Own it: The platinum lifestyle

MANILA, Philippines – Used responsibly, a credit card can open doors to a more comfortable lifestyle. The key to unlocking these doors lie in smart spending – to be able to live well without living beyond your means.

Compared to cash, credit cards provide benefits that pay back. Different credit cards, through their basic features and promos, offer unique opportunities to earn rewards for each peso spent.

In this regard, each credit card has its unique personality. Find the one that matches yours and give your lifestyle a boost.

Do you have itchy feet and a sense of adventure? Do you feel a longing to explore the world from the comfort of a plush leather seat, glass of Cabernet Sauvignon in hand? Then a travel card may be your ticket to get there.

From free miles, to free flights and free lounge access, these cards make your travel a bit more affordable and comfortable.

Since these cards link your rewards to spend, it’s best that you use them to purchase your tickets. This way you get miles from the tickets you paid and earn more by converting your points to miles. Also look for a card with the lowest spend requirement per point or mile, so you can earn miles quickly.

The more you use your card, the less you will need to spend for your next getaway. That also means more funds to upgrade to a luxury suite.

Work hard, play hard. You believe in enjoying your hard earned money. You have a nose for deals, and know the latest fashion finds. You are the savvy shopper.

Luckily, there is a card out there to match your thirst for deals. Rewards cards earn points that you can convert to gift certificates or the latest gadgets. Some credit card companies allow points to be converted to cash rebates or waived fees, making your credit card purchase more affordable. You can shop at your favorite store, earn points, get a gift certificate then shop again. It’s like being rewarded for something you enjoy.

You like to save something for a rainy day. You anticipate the little curve balls that life sometimes throws your way. You want to make your money work for you. You’re a smart saver, and a rebate or cashback card fits the bill.

What is a cashback or rebate? This is a small percentage that’s credited back to your credit card account when you make a certain kind of purchase. For example, a 3% rebate on a P3,000 dinner would give you P90 back. Do this weekly, and you effectively save over P4,000 per year. As any saver would know, the small amounts can soon add up to a substantial amount if you stay on the right track.

If the card fits

While a lot of working adults already have access to at least one credit card, it may not always be the best fit to suit their needs. The right credit can set you on your way to the platinum lifestyle that you’ve always dreamed of having. Like a bespoke suit or dress, getting the right fit is a matter of paying attention to the tiny details. – Rappler.com

Standard Chartered Bank is regulated by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP). For inquiries or complaints, you may contact Standard Chartered Bank at 830-1111 (Metro Manila), 1-800-1-888-1188 (Toll-Free, outside Metro Manila) or the BSP Financial Consumer Protection Department at 708-7087 or email to consumeraffairs@bsp.gov.ph.

For more details, please visit www.sc.com/ph or call Standard Chartered’s 24/7 Client Care Centre at 830-1111. No Standard Chartered Credit Card yet? Apply online via www.sc.com/ph/apply. Get a free iPod shuffle worth P2,690 when you get approved for a Standard Chartered Visa Platinum Cash Rewards Card or Gold Credit card. Terms and Conditions apply.