Credit cards
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I just saw a report in TV Patrol yesterday, that more and more Filipinos are using credit cards now. Something about not being to make ends meet. Scary.
I learned about the dangers of credit cards at a young age. In Canada, all university students get automatic approval for cards. Actually you don't even have to apply for a credit card, they just send it to you. I guess it was the banks' way to capture a new market - future productive professionals. I learned the hard way. Lived beyond my means. Spent a few months paying off minimum payments and accumulating interest. Eventually I ended up going to my parents with my tail between my legs... and asked for a bail out.
Since then, I've been a very responsible card owner.
I'm not going to get into boring details here. But I think it's time for me to change credit cards. Because:
1) Unionbank Gold Visa - I've cancelled this three years ago. But every year they keep sending me a new card with a higher credit limit. And every year I have to sit by the phone and wait for customer service to pick up (those automated call centres are really driving me nuts). Every year I tell them I've cancelled, then they say there's no need to cancel because they'll just waive my annual service fee. But then a new bill comes for an unpaid annual service fee, with interest! Then I have to call and go thru the process all over again. This is happening now.
2) Dolce Vita Mastercard - I was pretty happy with the service of this card. But then I realized that I was not getting any LOVE from them. The main marketing angle of this card is that it's for women's health. One gets a free mammogram, pap smear, insurance etc... annually. There are charm points that can be redeemed for special services like spas and salons. I tried to claim my free mammogram last week. And had to go thru the long painful process of sitting by my landline and waiting for the operator to pick up - that took about 25 minutes. Not kidding. The mammogram is not free after all, well not that easy. One has to pay the hospital fee using the card, and then submit the official receipt in their office in Makati. And then wait for the refund in their card. Who has the time for all that? The mammogram, by the way, costs only P2,320... a minor reward for all the money I've spent on their card.
I also asked about the charm points - of which I've accumulated for the last four years. Same thing... I have to go to their office in Makati and choose which services can be availed. So I was thinking, there better be Chi Spa at Shangri La or The Spa at the Mandarin there. Nada. Instead spas and salons I don't really use. They also don't have a website.
I'm just looking for a little love from my credit card companies. Maybe some air miles. Or Rustan's gift certificates. And also a faster call centre. A website with all information available.
Can you recommend lovely credit cards?
.
I just saw a report in TV Patrol yesterday, that more and more Filipinos are using credit cards now. Something about not being to make ends meet. Scary.
I learned about the dangers of credit cards at a young age. In Canada, all university students get automatic approval for cards. Actually you don't even have to apply for a credit card, they just send it to you. I guess it was the banks' way to capture a new market - future productive professionals. I learned the hard way. Lived beyond my means. Spent a few months paying off minimum payments and accumulating interest. Eventually I ended up going to my parents with my tail between my legs... and asked for a bail out.
Since then, I've been a very responsible card owner.
I'm not going to get into boring details here. But I think it's time for me to change credit cards. Because:
1) Unionbank Gold Visa - I've cancelled this three years ago. But every year they keep sending me a new card with a higher credit limit. And every year I have to sit by the phone and wait for customer service to pick up (those automated call centres are really driving me nuts). Every year I tell them I've cancelled, then they say there's no need to cancel because they'll just waive my annual service fee. But then a new bill comes for an unpaid annual service fee, with interest! Then I have to call and go thru the process all over again. This is happening now.
2) Dolce Vita Mastercard - I was pretty happy with the service of this card. But then I realized that I was not getting any LOVE from them. The main marketing angle of this card is that it's for women's health. One gets a free mammogram, pap smear, insurance etc... annually. There are charm points that can be redeemed for special services like spas and salons. I tried to claim my free mammogram last week. And had to go thru the long painful process of sitting by my landline and waiting for the operator to pick up - that took about 25 minutes. Not kidding. The mammogram is not free after all, well not that easy. One has to pay the hospital fee using the card, and then submit the official receipt in their office in Makati. And then wait for the refund in their card. Who has the time for all that? The mammogram, by the way, costs only P2,320... a minor reward for all the money I've spent on their card.
I also asked about the charm points - of which I've accumulated for the last four years. Same thing... I have to go to their office in Makati and choose which services can be availed. So I was thinking, there better be Chi Spa at Shangri La or The Spa at the Mandarin there. Nada. Instead spas and salons I don't really use. They also don't have a website.
I'm just looking for a little love from my credit card companies. Maybe some air miles. Or Rustan's gift certificates. And also a faster call centre. A website with all information available.
Can you recommend lovely credit cards?
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