Unionbank U Visa vs Metrobank M Free — Philippines (2026)
Side-by-side comparison of Unionbank U Visa and Metrobank M Free for Philippines users. Fees, rewards, and who each card suits best. Winner ranked by net value on a moderate spend profile — fees and caps included. Winner ranked by net value on a moderate spend profile — fees and caps included.
Updated 30 July 2026·2 cards · 3 min scan·CardHungry
Top pick · Metrobank M Free Mastercard
Net / yr
₱390
Annual fee
Free
Return
0.1%
Comparison
Net annual value · moderate spend
Comparison winner: Metrobank M Free Mastercard, ₱390 per year net
Metrobank M Free Mastercard
Metrobank
Net / yr
₱390
Fee
Free
Top
0.2% cashback (modeled)
- ✓Wins this head-to-head — about ₱390/yr net after fees on typical spends.
- ✓Best for all spends — 0.2% cashback (modeled).
Metrobank M Free Mastercard
Metrobank
Net / yr
₱390
Fee
Free
Top
0.2% cashback (modeled)
- ✓Wins this head-to-head — about ₱390/yr net after fees on typical spends.
- ✓Best for all spends — 0.2% cashback (modeled).
UnionBank U Visa Platinum
UnionBank
Net / yr
-₱635
Fee
Free
Top
No cashback earn
- ✓Strong runner-up at -₱635/yr net — roughly ₱1,025 behind #1 on the same spend mix.
- ✓Best for all spends — No cashback earn.
Why the other card ranks lower
Ranked by net annual value on a moderate spend profile. Each line ties to issuer T&Cs, fees, caps, and your eligibility band. How we calculate NAV
- Strong runner-up at -₱635/yr net — roughly ₱1,025 behind #1 on the same spend mix.
- Best for all spends — No cashback earn.
- No annual fee — what you earn isn't eaten by membership cost.
2UnionBank U Visa PlatinumUnionBank
- Strong runner-up at -₱635/yr net — roughly ₱1,025 behind #1 on the same spend mix.
- Best for all spends — No cashback earn.
- No annual fee — what you earn isn't eaten by membership cost.
Full review →Net / yr
-₱635
Why each card ranks here
Ranked by net annual value on a moderate spend profile. Each line ties to issuer T&Cs, fees, caps, and your eligibility band. How we calculate NAV
- Wins this head-to-head — about ₱390/yr net after fees on typical spends.
- Best for all spends — 0.2% cashback (modeled).
- No annual fee — what you earn isn't eaten by membership cost.
1Metrobank M Free MastercardMetrobank
- Wins this head-to-head — about ₱390/yr net after fees on typical spends.
- Best for all spends — 0.2% cashback (modeled).
- No annual fee — what you earn isn't eaten by membership cost.
Full review →Net / yr
₱390
- Strong runner-up at -₱635/yr net — roughly ₱1,025 behind #1 on the same spend mix.
- Best for all spends — No cashback earn.
- No annual fee — what you earn isn't eaten by membership cost.
2UnionBank U Visa PlatinumUnionBank
- Strong runner-up at -₱635/yr net — roughly ₱1,025 behind #1 on the same spend mix.
- Best for all spends — No cashback earn.
- No annual fee — what you earn isn't eaten by membership cost.
Full review →Net / yr
-₱635
Net value snapshot
Rewards minus annual fee on your spend profile
- #1Metrobank M Free Mastercard₱390#1Metrobank M Free Mastercard₱390
- #2UnionBank U Visa Platinum-₱635#2UnionBank U Visa Platinum-₱635
Before you apply
Neither wins for everyone
unionbank u visa vs metrobank m free — the better card depends on where you spend. Use net value on your profile, not headline rates.
Check caps & exclusions
Compare monthly reward caps and excluded categories (rent, wallet, EMI) before picking a winner.
Apply to one first
Each application triggers a CIC enquiry. Choose the leader for your spends, then revisit the other later.
Frequently asked questions
Unionbank U Visa or Metrobank M Free — which is better?+
Neither wins universally. Compare net annual value on your specific spends using our comparison tool. Unionbank U Visa may win for one profile; Metrobank M Free for another.
Can I apply for both cards?+
Possible, but multiple applications close together hurt approval odds. Apply to the best fit first; wait 3–6 months for a second card.
Do these cards have joining fees?+
Varies by channel and variant. See each product page on CardHungry for current joining and annual fees before applying.
How often is this comparison updated?+
Reward rates and fees are re-verified against issuer T&Cs periodically. Net value figures use CardHungry's calculator with current rules.
Is there a third card I should consider?+
Often yes. Browse the catalog or compare a third card optimised for your income and spends — not just these two.
Full written guide
Methodology, tables, eligibility & fine print · ~8 min read
Full written guide
Methodology, tables, eligibility & fine print · ~8 min read
UnionBank U Visa Platinum vs Metrobank M Free Mastercard — which credit card is better in 2026? This in-depth comparison covers reward rules, monthly caps, exclusions, annual fees, forex costs, eligibility, and net annual value across light, moderate, and heavy spend profiles. No sponsored ranking: every number comes from CardHungry's transparent calculator.
On this page
- At-a-glance table
- Net value by spend
- Reward rules
- Benefits
- UnionBank U Visa Platinum
- Metrobank M Free Mastercard
- Exclusions compared
- Who should pick which
- Spend scenarios
- Before you apply
At-a-glance comparison
| Factor | UnionBank U Visa Platinum | Metrobank M Free Mastercard |
|---|---|---|
| Issuer | UnionBank | Metrobank |
| Annual fee | Lifetime free | Lifetime free |
| Min income | ₱15,000/mo | ₱15,000/mo |
| Top reward | No cashback earn | 0.2% cashback (modeled) |
| Forex markup | 3.53% | 2.5% |
| Secured option | No | No |
| Moderate NAV winner | Metrobank M Free Mastercard | — |
Net annual value by spend profile
| Profile | UnionBank U Visa Platinum | Metrobank M Free Mastercard |
|---|---|---|
| Light spender net value | ₱0 | ₱360 |
| Moderate spender net value | -₱635 | ₱390 |
| Heavy spender net value | -₱2,118 | ₱420 |
Reward rules compared
| Rule | UnionBank U Visa Platinum | Metrobank M Free Mastercard |
|---|---|---|
| Reward rule 1 | all: 0% | all: 0.2% |
Benefits compared
UnionBank U Visa Platinum
- No annual fee for life (issuer — no call/request needed)
- Also marketed with no late / overlimit fees on U family
- Not a cashback earner — fee-free starter / fee-avoidance card
- Min income commonly ₱180,000/yr
Metrobank M Free Mastercard
- No annual fee for life (issuer product page)
- Standard Metrobank card perks / installments — not a high cashback card
- Modest rewards modeled conservatively until points table verified
UnionBank U Visa Platinum — full breakdown
UnionBank U Visa Platinum
Issuer: UnionBank · Tier: Platinum · Annual fee: Lifetime free
True NAFFL starter · no earn
Eligibility snapshot
- Min monthly income (salaried): ₱15,000
- Secured / FD-backed: No — standard unsecured
- Approval note: Indicative only. CIC checked by bank at application, not by CardHungry.
Reward structure
- all: 0% cashback
Headline highlight: No cashback earn on All spends
Net value estimate (moderate spend profile)
- Gross annual rewards: ₱0
- Annual fee: −₱0
- Forex markup cost (est.): −₱635 (3.53% on international spends)
- Net annual value: -₱635 (-0.15% effective return)
Key benefits
- No annual fee for life (issuer — no call/request needed)
- Also marketed with no late / overlimit fees on U family
- Not a cashback earner — fee-free starter / fee-avoidance card
- Min income commonly ₱180,000/yr
Exclusions & fine print
Typically excluded or reduced: .
Best for: First-time cardholders avoiding annual fees
Read full UnionBank U Visa Platinum review with spend simulator →
Metrobank M Free Mastercard — full breakdown
Metrobank M Free Mastercard
Issuer: Metrobank · Tier: Classic · Annual fee: Lifetime free
True free-for-life Metrobank card
Eligibility snapshot
- Min monthly income (salaried): ₱15,000
- Secured / FD-backed: No — standard unsecured
- Approval note: Indicative only. CIC checked by bank at application, not by CardHungry.
Reward structure
- all: 0.2% cashback
Headline highlight: 0.2% cashback (modeled) on All spends
Net value estimate (moderate spend profile)
- Gross annual rewards: ₱840
- Annual fee: −₱0
- Forex markup cost (est.): −₱450 (2.5% on international spends)
- Net annual value: ₱390 (0.09% effective return)
Key benefits
- No annual fee for life (issuer product page)
- Standard Metrobank card perks / installments — not a high cashback card
- Modest rewards modeled conservatively until points table verified
Exclusions & fine print
Typically excluded or reduced: .
Best for: Fee-free starter card seekers
Read full Metrobank M Free Mastercard review with spend simulator →
Exclusions compared
| Typically excluded | UnionBank U Visa Platinum | Metrobank M Free Mastercard |
|---|---|---|
| Common |
Who should pick which?
- Pick UnionBank U Visa Platinum if your spend pattern aligns with its highest-rate categories and you meet income criteria.
- Pick Metrobank M Free Mastercard if its caps, fee structure, or partner merchants match your wallet better.
- Pick neither yet if both net values are under ₱2,000/year on your spends — a third option may win (see compare).
Spend scenario cheat sheet
- Heavy online shopper: Compare online category rates and caps first.
- Bill-pay heavy: Check utilities and telecom MCC eligibility.
- Travel / forex: Weight forex markup as heavily as reward rate.
- Fee-averse: If both NAV differences are under ₱1,000/yr, choose the free card.
Before you apply
CardHungry never pulls CIC. Use our interactive comparison or compare tool for a third alternative. One application at a time; wait 3–6 months between rejections.
Your spends are different
These picks use the moderate profile above. Edit spends to re-rank this page, or compare cards side-by-side — no CIC pull.
CardHungry is a third-party recommendation platform, not a bank or credit bureau. Approval estimates are indicative based on public eligibility criteria. Reward calculations use issuer T&Cs and may change. We earn commission if you are approved — at no cost to you.