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The best UnionBank credit card is the one that matches where most of your money already goes: the Gold or Platinum Mastercard for simple 1% cashback, Miles+ or Cebu Pacific cards for frequent flyers, and the Lazada, S&R or Mercury Drug co-brands for heavy shoppers at those stores. Whichever you choose, pay the full balance each month, because card interest can reach 3% a month under BSP rules.
Use credit responsibly: pay your full statement balance every month and watch the interest. Credit card interest in the Philippines can reach up to 3% a month on unpaid balances.
UnionBank has one of the widest credit card lineups in the country, from starter cards to travel and shopping co-brands. That variety is useful, but it also makes choosing hard. The best card is not the one with the flashiest perk. It is the one that matches where your money already goes every month.
This guide groups UnionBank’s cards by lifestyle, using only the features UnionBank lists on its current credit card page, checked October 9, 2026. Where a rate or fee is not shown there, we point you to UnionBank’s site.
Start here: how do you actually spend?
Before comparing cards, look at your last three months of spending. Add up roughly how much went to:
- Groceries and supermarkets
- Online shopping (Lazada, Shopee and others)
- Travel and flights
- Pharmacy, fuel or a particular store you visit often
- Everything else
Your biggest category usually points to the right card.
Which UnionBank card has fewer fees? The U Platinum Mastercard
UnionBank’s card page describes the U Platinum Mastercard as a card “with less fees to think about.” For the current annual fee and other charges, check the current rate on UnionBank’s site. A low-fee card is a sensible first card or backup card for people who want a credit line without a big yearly charge.
Which UnionBank card gives simple cashback? Gold and Platinum Mastercard
UnionBank’s card page lists both the UnionBank Gold Mastercard and the UnionBank Platinum Mastercard as giving 1% cashback “on everything from groceries to big purchases.” If you dislike tracking points or categories, a flat cashback card is the easiest to understand.
Which card gives category cashback? Cash Back Titanium Mastercard
UnionBank lists a Cash Back Titanium Mastercard in its lineup. For its cashback rates by category, any monthly caps and its annual fee, check the current rate on UnionBank’s site. A category cashback card pays off only if your biggest spending category matches the card’s boosted category, so compare it with your own spending before applying.
Which card is best for flexible points? UnionBank Rewards cards
UnionBank lists Rewards cards such as the Rewards Platinum Mastercard. For the current points earn rate and redemption options, check the current rate on UnionBank’s site. Points cards suit people who like to decide later how to use their rewards, but always compare a point’s real peso value with what a simple cashback card would give you.
Which UnionBank card is best for travel?
- UnionBank Miles+ cards. UnionBank lists the Miles+ World Mastercard and Miles+ Platinum Visa. It says Miles+ Platinum lets you redeem cashback or airline miles from the points you earn. For the current miles earn rate, check the current rate on UnionBank’s site.
- Cebu Pacific Gold and Platinum Credit Cards. UnionBank says these earn Go Rewards points on every spend that you can redeem for free flights, with the Platinum version adding exclusive Cebu Pacific benefits and perks.
If you fly Cebu Pacific a few times a year, the co-brand cards are worth a look. If you fly different airlines, a Miles+ card may be more flexible.
Which UnionBank card is best for Lazada, S&R or Mercury Drug?
UnionBank has several co-brand cards tied to popular merchants. According to UnionBank’s card page:
- UnionBank Lazada Credit Card: ₱6 in Lazada Credits for every ₱200 spent on Lazada, and ₱1 in Lazada Credits for every ₱200 spent elsewhere.
- UnionBank S&R Visa Platinum: 3% rebates on your S&R spending.
- UnionBank Mercury Visa: 5X points on up to ₱320,000 of spending at Mercury Drug.
- Go Rewards Gold and Platinum Visa: earn Go Rewards points to use at Robinsons Retail brands.
These cards shine only if you really shop at that merchant often. Otherwise, a general cashback or rewards card will likely serve you better.
Which card should you pick? A quick picker
| If you… | Consider |
|---|---|
| Want fewer fees | U Platinum Mastercard |
| Want flat cashback with no tracking | Gold or Platinum Mastercard (1% cashback) |
| Want category cashback | Cash Back Titanium Mastercard (check current rates) |
| Like flexible points | Rewards Platinum Mastercard |
| Travel often | Miles+ or Cebu Pacific cards |
| Shop heavily on Lazada, at S&R or Mercury Drug | The matching co-brand card |
What fees should you check before you apply?
Annual fees differ by card and can change. UnionBank’s main card page does not list every card’s annual fee, so check the current annual fee, finance charge, late payment fee and cash advance fee on UnionBank’s official site or in the card’s terms before you apply.
How do you compare two credit cards?
When two cards look similar, run this quick test using your own numbers:
- Estimate your yearly rewards. Multiply your typical monthly spending in the card’s reward category by the card’s current earn rate, then by 12.
- Subtract the annual fee. A card that earns ₱3,000 a year in rewards but charges a ₱4,000 fee leaves you worse off than a low-fee card that earns less.
- Check the caps. Many rewards and cashback programs limit how much you can earn per month or per statement. Spending above the cap earns nothing extra.
- Check how rewards are paid. Cashback credited to your statement is simple. Points or partner credits only have value if you will actually redeem them before they expire.
- Look at acceptance. Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted, but check that the merchants you use most accept your card.
How do you avoid credit card interest?
Rewards and cashback only make sense if you avoid interest. Under BSP Circular No. 1165, the ceiling on credit card interest is 3% per month (36% a year) on unpaid balances, a cap the BSP has kept in place despite industry calls to lift it. That means carrying a balance can easily cost far more than any cashback you earn.
- Pay in full, every month. Paying only the minimum keeps interest running on the rest.
- Set up auto-debit or reminders so you never miss a due date.
- Do not spend more to “earn more points.” Only charge what you would buy anyway.
- Avoid cash advances. They usually come with fees and interest from day one.
- Keep your utilization low. Using only part of your credit limit is healthier for your finances.
How do you apply for a UnionBank credit card?
Prepare a valid government ID and proof of income. UnionBank will check your eligibility and decide your credit limit. You can apply through our link: Apply for a UnionBank credit card.
Referral link: we may earn a reward if you sign up.
Reminder: pay in full and watch the interest. A credit card is a payment tool, not extra income.
Related money guides on The Philippines Web
- Best high-interest digital banks in the Philippines, for parking the cash you use to pay your card in full.
- The cheapest way to send money to the Philippines, an OFW guide to fees and exchange rates.
- November 2026 holiday pay rules, so you know your Undas and Bonifacio Day pay before planning holiday spending.
FAQ
Which UnionBank credit cards give 1% cashback?
UnionBank’s card page lists the UnionBank Gold Mastercard and the UnionBank Platinum Mastercard as giving 1% cashback on everything.
What is the maximum credit card interest in the Philippines?
Under BSP Circular No. 1165, the ceiling is 3% a month, or 36% a year, on unpaid balances.
How much does the UnionBank Lazada Credit Card earn?
UnionBank says it gives ₱6 in Lazada Credits for every ₱200 spent on Lazada and ₱1 for every ₱200 spent elsewhere.
Where do I check annual fees?
UnionBank’s main card page does not list every card’s annual fee, so check the current fees on UnionBank’s official site or in the card’s terms before you apply.
Sources
- UnionBank, Credit Cards: https://www.unionbankph.com/cards/credit-card/ (checked Oct 9, 2026)
- BSP Circular No. 1165 (2023): https://www.bsp.gov.ph/Regulations/Issuances/2023/1165.pdf (checked Oct 9, 2026)
- BusinessMirror, CCAP wants interest cap lifted to boost ‘inclusion’ (Jan 23, 2026): https://businessmirror.com.ph/2026/01/23/ccap-wants-interest-cap-lifted-to-boost-inclusion/
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