BPI Amore Cashback Card: Worth Your Wallet?
Cashback cards can be a great deal, but is the BPI Amore Cashback Card one of them? Let's break down the numbers and find out.
The Quick Version
The BPI Amore Cashback Card offers a straightforward 3% cashback on dining, groceries, and department store purchases. The annual fee is waived for the first year, making it tempting to try. The catch? The cashback rate drops to 0.3% for everything else, and there's a monthly cap of ₱15,000 on cashback-eligible spending.
BPI Amore Cashback Card
A cashback card with limited high-reward categories
BPI Amore Cashback Card
What's Inside
This card is designed for shoppers who frequent restaurants, grocery stores, and department stores. You get 3% cashback on these categories, which is quite generous compared to the market average. However, all other purchases earn a paltry 0.3%. There's no annual fee for the first year, but it jumps to ₱2,050 annually afterward. The card is a Visa, so it's accepted worldwide, but watch out for a 1.85% foreign transaction fee.
What's Actually Good
The standout feature is the 3% cashback on popular spending categories — a nice perk if you spend heavily on dining and groceries. Visa's wide acceptance is another plus, making it a reliable choice for international travel. The first-year waiver on the annual fee gives you a risk-free period to test the card's value.
The Catch
The low 0.3% cashback on non-category spending is disappointing. If your spending is diverse, this card won't maximize your rewards. Also, the monthly cap on eligible spending means big spenders might hit a wall. After the first year, the annual fee could eat into your cashback earnings, especially if you don't spend enough in the high-reward categories.
Who It's For
This card suits people who spend heavily on dining, groceries, and department stores. It's ideal for someone who can keep their spending within the cashback cap to maximize rewards. If you travel frequently, the foreign transaction fee could be a dealbreaker. It's less appealing for those with varied spending habits or who dislike tracking spending categories.
The Bottom Line
If your purchases align with the high-reward categories, the BPI Amore Cashback Card can be a money-saver. Just keep an eye on that annual fee creeping in after the first year. For a more diverse spending pattern, consider alternatives like the Citi Cash Back Card, which offers a more balanced reward structure.
