Nowadays, membership cards, Loyalty, Reward Program is commonly offer everywhere. Earning points which is sometimes equivalent to cash that you can use on your future purchases or getting free services is quite a good marketing strategy.
Sometimes a membership fee, renewal fee and some kind of tier/standing before you can take advantage of your earned points and get more benefits do exist, so don't be deceived.
My take on this:
For casual shoppers, after scrutinizing how this things work, I came to realize one thing, Only get a membership card if its 100% FREE! If possible, No expiry, non-renewal.
I have a rewards card tied up to our savings account. It accumulates very good points in every transactions either deposits or transfer/remittance plus any store partners transactions, so this is definitely a perfect reward program. It has no expiry and no renewal fee.
For membership card WITH renewal fee:
Make sure that you are spending big amount in a day/month/year that could cover the renewal fee.
If you are not spending big amounts on their goods/services, plus you are paying a yearly renewal fee to maintain a membership which you didn't get in return is a big joke.
I remember I have this Metro rewards card, I'm a loyal Metro Market Market costumer because it's just one jeepney ride away from home. As far as I know, I have small to big purchases in a month, but when I checked how much points it accumulated for a year it made me think twice.
Okay, I have 100 points = 100 pesos.
The renewal fee is 100 pesos, made me think to just keep my 100 pesos, use the points and forget about that reward program. Anyway, I still renewed it.. I lost 100 pesos cash, but I kept 100 points that I can use in the future. But I am now considering to use the points and no more renewal next year if my points didn't cover my renewal fee.
For memberships that OFFER SERVICES, like Spa, Hotel, Gym or lounge, it's okay to maintain it if it offers EXCELLENT services and make sure that you will use their full services and take advantage of EVERYTHING as a member.
As we all know, places that offers services are quiet expensive and heavy to our pockets when they offer you good services if you pay it for one-time.
Tip: Take advantage of the one-time payments but make sure you really do need the services it offers.
If it's going to a gym, plan your program. Remind yourself that you have to be fully-committed to the program. As an additional tip, choose the place near your home or your office so you don't feel lazy even coming to it everyday.
Banks offer reward cards too.
Banks with FREE Reward cards is also a very good opportunity to earn small points in every transaction or just maintaining a good amount on your savings account. At least you are getting something more than the monthly /yearly interest and some rebates.
Tip: Subscribe to their online websites and check their offer once in awhile, it can be a double points, or a free service/s. Not bad!
I have this card that offers free access to Miascor Lounge at NAIA if you use the card to book your trip, as a seasonal traveler, this one is a good opportunity since we all know how bad it is to wait for the boarding gate to open. I haven't taken advantage of it, but I will surely do!
I am now a patron of rewards, loyalty card and membership programs. I do register online to hotels, museums, airlines, shopping stores that offers free membership comes with a very good perks.
