Financial Blog

Planning a trip soon? It’s no secret that traveling is expensive, so every time you do, you need to be able to justify to yourself that every expense is worth every penny. Memories might trump expenses, but those tiny expenses will eventually add up. 

Girl Math your way to making every penny of your budget work by taking advantage of every perk, every savings, and more! Here are some tips for you to remember when you travel. 

Get a credit card

Besides planning what to do, what to bring, and where to go it’s also important to know what credit card to bring on your travel. 

Not only is bringing a credit card more convenient than bringing cash in most cases but every card brings its own set of perks, from exclusive promos, cashback offers, and access to lounges you can use before and after transit – either abroad or local.

Define your travel goals and set your travel budget

Be clear on what you want to do on your travel. Do you want to just explore around the area, relax, and lay low, or experience the local events and culture to the fullest? What your goals are will decide what you want to do and what to achieve to make the most out of your experience.

Think about what you want to do, they can be as general as you like such as:

 
Exotic trips/tours – fly internationally and experience a first-class vacation
Family visit abroad – Reconnect with your relatives abroad
Cheap vacations – a simple outing to take your mind off work while exploring new cultures

Know your travel perks

Now that you’ve chosen a credit card, it’s better to know the full perks that come with them. Not all cards are the same, some cards give cashback for specific merchants, some give access to specific airport lounges, and some even come with free travel insurance and other forms of travel protection.

Insurance 

Whether it’s a sudden illness, a natural disaster, or a family emergency, travel insurance ensures you’re financially protected against non-refundable expenses like flights, hotel bookings, or prepaid tours. 

Insurance can be bought separately and can come to as low as PHP411 for a max 90 days trip abroad and come with perks such as: up to Php500K emergency medical assistance, emergency travel assistance, and more. 

However, some credit cards, already come with free insurance and with much greater coverage. 

Take for example our very own Platinum and World Mastercard. Cardholders automatically get travel insurance that covers: Travel Accidents, Loss/Damage to Baggage, Flight Delay, Personal Damages, Medical Expenses, Baggage Delay, Flight Reroute, and Damages on Rented Vehicles.

Read more about Security Bank Mastercard’s free insurance here.

Airport Lounge access 

Airport lounges are places where travelers can stay before their flight. These are separated from the rest of the passenger holding/waiting area and offer a more relaxing atmosphere in case of flight delays plus other offers such as meals, faster wifi access, and rest areas. 

Typically access to these areas can be bought for a fee per person and with it comes access to improved amenities for greater comfort while you wait for your flight. Access is usually limited to around 3 hours per person however so don’t expect to spend the whole day. 

However, some cards can give you access to both local and international airport lounges. For instance, with Mastercard Travel Pass, Security Bank Platinum and World cardholders get 2 or 6 complimentary access per year, respectively, to over 1,300 lounges in more than 500 airports worldwide.

Let’s say you have lay over in Seoul on your international flight, instead of waiting in a common area you can relax at Seoul International Airport’s Sky Hub Lounge. A regular day pass would cost 22.6 USD per person, but with select credit cards, you can either get preferential rates or free access. So, if you’re traveling abroad, make sure to check if your arrival airport has a lounge that accepts your credit card. If you’re a Security Bank Platinum or World cardholder, register and Mastercard Travel Pass and you can view the full list of international lounges here.

Check your card rewards program

If you can, spend at a discount or, if possible, get as much freebies as you can. Utilize your card provider’s existing partnerships for promos that can help you save whether it’s for dining, accommodation, and more. 

Take for example our complimentary 3rd night stay at Shangri-La Singapore when you book a two nights stay. Considering the cost of booking hovers at around PHP15,000 per night, that’s PHP15,000 you can spend for yourself.

Another is our Swipe, Fly and Earn promo which can get you as much as PHP10,000 worth of eGC just by using your Security Bank credit card when you travel abroad for anything from booking, accommodation, tours to shopping, and more. You can read more on our article here.

Use your Airline Miles

Airline miles, also called frequent flyer miles, are the airline’s currency that you can use by redeeming them for flights, hotel stays, and other rewards. Some airlines call their currency “points” rather than miles, but the concept is the same. Depending on the airline, your miles can be used to book flights — both on that specific airline and potentially on partner airlines.

Every time you purchase using your credit card you earn reward points which you can redeem for miles. You can in turn use these miles to purchase your next flight or book your next stay. 

Take for example the following: 

The points you earn when you spend your Security Bank credit card can be exchanged for travel rewards. For example, over the course of a year you’ve accumulated a total of PHP90,000 using your World Mastercard. That’s automatically 13,500 1,500,000 rewards points which you can exchange for either travel Miles for your next travel or eGift Certificates from our partners through our BetterBanking rewards program.

Assuming an annual PHP90,000 is not unusual for you, that essentially guarantees you one flight for free every year!

Final thoughts

So, whether you’re a seasoned globetrotter or planning your first big adventure, remember that “girl math” isn’t just a playful concept – it’s a mindset. By strategically using your credit card, understanding its perks, and maximizing rewards programs, you can truly stretch your travel budget.

From unlocking free lounge access to leveraging travel insurance and earning airline miles, every savvy move adds up. In essence, “girl math” applied to travel is about making smart choices that turn perceived expenses into potential savings, allowing you to create unforgettable memories without breaking the bank. So, go ahead, embrace the “girl math” philosophy, and watch your travel dreams become a reality, one calculated perk at a time!