Best Starter Cards for First-Time Users
Twenty-three-year-old Jake just landed his first corporate job in BGC. Salary is ₱18,000 a month. His officemates kept talking about credit card points, cashback, and building credit history. He felt left out and honestly, a little nervous about applying.
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"Baka ma-reject ako," he told his ate. "Tapos what if I can't manage it? I've heard horror stories."
If you're like Jake, employed but new to credit cards, or a parent wondering if your college kid should have one, this guide is for you. We're cutting through the bank marketing speak to show you which starter cards actually make sense.
Why Get a Starter Card at All?
You don't need a credit card to survive. But here's what you're missing without one:
Building credit history
Want to get a car loan someday? A housing loan? Banks look at your credit card track record. No history means higher interest rates or outright rejection.
Emergency buffer
Your phone dies the week before payday. Your nephew needs hospital cash. A credit card gives you breathing room (as long as you pay it back quickly).
Online shopping and travel bookings
Try booking a Grab rental or an international flight with just a debit card. Many platforms require credit cards.
Rewards and perks
Used responsibly, cards give you points, cashback, or discounts you wouldn't get with cash.
Key Point
The key phrase here is used responsibly. More on that later.
What Makes a Good Starter Card?
Before we look into specific cards, here's what matters when you're starting out:
- Low income requirement: you're not making ₱50,000/month yet. You need a card that accepts ₱15,000-₱20,000 earners.
- Waived or low annual fees: Paying ₱3,000/year for a card you barely use is not ideal. Look for first-year waivers or lifetime free annual fee (NAFFL) promos.
- Simple rewards structure: You don't need complicated point systems yet. Basic cashback or rebates work fine.
- A reasonable credit limit of ₱20,000 to ₱50,000 is a good starting point. High enough to be useful, low enough that you can't wreck your finances if things go sideways.
The Starter Cards Worth Getting
All the major banks offer entry-level cards. Here's what you need to know about each.
BDO - The Safe Default
Cards: BDO Visa Classic, Standard Mastercard, ShopMore Mastercard
Income requirement: ₱15,000/month
Annual fee: Around ₱1,800-₱1,900 (but often waived first year)
BDO is everywhere. That's their main advantage. If you need to pay your card bill, there's probably a BDO branch or ATM within walking distance. Their starter cards come with basic rewards points and installment options at partner merchants.
Lisa from Cavite got her BDO Classic Visa as her first card. "Wala namang frills, pero okay naman. I use it for Shopee and groceries, tapos I pay in full every month. Two years in, they auto-upgraded my limit from ₱20,000 to ₱45,000."
Who it's for: People who want something straightforward with wide acceptance.
BPI - Built for Beginners
Cards: BPI Blue Mastercard, BPI Edge Card
Income requirement: ₱15,000/month (or even lower for Edge Card)
Annual fee: Often waived for the first year
BPI specifically markets to first jobbers. Their Edge Card is especially accessible, even students can get it as a supplementary card under a parent (minimum age: 13).
Carlo got his BPI Blue right after graduating. "The approval was fast, like less than a week. They gave me ₱30,000 limit. I mostly use it for gas and Grab, then pay it off when I get paid."
BPI's rewards points are straightforward, and they frequently run promos for installment purchases. Their online banking is solid, which matters when you're managing your first card.
Who it's for: Recent graduates, first jobbers, or parents getting supplementary cards for college-age kids.
RCBC - The "No Annual Fee For Life" Option
Cards: RCBC Flex Visa, RCBC Landmark Anson's Mastercard
Income requirement: ₱15,000-₱20,000/month
Annual fee: Can be waived for life during promo periods
RCBC's big draw is their "No Annual Fee For Life" (NAFFL) promotions. Hit certain spending thresholds during your first few months, and you never pay an annual fee. Ever.
They also have that UNLI 0% feature we talked about in our interest rate article—split any purchase into three months at zero interest.
Trina from Manila picked up an RCBC Flex during a NAFFL promo. "I spent ₱30,000 within three months (which I was going to spend anyway on groceries and bills), and boom—no annual fee forever. That's ₱1,500-₱2,000 saved every year."
Who it's for: People who want to avoid annual fees and can hit spending requirements early.
Security Bank and EastWest - The Underdogs
Cards: Security Bank Fast Track, EastWest Practical Card
Income requirement: Around ₱15,000-₱20,000/month
Annual fee: Varies, often with first-year waivers
These banks don't have the branch network of BDO or BPI, but their starter cards are solid. Both offer installment plans, basic rewards, and the same ₱15,000 income threshold.
Fewer branches means you're relying more on online banking and payment centers. If you're comfortable with that, these cards work fine.
Who they're for: People who already bank with Security Bank or EastWest and want to consolidate.
The Supplementary Card Option for Students
If you're a parent wondering whether your college kid needs a credit card, here's the deal:
Most banks allow supplementary cards for kids as young as 13. You (the principal cardholder) control the credit limit and see all transactions. Your kid gets practice managing credit without the risk of serious damage.
Mark from Quezon City got his daughter a BPI Blue supplementary card when she started college in Manila. "I set a ₱5,000 limit. She uses it for emergencies or online orders. I check the app every week. So far, walang problema."
It teaches financial responsibility early and you're there to catch any mistakes.
How to Actually Apply
The requirements are pretty standard across all banks:
- Filipino residency
- Government-issued ID (any valid ID)
- Proof of income (payslip, Certificate of Employment, ITR if self-employed)
- Filled-out application form
You can apply online through the bank's website or visit a branch in person. Online is faster. Most banks give a decision within a week.
Pro Tip
Apply during promo periods (like NAFFL offers). You'll get better terms.
The First-Timer Mistakes to Avoid
Jake (remember him from the start?) got approved for his BPI Blue. Initial limit: ₱25,000. He was excited. Too excited.
First month: spent ₱18,000 on a new laptop, clothes, night outs with officemates.
Statement arrives. He panics. Only has ₱10,000 saved.
He pays the ₱10,000 (slightly above minimum payment) and carries the ₱8,000 balance forward. Finance charge: ₱240. Next month, he's paying interest on top of new purchases. The snowball starts rolling.
Three months later, he's sitting at ₱15,000 in debt with ₱450 in monthly interest charges eating his salary.
How to Not Be Jake
- Treat your credit limit like it doesn't exist. Just because you can spend ₱25,000 doesn't mean you should. Spend what you can pay off in full by the due date.
- Set up autopay for the full statement balance. Not minimum. FULL. This is the single most important thing you can do.
- Use it for planned purchases, not impulse buys. Use for groceries, gas, and utility bills. Random 2 AM online shopping is a danger zone.
- Check your balance weekly. Download the bank app. Look at it every Sunday. Know what you owe before the shock of the statement.
- Pay before the due date. Don't wait until the last day. Banks process payments slowly. Give yourself a buffer.
The Bottom Line
Starter cards aren't scary. They're tools. Get the wrong one or use it carelessly, and yes, you'll hurt yourself. But get the right one and use it smart? You're building credit history, getting rewards, and learning money management that'll serve you for decades.
For most first-timers, we'd recommend:
- BPI Blue or Edge if you want beginner-friendly features and fast approval
- RCBC Flex if you can hit spending requirements and want to skip annual fees forever
- BDO Classic if you value convenience and widespread acceptance
Remember
Whatever you pick, remember that the card is a tool, not extra money. Use it like you'd use cash, with intention and control.
Still have questions about which card fits your situation? That's what Nerdcash.ph is here for. We break down the banking jargon so you can make confident decisions about your first credit card.