Are you loyal?

The battle of the loyalty cards... is definitely worth being caught in the middle of. I think the affinity mindset has been around for quite some time. But there was a time that only big establishments offer a way to entice their customers with perks and privileges. There were trips and big ticket items attached to point accumulation. I remember gawking at Citibank's and  BPI's reward catalogues. 

And then there's Rustan's Frequent Shopper card. Unlike today, the accumulation of points and its peso equivalent was easier to remember and more attractive, to me at least. Then, you get P600 for every P20,000 accumulated purchase. It was a good time. Today, I've given up on it. 

These days, the cards I faithfully carry around are the ones I find more useful and worth the membership fee. And to me the following is their hierarchy of value for money, accessibility and usefulness. 

Here it goes. 

1. Bench Loyalty Card
    Membership Fee: P100 (Lifetime)

 

I've had mine for almost a decade now. And I've bought many stuff from my points, even hair cuts.

Winning Features: 

> It's an all-in-one card for all Bench shops including salons -- Bench, Aldo, Charles & Keith, La Senza, PCX, First Aid, Celio, F&X, The Face Shop, Dimensione, Mothercare, Bench Salons and Bench Fix Studios

> For every P10,000 accumulated purchase = P200 peso points 

2. Rustan's Fresh
   Membership Fee: P200 (Lifetime)
                           FREE (for accumulated purchase of P5000 90 days prior to application) 

 

Winning Features:

> It can be used in either Rustan's Supermarket or Shopwise 

> For every P10,000 accumulated purchase = P100 peso points

3. Mabuhay Miles

  Membership Fee: FREE

I've flown so many FREE flights from my mileage. And even awarded it to family members. So awesome!

  Winning Feature:

> Miles earned can be exchanged for free flights

4. Fully Booked
   Membership Fee: 
   Option 1: Spend P10,000 on a single receipt, get it FREE
   Option 2: Spend P15,000 on accumulated purchase within the year, get it FREE
   Option 3: Pay P700 

 

An absolute must for bookworms!

 Winning Features:

> 10% discount on cash purchases

> 5% discount on card purchases

> exclusive perks to partner establishments

5. Tropiclique

Winning Features: 

> point accumulation that can be used for free mani-pedi sessions or hand/foot massages

> birthday treat 

6. SM Advantage

Winning Features: 

> Advantage points to be used for shopping in all SM stores including Watson's, Forever 21, Uniqlo, ACE Hardware

7. Marks & Spencer

Winning Features:

> You can always find nice giftables at Marks & Spencer especially during the holidays so it really come in handy 

8. Marco Polo

Winning Features: 

> Free upgrades, priority booking, unlimited internet/wifi

There's also Mercury Drug's Suki Card, S&R Membership Shopping, Ayala Card, Healthy Options and a whole lot more. 

We live in a consumerist world. Loyalties are bound to be teased by perks and offers every player in the market can conjure. The question is how do we measure loyalty these days? 

Is it number of visits? Is it the average purchase of the consumer? 

Whatever the measure, my greatest question is when do we strike the balance between consuming (and being in debt) and saving? Where does the scale tips? According to the BSP, only 2 out of 10 Filipinos have savings account. 

In a country where retirement benefits aren't enough for the gray years, are we all perpetuating a culture of absolute consumerism? When did the concept of saving for the rainy days fade out from our consciousness? 

XX

Sheng

The barrio girl gets her dream bachelorette

It has been a quarter of a year already since I had the prettiest event in my life leading to my last days as a singleton. But the memory is still as fresh as if it was yesterday. 

This barrio girl had an awesome bachelorette party. I was in cloud nine when my friends surprised me with a spa party. I've always had strong feelings against having a macho dancer or any variation thereof in any bridal shower. I think they're overrated.

Imagine my glee when I found out that I was actually having none of it. Instead, my friends booked my favorite nail spa. They had it closed and it became our nail haven for a few hours. 

What goes on a sparty? 

The salon gets closed for your event. Every attendee gets to enjoy the paid-for services (either basic mani/pedi) or the fancier ones in the menu. All depends on the organizer's budget. 

Of course, since the place becomes a private event, the organizers can serve food, booze and play games. 

Secretly, I've been conditioning myself that there won't be one. You see my big day is a destination wedding. I would understand if my friends would scrimp because they were all going to my wedding. The expense is already something that am so grateful that they are splurging on, just to celebrate with us on our big day. Yet, they came in droves. I mean, I didn't realize I have so many friends!

But then, they made such an effort my heart burst with happiness. I felt so loved. 

Friends, thank you so much for the gift of friendship. I shall forever cherish the day and the memory, forever.

XX

Nail Tropics

Why do I love going to Nail Tropics? It's a little piece of heaven tucked away in the corner of Greenbelt 5's 4th floor. I've discovered this place over a year ago when they were just on a soft opening phase. 

The ambiance, the service and the price are very favorable to my needs. So, I never looked back. The most interesting part is they have a double reward system. One comes in plastic card which records all transactions and gives a specific reward when a certain number of points is reached. It takes a while to get there but the rewards are worth the wait. Another is privilege card that awards you a stamp/signature each time you have a service done. On both cards, I've enjoyed a free hand and foot massage, signature foot spa and free mani and pedi. 

Nail Tropics Reward Cards.

Last night, I was in for a surprise. When I handed my cards, the receptionist asked if I will use already my free mani-pedi reward. Awesome, right?

Hello, pretty nails.

 Happiness is free nail spa. Indeed. 


Nail Tropics is at Greenbelt 5, Ayala Center
Makati
Phone: 632 5013999
Mobile: 0917.8521662