China Bank Prime Mastercard Review (2019) – Rewards Card for Day-to-Day Spending

China Bank Prime Mastercard Review

Looking for an entry-level credit card that offers rewards? Take a look at China Bank Prime Mastercard key features and start building a good credit history.

China Bank isn’t as aggressive compared to other banks when it comes to sign-up bonuses for new cardholders. But when you check their promotions, you will find that they offer up to 63% off certain spending categories. Not bad at all, right?

But of course, you should always read the terms and conditions for these promotions. This way, you will not be disappointed when you end up paying the same price or even more.

China Bank Prime Mastercard Terms and Conditions

Annual Fee
  • P1,500 for principal cardholder 
  • Free for the supplementary cardholder
Minimum Annual Income
  • P180,000
Finance Charge per Month
  • 3.50% 
Late Payment Fee
  • PHP750 or unpaid minimum amount due, whichever is lower
Overlimit Fee
  • PHP500 if the card account is overlimit
Card Replacement Fee
  • P500
Card Network
  • Mastercard

How does China Bank Prime Mastercard work?

This credit card is ideal for shopping (in-store and online), dining, and travelling. You can use it at over 22 million Mastercard-affiliated merchants around the world.

As a rewards card, you earn one (1) rewards point for every P25 you spend on shopping, dining, and health and wellness.

You also earn one (1) rewards point for every P200 on your fuel and drugstores transactions and utilities and insurance premium payments.

Use your accumulated points to redeem Mabuhay Miles and cash credits. To redeem, you need to call the China Bank Customer Service 24/7 hotline or email the customer service department.

As of this writing, there’s no online portal or exclusive page for cardholders to claim rewards by themselves.

When you apply for the Prime Mastercard, you will also receive a complimentary China Bank-SM Advantage Card when you reach the required accumulated spend on retail and instalment purchases.

With this card, you can enjoy the benefits and features of The SM Advantage loyalty program. Use the card to earn points when you shop at SM and other participating establishments.

Other features of this card include all year round instalments of up to 36 months on your big purchases at participating merchants.

You also get to enjoy the Balance Transfer option — so you can transfer your balances from other credit cards and pay up to 24 months with low-interest rates.

Here are some of the promos and discounts you get to enjoy once you’re the proud owner of this card. The list includes 99th-anniversary deals, as well as instant treats, and online shopping and travel & hotel deals.

99th Anniversary Deals

The following are open to all China Bank World, Platinum, and Prime cardholders who are active, current, and with good credit standing.

Promos Promo Period Terms and Conditions
All Dimsum for only P99 at Gloria Maris Gateway & Eastwood From now until September 30, 2019
  • Not valid for take-out transactions
  • Cardholders are the only entitled to avail the “All Dimsum at P99
15% off on US to PH shipping fees at Jinio with the code “CBCJINIO15” From now until April 30, 2020
  • Must have a Jinio account to use the code and set-up the shipping address
P99 off on all regular-priced graphic tees at participating Levi’s outlets August 15, 2019 to September 15, 2019
  • Must present the Prime Mastercard when you settle payments

Instant Treats, Travel and Hotel Deals, and Online Shopping

Enjoy these promos when you spend using your Prime Mastercard. Make sure to also check the terms & conditions before you swipe.

Promos Promo Period Terms and Conditions
Free coffee or tea at the Coffee Bean Tea & Leaf branches From now until December 31, 2019
  • Use your card with a minimum purchase of P2,500 anywhere (single transaction or single-receipt purchase)
  • Cardholders are the only entitled to avail the free regular-sized beverage
Free birthday noodles at Gloria Maris Gateway & Eastwood From now until June 30, 2020
  • Claim your free noodles when you dine on your birth month
  • Present (1) one government-issued ID
  • Cardholders are the only entitled to avail the complimentary birthday noodles
Discounts and seat sale on domestic and international flights on Philippines Airlines Booking extended from now until September 15, 2019
  • Use the Prime Mastercard when booking your flights
  • Travel period is from September 1, 2019 to June 30, 2020
  • Seats are subject to availability
  • Taxes and other fees are not included in the discounted fares
5% off on worldwide destinations via Agoda Booking period from now until April 6, 2020
  • Use the Prime Mastercard when booking your flights
  • Stay period from April 7, 2019 to September 30, 2020
Up to 63% off on hotel accommodation, shopping, entertainment, and transportation privileges when you travel in Taiwan Promo is until December 31, 2019
Get one (1) Universal Studios Singapore™ Adult Dated One-Day Ticket 

One (1) SGD5 Universal Studios Singapore™ Meal Voucher

Promo is until December 31, 2019
  • Valid for purchase and park visits during the promo period
  • Valid at any onsite ticketing booth only
  • Purchase of tickets up to 6 packages per transaction only with Prime Mastercard
12% off at Zalora all year ’round Promo is until December 31, 2019
  • Get 12% off for a minimum spend of P500
  • Available to all China Bank credit cardholders
  • The promo code can be used multiple times within the promo period

 

What can you redeem from a China Bank Prime Mastercard?

Don’t expect a huge rewards catalogue like what other banks have. China Bank has a simple and straightforward rewards program. Redeem cash vouchers or air miles, but don’t expect fancy items or e-gift certificates.

Item Minimum Redemption allowed Rewards Points Equivalent
Cash Credit P250 3,750 points
PAL Mabuhay Miles 1,000 PAL Mabuhay Miles 8,000 points

Other options to China Bank Prime Mastercard

The Prime Card is ideal for first-time credit cardholders and has one of the lowest minimum annual income requirements.

However, compared to other credit cards, to earn 1 rewards point, you should spend P25.

Security Bank Mastercards offer 1 reward point for every P20 spend. HSBC credit cards also give 1 rewards point for every P20 spend, plus up to 4X rewards points on other spending categories.

If you’re after a rewards credit card with plenty of items that you can redeem, like e-gift certificates, vouchers, or air miles, these cards are also good options.

Bank of Commerce Classic Mastercard (P25 = 1 reward point, up to 5X on shopping and dining at participating merchants and establishments)

The Bank of Commerce Classic Mastercard offers up to 5x rewards points when you use it on your shopping and dining transactions at participating establishments and restaurants.

You earn 1 reward point for every P25 you spend. You can use your accumulated points to redeem air miles like GetGo points.

Refer to the Bank of Commerce Rewards Catalogue for the list of rewards associated with this card.

Security Bank Classic Rewards Mastercard (P20 = 1 rewards point)

Here’s another option. You earn 1 rewards point for every P20 spend regardless of the spending categories.

Plus, the rewards points don’t expire, and you can choose from any items that you wish to redeem from the rewards page. You can also convert them into air miles.

Here’s the Security Bank Rewards Catalogue for the full list of rewards associated with this card.

Metrobank Bank Classic Mastercard (P20 = 1 rewards point)

Earn 1 rewards point for every P20 you spend with this card. It has the same minimum annual income requirement of P180,000 as the Prime Mastercard.

Your accumulated points can be used to redeem air miles, e-gift certificates or vouchers, merchandise items, and more.

As an active and current cardholder with good credit standing, you also get to enjoy discounts at participating establishments, restaurants, hotels and resorts.

You can refer to the Metro Bank Rewards Catalogue for the full list of rewards associated with this card.

What do you think of China Bank Prime Mastercard, is it a yay or nay?