Avoid Late Payments: 9 Best Credit Cards for Rent Payment

Credit cards make spending convenient and rewarding. You can use one to shop online and offline. More than that, you can use it to settle your recurring bills, such as utilities and loans. 

But can a credit card be used for rent payments? Can you transfer money to your landlord’s bank account from your card? 

You’ll find that out and more in this article. Let’s roll!

Can You Pay Rent With a Credit Card in the Philippines?  

To settle rent, tenants usually give their landlords cold cash or make a deposit into bank accounts from their savings accounts. But there’s another option: send them money from your credit card account. 

This method is possible through a bank’s special payment and fund transfer facility. It allows you to make payments to other bank or e-wallet accounts using your credit card’s available limit. You can also use this feature for settling tuition fees, insurance bills, business supplier invoices, hospital bills, and more. 

Does paying rent with a credit card affect your credit score? It does since you’re using your credit limit to pay your dues. Remember that increasing your credit utilization ratio^[1] has an effect on your credit score. 

4 Benefits of Paying Rent With a Credit Card 

Is it better to pay with a credit card? That will depend on a lot of factors, such as your credit limit and your repayment capacity. 

Here are the advantages of using your credit card for rental payments. 

👍 You Can Deal With Cash Shortage

Short on cash? If you aren’t able to pay your rent on time, you may find yourself dealing with late payment fees or your landlord’s hounding. Charge your rent to your credit card to avoid those dilemmas. 

👍 Your Payments are Safe 

With a credit card, you don’t have to always bring cash with you. For this reason, using your card to pay your rent is undoubtedly safe. Transactions are also automatically recorded, which means you have proof in case your landlord asks about your rental payment. 

👍 You Can Pay Anytime, Anywhere 

If you’re out of town and you’ve forgotten to settle your rent, your credit card can help you deal with it quickly. Transfers happen in real-time, so you don’t have to worry about posting dates and delays.  

👍 You Can Convert Your Payment to Installments

Depending on your bank, you can convert your rental payments to installments. This is a helpful feature, especially if you’re cash-strapped and need more time to deal with bills.  

9 Best Credit Cards for Rent Payment in the Philippines

So what are the best credit cards for rent payment? Here are your options and their key features: 

Credit Card	Annual Fee	Key Features
Metrobank Platinum Mastercard®	₱5,000 (waived for the first year)	Qualified for Metrobank’s PayNow facility  0% installment of up to 24 months
Metrobank Titanium Mastercard®	₱2,500 (waived for the first year)	Qualified for Metrobank’s PayNow facility 2x rewards points on select spending categories 0% installment of up to 24 months
PSBank Credit Mastercard	Free for life	Qualified for Metrobank’s PayNow facility  0% installment of up to 24 months
Security Bank Complete Cashback Platinum Mastercard	₱3,000 (waived for the first year)	Qualified for Security Bank’s SimplyPay facility  Five-tiered cashbacks Year-round cashbacks
Security Bank Gold Mastercard	₱2,500 (waived for the first year)	Qualified for Security Bank’s SimplyPay facility  Non-expiring rewards points
Security Bank Platinum Mastercard	₱4,000 (waived for the first year)	Qualified for Security Bank’s SimplyPay facility  2x rewards points
RCBC Classic Mastercard	₱1,500	Qualified for RCBC’s UnliPay facility  Conversion of straight purchases to installment Earns rewards points and air miles
RCBC Flex Gold Visa	₱3,000	Qualified for RCBC’s UnliPay facility 2x rewards in select spending categories Conversion of straight purchases to installment
YGC Rewards Plus RCBC Credit Card	₱3,600	Qualified for RCBC’s UnliPay facility  Rewards points for RCBC deposits and Malayan insurance payments Conversion of straight purchases to installment

 

Learn more about each card below.

💳 Metrobank Platinum Mastercard^®

• Annual fee: ₱5,000 (waived for the first year)
• Interest rate: 3%
• Minimum monthly income requirement: ₱58,333
• Key features: 
  • Qualified for Metrobank’s PayNow facility 
  • 0% installment of up to 24 months
  • Up to 50% discount on dining deals
  • Contactless transactions

The Metrobank Platinum Mastercard^® is the card for those who put a premium on their lifestyle. It comes with up to 50% discounts on premium dining deals and an e-commerce protection policy for those who love shopping online.

But this card goes beyond lifestyle-related expenses. With the Metrobank PayNow feature, you can use it for paying recurring expenses such as rent. PayNow provides cardholders with electronic payment and fund transfer solutions from Metrobank credit cards to other bank accounts. 

Read more: Metrobank World vs Platinum Mastercard^®: Which is Better for You?

💳 Metrobank Titanium Mastercard^®

• Annual fee: ₱2,500 (waived for the first year)
• Interest rate: 3%
• Minimum monthly income requirement: ₱15,000
• Key features: 
  • Qualified for Metrobank’s PayNow facility
  • 2x rewards points on select spending categories
  • 0% installment of up to 24 months
  • Contactless transactions

Make easy rent payments through a credit card with the Titanium Mastercard^®. Just like the Metrobank credit card above, this card comes with the PayNow feature, which makes settling bills quick and easy, 

The Metrobank Titanium Mastercard^® is one of the best credit cards for retail transactions. That’s because it rewards you with up to 2x points on department store, dining, and all online spend. 

Read more: Is This Rewards Card Worth It? Metrobank Titanium Mastercard^® Review

💳 PSBank Credit Mastercard

• Annual fee: Free for life 
• Interest rate: 3%
• Minimum monthly income requirement: ₱15,000
• Key features: 
  • Qualified for Metrobank’s PayNow facility 
  • 0% installment of up to 24 months
  • Exclusive discounts via M Here partner establishments 
  • Contactless transactions

The PSBank Credit Mastercard may be a basic and no-frills credit card, but it gets the job done, especially when it comes to settling your bills. With its Metrobank PayNow feature, you can conveniently pay your landlord and stave off eviction.  

With the PSBank Credit Mastercard, you can also purchase gadgets, appliances, and even groceries at 0% installment of up to 24 months. Other features include balance transfer, cash advance, and access to exclusive Metrobank discounts and promos. 

💳 Security Bank Complete Cashback Platinum Mastercard

• Annual fee: ₱3,000 (waived for the first year)
• Interest rate: 3%
• Minimum monthly income requirement: ₱65,000
• Key features: 
  • Qualified for Security Bank’s SimplyPay facility 
  • Five-tiered cashbacks
  • Year-round cashbacks
  • Access to exclusive Mastercard promos

Got a Security Bank Complete Cashback Platinum Mastercard? You can settle rent payments through a credit card by using SimplyPay. 

Security Bank SimplyPay is a feature that lets you use your credit card to pay anything that requires bank deposits, such as rent, tuition fees, and utilities.^[2] With it, you can pay in full or in installments and enjoy a credit limit of up to ₱500,000. 

Your Complete Cashback Platinum Mastercard also goes beyond this feature. It has five-tiered rebates: 5% cashback on groceries, 4% cashback on gas, 3% cashback on utilities, 2% cashback on dining, and 1% cashback on shopping. 

Read more: Security Bank Complete Cashback Platinum: Rebates and Perks Review

💳 Security Bank Gold Mastercard

• Annual fee: ₱2,500 (waived for the first year)
• Interest rate: 3%
• Minimum monthly income requirement: ₱30,000
• Key features: 
  • Qualified for Security Bank’s SimplyPay facility 
  • Non-expiring rewards points
  • Access to exclusive Mastercard promos

The Security Bank Gold Mastercard is a good option for young urbanites navigating the world of credit spending. You can use it for shopping, bills payments, and transactions abroad. Using this card is rewarding since it comes with non-expiring points.

One of the best things about this card is that you can also use it to pay your rent. That’s possible since it’s qualified for Security Bank’s SimplyPay facility.

Read more: Moneymax Reviews: Go for Gold with a Security Bank Gold Mastercard

💳 Security Bank Platinum Mastercard

• Annual fee: ₱4,000 (waived for the first year)
• Interest rate: 3%
• Minimum monthly income requirement: ₱65,000
• Key features: 
  • Qualified for Security Bank’s SimplyPay facility 
  • 2x rewards points
  • Access to Mastercard Travel Rewards
  • Free travel insurance 

Just like the other two Security Bank credit cards, the Platinum Mastercard lets you pay your rent through Security Bank SimplyPay. The same facility even lets you settle other kinds of bills, such as supplier invoices, insurance bills, and hospital bills. 

Spend with your Platinum Mastercard to earn up to 2x points. If you’re a traveler, just whip out this card to enjoy perks, such as free travel insurance (when you book your airline tickets with the card), unlimited access to Marhaba Lounge, and automatic cashback offers from participating stores abroad.  

💳 RCBC Classic Mastercard

• Annual fee: ₱1,500
• Interest rate: 3%
• Minimum monthly income requirement: ₱15,000
• Key features: 
  • Qualified for RCBC’s UnliPay facility 
  • Conversion of straight purchases to installment
  • Earns rewards points and air miles
  • Free travel insurance

Rental payments are possible with RCBC Classic Mastercard through UnliPay. But what is RCBC UnliPay? 

RCBC UnliPay is a feature that lets you make real-time payments directly to any local bank or e-wallet account using your RCBC credit card. You can use it for settling rent, tuition and school fees, insurance, taxes, association dues, and purchases from online sellers.^[3] 

Unlike with other banks, you don’t have to pre-enroll your credit card to use RCBC UnliPay. You can readily access it via the RCBC Digital app. 

Your RCBC Classic Mastercard allows you to convert straight purchases to installments of up to 36 months. Other than earning points, it also earns air miles, which you can use for your future trips. 

💳 RCBC Flex Gold Visa 

• Annual fee: ₱3,000
• Interest rate: 3%
• Minimum monthly income requirement: ₱50,000
• Key features: 
  • Qualified for RCBC’s UnliPay facility
  • 2x rewards in select spending categories
  • Conversion of straight purchases to installment 
  • Free travel insurance

The RCBC Flex Gold Visa is another credit card for rent payment, thanks to RCBC UnliPay. It’s perfect for those who constantly use their card for retail and shopping transactions. 

You can get up to 2x rewards in three preferred categories: just choose from gas, travel, department store, grocery, and household appliances. You can even switch categories once every billing cycle! 

The Flex Gold Visa is also a traveler’s buddy. It entitles you to free travel insurance when you use it for all your international travel-related needs and access to PAGGS Lounge at NAIA Terminals 1 and 3. 

Read more: Moneymax Reviews: Flex Your Financial Savvy with RCBC Flex Visa

💳 YGC Rewards Plus RCBC Credit Card

• Annual fee: ₱3,600
• Interest rate: 3%
• Minimum monthly income requirement: ₱19,167
• Key features: 
  • Qualified for RCBC’s UnliPay facility 
  • Rewards points for RCBC deposits and Malayan insurance payments
  • Conversion of straight purchases to installment 
  • Free travel insurance 

With the UnliPay feature, the YGC Rewards Plus RCBC Credit Card lets you pay your rent and other bills that require bank deposits. This card is ideal for those who have an RCBC bank account and loyal patrons of other YGC products and services. 

You can also earn points by doing the following: 

• Increase deposits in your bank account (peso savings, US dollar savings, and checking)
• Apply for an auto loan
• Apply for a housing loan
• Avail of Malayan Insurance products

How to Use Your Credit Card Rent Payment Facility 

Below are the steps for using the abovementioned credit cards’ rent payment facilities: 

💸 Security Bank SimplyPay 

1. Apply first through Security Bank’s online form at  www.securitybank.com/personal/credit-cards/installment-and-payments/simplypay/form. You may also call the bank at (02) 8887 9188.
2. If you use the form, input your details and recipient details. Choose between straight and installment payment options. 
3. Click Submit. 
4. You will receive a notification via email or SMS if the SimplyPay transaction is approved or denied. 

Read more: 4 Security Bank Credit Card Installment Plans for Hassle-Free Payments

💸 RCBC UnliPay 

1. Launch your RCBC Digital app. 
2. Choose your preferred RCBC credit card and tap UnliPay. 
3. Input your payment details and the purpose of your payment. 
4. Enter your one-time password (OTP) to verify your transaction. You may also verify it through face ID or fingerprint authentication.  

💸 Metrobank PayNow 

1. If you’re a first-time PayNow user, register via Metrobank’s customer service hotline at 88-700-702. Once approved, you can then avail of the PayNow facility. 
2. Get in touch with @MiaofMetrobankCard on FB messenger. 
3. Choose PayNow. 
4. Input your credit card number. Then provide your transaction details.   

Final Thoughts 

Many rental properties require you to wire your payment to their local bank account. Can you transfer funds from your credit card? Yes, as you’ve seen in your options above. 

When choosing a credit card for rent payments, you should also look at other features, such as installment terms and rewards. Don’t forget to check the annual fees and the service charges. 

Sources: 

• ^[1] Credit Utilization Ratio: Definition, Calculation, and How to Improve (Investopedia, 2023)
• ^[2] Security Bank SimplyPay
• ^[3] RCBC UnliPay
• ^[4] Metrobank PayNow