has a lot of money-saving perks for families. Principal and supplementary cardholders earn one reward point per ₱25 spend and up to 5x points for transactions at select dining and shopping merchants, plus enjoy exclusive promos from Bank of Commerce.

For traveling families, the Platinum Mastercard comes with a dual currency billing feature and up to ₱2 million in travel insurance.

Fees and Charges:

• Annual fee:
  • Principal card: ₱5,000
  • Supplementary card: ₱2,500
• Interest rate: 2%
• Late payment fee: ₱1,000 or the unpaid minimum amount due, whichever is lower
• Overlimit fee: ₱500

💳 China Bank Prime Mastercard

• Maximum supplementary cards per account: No limit
• Age requirement for supplementary cardholder: At least 13 years old
• Supplementary credit limit: Shared limit with the principal card
• Minimum monthly income requirement for principal cardholder: ₱15,000

If you get a China Bank credit card, you can enroll an unlimited number of supplementary cards without having to pay annual fees on them.

With the Prime Mastercard, you and your loved ones can earn one reward point per ₱25 spend on dining, shopping, and health and wellness and per ₱200 spend on groceries, medicines, fuel, and utility and insurance premium payments.

Fees and Charges:

• Annual fee:
  • Principal: ₱1,500 (free for the first year)
  • Supplementary: No annual fee for life
• Interest rate: 2%
• Late payment fee: ₱750 or the unpaid minimum amount due, whichever is lower
• Overlimit fee: ₱500

💳 HSBC Red Mastercard

• Maximum supplementary cards per account: Four
• Age requirement for supplementary cardholder: At least 15 years old
• Supplementary credit limit: Shared credit limit with the principal card
• Minimum monthly income requirement for principal cardholder: ₱16,666.67

Rack up credit card rewards even faster with supplementary credit cards from HSBC.^[3] With HSBC Red, each card earns one point per ₱20 spend and 4x bonus points on online, dining, shopping, and overseas transactions. Both principal and supplementary cardholders can also get a 3% rebate on fuel purchases at select Caltex stations.

Fees and Charges:

• Annual fee:
  • Principal: ₱2,500 (free for the first year)
  • Annual fee for the first supplementary card per account will be waived for life
• Interest rate: 2%
• Late payment fee: ₱1,000 or unpaid minimum amount due, whichever is lower
• Overlimit fee: ₱800

💳 RCBC Visa Infinite

• Maximum supplementary cards per account: Nine
• Age requirement for supplementary cardholder: 13 to 65 years old
• Supplementary credit limit: Shared limit with the principal card
• Minimum monthly income requirement for principal cardholder: ₱300,000

The best supplementary credit card for high-income families is one with generous rewards and cashback, like the RCBC Visa Infinite card.

With RCBC's credit card promos, you and your family can earn up to five rewards points per ₱30 spend on groceries, medicines, and fuel. Accumulated points can be redeemed for cash rebates, cash deposit to your RCBC savings account, shopping vouchers, and more. 

Fees and Charges:

• Annual fee:
  • Principal: ₱6,000
  • Supplementary: No annual fee for life (up to nine cards)
• Interest rate: 2%
• Late payment fee: ₱850
• Overlimit fee: ₱600

💳 Metrobank Peso Platinum Mastercard

• Maximum supplementary cards per account: Four
• Age requirement for supplementary cardholder: 14 to 80 years old
• Supplementary credit limit: Up to 100% of the principal's credit limit (assigned by the principal cardholder)
• Minimum monthly income requirement for principal cardholder: ₱58,333.33

This premium Metrobank credit card packs a lot of features for principal and supplementary cardholders, including the following:

• Earn one reward point per ₱20 spend and up to 50% off on premium dining deals
• Online shopping insurance coverage for non-delivery of online item purchase, incomplete or incorrect delivery, defect or damage in delivery, and other losses
• 24-hour VIP customer service hotline and 24-hour VIP concierge service
• Discounts, freebies, and other deals at M Here partner merchants

Fees and Charges:

• Annual fee:
  • Principal: ₱5,000
  • 1st supplementary: No annual fee for life
  • 2nd to 4th supplementary: ₱2,500
• Interest rate: 2%
• Late payment fee: ₱1,000 or the unpaid minimum amount, whichever is lower
• Overlimit fee: ₱750

💳 Security Bank Complete Cashback Mastercard

• Maximum supplementary cards per account: Five
• Age requirement for supplementary cardholder: 16 to 65 years old
• Supplementary credit limit: Shared spending limit with the primary cardholder
• Minimum monthly income requirement for principal cardholder: ₱65,000

One of the best supplementary credit cards for families is Security Bank's cashback credit card. Earn rebates ranging from 1% to 5% on five of the typically largest household expenses: groceries, fuel, utility bills, dining, and shopping. You can also take advantage of Security Bank's credit card promos.

Fees and Charges:

• Annual fee: (Free for the first year)
  • Principal: ₱3,000
  • Supplementary: ₱1,500
• Interest rate: 2%
• Late payment fee: ₱1,000 or minimum amount due, whichever is lower
• Overlimit fee: ₱500

Questions to Ask Before Applying for a Supplementary Credit Card 

As a principal cardholder, are you truly ready for the responsibility? Here are a few things you should ask yourself:

1. Are They Ready to Use a Supplementary Credit Card?

Assess if your would-be supplementary credit cardholder is financially literate and ready to use a credit card. Here are the signs of supplementary card ownership readiness: 

• Understanding of what a supplementary credit card is and what it's not - Supplementary credit cards are financial tools to help cardholders leverage a credit line in pursuing their financial goals. These are not free, and debts incurred should be paid back on time. 
• Good budget plan - Check if your loved one knows the best practices of budgeting and managing finances. They should be able to track where their money is going, too. 
• No huge outstanding debt - Someone with a huge debt may be a high-risk credit card user. 
• Stable income - This may not always apply to your parents or kids who depend on you for financial support. But if you’re planning to share the credit line with someone, make sure they have a stable source of income. Otherwise, prepare to take the responsibility of paying back what the supplementary card uses out of your credit limit. 
• With a purchase plan - Impulse buying is one of the primary reasons why people get into debt. Find a supplementary cardholder who knows how to make a spending plan and who sets priorities when buying. 

2. Am I Financially Stable to Cover the Additional Debt?

Are you earning enough to cover the debts incurred on your supplementary card? Understand that once the supplementary credit cardholder fails to pay the balances, you’ll be responsible for settling them. 

3. Is My Credit Limit Enough?

How much is your credit limit? Your supplementary credit cardholder will share the credit limit with you unless you have preassigned a limit to the card upon application. 

4. Do I Have the Time to Monitor the Supplementary Card’s Monthly Spending?

Monitoring monthly spending is time-consuming, especially if you own multiple cards. You don't just list down payment amounts and due dates. You also need to track credit card cut-off dates and billing cycles to make sure that you pay on time. 

5. Can I Pay the Additional Fees?

Supplementary credit cards come with annual membership fees. Although they’re much lower than the annual fees of primary credit cards, the amount can still be substantial, especially if you have multiple supplementary credit cards. Apart from the annual fees, supplementary cards also incur interest charges, late penalty fees, and over-limit fees.

6. Can a Supplementary Card Affect my Credit Score?

Since usage will now come from both the secondary and the primary credit cards, your total balance can easily exceed the ideal 30% of your credit limit. The risks of higher unpaid balances can also increase, especially if the supplementary cardholder defaults on the credit card payment.

7. Can I Apply for a Supplementary Card for Someone I Don't Live With?

Yes, you can, as long as they can provide the requirements for the application. 

8. Will My Supplementary Cardholder Be Responsible for My Debts as a Principal Cardholder? 

Although the credit card activity will be recorded under the name of the principal cardholder, some banks can consider both the principal and supplementary cardholder liable for all the charges incurred by the credit card account.

Final Thoughts

When comparing and choosing credit cards for your family, put as much thought into your choice of supplementary cards as you would like the principal card. The best supplementary credit card helps you save more money and manage your family's finances better.

However, your supplementary cardholder should be ready to handle the complexities of owning one. Just like a primary credit card, a supplementary card can help build or break your credit score. As a primary account holder, you should make sure your loved one understands how these cards work and the consequences they entail when mishandled. 

Sources:

• ^[1] AUB Supplementary Credit Card
• ^[2] Citibank Supplementary Card
• ^[3] HSBC Supplementary Credit Card