Moneymax Reviews: UnionBank Gold Visa vs Gold Mastercard

You know how they say credit cards are as good as gold these days? Well, UnionBank takes this literally with its Gold line of credit cards: the Gold Visa Card and the Gold Mastercard.

But how do you choose the right credit card between the two? That’s what we’re going to find out in this UnionBank Gold credit card review. 

At first glance, these two credit cards are almost identical. As you’ll soon find out, they have more similarities than differences. But it's interesting to learn what makes them different, too.

Do you prefer earning more rewards or earning more cashback? Let’s get down to it in this edition of Moneymax Reviews! 

UnionBank Gold Credit Card Review: Key Features

Is UnionBank credit card good? Whether you’re getting the Visa or Mastercard variant, here are the key features you can expect for both. Before you apply for a UnionBank credit card, check if it fits your budget and lifestyle. 

• Annual fee: ₱2,500
• Interest rate: 3%
• Minimum monthly income requirement: ₱15,000 (for Gold Visa) / ₱30,000 (for Gold Mastercard)
• Cash advance fee: ₱200
• Late payment fee: ₱1,000
• Overlimit fee: ₱500
• Foreign transaction fee: 3%
• Card replacement fee: ₱400 per lost or damaged card

Wondering about the UnionBank Gold Visa or Mastercard credit card limit in the Philippines? Unfortunately, you can't know until your application actually gets approved.

As you can see, the UnionBank Gold Visa and Mastercard share the same annual fee, interest rate, and other features. However, if you apply and get approved for the Gold Visa until July 31, 2023, you can enjoy no annual fees forever. 

So are there any other differences between the two cards, you ask? We’ll discuss them all below in this UnionBank credit card review.

UnionBank Gold Visa Card Review 

The difference between UnionBank Gold variants boils down to their main features. For instance, UnionBank Gold Visa Card is perfect for reward seekers because it earns you 1 rewards point for every ₱35 spend. Plus, your points will never expire, which means you can redeem them anytime you want.

Frequent flyers can use their UnionBank Gold Visa Card to access the Marhaba Lounge for free at NAIA Terminals 1 and 3. Sit back, relax, and indulge in a buffet and an assortment of beverages, wines, and liquor—all while waiting for your flight.

Is UnionBank Gold Visa Card the right one for you? Here's a quick look at its key features.

UnionBank Gold Mastercard Review

If traveling isn't your cup of tea and you'd rather save money, use the UnionBank Gold Mastercard to earn 1% cashback on all purchases. It may not seem like a lot, but this cashback applies to any spend category, so it will all eventually pile up into more savings.

There's no limit to how much you can earn. Unlike other cashback credit cards, the UnionBank Gold Mastercard has no rebate cap. Also, earned cashback doesn't expire, so you can redeem yours whenever you wish.

Convinced? Here's a quick rundown of UnionBank Gold Mastercard's key features.

What Perks Can I Get from a UnionBank Gold Credit Card?

Enough about the differences—let's talk about the perks. Admit it: you probably headed straight to this section in this UnionBank Gold credit card review. Don't worry, we won't judge!

✔️ Rewards or Cashback

You can't go wrong with whichever card you choose—both offer exciting benefits. As mentioned earlier, you can earn either points or cashback, depending on the card. 

With the UnionBank Gold Visa Card, you earn 1 point for every ₱35 spend. Use your accumulated points to redeem exciting rewards from Unionbank's extensive rewards catalog.^[1]

With the UnionBank Gold Mastercard, on the other hand, you get to enjoy big savings with 1% cashback.

✔️ 0% Interest Installment Plans

Are you the type of shopper who doesn't enjoy paying in full, but instead wisely divides expenses into monthly payments? Then a UnionBank Gold credit card is perfect for you. Each Gold variant comes with 0% interest installment plans for wais shoppers.

✔️ Free Life Insurance Coverage of up to ₱400,000

Your life is as valuable as gold! The UnionBank Gold credit card can help protect it financially with its free life insurance coverage of up to ₱400,000.

This not just covers you in case of death due to illness or accident, but also pays for your credit card balance of up to ₱400,000 in case of death (due to an illness or accident) or total permanent disability.

✔️ Access to UnionBank Online

Once you get your UnionBank Gold credit card, download the UnionBank Online app and manage all your credit card transactions from there. As an award-winning digital bank innovator in the Philippines,^[2] UnionBank currently has one of the best online banking apps out there.

UnionBank Gold Credit Card Alternatives

Did neither of UnionBank's Gold credit cards impress you? Don't worry—we have some alternatives you can check out. Check out UnionBank's lineup:

Credit Card	Annual Fee	Minimum Annual Income Requirement	Key Features
UnionBank Rewards Credit Card	₱2,500	₱180,000	1 point per ₱30 spend 3x points for shopping and dining in the Philippines and overseas Non-expiring points can be redeemed for cash credits, gadgets, merchandise, and more
UnionBank Classic Visa	₱1,500	₱180,000	1 rewards point for every ₱35 spend Free life insurance coverage of up to ₱400,000
UnionBank Gold Visa	₱2,500	₱180,000	1 point per ₱35 spend Unlimited pre-departure lounge access at the Marhaba Lounge at NAIA Terminals 1 and 3
UnionBank Lazada Credit Card	₱3,000	₱360,000	6x Lazada Credits for every ₱200 spent on the app  Free shipping and sale vouchers
UnionBank Gold Mastercard	₱2,500	₱360,000	1.5% rebate on all purchases with no cap

 

Check out more options below:

💳 UnionBank Classic Visa Card

If you just want a straightforward card to use for bills, consider the UnionBank Classic Visa Card. Use it to automatically charge your utility bills, pay for your car insurance in installments, and enjoy up to 36 monthly installment terms at 0% interest. Plus, you earn 1 rewards point for every ₱35 spend.

💳 HSBC Gold Visa Cash Back

Need more cashback with your credit card? Maybe HSBC's Gold Visa Cash Back's rebate rate of up to 5% will convince you. Plus, your cashback credit goes straight to your account—no need for extra steps to redeem them.

💳 Security Bank Complete Cashback Platinum Mastercard

The Security Bank Complete Cashback Platinum Mastercard is as sulit as it gets with 5% cash back on groceries, 4% on fuel, 3% on bill payments, 2% on dining expenses, and 1% on shopping. It's the perfect card for money-savvy spenders. 

💳 BPI Amore Cashback Card

Love malling? The BPI Amore Cashback Card offers up to 4% cash back on supermarket and department store spend, up to 1% cash back on drugstore and bills payment spend, up to 0.3% cash back on all other local retail spend, and unlimited access to exclusive customer and family lounges in Ayala Malls!

💳 Metrobank Titanium Mastercard

Earn points while shopping for essentials with the Metrobank Titanium Mastercard. Enjoy 2x rewards points on dining, department store, and online purchases, one point for every ₱20 spend, and 0% interest installment plans for up to 24 months.

💳 AUB Gold Mastercard

What edges out the AUB Gold Mastercard from its Gold counterparts is its no annual fees offer. That's pretty rare for premium credit cards in the Philippines. So if you want the same premium perks without paying every year, then you should try your luck applying for this AUB credit card.

💳 RCBC Flex Gold Visa

If you want to stay loyal to Visa and prefer a Gold credit card, you can also consider the RCBC Flex Gold Visa. You'll earn twice the rewards in three spend categories. Choose from grocery, gas, department store, household appliances, or travel spend.

Related reading: 

• 2 Simple Steps to Find the Best Credit Card for You
• Applying for a Credit Card? Prepare These Credit Card Requirements First
• Useful Tips on How to Apply for a Credit Card for the First Time

Final Thoughts

That’s another edition of Moneymax Reviews in the books! Did this UnionBank Gold credit card review convince you to pick one? Which Gold variant do you choose? Whether you get a Visa or Mastercard, just make sure it fits your budget and lifestyle.

And as we always say, swipe responsibly!

Sources:

• ^[1] UnionBank Credit Card Rewards Program
• ^[2] CFI names UnionBank as 'Best Digital Bank — Southeast Asia 2022' (The Manila Times, 2022)