CREDIT CARD REVIEW
PNB-PAL Mabuhay Miles World MasterCard
As much as we value the Mabuhay Miles Program just because it’s the frequent flyer program of PAL, this exclusive credit card for them has seen its peak years. We were able to earn 1 million mabuhay miles using the old point-to-mile ratio which…
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PHP 40,000.00
MINIMUM MONTHLY INCOME
PHP 6,000.00 (waived for the first year)
ANNUAL FEE
2.7%
APR
PHP 30.00 = 1 mile
POINT TO MILE RATIO
2.50%
FOREIGN TRANSACTION FEE
Quick Overview
Who is the Card For?
The PNB-Pal Mabuhay Miles World Mastercard is for loyalists of PAL, or at least those who fly PAL on a regular basis. Filipinos who want to enter the mileage collection world would benefit greatly from this credit card, as it brings numerous benefits when it comes to checking in and booking flights from Manila. This credit card is best used by mid-to-high level executives, entrepreneurs, or business owners who frequently have business meetings out of the country.
PROS:
- Up to 12,000 bonus Mabuhay Miles upon reaching certain milestones.
- 5% discount on select PAL International Flights
- Priority Check-in at PAL Business Class Counters at NAIA T1, T2, and T3
CONS:
- High Annual Fee
- Extremely high Total Banking Relationship requirement for their best Point-to-Mile ratio
- Limited only to Mabuhay Miles
Special Features
- Free Travel Insurance of up to PHP10 Million
- Free Purchase Protection of up to PHP250,000
Perks and Benefits
Upon card activation, cardholders will be gifted 2,000 Mabuhay Miles as a welcome gift. You can get an additional 10,000 Mabuhay Miles upon reaching PHP100,000.00- worth of transaction at PAL. Only valid for first-time PNB-PAL Mabuhay Miles World Mastercard Principal cardholders.
- Signup Bonuses
- Priority Check-in at PAL Business Class Counters at NAIA Terminals 1,2 and 3
- 5% Discount on select PAL International flights when booked online via their website.
- Free Travel Insurance of up to PHP10 Million
- Free Purchase Protection Insurance of up to PHP250,000.00
- Fraud Transaction Insurance
- World Assist Domestic Concierge Service gives assistance when making reservations for select activities.
- World Assist Comprehensive International SOS provides round-the-clock medical and travel assistance
- Electronic Statement of Account through PNB Internet Banking and/or your Email
- PNB Cards 24/7 Customer Service Hotline
- Mastercard moments provide access to an exclusive monthly newsletter for the world’s latest best bargains
- PNB Mobile App
- Balance Transfer
- Convert-to-Cash
- Transaction Conversion
- 0% Affordable Payment Plan
- Cash Advance
- Currency Billing Options
- Global Acceptance
- Flexible Payment
- Payment Centers
Points and Miles
The redemption system that PNB-PAL credit cards use rewards those who have been with them for long periods of time or those who have a massive amount of money with them. Unlike other credit cards that have a base conversion rate and a special, lower point-to-mile ratio for certain purchases, the PNB-PAL Mabuhay Miles World Master card has four conversion rates that changes based on a cardholder’s total banking relationship with them.
This is the equation that they gave to come up with the Total Banking Relationship:
TBR = Checking Account + Savings Account + Time Deposit
The most unappealing part is found in this next table where they show their “low” point-to-mile
conversion rate.
| PHP30.00 | 1 point | 1 mile | TBR of PHP100 Million and Above |
| PHP40.00 | 1 point | 1 mile | TBR of PHP50 Million to PHP99 Million |
| PHP50.00 | 1 point | 1 mile | TBR of PHP10 Million to PHP49 Million |
| PHP55.00 | 1 point | 1 mile | TBR of less than PHP10 Million or none |
In order to maximize their rewards system, you have to have a TBR of PHP100 million or above with PNB. This requirement further increases the needed requirements to justify having this credit card.
Their former point-to-mile ratio, PHP33.00 = 1 pt. = 1 mile was already decent. Their change to this system made it harder to use the credit card as an effective means to collect Mabuhay Miles.
In essence, it’s better for cardholders who can be considered as loyalists to PNB, but for those who are just starting with their mile collecting journey, this is a card that cannot be readily recommended—that is unless you plan on sticking with PNB in the long run.
Credit Card Fees as of June 2019
Card Details
Account Maintenance Fee
Php 200 for Peso account (US $5 for Dollar account) or the amount equivalent to the credit balance, whichever is lower
Advance Card Renewal Request Fee
Php 750
Card Replacement Fee
Php 400
Cash Advance Fee
5% of CA amount for Peso or 2% for Dollar + transaction fee of Php 100 (Peso) or US $3 (Dollar)
Certification Fee
Full Settlement of Account
Php 200
Good Credit Standing
Php 300
Card Replacement Issuance
Php 300
Credit Card Rate
Depends on Mastercard, Visa or UnionPay’s conversion rate of the day
Finance Charge
3.25% for Peso (for World MC: as low as 2.7% depending on outstanding balance) and 2.5% for Dollar
Foreign Currency Transactions Service Fee
2.5% of the converted amount using Mastercard/ Visa/UnionPay’s conversion rate of the day
Late Payment Fee
7% (Peso) or 5% (Dollar) of unsettled minimum amount due
Lost Card Fee
Php 400
Overlimit Fee
Php 300 or US $10
Payment Processing Fee
Php 40 per payment in excess of 3
Payment Transfer Fee
Php 300 or US $10
Refund Fee
Php 300 or US $10 (credit to PNB account); Php 500 or US $10 plus Dollar remittance fee (credit to non-PNB account; for Dollar -- remittance fee depends on amount)
Returned Check Fee
Php 1,000 for Peso account or US $10 for Dollar account
Sales Slip Retrieval Fee
Php 400 or US $15 (per sales slip)
Statement of Account (SOA) Retrieval Fee
Php 50 per statement
Our Thoughts
As much as we value the Mabuhay Miles Program just because it’s the frequent flyer program of PAL, this exclusive credit card for them has seen its peak years. We were able to earn 1 million mabuhay miles using the old point-to-mile ratio which was way better than the overly complex system that was implemented last March 2019.
Although it will be better for those who have a TBR of PHP100 Million and above, its effect is only felt by probably 2% of the total number of users of this credit card. PNB made it so that at least 95% of their cardholders felt the devaluation of their miles.
We will reiterate our thoughts above. The system makes it harder for those who have just acquired the PNB-PAL Mabuhay Miles World Mastercard to earn airline miles. and for a credit card that was designed for the frequent flyer, that’s a very unappealing move.
Still, if you’re a dedicated PAL flyer, it will be good to get this credit card—though you should take note that there are numerous other credit cards that are now better and more efficient with its mile collecting capabilities.
How to Apply
- Visit the PNB-PAL Mabuhay Miles World Mastercard page.
- Once you reach the bottom of the page, you’ll find this statement “To apply for a PNB Credit
Card online, click here. Alternatively, you can click it here to jump to the portal itself. - If that doesn’t work, you can apply for one through a physical form. The download link is at the
top right of the webpage, aptly labeled “Card Application Form” - The form has everything you need to know regarding your credit card. Download it and fill it out.
- Once filled out, get the rest of your requirements an go to the nearest PNB branch so submit it.
Other Cards
BDO Titanium Mastercard
Monthly Income: PHP 35,000.00
Annual Fee: PHP 4,500.00 (waived for the first year)
APR: 2.75%
Point to Mile Ratio: PHP 40.00 = 1 Mile
Transaction Fee: 0.75%
Learn More
BPI Sky Miles Mastercard
Monthly Income: PHP 15,000.00
Annual Fee: PHP 2,050.00
APR: 3.5% per month
Point to Mile Ratio: PHP 45.00 : 1 mile
Transaction Fee: 0.75% of the foreign exchange rate at the moment
Learn More
BDO Cathay Pacific American Express Elite
Monthly Income: PHP 100,000.00
Annual Fee: PHP 5,000.00
APR: 3.25% per month
Point to Mile Ratio: PHP 25.00 : 1 mile
Transaction Fee: 2.00%
Learn More