I didn’t plan on getting another credit card.
But here we are.
The Card I Didn’t Think I’d Use Much
A few months back, I got the Maya x Landers Cashback Everywhere Credit Card. I don’t even shop at Landers all that often, but the card came with perks that were hard to ignore. I even got a few Landers vouchers, which was a nice bonus for something I didn’t expect to use regularly.
Since then, it’s become my go-to for everyday spending especially online. What I appreciate most is how charges reflect immediately on the Maya app. It’s so much easier to manage spending when I can see everything in real-time. With other credit cards, I’ve had moments where charges show up days later and it’s just—well, a little too late to avoid the damage.
I like the control Maya gives me in-app: setting limits, freezing the card, and tracking everything down to the last peso. That experience is probably what makes me a little too curious about their newest release.
Maya Black: A Premium Card That Doesn’t Feel Gated
Maya just introduced Maya Black, a black-tier credit card that’s supposed to be their most premium offering yet—but it’s not gated behind the usual barriers.
No long credit history? No problem.
Maya’s using its own AI-powered credit scoring system based on transactional and alternative data. There’s even a secured option built right into the app for users building their credit from scratch.
Everything from application to activation is fully digital. You apply in-app, get instant approval, receive a virtual card right away, and get the physical card delivered later. The physical card is numberless—probably one of the sleekest I’ve seen—and all card details stay securely in-app.
A Reminder of the Bigger Picture
Here’s some context:
Only 15% of Filipino adults have a credit card, according to TransUnion data from Q4 2023. That’s incredibly low in a country with over 70 million adults. According to a 2021 BSP Financial Inclusion Survey, more than half (56%) of Filipino adults say they find it difficult to qualify for one.
And yet, interest is growing fast. Credit cards now make up 38% of financial product searches online, per Google Philippines. That’s a huge spike in curiosity—but access still hasn’t caught up.
That’s what makes Maya Black interesting. It feels like a push to meet demand while removing some of the friction that’s been baked into the system for years.
Let’s Talk Perks
Of course, it wouldn’t be a black card without some shiny features. Maya Black comes with:
▪️Maya Miles earned on every transaction, tracked in real time
▪️3,000 bonus miles when you activate your physical card and spend ₱5,000 within 60 days
▪️Convert miles to rewards like Mabuhay Miles or other travel options
▪️Airport lounge access via DragonPass (PAGSS, Marhaba lounges at NAIA)
▪️Accepted at over 130 million merchants globally via Visa
▪️Advanced security – numberless card, with freeze/replace tools right in the app
Will I Apply?
Honestly, probably.
I didn’t expect to enjoy using my Maya x Landers card as much as I have but being able to track my spending, adjust limits, and just see everything clearly has made it my main card.
If Maya Black builds on that experience while throwing in rewards and travel perks? It’s hard not to be tempted. Especially when access feels more inclusive, not limited to a very small elite.
So no, I didn’t want another credit card. But like I said, here we are.
