How to Apply for BPI Credit Card: An Ultimate Guide
This post was most recently updated on December 8th, 2018
A BPI credit card comes with many perks, like paying for hospital bills or college tuition at 24 monthly installments.
This financial flexibility makes managing huge expenses easier on the budget.
Cardholders also get treated with credit card promos from time to time (Free Jollibee meals and toys, anyone?). BPI’s Real Thrills rewards program is but another reason people like to have a BPI card in their wallet.
Excited to get your first BPI credit card but have no idea how to apply for one?
A credit card application with BPI—or any bank for that matter—isn’t just about filling out forms at the bank and waiting for your credit card to arrive. Different factors can get you approved or denied for a BPI credit card.
Let this article be your guide.
Related Article: How to Apply for BDO Credit Card: A 7-Step Guide to Getting Approved
Table of Contents
- How to Apply for BPI Credit Card: A 7-Step Guide to Getting Approved.
- 1. Check your credit history.
- 2. Know if you qualify for a BPI credit card.
- 3. Pick the best BPI credit card for you.
- 4. Prepare BPI credit card requirements.
- 5. Submit your BPI credit card application.
- 6. Check your credit card application status.
- 7. Activate your BPI credit card.
- Tips & Warnings.
- Frequently Asked Questions.
- 1. Which is better as a first credit card: BPI or BDO?
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- 2. What is the best BPI credit card for first-time cardholders?
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- 3. I’m an OFW. Can I apply for a BPI credit card?
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- 4. I don’t have all the required income documents. Can I still apply for a BPI credit card? How?
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- 5. Why do I keep getting rejected for a BPI credit card?
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- 6. How much credit limit will I get?
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- 7. How does BPI compute interest charges?
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- 8. How do I check my BPI credit card bills and balance?
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- 9. How do I pay for my BPI credit card bill?
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- 10. Can I pay my bills using BPI credit card?
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- 11. Can I use my BPI credit card abroad?
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How to Apply for BPI Credit Card: A 7-Step Guide to Getting Approved.
Here’s a step-by-step guide to walk you through the process of BPI credit card application and help you raise your chances of getting approved.
1. Check your credit history.
Terms like credit history and credit score may sound foreign to a common Pinoy, but they do matter.
In fact, banks in the Philippines use them to decide whether to approve a credit card application or not.
Your credit history shows how responsible you are with paying off your credit card bills, loans, and other financial obligations. If yours is good, the bank will likely approve you for a credit card.
Every year, you can get a free copy of your credit report—which shows your credit history over time—from the Credit Information Corporation or one of its accredited credit bureaus.
If you have no credit history, meaning you’ve never had a credit card or loan yet, apply for a secured BPI credit card.
Always pay your bills in full and on time to build a good credit history. Once you’ve done so, you’ll easily qualify for regular credit cards.
2. Know if you qualify for a BPI credit card.
Like other credit card providers in the Philippines, BPI sets minimum requirements for those who want to apply for a credit card. It’s actually easy to qualify for one.
BPI credit card eligibility requirements.
- Age: 21 to 60 years old.
- Home or business address: Near a BPI or BPI Family Savings branch (within a 30-kilometer radius of the bank).
- Contact number: A home or office landline number.
Minimum monthly income requirement.
Depending on your preferred BPI card, BPI requires a minimum basic salary (excluding overtime pay, commissions, and other fees).
- Php 15,000 – BPI Amore Visa, BPI Blue Mastercard, BPI Edge Mastercard, BPI Skymiles Mastercard, Petron-BPI Mastecard
- Php 40,000 – BPI Gold Mastercard
- Php 80,000 – BPI Amore Visa Platinum, BPI SkyMiles Platinum Mastercard
- Php 30,000 – All BPI cards for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and self-employed professionals.
3. Pick the best BPI credit card for you.
Your chosen BPI credit card can make or break your finances. Before you file your application, decide which card best fits your needs, budget, and lifestyle.
Things to consider when choosing a BPI credit card.
- Your spending habits – Where will you frequently use the card for? Will you use it for shopping, travel, dining, or emergencies?
- Your desired credit card rewards – Frequent user points, discounts, shopping rebates, dining rebates, fuel rebates, or air miles? Which credit card reward appeals to you the most?
- Your monthly income – The right card for you also depends on how much you earn. For example, if your monthly salary is less than Php30,000, it’s impractical to own a premium card like the Gold Mastercard and Visa Platinum.
- Credit card fees and charges – Can you afford the fees that come with owning a particular BPI credit card? (Refer to the table below.)
BPI Credit Card Types.
Here’s an overview of the different types of BPI credit cards to choose from:
BPI Amore Visa.
Ideal for: Shopping and dining at Ayala Malls
Annual fee: Php 2,050
Interest rate: 3.50%
Pros: Earns up to Php15,000 rebates per year
Cons: Earning rebates limited only to Ayala Mall merchants
BPI Amore Visa Platinum.
Ideal for: Shopping and dining at Ayala Malls
Annual fee: Php 5,000
Interest rate: 3.50%
Pros: Earns up to Php25,000 rebates per year
Cons:
- High annual fee and income requirement
- Earning rebates limited only to Ayala Mall merchants
BPI Blue Mastercard.
Ideal for: Frequent overseas travelers
Annual fee: Php 1,550 (free for the first year)
Interest rate: 3.50%
Pros: Earns 1 rewards point for every Php 35 spent
Cons: None
BPI eCredit.
Ideal for: Online shopping and e-payments
Annual fee: No annual fee for life
Interest rate: 3.50%
Pros:
- Secure online payments
- Free companion card to any BPI Mastercard
Cons: For e-commerce use only
BPI Edge Mastercard.
Ideal for: Millennials who often shop, dine, and go to hip clubs and events
Annual fee: Php 110/month (free for the first year)
Interest rate: 3.50%
Pros:
- Earns 1 rewards point for every Php 50 spent
- Monthly annual fee payment that’s easy on the budget
Cons: Doesn’t earn rewards as quickly as other BPI cards
BPI Family Credit Card.
Ideal for: Managing household expenses
Annual fee: Php 1,000 (free for the first year)
Interest rate: 2%
Pros:
- Low annual fee
- Lowest interest rate among credit cards in the Philippines
Cons: Doesn’t earn rewards
BPI Gold Mastercard.
Ideal for: Anyone who wants the benefits that come with a premium card
Annual fee: Php 2,250 (free for the first year)
Interest rate: 3.50%
Pros:
- Earns 1 rewards point for every Php35 spent
- Travel benefits
Cons: Higher income requirement, annual fee, and interest rates than some premium cards from other banks
BPI SkyMiles Mastercard.
Ideal for: Frequent overseas travelers
Annual fee: Php 2,250 (free for the first year)
Interest rate: 3.50%
Pros: Earns 1 air mile for every Php 45 spent
Cons: Air miles applicable only to Delta Air Lines
BPI SkyMiles Platinum Mastercard.
Ideal for: Frequent overseas travelers
Annual fee: Php 5,000 (free for the first year)
Interest rate: 3.50%
Pros:
- Earns 2 air miles for every Php 45 spent
- Exclusive travel perks
Cons:
- High annual fee and income requirement
- Air miles applicable only to Delta Air Lines
BPI Visa Signature Card.
Ideal for: High-income earners who frequently travel
Annual fee: Php 5,500
Interest rate: 3.50%
Pros:
- Earns 1 rewards point for every Php 20 spent
- Exclusive travel perks
Cons: Designed for affluent BPI customers only
Petron-BPI Mastercard.
Ideal for: Budget-conscious motorists
Annual fee: Php 1,550 (free for the first year)
Interest rate: 3.50%
Pros: 3% fuel rebate at participating Petron stations
Cons: Fuel rebates exclusive only to Petron customers
4. Prepare BPI credit card requirements.
Once you’re sure you have a good chance of approval and have chosen the perfect card, you can already gather the supporting documents required for a BPI credit card application.
A. Duly accomplished application form.
For walk-in credit card application, you can accomplish the form at the BPI branch.
If you’ll apply for a BPI credit card online, simply fill out the online application form.
When filling out an application form, be sure to provide complete and correct information.
B. At least one valid ID.
BPI requires at least one government-issued ID with photo and signature. Photocopy, scan or take a picture of the front and back of your ID card.
Here are the accepted IDs at BPI:
- Passport (READ: How to Get Philippine Passport)
- SSS ID/UMID
- GSIS e-Card
- Voter’s ID
- Driver’s license
- Postal ID (READ: How to Get Postal ID)
- BIR/TIN ID
- PRC ID
- Company ID issued by any company registered with the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), Securities and Exchange Commission, or Insurance Commission)
The acceptance of your ID is subject to the BPI branch’s evaluation and approval. Have your backup IDs ready just in case.
Here are the valid IDs that the BSP allows to use for financial transactions in the Philippines:
- OWWA ID
- OFW ID
- Seaman’s Book
- Barangay Certification
- DSWD Certification
- Integrated Bar of the Philippines ID
- National Council on Disability Affairs-issued ID
C. Proof of income.
Photocopy, scan, or take a picture of each of these documents:
For Employed.
Any of the following:
- Certificate of Employment
- Latest two pay slips
- Latest Income Tax Return (ITR) with BIR/Bank stamp
For Self-employed.
Latest audited financial statements (AFS) with BIR/bank stamp and latest ITR with BIR/Bank stamp
For Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs).
- Contract of employment (validated by the POEA)
- Latest two-month proof of remittance
- Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC) or POEA-validated OFW information sheet (for land-based workers and direct hires)
Existing principal credit cardholders (with other banks for at least one year).
No need to submit any proof of income, as long as any of these documents are provided to BPI:
- Photocopy of credit card
- Latest credit card billing statements
D. Additional requirements.
Depending on the credit card applicant, BPI may ask for more requirements such as the following:
Representative who will receive the card on the cardholder’s behalf.
- For BPI Family Credit Card: BPI Family Card Delivery Authorization Form
- For all other BPI credit cards: BPI Card Delivery Authorization Form
Foreign residents.
Any of the following:
- Alien Certificate of Registration (ACR)
- Work permit
- Embassy accreditation papers
Owners or managers of remittance centers, money changers, pawnshops, forex dealers, and other BPI-regulated entities.
BSP-issued Certificate of Registration
Insurance agents.
Insurance Commission license
Existing SkyMiles member.
Any of the following:
- SkyMiles ID
- Document indicating the valid and registered name and number in the SkyMiles membership program
5. Submit your BPI credit card application.
You may apply for a credit card at the nearest BPI branch where you’ll fill out an application form and submit the requirements.
Better yet, file your application online—it’s more convenient that way.
How to file a BPI credit card application online.
- Go to the BPI Cards website.
- Click the Credit Card button.
- Choose either the BPI Express Credit or BPI Family Credit Card button.
- If you clicked the BPI Express Credit button, tick the small box next to your BPI credit card of choice.
- Fill out the online application form.
- Double-check your answers.
- Read the Declaration at the bottom. Tick the small box underneath to agree to the terms and conditions.
- Click the Submit button.
- Wait for the confirmation page to appear.
- Submit the images of your documents via email to [email protected] Alternatively, mail the photocopies to BPI (8F BPI Buendia Center, 1209, Sen. Gil Puyat Ave., Makati City).
Tip: Make sure to submit your documents ASAP. If BPI fails to receive them within three banking days from the day you applied for a card, your application will be canceled.
6. Check your credit card application status.
“How long does BPI approve and deliver a credit card?” you may ask.
On average, BPI processes a credit card application within one to two weeks. In some cases, it takes longer than a month for BPI to come up with a decision.
If you’re approved for a BPI credit card, you’ll receive a text message notifying that your card will be delivered in five banking days.
Based on experiences from cardholders, actual BPI card delivery takes between one and two weeks.
How to follow up on your BPI credit card application status.
If two weeks had already passed and you still haven’t got an update from BPI, it’s time to follow up.
Good thing, BPI offers two ways to check an application status: via its online banking and phone banking facilities.
Phone banking:
1. Call the 24-hour customer service hotline:
- Metro Manila: (02) 89-100
- Domestic toll-free: 1-800-188-89100
- Mobile phone and international: (632) 89-100
2. Press 2 for Credit Cards.
3. Press 3 for Credit Card Application.
4. Press 1 to inquire about your application status.
5. Press 1 to enter your 10-digit application ID number. Or press 0 to talk to a customer service agent.
Online banking:
If you have a BPI Express Online account, you can check the status of your credit card application online.
- Log in to your BPI online banking account.
- Click Other Services > Application Status Inquiry > Credit Card.
- Enter your BPI credit card application date.
- Choose the applicable response from the drop-down list beside “Application Submitted to.”
- Input your contact number.
- Click “Submit.”
7. Activate your BPI credit card.
As with other credit cards, a BPI credit card must be activated first before you can start using it.
If you’re enrolled in BPI Express Online, log in to your account to check if your credit card details such as credit limit and customer number are included in your profile. If so, that means your BPI card is already pre-activated.
Otherwise, you’ll have to call the BPI phone banking hotline to request for activation. Here’s how:
1. Call the 24-hour customer service hotline.
- Metro Manila: (02) 89-100
- Domestic toll-free: 1-800-188-89100
- Mobile phone and international: (632) 89-100
2. Press 2 for Credit Cards.
3. Press 2 for Credit Card Activation.
4. Wait for a phone banker to answer your call. Have your new credit card ready, as you’ll be asked for the last eight digits of your card number and other details for activation.
Tips & Warnings.
a. Take the online BPI Cards Profiler test.
Not sure about which BPI card is right for you? Try the BPI Cards Profiler, an online test that provides personalized recommendations based on your various preferences:
- Where you’ll use the BPI card most often
- Credit card rewards
- Gross monthly income
- Whether or not you want to pay a premium for exclusive perks
- Your personality and lifestyle (thrifty, free-spirited, family-oriented, etc.)
- Whether or not you shop online
You can retake the test multiple times until you find the perfect BPI credit card.
b. Be available for a call from the bank.
After you’ve filed your application, expect BPI to contact you for data verification. BPI may also contact your HR department to verify your employment details.
If the bank can’t contact you or the HR, your application might get declined.
c. Sign at the back of your credit card immediately.
The BSP advises new cardholders to sign at the back of their card as soon as they receive it for protection against credit card fraud. During transactions, cashiers verify if the signature on the card matches the customer’s signature on the receipt and any ID provided.
Also, payment networks like Mastercard and Visa require the cardholder’s signature on the card (At the back of a credit card, it says “not valid unless signed”). Merchants won’t accept your BPI credit card for payment without your signature on it.
c. Never share your personal and credit card information.
Beware of scammers who trick cardholders into giving away their confidential information such as birthdate, address, password, and credit card number. They hack into these details, allowing them to use someone’s credit card account to perform unauthorized transactions.
Never fall victim to credit card fraud. No matter how banks like BPI boost their security features, you’re mainly responsible for keeping your account secure.
Don’t disclose YOUR sensitive personal information and credit card details. Even banks don’t ask for their customers’ online banking username and password, so be wary when someone does it.
Frequently Asked Questions.
BPI credit cards are more affordable to own than BDO cards.
They have lower annual fees, ranging from Php1,000 to Php2,050 compared to BDO’s Php1,000 to Php3,000. Annual fees are also waived for the first year, except for the BPI Amore Visa and Amore Visa Platinum.
As for interest rates, BPI offers the lowest one at 2% with the BPI Family Credit Card.
When it comes to credit card rewards, it’s easier to earn points with BPI credit cards. Every Php35 charged to a Blue Mastercard, eCredit, or Gold MasterCard earns you a point. Meanwhile, you need to spend Php40 to earn one rewards point with certain BDO credit cards.
On the other hand, BDO is the better choice if you’re looking for a credit card outside the usual Visa and Mastercard networks. Unlike BPI, BDO offers American Express, UnionPay, JCB, and Diner’s Club credit cards.
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For beginners, the best credit cards are those with a low-income requirement, annual fee, and interest rate. These BPI credit cards have those features, making them ideal for first timers:
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Yes, BPI credit card application is open to OFWs.
The process is similar to regular applications, but the required income documents are different.
Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) applying for a BPI credit card need to submit the following:
- Contract of employment
- Latest proof of remittance
- Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC)
If you won’t be in the Philippines to receive your card, you can assign a representative to get it on your behalf.
Simply accomplish an authorization form and ask your representative to submit it along with your valid ID (original and photocopy) and the rep’s ID.
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Definitely! Apply for a secured credit card under the BPI Express Start program that doesn’t require any income document.
All you need to do is open a BPI deposit account (with a minimum hold-out deposit of Php 10,000 for a savings account or Php 50,000 for time deposit) and apply for a credit card at any BPI branch.
BPI may assign you a credit limit up to 90% of your hold-out deposit.
The requirements to get a credit card via BPI Express Start are fairly simple:
- At least 18 years old
- Home or office landline number
- Accomplished Express Start Application Form
- Accomplished Deed of Assignment
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Banks use your credit history and the information you provided in your application to decide whether to approve or reject you for a credit card.
If you keep getting declined for a credit card, it could be due to any of these reasons:
- Invalid and/or incomplete requirements (expired ID, outdated ITR, etc.)
- Incomplete or inconsistent information on your application form
- Too low income
- Poor credit history (too much debt, overdue credit card or loan balances, etc.)
Once you’ve identified the exact reason behind the rejection, don’t re-apply again until you resolve the issue that got you rejected in the first place.
It is recommended to wait for 3 to 6 months before re-applying for a credit card to avoid leaving a negative impression on the bank.
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You’ll know your credit card limit only when you get approved for a BPI credit card.
Banks assign a credit limit to a cardholder based on its assessment of factors such as income, credit history, and debt-to-income ratio.
If you’re unhappy with your BPI credit card limit, you can request to increase it after a year by calling the customer service hotline (89-100).
You can also request a credit limit increase via BPI Express Online (Click Other Services > Credit Card Services > Increase in Credit Limit).
BPI may ask you to submit income documents such as ITR or pay slips to process your request.
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BPI calculates the finance charge by multiplying your card’s interest rate with the average daily balance (ADB).
You may refer to BPI’s sample interest computation.
To compute the ADB, BPI does the following:
- Multiplying the previous credit card statement balance with the number of days the amount is unchanged.
- Deducting any payment made from the statement balance and multiplying the resulting amount with the number of days from the payment date until the next billing statement date.
- Getting the total balances and dividing the sum by the number of days from the previous to the current billing statement.
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You have three ways to check your credit card balance: through BPI Express Online, phone banking, and SMS.
How to check BPI credit card balance via online banking:
- Log in to your BPI Express Online account.
- View your outstanding balance and available credit limit on the My Portfolio page.
How to check BPI credit card balance via phone banking:
- Call the 24-hour customer service hotline:
- Metro Manila: (02) 89-100
- Domestic toll-free: 1-800-188-89100
- Mobile phone and international: (632) 89-100
- Press 2 for Credit Cards.
- Press 1 for Credit Card Services.
- Press 1 to inquire your account balance and transactions.
- Enter your 16-digit credit card number.
How to check BPI credit card balance via SMS:
Text BALCC16-digit credit card number and send to 2274 (Globe/TM) or 09178910000 (Smart/TNT). You’ll be charged Php 2.50 per SMS sent.
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Settle your BPI credit card bill through any of these payment channels:
- Over-the-counter payment at any BPI branch
- BPI ATM
- BPI Phone Banking
- BPI Express Online
- BPI Mobile Banking App
- Automatic debit arrangement
- Bayad Center
- SM Bills Payment counters at The SM Store, SM Supermarket, SM Hypermarket, and Savemore
- Robinsons Business Center
- Cebuana Lhuillier
- ECPay partner outlets (7-Eleven, Shopwise, select Tambunting Pawnshops, RD Pawnshops, etc.)
- Coins.ph
When paying for your BPI credit card, provide your 16-digit card number in the payment slip.
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Yes, you can use your BPI credit card to pay for your electricity, water, cable, and other utility bills.
You have three options for bills payment using your credit card:
1. Automatic debit arrangement.
If you want to automatically pay for Meralco bills using your BPI credit card, enroll your Meralco account in BPI’s auto-charge facility (Download the enrollment form here). Then, submit the completed form and a copy of your latest Meralco bill to the nearest BPI branch.
2. BPI Online Banking or Mobile Banking.
Paying your utility bills with your credit card is easy with BPI Express Online or BPI Mobile Banking App.
Simply enroll your biller in your online banking or mobile banking account. When paying the bill, choose your BPI credit card account where the payment will be deducted from.
3. Bills payment apps.
Mobile apps like Bayad Center Mobile and Meralco Mobile accept Visa and Mastercard (including BPI credit cards) as payment for utility bills.
How to pay for bills through a bills payment app:
- Install the app.
- Register in the app.
- Enter your bill details (biller name, amount to pay, etc.)
- Choose Credit Card as your payment option.
- Enter your card details (cardholder name, card number, etc.)
- Confirm payment.
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BPI credit cards can be used in any establishments worldwide that accept Visa or Mastercard.
In fact, BPI credit cards are among the best cards for international transactions.
They have a low foreign currency transaction fee of 1.85% (1.75% for BPI Family Credit Card). Other banks charge this fee up to 3.50% when a credit card is used abroad.
If you’ll use your BPI credit card when traveling overseas, no need to activate it for international access.
However, make sure to inform BPI beforehand by calling the customer service hotline (89-100) or sending an email to [email protected]
To protect cardholders, BPI declines overseas transactions. Let the bank know about your plan to avoid any hassle when paying with your BPI credit card.
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