Sunday, September 17, 2006
Just swipe it
By Jnggoy Salvador
CASH or card? This must be the most asked question when you go shopping for just about anything nowadays. Plastic rules! In this time and age, the credit card can purchase just about anything, depending on your credit limit that is. But in this country, having a credit card is a sign of reliability. The process of owning one is tedious, you need proof that you can pay the bills you are about to acquire, much like proof you have to present to the US embassy that you are returning to your native land.
Now tell me, do you have a credit card?
Owning one is a huge responsibility. Discipline is required, even more than the disciples of any Shaolin Temple. Sans the cash, or shortage of it, in your wallet, the credit card can replace the absence of the "root of all evil". Thus making it easier to own that object of your affection, desire or just-for-the-heck-of-owning-it. Yes, it is that easy.
The moment of truth will come at the end of the month or whenever your credit card bill is due to arrive.
But until it arrives, comes the lack of sleep especially when you have omitted to take track of your expenditures and the bills have piled up to an unbelievable amount. Then it will dawn on you that indeed you have spent more than what you have earned.
Happiness, regret? All it takes is a single swipe and your life will change for the better, or for the worse.
If you consider yourself a shopaholic, and you can afford it, then the credit card can be your very best friend. No worries of bringing bundles of moolah in your purse. Nobody carries that much cash anymore honey. And with the battle of the credit card companies these days, they have come up with programs that will keep its clients loyal... and spending more.
The more you spend, the larger rebate or bigger gifts you can acquire.
Think about the point system, A certain number of peso earns you a point and with so much points you can earn your own......Tupperware collection! A perfume bottle perhaps, a refrigerator, television, an IPod or a massage in your favorite spa. The gifts are getting better as the companies try to out-do their competition.
Now comes the alliance of credit cards with the airlines. Shop to death and earn mileage that will take you to your dream destination. Who says your Gucci wardrobe and accessories are dead investments?
Now you can don that outfit and lug those signature bags to the world's fashion capitals of Paris, New York, Japan and/or Milan. A fashionista with a look like you walked out of a fashion magazine. All thanks to your credit card, look like a million bucks (or you just spent that much) and you get to travel for free (well call it like a gift for spending like Paris Hilton).
A recent affair at the Waterfront Insular Hotel was held to announce to everyone that another bank has merged forces with an airline that belongs to a bigger consortium. Welcome to the club of airline mileage accruing. BPI with Northwest airline, sounds like a good alliance.
It looks like a very interesting deal, try to get in touch with any one of them and ask for information. If any of the executives have asked me to be a member on that night, I would have dropped my other credit card, one that I have been loyal to for years, and got one.
But it seemed like the executives didn't have time to say hello and mingle with the prospective clients with disposable income but rather chat with their peers that they just have sealed partnership with. Well, at least they smiled for the cam. The girls did the job by the way. they did smile a lot and offered their card.
The affair was good plus it was a nice evening to see old friends I have missed in my long absence. And a chance to see what this card can offer me in exchange for the purchases I am about to make in the near future, if ever I decide to get this one. Let me put it this way, I am an impulsive shopper plus the fact that I consider myself my good friend's personal shopper, this year, I could have traveled to Europe and back.
I am really thinking about owning a credit card with a mileage program, now I just have to see which company will offer the best deal. What's your best offer, give it to me and let me see the world with just a swipe.
(Great job Marga!)
For Bisaya stories from Davao. Click here. (September 17, 2006 issue)
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