Credit Card Promo - PNB Member Get Member Program

Being the first bank that gave me my first regular credit card when all the others have declined me, PNB will always have a special spot in my heart. Arte. Haha! Aside from being  a part of the free for life promo last February 2016 and recently being given another free for life card (The Travel Club Card), it is very easy to connect to their customer support, and they offer one of the most, if not the lowest balance transfer rate among credit card issuer in the Philippines. These were a few of the things I love about PNB. Another credit limit increase would put the icing on top. Hopia.

Kidding aside, this is why I'm making this post. To share, and make others experience what PNB has to offer, and receiving cash credits while doing so. Haha! There are other cards other than BDO, BPI, Metrobank, at Citibank. :)

I know I don't have a lot of readers but at least its worth a try. This is a year round promotion and it covers all referrals received from March 1 to December 15, 2017. All you have to provide me your full name, contact number and email address. I will be the one to forward it to PNB. Do drop a comment with your email address so I can get back to you.

Promo Mechanics:

1. This program is open to all existing PNB Credit Cardholders in good credit standing, excluding Corporate and Distribution Cards.

2. The promo period covers all referrals received from March 1 to December 15, 2017.

3. Existing PNB Credit Cardholders may refer their personal network to apply for PNB Credit Cards. If the referral is approved, the PNB Credit Cardholder who referred the the account shall receive P500 cash credit to his own PNB Credit Card Account.

4. There are no restrictions to the type of card being applied for.

5. Cash Credit Incentive cannot be transferred to another PNB Credit Cardholder nor it can be converted to cash or any other form.

6. Process for Referral:
6.1. PNB Credit Cardholder has to send via email to mgm@pnb.com.ph the following   information regarding their referral:

Complete Name
Contact Number
Email Address
6.2. Only complete referrals shall be processed.
6.3. PNB shall send PNB Credit Card Application form to the referrals within two days from receipt of referral.
6.4. Referred individual to accomplish the application and submit the following to mgm@pnb.com.ph for processing:

Filled out and Signed PNB Credit Card Application Form
Valid Government-Issued ID
Income Documents
For Employed applicants: (any one of the following)

Latest ITR/W-2
One Month Payslip
Latest Certificate of Employment
Latest Credit Card Billing Statement
For Self-employed applicants:

Latest ITR with DTI/SEC Registration and Audited Financial Statements
6.5. Only complete applications shall be processed.
6.6. Once the referral is approved, the cash credit incentive will be credited to the referrer's PNB Credit Card Account within 30 days from date of approval.
6.7. A notification will be sent to the referrer if the referral/application has been approved via email.
6.8. For follow-ups regarding the status of referrals, PNB Credit Cardholder Referrer may send an email to mgm@pnb.com.ph or call 24/7 PNB Customer Service at (02) 818-9-818. Email must contain the name of the referral.
6.9. The PNB Credit Card has to be active at the time of referral and incentive crediting.
6.10. Only new-to-bank, principal approved referrals shall earn cash credit incentive.
6.11. PNB shall have the sole right whether to approve or reject an application. PNB shall have the sole right whether to disclose the reason for rejection of an application.

Official page can be found here.

All the best!

Credit Cards - PNB Essentials Mastercard - One Year Later

I remember it as though it only happened yesterday. It was a hot sunny afternoon. Though it was late February and the molten ice from our northern neighbors should have made the weather a slightly chilly one, there was I sweating profusely under the mighty sun. Armed with the requirements I've taken note from their website, I entered Philippine National Bank (PNB) P. Tuazon branch. I'm not exactly sure if their branch is a new one, but it looks like it, especially when compared to the Ali Mall or the Cubao-Harvard branches.

The staff were friendly and accommodating. Even though it was nearly lunch, one of their tellers assisted me with my application. I was initially asked if I had an account with them. I told them that I didn't and asked if it was necessary. Good thing it was not but it could really help with my application since this will be my first credit card if ever. I just told them I would be opening one should I get approved so I can use their online portal.

The process only took 30 minutes of filling up the application form. I was told it could take a month or so for the entire process and I should really see to it that I answer their verification call for me to get approved.

A week later, I received their call and was relieved that I was free to answer it. Basic questions were asked and it took only about 5 minutes. I didn't hear again from them after that. Amidst the tension I faced with applying for a secured credit card, I was totally surprised that around March 7, 2016, a card arrived at the office though I was not there to receive it personally. It was an Essentials MasterCard with a Php20,000 limit. Very low indeed, but at least it's a regular one. My first ever. To top it up, I then learned that it have free annual fee for life. I feel so lucky.

Six months later, I requested for a credit limit increase and was granted one from Php 20,000 to Php 50,000. 10 months after, I requested for a Travel Club Platinum Mastercard which is also free for life. I was initially declined but them got approved after casually mentioning it to a CS on one of my contacts with them. That's a different story for now. Hehe.

Card usage wise, it has the perks of other credit cards: installment plans, balance transfer, transaction conversion; all of which I've used at a certain time. If there's a bad thing that I could think of, it is their overseas usage limit. Though my balance is sufficient enough and a travel advice was given, a CS told me that the card would be blocked after a certain number of swipes. It happened to me when I was in HongKong and then another time in South Korea. I didn't dare use it when I was in Japan so I'll never know.  Otherwise, all was well.

Recently, February 22, 2017, I received the below email. I guess it was February 22 when I got approved and got the card 2 weeks later. Though I'm pretty sure that this is s system generated email, I was touched, and would have been touched more if it came with an automatic credit limit increase. Just kidding. Seriously, two cards from them with no annual fee for life is reason enough for me to stay with this bank.

Image by PNB

Thank you PNB for the trust. I'm really looking forward for a stronger banking relationship with you for the years to come.

Opening a PNB Deposit Account

Now that I have a Philippine National Bank (PNB) Essentials Mastercard, it's inevitable that I would have to pay for the things that  I swiped. I just received my first statement and the hours it took for me to withdraw my funds from my BDO account to paying via PNB bank deposit had me decided to open one so I could enroll it on their online banking system so I could pay my bills online. With it, instead of my funds coming from BDO, I would directly deposit my payments to PNB.

Like any other banks, one cannot open  a PNB bank account without bringing the necessary requirements. With that, one must secure them first before going to any PNB branch, so that your bank account application will be approved. It is also important to select first what PNB branch will you going to open an account. For me it is important that a branch is near my residence or place of work. Luckily, there are two PNB branches near where I lived and I chose to open one that is near a shopping mall.

Requirements in Opening a PNB deposit account

1.) At least two (2) valid id's.

A combination of 1 photo-bearing ID and 1 non photo-bearing ID or a combination of 2 photo-bearing ID's. Bringing both 2 non photo-bearing ID's might not be accepted.

2.) Initial deposit.

It ranges from Php3,000 to Php10,000 depending on the type of account you want to open. However,  I opted  for the TAP Mastercard which requires no initial deposit or maintaining balance but still offers an interest rate. You just have to pay a minimal amount of Php15 every month as an account fee. This is okay for me as I would only use the account for paying my PNB Essentials Mastercard bills.

3.)  2 pcs 1" x 1" or 2" x 2" personal picture. Luckily I had a recent one tucked under the innards of my bag at that time.

4.) Billing statement. I didn't know about this one until I was asked by the bank representative. I told them that all of my utility bills are enrolled under electronic statements of account and have managed to provide a screenshot of some. This is a bit weird for me because as most are encouraged to apply for an online SOA, PNB are still asking for a hard copy. Good thing the bank representative accepted my situation and allowed my application to push through.

I was then asked to complete and sign several forms, which I submit along with photocopy of my IDs and billing statement. The process took 45 minutes to an hour (including the waiting time) and I was told to be back after 10 business days to pick up my card.

It's waiting game again :)

Credit Cards - My First From PNB

Image from punepropertyblog.com

Good things do come when you least expect it.

After being declined by BDO and BPI, and resorting to secured credit cards offered by RCBC and BPI, I got my first credit card from PNB last March 7, 2016. It was a Blue Essentials Mastercard with a credit limit of Php20,000. Small, I know, but at least it's a regular credit card, not that secured ones are less desirable.

I was really surpised. I didn't receive any call or text saying that I was approved. I applied around the same time I applied for RCBC Instacard last Feruary 19. I believe I got the mandatory credit investigation call a week after and haven't heard from them since. I was not really hoping to be approved since I was declined by two banks already but Come March 7, I got a text from a friend that a package containing a credit card arrived at the office. I was expecting that it was my RCBC Instacard so I told him to open and place it in my locker. I asked if it was from RCBC and got suprised that it was from PNB!

I couldn't contain my joy and I'm very thankful to PNB for giving me the chance to avail of their credit card services. Thank you PNB! I promise not to miss any payment. LOL.

But wait, there's more! I called their hotline at 8189818 to activate it and happened to ask for my annual fee, I was told that it is FREE FOR LIFE! How great is that? My first credit card and no annual fee for life. I'm loving PNB every seconds. :)

Image from pnbcards.com.ph