UnionBank Credit Card Fees: Annual Fee, Interest, Late Payment Charges, and More
Updated: Aug 20, 2026
Written byRouselle Isla
With tons of promos, discounts, and privileges that come with a credit card, it’s easy to swipe now and worry about it later. But as a responsible credit card user, you must account for every fee incurred in your transactions. A small act of neglect on fees can make credit cards the enemy you wish you never had.
Are you getting a card from UnionBank? Remember that UnionBank credit card fees apply to your account immediately after your card is activated and if you fail to meet the conditions. That means fees come automatically with your privilege to use the card.
To maintain your UnionBank credit card in good standing, here are the UnionBank credit card fees and charges you should know about.
Why Does UnionBank Charge Fees on Credit Cards?
Like any other bank, UnionBank imposes fees on using its issued credit cards to ensure cardholders won’t abuse the privileges that come with it. Every time you swipe, you’re borrowing money from the bank. The moment you fail to pay back, intentionally or unintentionally, the bank funds are at risk.
Credit card fees and charges cover losses the issuer might incur when cardholders default on their debts. The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) policies govern the fees and other charges, and banks impose penalties accordingly.[1]
So you must pay UnionBank credit card fees on time to continue enjoying the benefits. Otherwise, you’ll suffer the consequences of spending more on late payments, interest rates, and other charges.
What are the UnionBank Credit Card Fees and Charges?
UnionBank credit card fees - credit card statement
If your UnionBank credit card application is approved, you’ll find the fees in a brochure with your new card. Keep reading to learn more about its credit card fees.
💵 UnionBank Credit Card Annual Fees
Annual fees are automatically charged to a UnionBank credit card account to compensate for all the benefits you get from them.UnionBank credit card annual fees range from ₱1,500 to ₱5,000, depending on your card type.
Take note that the annual fee is different from interest. You can be charged an annual fee even if you pay your credit card balance in full every month, unless your card has no annual fee or you qualify for a waiver.
Can You Have Your UnionBank Credit Card Annual Fee Waived?
UnionBank credit card fees - annual fee waiver
Curious about how to waive your UnionBank credit card annual fee? UnionBank offers exciting welcome gifts to new cardholders, which often include annual fee waivers.
For example, if you apply for the UnionBank Rewards Credit Card via Moneymax, get approved within the promo period, and meet the spending requirement within 60 days from card approval, you’ll enjoy no annual fees for life.
But if you’ve been a UnionBank credit cardholder for a long time, you can call the bank’s customer service hotline at (+632) 8841-8600 to request an annual fee waiver. The bank representative may accommodate your request upon your compliance with certain conditions.
However, annual-fee waivers depend on the card, promotion, and applicable terms. A promotional “no annual fee” offer should not be treated as a permanent feature unless the card's terms specifically state that the fee is waived for life.
Read more:
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Eligible card: UnionBank credit cards
Promo period: Until September 30, 2024
Get Apple AirPods 2 worth ₱8,490; Nescafe Dolce Gusto Mini Me worth ₱6,699; Marshall Willen Speaker worth ₱6,590; JBL Tune 720BT Wireless Headphones worth ₱4,699; or Giftaway cash credits worth ₱4,000! Just apply for any eligible UnionBank credit card via Moneymax, get approved within the promo period, and then meet the ₱10,000 spend requirement within 60 days from your card approval date.
This Moneymax UnionBank welcome gift promo runs until September 30, 2024 only.
Per DTI Fair Trade Permit No. FTEB-199168 Series of 2024. Terms and conditions apply.
Note: The promo is exclusive to carded applicants who do not have an existing principal credit card issued by UnionBank and/or Citi.
💵 UnionBank Credit Card Interest Rates
UnionBank imposes a flat rate of 3% monthly effective interest rate (EIR) on all its credit cards, regardless of type or category.
The EIR is computed based on the unpaid balance from the previous statement. Any payment of the minimum amount due or less than the total due from the previous balance automatically incurs interest and/or other charges.
The 3% monthly EIR is based on the cap mandated by the BSP, which has been implemented since February 2023.[2]
How Can You Avoid UnionBank Credit Card Interest?
Pay your total amount due by the payment due date whenever your budget allows. Paying only the minimum amount due may keep the account from becoming past due, but the remaining balance can continue to incur applicable finance charges.
A simple monthly routine is:
- Check your statement.
- Review your total amount due.
- Set aside the full amount.
- Pay before the due date.
- Confirm that your payment has been posted.
The minimum amount due is not the same as the total amount due. If you can afford it, paying the total amount due is generally the better way to avoid interest on eligible retail purchases.
💵 UnionBank Late Payment Fees
Late payment fees are charged to a cardholder who fails to pay the minimum amount due on time. UnionBank’s late payment fees for credit cards are at a flat rate of ₱1,500 across all its cards for every missed credit card payment. However, cards like the UnionBank U Platinum Mastercard & UnionBank U Visa Platinum have no late payment fees.
How to Avoid UnionBank Late Payment Fees
Pay at least the required minimum amount by the payment due date to avoid becoming past due, but aim to pay the total amount due whenever your budget allows. If you pay through a third-party channel, allow enough time for the payment to be posted.
A practical system is:
Statement received → budget for payment → schedule payment → confirm posting.
If you frequently forget due dates, consider setting a calendar reminder or using an available automatic payment arrangement.
💵 UnionBank Credit Card Cash Advance Fees
UnionBank credit card fees - cash advance fee
A flat UnionBank cash advance fee of ₱200 is charged per cash advance transaction. Also, a cash advance interest or finance charge of 3.04% will be charged monthly. It will be due on each cash advance from the transaction date of the advance until the date of repayment in full (including unbilled charges).
The UnionBank cash advance fee is considered in the derivation for cash advance EIR. The total annual EIR per cash advance transaction is 35.97% for ₱5,000 and above transactions via ATM. So take note of these UnionBank credit card cash withdrawal charges before making a cash advance.
What are the Other UnionBank Credit Card Fees to Remember?
Most of the fees in the table below are the same ones that other banks charge. You should take note, however, that the rates differ.
For UnionBank credit cards, the fees imposed are the same across all types of credit cards,[3] except for foreign currency transaction fees (3% fee for Classic and Gold cards and 2% fee for Platinum cards).
Also, if you’ll avail of credit insurance, the U-Protect premium charge for Visa Gold and Platinum cards differs from the U-Secure premium charge for the Visa Classic, Lazada, Gold, and Platinum Mastercard.
How Can You Avoid Unnecessary UnionBank Credit Card Fees?
You can reduce avoidable credit card costs by paying your total amount due on time, avoiding unnecessary cash advances, staying within your credit limit, and choosing a card whose annual fee and other charges match the value you receive.
Use this monthly checklist:
- Pay the total amount due whenever possible.
- Pay before the due date.
- Check your statement for unexpected charges.
- Keep your spending within your budget.
- Avoid cash advances unless necessary.
- Keep your balance within your credit limit.
- Check foreign transaction charges before overseas spending.
- Track your annual fee.
- Review whether your card's rewards justify its cost.
- Check current card terms when a fee matters to your decision.
The goal isn't to avoid every possible credit card fee. It's to understand which fees apply, which ones you can avoid, and which costs are worthwhile for your financial goals.
How Moneymax Can Help You Choose the Right UnionBank Card
Choosing a credit card is not just about finding the lowest fee. Moneymax helps you compare cards based on fees, rewards, requirements, and features so you can choose an option that fits the way you spend and the financial goals you're working toward.
Whether your milestone is getting your first credit card, earning more from everyday spending, traveling more, or simplifying your finances, compare your options before applying.
The right card isn't the one with the most benefits. It's the one whose costs and benefits make sense for your financial life.
Sources:
- [1] Credit Card Operations (Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas)
- [2] Circular No. 1165 Amendments to the Ceiling on Interest or Finance Charges for Credit Card Receivables (BSP, January 2023)
- [3] UnionBank Credit Cards Rates and Fees
About the author
Rouselle Isla
Rouselle has over eight years of writing experience in the personal finance niche. She has written feature stories, articles, and how-to guides on various personal finance and trending lifestyle topics. Before that, she briefly worked in banking and was a licensed life insurance advisor. When not writing, Rouselle likes to read books and binge-watch films and series. <a href="http://www.linkedin.com/in/rouselleisla" target="_blank"> Follow Rouselle on Linkedin. </a>
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