UnionBank Rewards Credit Card: Complete Guide to Earning and Redeeming Points
If your credit card is going to watch you spend money anyway, it might as well cheer you on with rewards.
The Union Bank Rewards Credit Card is designed for cardholders who want to earn points from everyday purchases and redeem those points for rewards.
According to Union Bank, the Rewards Visa Platinum earns 1 Rewards Point for every ₱30 of eligible retail spending, with additional points available on qualifying shopping and dining transactions.
That makes it worth a closer look if you regularly use a credit card for groceries, online shopping, restaurant bills, subscriptions, or other everyday expenses.
But before you start swiping like your bank account has entered witness protection, let’s break down how the Union Bank Rewards Credit Card works, how you earn points, how redemption works, and what to watch out for.
What Is the Union Bank Rewards Credit Card?
The Union Bank Rewards Credit Card is a Philippine credit card that lets eligible cardholders earn Rewards Points from qualifying purchases.
The current Union Bank Rewards Visa Platinum page highlights several features, including:
- 1 point for every ₱30 spend
- 3X points when shopping and dining locally or abroad
- No stated cap on points earning on the product page
- Redemption options that can include cash credits, merchandise, gadgets, and other rewards
- Access to UnionBank Online
- A virtual card that can be activated after approval for online shopping
In simple terms, the idea is straightforward: use the card for eligible purchases, accumulate points, and eventually exchange those points for available rewards.
How Does the Union Bank Rewards Credit Card Work?
Once your card account is eligible and remains in good credit standing, qualifying purchases can earn Rewards Points.
Under UnionBank’s current Rewards Card terms, eligible retail spending earns 1 point per ₱30. The bank’s example shows that a ₱5,000 eligible purchase can generate approximately 167 points.
Here’s a simple illustration:
| Eligible Spending | Approximate Base Points |
| 300 | 10 points |
| 1,000 | 33 points |
| 3,000 | 100 points |
| 5,000 | 167 points |
| 10,000 | 333 points |
Actual points are subject to UnionBank’s applicable terms, transaction eligibility and rounding rules.
How Many Points Can You Earn?
The base earning rate is 1 point for every ₱30 of eligible retail spending.
But certain categories can offer accelerated earning. Union Bank currently advertises 3X points for shopping and dining here and abroad on its Rewards Visa Platinum product page.
That can make the card particularly interesting for people who already spend regularly in those categories.
Where Can I Earn Union Bank Rewards Points?
Union Bank states that qualifying purchases can earn Rewards Points across everyday spending categories. Its rewards information specifically notes that purchases at establishments such as gas stations, drugstores and supermarkets can qualify.
Depending on the applicable card terms, eligible spending can include:
- Supermarket purchases
- Dining
- Shopping
- Online purchases
- Food delivery
- Gasoline
- Drugstores
- Other qualifying retail transactions
However, don’t assume every transaction automatically earns points. Certain charges and transaction types may be excluded.
Do Union Bank Rewards Points Expire?
One attractive feature is that UnionBank says Rewards Points generally do not expire as long as the account remains current and active, subject to the applicable program terms.
That’s useful because you don’t necessarily have to panic-redeem your points every time you see a balance.
Still, rewards programs can change, so it’s smart to check the latest Union Bank terms before making long-term plans around your points.
What Transactions Don’t Earn Rewards Points?
Not every charge on your credit card is necessarily rewarded.
Union Bank’s rewards information lists examples of transactions that may not earn points, including:
- Annual membership fees
- Program fees
- Cash advances
- Interest charges
- Late payment charges
- Certain government charges
- Disputed transactions
- Card replacement fees
- Certain bill-payment arrangements
The exact exclusions depend on the applicable card and current terms.
This is important because seeing a credit-card transaction on your statement doesn’t automatically mean you’re collecting points from it.
What Happened to PayDirect Rewards?
This is one update worth knowing if you’re considering the card in 2026.
UnionBank announced that effective June 1, 2026, eligible PayDirect transactions on the UnionBank Rewards Credit Card earn 1 point for every ₱150, compared with the previous rate of 1 point per ₱60.
So if you’re using PayDirect specifically to rack up points, don’t rely on older articles quoting the previous ₱60 earning rate.
Credit-card rewards information has a nasty habit of aging faster than bananas.
How Do You Redeem Union Bank Rewards Points?
UnionBank says rewards redemption can be handled through UnionBank Online.
The general process is:
- Log in to UnionBank Online.
- Select your credit-card account.
- Look for the Rewards section.
- View your available points.
- Select Redeem.
- Browse the available rewards.
- Choose your preferred reward.
- Enter the required information.
- Review the redemption.
- Confirm the request.
Available rewards can include options such as cash credits, merchandise, gadgets and other rewards, although the catalogue and redemption requirements can change.
What Can You Redeem With Union Bank Rewards Points?
The available redemption catalogue can change over time, so there isn’t one permanent list of rewards.
UnionBank indicates that rewards may include:
- Cash credits
- Merchandise
- Gadgets
- E-gifts
- Other available rewards
The bank’s rewards program terms also state that the catalogue may be changed and that redemption is subject to the availability and applicable requirements of the selected reward.
Therefore, check the current catalogue inside UnionBank Online before deciding how much your points are “worth.”
Is the Union Bank Rewards Credit Card Worth It?
It can be a good fit for someone who:
- Uses a credit card regularly for everyday purchases
- Wants to earn points instead of relying solely on discounts
- Frequently shops or dines using a card
- Makes online purchases
- Pays the credit-card balance responsibly
- Wants flexible redemption options
It may be less attractive if you rarely use a credit card or tend to carry a balance and pay substantial interest.
And here’s the part many rewards articles conveniently whisper instead of shout:
A reward point is not free money if you’re paying interest to earn it.
If you spend ₱10,000 unnecessarily because you want more points, you’ve lost the plot.
Smart Ways to Maximize Union Bank Rewards Points
1. Use the Card for Planned Purchases
Your normal expenses are where rewards become useful.
Instead of creating new spending just to earn points, use the card for purchases already included in your budget.
2. Take Advantage of Bonus Categories
If the current terms provide accelerated rewards for shopping and dining, these categories can be useful places to concentrate eligible spending.
Always check the latest terms because bonus categories and earning mechanics can change.
3. Pay Your Balance on Time
This should be rule number one, two and three.
The goal is:
Spend → earn points → pay the bill → enjoy the reward.
Not:
Spend → earn points → forget the bill → discover interest charges → question every life decision.
4. Track Your Points
Check your Rewards balance through UnionBank Online so you know whether your points have posted and whether you’re close to a redemption target.
5. Compare Redemption Options
Don’t automatically choose the first reward you see.
Compare the points required with the value of the reward. The best redemption is usually the one that gives you useful value rather than something that looks exciting for approximately 11 minutes.
Union Bank Rewards Credit Card vs. Cashback Cards
Rewards points and cashback aren’t quite the same thing.
With a cashback card, you generally receive a monetary rebate based on qualifying transactions.
With a rewards card, you accumulate points that can be exchanged for items or other available rewards.
A rewards card can be appealing if you enjoy flexibility and want to accumulate points over time.
A cashback card may be simpler if your philosophy is basically:
“Just give me the money and let’s not make this complicated.”
The better choice depends on your spending habits and how you value the available rewards.
Pros and Cons of the Union Bank Rewards Credit Card
Pros
- Earn points from eligible everyday spending
- Base earning rate of 1 point per ₱30 eligible retail spend
- Accelerated earning opportunities on qualifying shopping and dining
- Points generally don’t expire while the account remains current and active
- Multiple redemption possibilities
- Online rewards redemption through UnionBank Online
- Virtual-card functionality for online shopping
Cons
- Not every transaction earns points
- PayDirect earning was reduced to 1 point per ₱150 effective June 1, 2026
- Rewards catalogue and redemption requirements can change
- Carrying a balance can wipe out the financial benefit of rewards through interest and fees
- You need to understand the current terms to maximize the card properly
Tips Before Applying for a UnionBank Rewards Credit Card
Before applying, consider:
Will I use the card regularly?
If your monthly spending is low, accumulating meaningful rewards may take longer.
Can I pay my balance in full?
If yes, rewards can be more useful. If not, calculate the potential interest cost before getting excited about points.
Do the rewards match my lifestyle?
A rewards card is more useful when the redemption options actually interest you.
Have I checked the latest fees and terms?
Always check UnionBank’s current official terms before applying because rates, fees, eligibility requirements, promotions and rewards mechanics can change. UnionBank currently lists its card terms as effective from July 30, 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Union Bank Rewards Credit Card
How many points do I earn per ₱1 spent?
The current base rate is 1 Rewards Point per ₱30 of eligible retail spending.
Do UnionBank Rewards Points expire?
UnionBank says Rewards Points generally do not expire while the account remains current and active, subject to the program’s terms.
Can I redeem UnionBank Rewards Points online?
Yes. UnionBank says eligible cardholders can view and redeem available rewards through UnionBank Online.
Can I earn points from supplementary card spending?
Yes. UnionBank states that points accrue under the principal cardholder, while supplementary-card usage can contribute to points earned.
Do all credit-card transactions earn points?
No. Certain transactions and fees are excluded from earning rewards, so check the current terms for the specific transaction type.
How many points do PayDirect transactions earn?
Effective June 1, 2026, eligible PayDirect transactions earn 1 point per ₱150 for the UnionBank Rewards Credit Card.
Final Thoughts
The Union Bank Rewards Credit Card can make sense if you want to turn your normal spending into points without making rewards the reason you spend in the first place.
Its base earning rate of 1 point per ₱30 eligible retail spend, bonus earning opportunities and flexible redemption options make it an interesting choice for regular card users.
Just remember the golden rule of rewards hacking:
Never spend ₱1,000 to earn rewards worth ₱10 and then celebrate like you’ve beaten the banking system.
Use the card for expenses you can afford, pay responsibly, watch the latest terms, and let the rewards come along for the ride.
For the most current product information, fees, eligibility requirements and promotions, check UnionBank’s official Rewards Credit Card page before applying.