In this review of the best American Express Credit Cards in the Philippines, we will get familiar with this prestigious brand and help you decide which Amex card is right for your needs.
Whether you’re looking for great rewards or easy air miles, there’s an American Express credit card that will suit your lifestyle and your spending habits.
Currently, you can apply for an American Express credit card through BDO. You can visit your nearest branch and fill out an application form, or you can simply visit their website and apply online.
There are 7 cards available – here are some of the things that you can enjoy from each one.
Blue from American Express – Great for Shopping with Plenty of Lifestyle Rewards
| Annual Fee | 150 PHP / month (waived in the first year and with a spend of at least 15,000 PHP per month) |
| Supplementary Card Annual Fee | 70 PHP / month ( waived in the first year) |
| Finance Charge | 3.5% |
| Minimum Income Requirement | 180,000 PHP / year |
If you enjoy shopping, dining out, or relaxing at spas, and you’re earning at least 180,000 PHP yearly, you qualify for the Blue American Express credit card.
Blue’s main selling point is the ease and convenience it offers when you’re shopping online, especially when you’re shopping on international sites.
You can enjoy savings all year round and pay for your big purchases up to 36 months at zero interest.
American Express Credit Card – Travel Protection, Special Offers, and Premium Rewards
| Annual Fee | 1,800 PHP / year (waived in the first year and with a spend of at least 180,000 PHP per year) |
| Supplementary Card Annual Fee | 800 PHP /year (waived in the first year) |
| Finance Charge | 3.5% |
| Minimum Income Requirement | 480,000 PHP / year |
If you love getting exclusive discounts and receiving special invitations to members-only sales, you will benefit from having the American Express Credit Card.
Aside from its low interest rates and zero interest installment plans, you also receive more discounts and enjoy more perks via American Express Selects.
With the Selects program, you can enjoy member discounts in over 10,000 partner restaurants, boutiques, spas, and health and wellness centers in the Philippines and abroad.
Some of the local partner establishments include The Acacia Hotel Manila, Bluewater Maribago, Bluewater Panglao, Bluewater Sumilon, Conrad Manila, Crowne Plaza Manila Galleria, Eskaya Beach Resort & Spa, F1 Hotel Manila, Fairmont Makati, and Nobu Hotel, just to name a few.
You also qualify for the Membership Rewards Program where you can accumulate points to redeem premium reward items, air miles, or hotel loyalty points.
Do you love to travel? You can travel with confidence and protection with American Express’s 24/7 Global Assist.
Should you need a doctor or a lawyer while you’re traveling abroad, you can simply call a dedicated number and you will receive the help or referral that you need. Now that’s something any traveler would like to have whenever they leave home!
You can also take advantage of special extended installment terms with American Express’s Buy Now Pay Later promo. You can purchase gadgets or appliances at partner stores at 0% installment, and you will only be billed after two months.
American Express Gold Credit Card – Superior Lifestyle Benefits and Privileges
| Annual Fee | 3,000 PHP / year (waived in the first year and with a spend of at least 300,000 PHP per year) |
| Supplementary Card Annual Fee | 1,500 PHP /year (waived in the first year) |
| Finance Charge | 3.25% |
| Minimum Income Requirement | 850,000 PHP / year |
The American Express Gold Card also offers many perks and benefits through the American Express Selects Program. Shop to your heart’s content at partner stores, dine at partner restaurants, and pamper yourself partner spas in the Philippines and other parts of the world.
EasyPay installment is available for this card as well, and you can enjoy purchase protection from theft, loss, or damage within 30 days up to 50,000 PHP per occurrence.
You earn points whenever you use your Gold card, and you have the option to convert them to Asia Miles.
If you ever get in trouble in a foreign land, its Global Travel Assistance service can help you with your medical or legal emergency.
Gold card members are also protected with up to 10 million PHP in coverage when you purchase your travel ticket with your American Express card.
American Express Cashback – Exclusive Savings and Privileges and Your Cash Back!
| Annual Fee | 3,000 PHP / year (waived in the first year and with a spend of at least 200,000 PHP the previous year) |
| Supplementary Card Annual Fee | 1,500 PHP / year (waived in the first year) |
| Finance Charge | 3.5% |
| Minimum Income Requirement | 420,000 PHP / year |
Shop locally and get 1% cashback. Shop abroad and enjoy 2% on your overseas purchases.
Aside from exclusive discounts and perks in travel, shopping, dining, and entertainment via American Express Selects, you also enjoy a little bit of extra whenever you dine out, courtesy of American Express Invites.
Like the other cards mentioned above, the Cashback card also offers 24/7 customer support and Global Assist, providing you with security and peace of mind whenever, wherever.
American Express Platinum – Comfort and Style Whenever, Wherever
| Annual Fee | 5,000 PHP / year (waived in the first year and with a spend of at least 600,000 PHP per year) |
| Supplementary Card Annual Fee | 2,500 PHP /year (first 5 cards are free for life) |
| Finance Charge | 3% |
| Minimum Income Requirement | 1,800,000 PHP / year |
It’s the only metal credit card around. If that does not impress you, we don’t know what will!
But aside from its sleek and elegant look, the American Express Platinum Card offers the best in travel, fashion, art, dining, and entertainment in the Philippines and anywhere in the world.
It’s impossible not to feel like you’ve finally arrived when you can head to the airport and wait in the exclusive lounges at Clark and NAIA Terminals 1 and 3, thanks to this tiny piece of metal.
You get to enjoy worldwide concierge services and premium perks in thousands of partner stores, and your reward points can be converted to Air Miles in partner frequent flyer programs.
The Platinum card also comes with the Dual Currency Billing Feature. It’s a very convenient option where you can be billed in PHP for your local purchases and in USD for international transactions.
You are protected with a comprehensive travel and accident insurance up to 20 million PHP when you purchase your travel ticket with your Platinum card. You also get travel assistance wherever you are in the world.
Cathay Pacific American Express – Travel Credit Card Packed with Perks and Privileges
| Annual Fee | 2,400 PHP / year (waived in the first year and with a spend of at least 300,000 PHP per year) |
| Supplementary Card Annual Fee | 800 PHP /year (waived in the first year) |
| Finance Charge | 3.5% |
| Minimum Income Requirement | 480,000 PHP / year |
The Cathay Pacific American Express lets you earn Asia Miles instantly and conveniently transfers them to your Asia Miles account monthly for free!
You earn one Asia Mile for every 42 PHP spent locally and overseas, or with every Cathay Pacific flight booking. Once you have collected enough Asia Miles, you can choose to redeem lifestyle rewards, hotel stays, upgrades, or companion tickets to different destinations on Asia Miles partner airlines.
On your first purchase, you will receive 1,500 bonus Asia Miles. Same thing on your membership anniversary if you spend at least 300,000 PHP that year.
There’s also EasyPay installment and Buy Now Pay Later programs available. You can enjoy different offers and discounts in the American Express Selects program as well.
This card comes with Marco Polo Club privileges. Your enrolment fee for the Green tier membership is waived on your first year.
Cathay Pacific American Express Elite – The Premier Miles Earner
| Annual Fee | 5,000 PHP / year (waived in the first year and with a spend of at least 600,000 PHP per year) |
| Supplementary Card Annual Fee | 2,000 PHP /year (waived in the first year) |
| Finance Charge | 3.25% |
| Minimum Income Requirement | 1,200,000 PHP / year |
Just like the Cathay Pacific American Express card, the Cathay Pacific American Express Elite card also helps you accumulate Asia Miles faster. You don’t need to do anything because your spending is converted automatically to Miles.
The annual fee and income requirements are higher for this card. But you earn one Asia Mile for every 38 PHP you spend in the Philippines, and two Asia Miles for every 50 PHP spend abroad.
If you book a Cathay Pacific flight with this card, you also earn two Asia Miles for every 38 PHP you spend.
As an Elite member, you will receive 3,000 Asia Miles as a first purchase bonus and membership anniversary bonus when you spend at least 600,000 PHP that year.
So What’s the Best American Express Credit Card?
What’s best for you may not be for the next person, so picking the best will depend on many factors.
In terms of reward points, high-end benefits and privileges, and great perks and discounts, you can own any one of these cards and enjoy them all year round.
When it comes to travel perks, assistance, protection, and Asia Miles, the Platinum and Cathay Pacific cards are your best bets.
The great thing about American Express credit cards is that your reward points never expire. Also, it’s known worldwide for its prestige and exclusivity.
The only downside is that you will still need to carry around your back-up Mastercard or Visa card with you because not all local establishments accept American Express.
Overall, determining the best American Express card boils down to which income requirement you meet and how much you are willing to pay for annual fees and other charges.