Little Joys from Swiping

Credit card companies are getting competitive these days.  First there was a race towards lowest interest rates, then came balance transfer.  But what is interesting are the instant rewards and perks that goes with the credit card now.   I think Citibank got into this instant reward scheme first.  For a minimum purchase using their credit card they would give free movie tickets or a tall drink from Starbucks then the rest is history.

I at least can think of  3 ways that credit card companies entice their cardholders to use their card.

• Discount or freebie with partner establishment - card has to be used with the partner
• Rebate with a minimum  purchase - credit reflected in the statement
• Free item with a minimum purchase using the card anywhere

As a cardholder of different credit cards for more than 10 years, i think these type of promo or campaign makes swiping you card really rewarding. Yesterday, after collecting charge slips i did some pretty good exercise of exchanging them for goodies.  First stop was Bench, 3 charge slips earned me 3 vouchers amounting to P100 each.  Next stop was a free milk tea from Happy Lemon courtesy of BPI. Lastly, a took home this chocolate from Royce:

 

 I made a P10,000 purchase from the S&R sale last April 1 using my Standard Charter credit card.  Shopping alone during the S&R sale made me save a lot and enjoying this premium chocolate from Royce using the charge slip is really a plus plus.  For P5,000 single charge slip from Standard Charter you can get a chocolate bar while a P8,000 slip gets you a marshmallow chocolate or the amande chocolate above.  Dark chocolate covered almond is a perfect choice for me so got the amande instead of marshmallow. The promo runs from Feb to May 15, 2012 and redemption is from Mar to Sep 15, 2012.

It pays to take care of your credit facility...swipe and enjoy =)