The Secret Setup: My Last Credit Card Strategy for 2026
With 2026 coming to an end, I’ve been thinking of a strategy on how to maximize the rewards from my remaining credit card transactions.
Several banks have already announced changes to their credit card rewards programs and fees, some of which will take effect before the year ends and at the beginning of 2027. Naturally, I wanted to make the most of the remaining opportunities while they’re still available.
This time, however, I’m not just looking at which cards offer the best rewards. I’m also considering how to finance and eventually settle these transactions.
Here’s what I’ve come up with starting November 15 until the end of the year.
1. The Spending Cards
Most of my actual spending will be concentrated on four credit cards, each serving a particular purpose.
Metrobank World Mastercard
Usage: Online transactions (local and foreign currencies)
This will probably be my most heavily used credit card for the remainder of the year. Why? Because Metrobank has announced that its 3x rewards multiplier for local online transactions will end effective December 28, 2026.
In line with this, I’m planning to advance certain expenses, including real property taxes, BIR tax payments, and business permit renewals. These will be paid through MyEG and the respective LGUs’ online payment portals.
I’ve previously paid these expenses using my Metrobank World Mastercard, and the transactions earned the 3x rewards multiplier. Hopefully, it’s the same this time.
There’s also Metrobank’s 2026 Q4 Have a Merry Million promotion, which offers cashback upon reaching specified spending thresholds and raffle entries for qualifying transactions.
So aside from maximizing the 3x rewards before it ends, I’m also going for the cashback and raffle promo.
Metrobank Travel Visa Signature
Usage: Gas and services, shopping and dining transactions above PHP 1,000.00 but below PHP 3,000.00
Similar to the World Mastercard, this card is included in Metrobank’s A Million Miles a Month Raffle promotion, offering one raffle entry for every PHP 1,000 of qualifying local-currency spending. Because of this, I’m also thinking of advancing my condo association dues for the following year.
Since these are expenses I would have paid anyway, I might as well collect some raffle entries along the way.
HSBC Premier Travel Mastercard
Usage: Shopping and dining transactions above PHP 500.00 but below PHP 1,000.00
Aside from Metrobank, HSBC has its own raffle promo (HSBC Mastercard Christmas Raffle Promo 2026).
Qualifying shopping and dining purchases of at least PHP 500 can earn 10 raffle entries, subject to the promotion’s merchant category requirements. The PHP 1,000 upper limit is simply my personal allocation strategy, not a restriction imposed by the promotion.
UnionBank Reserve
Usage: Shopping and dining transactions above PHP 3,000.00
For higher-value shopping and dining purchases, I’ll continue using my UnionBank Reserve Visa for its regular rewards program with the 5x multiplier.
While there might not be a specific holiday promotion that I’m targeting for this card, its regular accelerated rewards program is already quite attractive. After all, guaranteed rewards can be more valuable than additional chances in a raffle.
2. The Financing Card: Chinabank Destinations World Mastercard
Chinabank currently has a promotional balance transfer offer allowing eligible cardholders to transfer outstanding balances from other banks at 0% add-on interest for up to six months, with zero processing fees.
Rather than immediately settling all the balances accumulated on my spending cards using cash, I’m planning to transfer eligible balances to my Chinabank Destinations World Mastercard.
This allows me to spread the payments over several months without the usual finance charges, provided the transfer is approved and I pay the installments on time. In other words, I get to retain some liquidity while managing the expenses I would have incurred anyway.
One particularly important detail: Chinabank’s promotional application period ends December 15, 2026. That means I can’t simply wait until December 31 before applying. Approved balance transfers may also take up to ten business days to be paid to the other banks so I really have to take note of the due dates.
3. The “Give Me More” Cards: BDO AmEx Explorer and Diners Club Premiere
But wait, there’s more.
I’ve previously used my BDO American Express Explorer and Diners Club Premiere to cash in to Grab, with these transactions earning cashback through BDO’s Spend Anywhere promotions.
I’ve also previously been able to use the resulting Grab balance to settle my other banks’ credit card dues through Lazada’s Pay Bills > Credit Cards > Pay via QR PH. In fact, I’ve successfully settled my Metrobank and Chinabank credit card dues using this method.
Assuming these transactions continue to be supported and remain eligible for the current promotions, this presents another opportunity to earn cashback while settling the balance transfer installments on my Chinabank credit card.
Of course, there’s the 2% cash-in fee to consider. The additional cashback would need to exceed the fees involved for the transactions to be worthwhile.
Where Does the Money Ultimately Come From?
One thing worth clarifying: I’m not planning to continuously transfer balances between credit cards.
While the original purchases will be charged to my spending cards, and eligible balances subsequently transferred to Chinabank, the resulting Chinabank installments will be settled using my BDO-funded payment arrangement (Lazada Pay Bills and GrabPay QR PH).
Ultimately, I’ll be paying my BDO credit card statements in full using funds from my savings accounts.
The purpose isn’t to avoid paying my expenses. It’s to maximize the rewards earned and make better use of my available funds before they eventually leave my savings accounts.
4. Why This Strategy Is Only Temporary
Unfortunately, several of the opportunities I’m planning to take advantage of won’t be available under the same terms for much longer.
Here are some of the important dates:
| Date | Change |
|---|---|
| December 15, 2026 | Chinabank’s promotional 0% balance transfer application period ends |
| December 28, 2026 | Metrobank World’s 3x multiplier on local online transactions ends |
| December 29, 2026 | Metrobank’s revised rewards program takes effect, including new restrictions and limits on certain transaction categories |
| January 1, 2027 | BDO’s announced 5% credit card funding fee takes effect on qualifying account-funding transactions |
These changes substantially affect the returns of my strategy.
In particular, Metrobank’s changes will affect how mytransactions earn rewards, while BDO’s additional funding fee could make credit-card-funded Grab cash-ins considerably less attractive.
This is why I’m making the most of the opportunities available before the relevant changes take effect.
The Big Picture
Ultimately, my strategy revolves around three things:
First: Maximize rewards on actual spending. I’m not planning to purchase unnecessary things just to earn points or cashback. Most of the transactions involve expenses that I already expect to incur.
Second: Take advantage of promotional financing. The Chinabank 0% balance transfer offer provides an opportunity to manage cash flow without paying the usual finance charges, assuming everything is paid according to schedule.
Third: Squeeze every bit of value from each transaction. One transaction doesn’t necessarily have to end at just one. If you can find a way to extend it at no additional cost, go ahead and do it.
Final Thoughts
I’ve always believed that maximizing credit card rewards isn’t necessarily about finding one credit card that does everything. Sometimes, it’s about understanding how different cards can complement one another. Some cards are better for accumulating miles, others for cashback, and still others for financing flexibility.
The challenge is making them work together without spending more than necessary or exposing yourself to unnecessary financial costs.
Of course, this particular setup isn’t for everyone. It involves several credit cards, different promos, payment deadlines, and payment channels that may not work the same way for every cardholder.
And with multiple changes taking effect over the coming weeks, I wouldn’t assume that something which worked previously will continue working indefinitely. For me, this is simply one last opportunity to maximize my existing cards before 2026 comes to a close.
Let’s see how much value I can squeeze out of them before the year ends!
