Which Credit Cards are In My Wallet? – 2026

New year, new set of cards? Nah. Not really.

While a few existing cards saw notable changes, none were significant enough to trigger a major wallet overhaul for 2026.

BDO AmEx Explorer improved to PHP 30.00 per mile. Metrobank World Mastercard saw the disappointing end of its 3x points on online spend promo. Beyond these updates, 2025 didn’t introduce any new credit cards compelling enough to rethink my lineup.

The PHP 30.00 per Mile Club

I’ve previously done a deep dive comparing all the cards that make up the PHP 30.00 per mile club, breaking down their annual fees, airline partners, and other key details. Rather than repeat everything here, I’ll focus on how these cards fit into my wallet in 2026 and why they’ve earned their spot.

BDO’s AmEx Explorer and Diners Club Premiere are, in my opinion, the last remaining bright spots in BDO’s rewards ecosystem. Even at PHP 30.00 per mile, these two cards already outperform many competitors when it comes to miles-earning potential. Add BDO’s promos on top, and you end up with a card that’s genuinely hard to beat.

Chinabank’s Destinations World Mastercard and Metrobank’s Travel Visa Signature, on the other hand, are here for their wide acceptance. While they usually serve as backup, there are times when a promo makes them the more compelling card to use.

The Miles Powerhouse

UnionBank Reserve is the one card in my wallet that I would genuinely consider a miles powerhouse. It stands out for offering bonus points on both local and overseas shopping and dining transactions, something no other cards in the market can match.

Foreign currency spend also earns more miles while enjoying one of the lowest foreign transaction fees at 1%. For UnionBank Elite account holders, the value goes even further with bonus points awarded every anniversary based on annual spend, making it a consistently strong performer for both everyday and international use.

Between the PHP 30.00 per Mile Club and the Miles Powerhouse, these cards handle the vast majority of my spending in 2026. They’re the ones I actively reach for, whether for everyday transactions or to accelerate miles earning.

That said, not every card in my wallet is meant to be used regularly. I keep some for specific scenarios, niche benefits, or the occasional promo that still makes them worth holding onto.

Rarely Used, Still Useful

Whenever I apply for a credit card, I make sure there’s a clear reason for having it. Still, there are times when I need to demote a card simply because a better option comes along. That doesn’t mean these cards are useless. They’re just used less often, reserved for niche scenarios where they still make sense.

Metrobank’s World Mastercard entered my wallet on the back of one of the strongest sign-up offers I’ve seen: 300,000 bonus points. That kind of welcome bonus is exactly what jumpstarts a points or miles strategy, and it was reason enough for me to apply.

Shortly after, a bonus points promo on online spend gave the card a clear role beyond the sign-up phase. That promo has since ended as of October, leaving this card in a holding pattern for now.

UnionBank’s Miles+ Visa Signature and EastWest Bank’s KrisFlyer World Mastercard are cards I still keep largely out of respect for what they once were. Back in their heyday, these two sat at the very top of the miles-earning hierarchy.

Miles+, formerly Citi PremierMiles, was the original benchmark for the PHP 30.00 per mile club, while the KrisFlyer World Mastercard was widely considered the go-to card for online transactions. They may no longer be at their peak, but I’m keeping them around in case the tides shift.

BDO’s Visa Platinum and American Express Platinum round up this section of my wallet. Four cards from one bank might seem excessive at first, but with BDO, it actually makes sense. Many of their promos are structured independently per card, which increases the chances of something useful popping up.

While these aren’t in active rotation, the occasional 0% interest cash installment offers are more than enough reason for me to keep them. They don’t get swiped often, but when those promos appear, they’re definitely something I won’t miss.

Wallet Philosophy for 2026

At the end of the day, my 2026 wallet isn’t about chasing every new card or squeezing value out of every single transaction. It’s about having a setup that makes sense for how I actually spend, while staying flexible enough to adapt when things change.

The PHP 30.00 per Mile Club forms the foundation, the Miles Powerhouse does the heavy lifting, and the rest of the wallet exists for specific scenarios where they still add value. Some cards see daily use, others only come out once in a while, but each one has a role to play.

Credit card strategies evolve, promos come and go, and banks adjust their offerings. What matters most is knowing why a card is in your wallet and being willing to reassess when that reason changes. For me, this lineup strikes that balance heading into 2026.