Even as their incomes rise, modern Filipino consumers have become more intentional about how they spend and save. Whether you’re talking about carts full of groceries or bundles of Shopee orders, Filipinos have become experts at finding vouchers, discounts, and general life hacks that let them get even more out of their shopping.
This brings us to credit cards. Today, Filipinos are using these financial tools to expand their purchasing power and maximize shopping benefits to ultimately increase their savings. Indeed, even cost-conscious middle-income earners may now have one or more credit cards they use in rotation.
However, not all credit cards offer the same perks and reward the same habits equally. For instance, some cards let you enjoy cashback on all purchases, including those made online and outside of the connected companies or brands. These credit cards are especially desirable for anyone who wants to save some cash, even while they enjoy more of the good things in life. Meanwhile, some cards offer more rewards points for specific spending categories.
So, before you apply in-store or complete a credit card online application, it helps to think about your lifestyle and where most of your money goes. The right card should effortlessly match your lifestyle and give you more value for the kind of spending you already do. See if these habits apply to you.
1. Do You Buy Groceries in Bulk?
If your monthly food budget often includes food and home goods in large quantities, membership shopping and the right credit card will support it. This is especially true if you buy groceries for a large household with an extended family. If this is the case for you, look for cards that reward bigger spending, since those extra cashback percentage points can stack up quickly.
2. Do You Eat Out Regularly?
Eating is a big part of Filipino culture, and this doesn’t change, no matter your income bracket. If you’re like many people, though, you may not have much time or energy to cook homemade meals. If you’re always dining out or ordering takeout, you’ll find some club credit cards that reward your appetite. The Maya Landers Cashback Everywhere Credit Card, for example, offers 2% cashback on spending at restaurants, cafés, and fast-food chains—perfect if you often find yourself eating on the go.
3. Are You a Digital Shopper or Cashless Regular?
While online shopping and digital payments are common now, it’s surprising that not all credit cards make these things easy. If your spending is spread across e-commerce, QR payments, and everyday tap-to-pay purchases, you’ll want a credit card that still gives rewards for these transactions on top of the basic in-store benefits. Even more importantly, you want to be sure that your spending is rewarded even when it’s not from a partner store.
4. Do You Want One Card to Do It All?
If you already hold a membership to a retail club, you know how annoying the experience of fishing out membership cards and cash from your wallet can be. Thankfully, some credit card issuers have partnerships with shopping clubs. These cards double as membership cards, which means one less thing to carry in your wallet. This is a small but welcome feature that makes these cards a smart pick for any shopper.
5. You’re Tired of Complicated Reward Systems
Traditional rewards cards make you jump through hoops on purpose. After all, it’s usually in the issuer’s interest not to directly offer the reward they promised. Fortunately, some credit cards now offer cashback with no minimum spend required, meaning you aren’t compelled to spend more to get rewarded. Even better, some cards offer a simplified redemption system that doesn’t require you to track vouchers or call your issuer.
6. Are You Actively Building a Positive Credit Profile?
Regardless of your specific spending habits, though, you probably want your card to come with reliable, app-based management features like transaction tracking, payment reminders, and real-time billing so you can better stay on top of your finances. These features are a must-have if you want to better plan your spending.
7. Do You Want Rewards That Make Sense For Your Lifestyle?
The best credit card isn’t the one with the most features. Rather, it’s the one that gives you value for how you already live. Not everyone wants or needs a card with flashy perks or access to airport lounges that they’d use once a year. More practical folks usually just want a reliable tool that builds their credit and rewards daily spending. After you cut through all the marketing-induced noise, what you’ll always want is a card that aligns with your habits to make your money go further.
What Does Your Spending Look Like?
Before you send your credit card application, try looking inward. Where does your money go? What kind of returns matter most to you? Take all the time you need to reexamine your shopping habits and let those insights guide you to a credit card that truly rewards them.
