How to Earn Airline Miles with Your UnionBank Card

If you love traveling or dream of your first international trip, here’s a secret: your UnionBank credit card can help you get there faster — through airline miles.

Every time you swipe your card for groceries, bills, or shopping, you can earn miles that can be exchanged for free flights, seat upgrades, or hotel stays.

This guide will explain how airline miles work, how to earn them using UnionBank cards, and how to maximize every peso you spend, even if you’ve never owned a credit card before.

✈️ What Are Airline Miles (and How Do They Work)?

Airline miles are reward points that you earn from using your credit card. These points can later be converted into airline miles with partner airlines like:

Philippine Airlines (PAL Mabuhay Miles)
Cebu Pacific (Go Rewards)
Cathay Pacific (Asia Miles)
Singapore Airlines (KrisFlyer)

Think of it like this:

Every time you use your card, UnionBank gives you “thank you” points.
Those points can later become flight tickets — just by spending as usual.

Example:
If your card gives 1 mile for every ₱25 spent, and you spend ₱20,000 in a month, you’ll earn 800 miles. In one year, that’s 9,600 miles — enough for a free round-trip to Hong Kong during promo season.

💳 How a Credit Card Works (Simple Example for Beginners)

A credit card is like a short-term loan. You use it to pay now, and pay back later — usually after 20–30 days.

Here’s a simple breakdown:

You buy groceries worth ₱5,000 using your UnionBank credit card.
UnionBank pays the store for you.
You get your billing statement showing ₱5,000 due.
You can pay it in full (no interest) or partially (with interest).

If you pay the full amount, you avoid interest and keep all your rewards.
If you only pay the minimum amount, you’ll get charged around 2–3% interest monthly.

💡 Tip: Use the Credit Card Cost Calculator to check how much interest you’ll pay if you don’t pay your bill in full. This helps you plan and avoid overspending.

🌍 Which UnionBank Credit Cards Earn Airline Miles?

UnionBank offers several cards that convert points into airline miles. Here are the most popular options for beginners and frequent flyers:

🥇 UnionBank Miles+ Platinum Visa

Best for: Frequent travelers and those who want to earn miles fast.

Features:

Earn 1 point for every ₱25 spend
Convert points to PAL Mabuhay Miles, Asia Miles, or KrisFlyer
Enjoy free airport lounge access
Get free travel insurance up to ₱10 million

Example:
If you spend ₱30,000 monthly, you’ll earn 1,200 points/month → 14,400 points per year → roughly a round-trip to Seoul or Tokyo during promo season.

🥈 UnionBank Cebu Pacific Gold Credit Card

Best for: Budget travelers and Cebu Pacific loyalists.

Features:

Earn 1 Go Rewards Point for every ₱100 spend
Access to exclusive seat sales and promos
No annual fee for the first year

Example:
₱15,000 groceries + ₱5,000 bills = ₱20,000 total → 200 points/month = 2,400 points/year = 1–2 free domestic flights on Cebu Pacific promos.

🥉 UnionBank Platinum Mastercard

Best for: Professionals and travelers spending abroad.

Features:

1.5x points on international transactions
Dual currency billing (Peso + USD)
24/7 concierge and travel insurance

Example:
Spend $500 (₱28,000) abroad → 1,680 points earned → convert to miles and save up to ₱6,000–₱8,000 yearly in travel costs.

🧾 Basic Requirements to Apply for a UnionBank Credit Card

If this is your first time applying for a credit card, don’t worry — it’s easier than most people think.

Requirements:

Filipino citizen, 18–60 years old
Valid ID (Driver’s License, Passport, or UMID)
Proof of income (Payslip, COE, or ITR for self-employed)
Minimum annual income: ₱300,000–₱600,000 depending on the card

Example:
If your income is ₱360,000/year, you’re already eligible for the Cebu Pacific Gold Credit Card.

💡 How to Earn More Airline Miles (Step-by-Step)

Use your card for daily expenses
– Groceries, bills, and fuel purchases count as eligible transactions.
Book flights and hotels using your card
– Travel-related expenses often earn extra points or bonuses.
Watch for UnionBank promo multipliers
– During special promos, you can earn 2x or 3x points.
Pay on time and in full
– Avoid interest that eats into your rewards.
Convert your points regularly
– Points can expire! Redeem them before they do.

⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

Mistake	Why It Hurts
Paying only the minimum balance	You lose value due to high interest charges.
Ignoring promo periods	You miss double/triple point events.
Forgetting to redeem points	Points may expire and be forfeited.
Overspending just to earn miles	Leads to debt and extra fees.

✈️ Sample Scenario: How Miles Add Up Over a Year

Let’s say you use your UnionBank Miles+ Visa for your monthly expenses:

Category	Monthly Spend	Points/Miles Earned	Annual Miles
Groceries	₱15,000	600	7,200
Bills & Utilities	₱10,000	400	4,800
Dining/Shopping	₱5,000	200	2,400
Total	₱30,000	1,200/month	14,400 miles/year

✅ That’s enough for a round-trip flight to Japan or Korea using miles — just by using your card wisely.

💰 Calculate Your Credit Card Cost Before Applying

Not sure if you can manage your monthly balance?
Try the Credit Card Cost Calculator to see:

How much interest you’ll pay if you don’t settle in full
How long it takes to pay off a purchase
How much you can save by paying early

This helps you enjoy the rewards without falling into debt.

🧭 TL;DR (Quick Summary)

UnionBank credit cards like Miles+ Platinum Visa and Cebu Pacific Gold make it easy for Filipinos to earn airline miles while spending on daily needs.

Use your card for bills, groceries, and flights
Pay in full to avoid interest
Redeem miles regularly
Use the Credit Card Cost Calculator to manage payments wisely

With consistency, your ordinary spending can lead to extraordinary trips. 🌴✈️

❓ FAQs About Earning Airline Miles with UnionBank

1. What is the fastest way to earn miles?
Use your card for everyday expenses and book flights or hotels during 2x or 3x promo periods.

2. Do miles expire?
Yes. Most reward points expire after 2–3 years, depending on the partner airline. Always redeem before expiration.

3. Can I convert my UnionBank points to any airline?
You can convert to PAL Mabuhay Miles, Asia Miles, KrisFlyer, or Go Rewards depending on your card type.

4. Is there a minimum points requirement for conversion?
Usually, you need 5,000 points to start converting to miles (varies per card).

5. What’s the best card for beginners?
The UnionBank Cebu Pacific Gold — it’s beginner-friendly, affordable, and directly linked to Go Rewards for faster redemption.

✨ Final Thoughts

Earning airline miles isn’t only for frequent flyers — it’s for smart spenders.
Your UnionBank credit card can be your ticket to your next vacation, without paying extra for flights.

As long as you pay responsibly, redeem on time, and track your spending using the Credit Card Cost Calculator, your next trip might just be paid for by your daily coffee runs, grocery bills, or online shopping.

Start earning miles today — and let your card take you to places you’ve only dreamed of. 🌏💳