Is it just my bank

[jonnijon]

I used to be with HSBC but because I no longer have an UK address they closed my account down. I am now with BPI and have been for four years now.
The other day I thought a credit card would be a good idea, so off we trot to the bank. Good idea? no this is the Philippines. For me to get a credit card with a limit, shall we say 50,000 the bank would withhold that amount in my current account then expect me to pay 2,000 a year for the card and interest if I use the said card to borrow my own money that they are withholding So I said to them what good is that, it's my money you are holding so there is no credit. The answer was yes sirSo no credit card. More fun in the Philippines.

[Terpe]

I've been thinking about a credit card with AUB

Plenty of ex-pats tell me it's possible. I've studied the 'in-and-outs' but still not clear to me. One of these days I'll make a visit to my local branch.

I'll let you kow the outcome.
Until then it's difficult for me to convince myself of the benefits

The last time I had a credit card was when my company gave me one for expenses. That was many years ago now.

[jonnijon]

I've been thinking about a credit card with AUB

Plenty of ex-pats tell me it's possible. I've studied the 'in-and-outs' but still not clear to me. One of these days I'll make a visit to my local branch.

I'll let you kow the outcome.
Until then it's difficult for me to convince myself of the benefits

The last time I had a credit card was when my company gave me one for expenses. That was many years ago now.

Yes you can have a credit card, but the bank withholds your credit limit in your current account. In my mind that makes it useless

[SimonH]

I use an Amex credit card here in the UK, not sure if they'll issue one to a resident in the Philippines though.
The advantages for me is that I get 2 air miles for every £ I spend and 4 miles for every £ I spend booking flights with Emirates. It gets paid off in full every month and believe me the miles soon add up, I've got enough at the moment to upgrade to first class on my next trip or wait another year and I'll have enough for a free business class return

[Trefor]

I guess credit in this way is new to many in the Philippines. Would any such card from a Philippine bank offer protection from fraud? I'm saying this as the Philippines is not the safest place to use a card in the first place.

The last time Rose used her (UK) credit card in the Philippines (shoes shop, SM mall) it was cloned. She found out about it the morning she was leaving for another 2 week trip away from home. Cloned and details used in Canada 6 weeks later. Luckily Nationwide picked up the bad transaction before they happened and declined them.

[grahamw48]

I use my credit card for buying air tickets. That's basically it.

Nice to have as a backup when abroad though.