Credit Card Promotions And Benefits In The Philippines 2017 Guide To Freebies And Rewards

Credit card promotions have become an essential factor for consumers when choosing financial products in the Philippines. In 2017, several credit card issuers offered compelling benefits ranging from free merchandise to enhanced rewards programs. This article examines the notable credit card promotions and benefits available during that period, focusing on the free offers and rewards that cardholders could access.

Overview of Credit Card Benefits in the Philippines

The Philippine credit card market in 2017 featured several competitive offerings designed to attract consumers with various spending habits and preferences. Credit card issuers provided different types of benefits, including rewards programs, promotional merchandise, and enhanced earning opportunities. These benefits served as incentives for both new and existing cardholders to use their cards for purchases.

For consumers in the Philippines, credit card benefits extended beyond simple payment convenience. They represented opportunities to earn rewards on everyday spending, access exclusive merchandise, and enjoy special privileges at partner establishments. The competition among credit card issuers led to increasingly attractive offers, with each card targeting different consumer segments based on their shopping behaviors and preferences.

American Express Free Luggage Promotion

One of the most significant credit card freebies available in 2017 was the American Express free luggage promotion. This offer provided newly approved cardmembers with an opportunity to redeem complimentary luggage after meeting certain spending requirements.

Promotion Mechanics

The American Express free luggage promotion was open to all newly approved Basic and Supplementary Cardmembers of American Express Platinum Credit Card and Cathay Pacific American Express Elite Credit Card issued by BDO. The promotion period ran from January 16 to April 15, 2017, with the redemption period extending from February 8 to September 15, 2017.

Cardmembers with upgraded, downgraded, converted, replacement, or renewal cards were not eligible for this promotion, regardless of whether the changes were bank or client initiated. This restriction ensured that only first-time cardholders could participate in the offer.

Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for the free luggage, cardmembers needed to activate and use their cards at any establishment within 90 days from card issuance or until July 15, 2017, whichever came first. Each cardmember was required to reach a minimum single or accumulated local or overseas spend requirement of P200,000 to be eligible for redemption.

For accumulated receipts, each chargeslip needed to be a minimum of P10,000 or USD200. For transactions in other currencies, BDO would set a fixed rate throughout the duration of the program. All local retail, installment, and international purchases qualified toward the spending requirement.

Redemption Options

Qualified cardmembers who met the spend requirement were entitled to redeem one free piece of luggage from Samsonite or American Tourister. Additionally, cardmembers had the option to redeem any bag or luggage from High Sierra and Lipault worth P10,000, if available in the redemption outlet.

This redemption flexibility allowed cardholders to choose luggage that best suited their needs and preferences, enhancing the value of the promotion beyond a standardized free item.

Shopping Credit Card Benefits

Several shopping credit cards offered valuable benefits and rewards in 2017, each targeting different consumer segments with specific spending behaviors.

Citi Rewards Credit Card

The Citi Rewards Credit Card positioned itself as an all-inclusive option for consumers seeking flexibility in their rewards program. Cardholders earned one point for every ₱30 spent, with rewards that never expired and could be used for purchases at over 1,000 shops, theatres, and restaurants throughout the Philippines.

A significant benefit of the Citi Rewards Card was the accelerated earning potential. Cardholders received 3x rewards when shopping, dining, or booking tickets with Cebu Pacific, allowing them to accumulate points faster than with many other shopping credit cards.

At the time, Citibank was offering a promotion that waived the annual fee for new customers for life, with the promotion running through March 31, 2017. This made the card particularly attractive for new applicants looking to maximize value without ongoing fees.

BDO Shopmore MasterCard

The BDO Shopmore MasterCard was positioned as a budget-friendly option for consumers. With this card, cardholders earned one point for every ₱200 spent at affiliate SM retail stores and SM partner establishments such as property and hotels.

A notable benefit of the BDO Shopmore MasterCard was the inclusion of a free SM Advantage Card, which provided additional shopping benefits. Cardholders also earned an additional 0.5 points on top of regular points earned on their SM Advantage Card, enhancing their rewards potential.

The card offered a 5% rebate on a minimum spend of ₱5,000 during SM's 3-day sale events, providing significant savings during promotional periods. This feature made the card particularly valuable for consumers who frequently shopped at SM stores and participated in sale events.

BPI's Ayala Malls Amore Credit Card

For consumers who frequently shopped at malls, BPI's Ayala Malls Amore Credit Card was positioned as an ideal option. While the specific benefits of this card were not detailed in the source material, its association with Ayala Malls suggested that it offered enhanced rewards or privileges for shopping at Ayala Mall establishments.

The card was specifically recommended for consumers who did a lot of their shopping at malls, indicating that it likely provided enhanced earning rates or exclusive benefits at Ayala Mall locations.

Digital Payment Methods and Their Benefits

The Philippine financial landscape in 2017 saw the emergence of various digital payment methods that complemented traditional credit card offerings. These digital solutions provided additional convenience and benefits for consumers.

Digital Wallets

Several digital wallets gained prominence in the Philippines in 2017:

• Boost: Created in 2017 by Axiata, a Malaysian telecom operator, Boost Wallet was one of the fastest-growing wallets for local users and the most popular local e-wallet.
• DANA: Founded in 2018, DANA was an Indonesian financial technology company committed to serving as a bridge to accelerate digital transformation and financial inclusion, contributing to the development of a cashless society in Indonesia.
• BPI: As the largest retail bank in the Philippines with over 5 million digital subscribers, BPI offered an extensive digital services ecosystem that allowed users to make online payments through the BPI mobile app.

Online Banking Options

Several banks provided online banking payment options:

• Bank Syariah Indonesia (BSI): A mainstream bank in Indonesia that supported users in making payments using bank transfers.
• CIMB Niaga: One of the leading banks in Indonesia that allowed users to complete payments using bank transfers.
• Express Bank Transfer: An emerging bank transfer product known locally in South Korea as "the right to send." This product represented a significant improvement over traditional bank transfers, which often involved frequent page redirects and complex payment steps, resulting in high transaction interruption rates and low success rates.

These digital payment methods enhanced the convenience of credit card usage by providing additional channels for transactions and potentially offering integration with credit card rewards programs.

Innovation in Credit Card Marketing

In 2017, credit card issuers in the Philippines demonstrated increasing innovation in their marketing approaches and technological implementations to enhance the customer experience and drive card usage.

MCC's Digital Innovations

MCC (likely a credit card issuer) implemented several digital innovations that positioned it ahead of the competition. The company made the strategic move from hardware to the cloud as part of its commitment to digital innovation, winning the award for Best Technology Implementation - Back End.

Through VMware's virtualization and cloud solutions, MCC was able to efficiently roll out new products and services through modern IT that was streamlined, swift, and secure. This technological advancement enabled the company to respond more quickly to market demands and deliver better services to cardholders.

Gamification and Social Media Integration

MCC launched the Winzone gamification concept aimed at increasing cardholder activation and spending while generating cost efficiencies. This approach represented a shift toward more engaging and interactive methods of encouraging credit card usage.

The company also introduced a social media Lead Generation Program that won the Best Digital Marketing Campaign award. Recognizing the Philippines as the social networking capital of the world, MCC leveraged the power of social connectivity to serve more consumers and reach potential new cardholders by making credit card applications easier, faster, and more convenient through platforms like Facebook and Instagram.

These innovations reflected the broader trend in the financial services industry toward digital transformation and customer-centric approaches to credit card marketing and service delivery.

Conclusion

The Philippine credit card market in 2017 offered a range of compelling promotions and benefits for consumers. From the substantial free luggage promotion offered by American Express to the enhanced rewards programs of shopping-focused credit cards, cardholders had numerous opportunities to derive additional value from their credit card usage.

The competitive landscape drove issuers to innovate not only in their benefit structures but also in their delivery methods and customer engagement strategies. Digital transformation initiatives, gamification, and social media integration emerged as key differentiators in how credit card companies interacted with and served their customers.

For consumers in the Philippines, these developments translated into more valuable rewards, greater convenience, and enhanced experiences when using credit cards for their everyday purchases and larger expenditures. As the financial services sector continued to evolve, credit card freebies and benefits remained a critical factor in consumer decision-making and competitive positioning among card issuers.

Sources

1. The Best Shopping Credit Cards for 2017
2. Payment Methods
3. Free Luggage Promotion
4. MCC Digital Innovations