10 Best Debit Cards in the Philippines 2024 | EastWest, BDO, Security Bank, and More
With restaurants and stores actively encouraging cashless payments, the need for virtual wallets and bank cards such as debit cards has grown. Compared to other bank cards like credit cards, debit cards are easier to procure and give individuals a secure payment option when making large online or in-person purchases.
A debit card also comes in handy for those who aren't comfortable carrying cash and cheques. If this sounds like you and you want to make the switch from cash to card, you've come to the right place! In this article, we've included a list of the best banks, from BDO, BPI, and PNB, that offer debit cards. Plus, a choosing guide and a section with some money-saving tips!
Quick List - Top Debit Cards
Security Bank Philippines
Manage Your Company’s Finances With This Business Debit Card
Philippine National Bank (PNB)
The Debit Card Made for Frequent Flyers
Our recommendation articles are carefully researched and crafted by the mybest Philippines team of writers and editors. To stay true to our company’s mission and vision to help users’ selection process easier, we also collaborate with experts from various fields to ensure that our content stays factual and useful.
Table of Contents
- What Is the Difference Between a Debit and Credit Card?
- How to Choose a Debit Card - Buying Guide
- Decide Whether You Need the Debit Card for Personal or Business Use1
- Look Up the Requirements Needed to Get a Debit Card2
- Take Note of Any Transfer Fees and Transaction Limits to Prevent Unexpected Monetary Loss3
- Access Your Debit Card’s Funds in One Click With Online Banking4
- 10 Best Debit Cards to Avail
- No. 1EastWest Bank | EastWest Priority Debit Card
- No. 2Security Bank Philippines | BusinessPlus Debit Card
- No. 3BDO Unibank, Inc. | EMV Debit Card
- No. 4Philippine National Bank (PNB) | PNB-PAL Mabuhay Miles Debit Mastercard
- No. 5Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) | Debit Mastercard
- 5 more products
- Become a Master Budgeter With These Finance Apps, Books, and E-wallets
- Summary
What Is the Difference Between a Debit and Credit Card?
When people think of bank cards, two kinds come to mind—debit and credit cards. Though both are convenient cashless payment options when making large online or in-store purchases, have 16-digit card numbers and expiration dates, they differ in some aspects.
Stay Within Your Monthly Budget With a Debit Card
In layman's terms, when you use a debit card to pay for something, money is deducted from your checking account in real-time. With a debit card, there is no risk of going into debt or getting behind on payments. Debit cards also ensure that you stay within your monthly budget since your spending is limited to how much you have in your bank account.
Buy Now, Pay Later With a Credit Card
Compared to debit cards, when purchasing items with a credit card, the amount is charged to the card issuer, allowing you to pay the balance within an agreed time frame. Credit cards are also ideal if you plan on increasing your credit score to make it easier to apply for loans in the future. However, with a credit card, there is a risk of overspending and falling into debt.
How to Choose a Debit Card - Buying Guide
Here are some key points to consider:
- Decide on whether the debit card will be used for business or pleasure.
- Look up the requirements needed to get a debit card.
- Take note of any transfer fees and transaction limits to prevent unexpected monetary loss.
- Access your debit card's funds in one click with online banking.
For more detailed information, read through our buying guide below.
Decide Whether You Need the Debit Card for Personal or Business Use
One of the first things you need to do before heading to the bank and availing a debit card is to determine whether you will be using it for personal or business use.
Track the Expenses of Your Employees With Business Debit Cards
Manage your company's finances with business debit cards. With a business debit card, enterprises can have multiple cards linked to a single account. This makes tracking company expenses simple and eliminates the hassles of shelling out cash for business trips and meetings.
You may also want to get one that comes with a passbook. Passbooks are physical notebooks owned by an account holder that contain details on all kinds of banking transactions and are updated by tellers whenever you visit the bank. Passbooks can also come in handy when bookkeeping.
Budget Your Money Better With a Personal Debit Card
If you plan on using your debit card for pleasure, personal debit cards are the way to go. Though some ATM cards have Visa or Mastercard that makes online shopping possible, debit cards are more multi-functional.
A personal debit card makes both in-person and online shopping more convenient since you also won't have to worry about locating the nearest ATM to get money or bringing cash whenever you are out. You can also easily track your spending by using online banking instead of a passbook.
Look Up the Requirements Needed to Get a Debit Card
Though debit cards are easier to get than credit cards since you won't have to worry about any existing credit scores, there are still some conditions in place before you can secure one. Some of these include valid identification and a minimum initial deposit, which varies from bank to bank.
You want to make sure that you can meet the demands set by the bank and monetarily sustain the account until the debit card's expiration date. There are also other things to take note of, such as average daily balances. If you can do all of these but are not of legal age, you can still get one as long as a parent is present.
Take Note of Any Transfer Fees and Transaction Limits to Prevent Unexpected Monetary Loss
When settling on a debit card, another thing worth considering is its operating costs. A debit card comes linked to a checking account, making your spending limited to the money you have in the bank. That also means that if ever you go below the monthly average balance and get fined, the bank charges your debit card.
Make it a habit to take note of any transaction limits, possible withdrawal fees, and interbank transfer fees before applying for a debit card. Doing so will help prevent you from experiencing unnecessary monetary loss and feeling lugi. Most debit cards in the Philippines have a daily transaction limit of PHP 50,000.00 and charge anywhere between 10 to 25 Pesos for interbank transfers.
Access Your Debit Card’s Funds in One Click With Online Banking
Due to the ongoing pandemic, going to the bank to withdraw money and make cash deposits isn't as easy as it used to be. Luckily, many banks have focused on strengthening their online banking platforms. We recommend checking whether the bank you are interested in has online banking before applying for a debit card.
Online banking lets you have access to your transactions and purchasing history in one click. It also makes it possible to transfer money from one account to another and allows you to check your current balance without going to an ATM. With online banking, you can even make changes to your card security and daily spending limits.
10 Best Debit Cards to Avail
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | EastWest Bank EastWest Priority Debit Card | | Feel Like a VIP With the Visa Infinite Concierge Service | |
2 | Security Bank Philippines BusinessPlus Debit Card | | Manage Your Company’s Finances With This Business Debit Card | |
3 | BDO Unibank, Inc. EMV Debit Card | | Has an Embedded Chip for Improved Security | |
4 | Philippine National Bank (PNB) PNB-PAL Mabuhay Miles Debit Mastercard | | The Debit Card Made for Frequent Flyers | |
5 | Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) Debit Mastercard | | A Debit Card You Can Use to Shop Locally and Abroad | |
6 | Philippine Savings Bank PSBank Debit Mastercard | | Stay Protected Against Fraudulent Purchases With a Zero Lost Card Liability Policy | |
7 | Metrobank Prime Debit Card | | Enjoy Exclusive Promos When Shopping Online Using a Metrobank Debit Card | |
8 | Land Bank of the Philippines EMV-Enabled Visa Debit Card | | A Debit Card That Is Accepted at Over 40 Million Merchants Worldwide | |
9 | UnionBank of the Philippines UnionBank Lazada Debit Card | | A Virtual Debit Card for Loyal Lazada Shoppers | |
10 | China Banking Corporation China Bank EMV-Equipped ATM Card | | A Hybrid ATM Card You Could Use for Over-the-Counter Transactions |
Feel Like a VIP With the Visa Infinite Concierge Service
If you are interested in applying for a debit card for its perks and discounts, we recommend checking out EastWest's Priority Debit Card. This Visa-branded debit card lets you accept remittances from other countries and have them credited straight to your Debit card with Visa Direct.
With an EastWest Priority Debit Card, you will feel like a VIP with the Visa Infinite Concierge Service. Available 24/7, this service can help you in all your lifestyle needs, such as planning trips, worldwide hotel and flight bookings, and car rentals. Plus, enjoy waived fees and zero charges for withdrawals done in ATMs abroad!
Manage Your Company’s Finances With This Business Debit Card
Easily track and budget company and employee transactions by applying for a BusinessPlus Debit Card from Security Bank. Built especially for business needs, issue up to five (5) BusinessPlus Debit Cards to your employees and customize their monthly limits to fit your needs.
With just one account, you get a Passbook, Checkbook, BusinessPlus Mastercard Debit Card, and access to alternative channels. You can also manage payrolls and transfer funds to other banks using Security Bank's DigiBanker. Sole proprietors, partnerships, or corporations are all eligible to apply for a BusinessPlus Mastercard.
Has an Embedded Chip for Improved Security
Known as the largest bank in the Philippines based on total assets, loans, deposits, capital, and trust funds under management, BDO is an incredible bank for first-time account holders. You can rest easy knowing your funds are safe since BDO's debit cards now come with an embedded chip for added security.
The BDO debit card is also accepted worldwide, allowing you to use your card as a payment method whenever you dine and shop abroad. You can even withdraw cash in ATMs around the world with ease. With BDO 's debit card, you also get to enjoy exclusive discounts when dining at restaurants and five-star hotels like Okada!
The Debit Card Made for Frequent Flyers
With travel restrictions slowly easing, jet setters around the Philippines are itching to plan their next adventure and book flights and hotels here and abroad. For those looking for a debit card they can use to pay for transactions on their upcoming trips, PNB's Mabuhay Miles Debit Mastercard is the one for you.
PNB-PAL Mabuhay Miles cardholders get to enjoy a welcome gift of 500 Mabuhay Miles when they purchase tickets from PAL within three months from card issuance and have airport lounge access with Mastercard Airport Experiences. This debit card is also an excellent choice for those who frequently travel for work and business.
A Debit Card You Can Use to Shop Locally and Abroad
Shop locally or abroad with ease when you apply for a debit card under the country's first-ever bank, BPI. With an EMV chip-enabled debit card, the global standard for card payments, each transaction you make is guaranteed safe and secure. BPI also has an online banking app that lets you customize your withdrawal and spending limits.
BPI's debit card is best for personal use. You will get to enjoy promos whenever you use BPI Debit Mastercard as your payment option. Currently, BPI debit cardholders have exclusive discounts on online shopping platforms like Zalora and Boozy and hotel booking sites such as Agoda.
Stay Protected Against Fraudulent Purchases With a Zero Lost Card Liability Policy
Say goodbye to long lines at the ATM and pocketing unnecessary amounts of cash whenever you go out to shop when you apply for a PSBank Debit Mastercard. Accepted in over 43.3 million establishments worldwide, you will not have to worry about card declines with your PSBank Debit Mastercard.
PSBank also offers exclusive promos such as discounts on online shopping platforms such as Lazada, Shopee, and GrabFood. Not to mention that in the unlikely event of misplaced cards, cardholders also stay protected against fraudulent purchases with PSBank's zero lost card liability policy!
Enjoy Exclusive Promos When Shopping Online Using a Metrobank Debit Card
Experience secure, convenient, and rewarding banking when you apply for a debit card under Metrobank, the country's second-largest bank. Existing Metrobank deposit account holders can easily link their accounts to a Prime Debit Card, while new cardholders can open an account with an initial deposit of just Php 2,000.00.
Whenever you use your Metrobank's Prime Debit Card for shopping, you won't have to worry about any added charges. You can also enjoy up to 45% off at Zalora and get freebies when shopping at WalterMart. Metrobank also has an online banking application that you can use to check your account's balance and past transactions.
A Debit Card That Is Accepted at Over 40 Million Merchants Worldwide
Shop online and make purchases in person, over the phone, and via mail with a Land Bank EMV-Enabled Visa Debit Card. Accepted at over forty million merchants and two million ATMs worldwide, all you have to do is swipe your card to pay for any shopping and dining done locally and abroad.
There are also discounts and promos to avail of when using your Land Bank debit card for transactions made in Shopee and Zalora. You also won't have to prepare a large amount of money to apply for a Land Bank debit card, with the bank only requiring a minimum initial deposit of Php 500.00.
A Virtual Debit Card for Loyal Lazada Shoppers
Are you looking for a debit card dedicated to your online shopping needs? Loyal Lazada shoppers will be pleased to discover that UnionBank offers a virtual debit card that gives you access to exclusive discounts and sales when you use it as your primary payment method.
Get ready to #AddToCart and earn Lazada Credits with the UnionBank Lazada Debit Card! You won't even need to prepare any initial deposits or go to a UnionBank to open an account. But after the first year since the card's issuance, you will have to pay an annual fee unless your account has a maintaining balance of Php 10,000.00.
A Hybrid ATM Card You Could Use for Over-the-Counter Transactions
Are you still feeling uncertain about getting a debit card? Ease into it by applying for China Bank's EMV-Equipped ATM Card. Unlike other ATM cards, this hybrid card may not exactly have the same perks and promos as a debit card, but you can use it to pay for any over-the-counter transactions using BancNet POS.
China Bank also has an online banking mobile application that lets cardholders check their current account balance and recent transactions. To open an account, you would have to prepare a minimum initial deposit of Php 2,000.00 and head to the closest China Bank branch.
Become a Master Budgeter With These Finance Apps, Books, and E-wallets
One doesn't just wake up and become a master budgeter overnight. Manage your investments and money like a pro with the help of these self-development books, personal finance apps, and e-wallets.
Summary
Effortlessly pay for transactions in the country and worldwide with a debit card. Not only are debit cards convenient, but they also give you access to the best deals, promos, and discounts to top hotels, restaurants, boutiques, and online shopping platforms like Lazada, Shopee, and Zalora.
With so many banks offering debit cards, we are sure you won't have any trouble finding the best one that fits your needs. From debit cards best for personal use or those perfect for business, we hope that our article has convinced you to make the switch from cash to card!
Author: Mariah Hannah Beatrice G. Caga
Editor: I. Honda
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Top 5 Debit Cards
No. 1: EastWest Bank｜EastWest Priority Debit Card
No. 2: Security Bank Philippines｜BusinessPlus Debit Card
No. 3: BDO Unibank, Inc.｜EMV Debit Card
No. 4: Philippine National Bank (PNB)｜PNB-PAL Mabuhay Miles Debit Mastercard
No. 5: Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI)｜Debit Mastercard
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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