My Year with Smart Infinity: 8 Things I Love

You know you're a Tita na when the basic phone plans just won't cut it.

I need Internet 24/7. I most especially need it when I travel. I make calls and texts to family, friends, the household staff. I don't need bill shock, at the end of each billing cycle. Most of all I don't want to have to wait in line to pay for my bill.

Fortunately, I upgraded to Smart Infinity last year, and I get all that and more, with my 3500 Consumable Plan. It is so worth it! Here are 8 reasons why:

1. I got first dibs when they launched the iPhone 6. Which was a huge thing, given that the phones practically sold out as soon as they hit the stores. The latest phones out now for Smart Infinity subscribers are the iPhone 6S, iPhone 6S Plus, Samsung Edge Plus and Note 5 devices. You may get them free, when you sign up to Smart Infinity.

2. It's a Travel enabler.  For really frequent flyers, Smart Infinity's Enhanced Roaming Plan will really take bill shock out of the equation. Another great travel experience with Smart Infinity? PAL Mabuhay Miles bundled with your new phone!

Since I don't travel as heavily as I did before, I just use Smart Surf Abroad, where I basically just spend Php550/day for my internet use while abroad. It's available to all Smart subscribers, actually. I'm huge on phone use, more so when I am abroad because I like to stay in contact with Dada and/or the kids back home, I use Waze to get around, get an Uber ride, or just share photos on my IG account.

3. Shopping! Oh yes. With Smart Infinity, you get your elixir of choice. If shopping is more your thing, there's the SSI Purple Card to take care of your fix.

My Smart Infinity privileges definitely came in handy when Dada had to go on a business trip, and he needed a casual winter jacket. Used my stash of Purple Cards at Marks & Spencer, and walked away with this classic quilted jacket he's always had his eye on. Loved that we got it, almost for free!

4. More gadgets! My Smart Infinity x Switch gift cards came to the rescue when I needed a new Macbook to replace my Macbook Pro that got dropped and would no longer turn on. Such a lifesaver,  given that it subsidised a substantial chunk of the cost of my Macbook Air, and for this alone, my Smart Infinity plan was worth it! 

5. One of a kind experiences. Like the Trifecta launch I attended, featuring BenCab + Samsung Note 5 partnership. To watch BenCab himself draw Sabel live, that was breathtaking!

6. First dibs on tickets to musical spectacles!  It has become tradition for Smart Infinity to bring over all the world-class, must-watch musicals, because they do not only aim to provide the best mobile service, they also want to offer the most delightful experiences to their subscribers. Last year it was Chicago. 

This year, it's Les Miserables! I've seen this years ago in London, and I cannot wait to take Berry to see it here!

7. When it's time to pay the bill, No lines! While technically, bills can be paid online, or via an auto-debit arrangement with your bank, it's good to know that Smart Infinity subscribers no longer need to line up if they have to pay at a Smart center. Just say you're a Smart Infinity subscriber, and you can take the express lane, when paying your bills. Because time is luxury!

8. Giving back + More. Smart Infinity is not just about the unbeatable phone service, fancy affairs, gadgets and treats. Smart Infinity donates to the PLDT-Smart Foundation to help fund their causes.

Smart Infinity also gives us practical perks, with First Call 24/7, a new way to get professional health care advice whenever, wherever. Service is free for Metro Manila subscribers until December 31, 2015. Call *800 or your Infinity Relationship Officer to learn more about First Call 24/7.

I've had a great year with Smart Infinity, I can't wait to see what's in store for  2016! Really, I cannot  imagine going back to a basic plan, after this!

It's about time you enjoy these exclusive plans, perks and privileges with Smart Infinity too! For more about Smart Infinity, visit www.smart.com.ph/infinity. 

Sign Up & Splurge with Smart Infinity and SSI

If I were to write down what's currently on my shopping/wish list for the family, it would be:

1) An Olympia Le Tan book clutch. I adore her stuff! So precious and intricately embroidered, they are pretty much heirloom pieces we can pass on to our daughters. As with all heirloom quality pieces though, they come with an insane price tag aka not within my current budget.

Olympia Le Tan book clutch via net-a-porter, $1,880

Thankfully, I discovered this Olympia Le Tan book clutch for LeSportsac via Chuvaness. Available at LeSportsac in Estancia Capitol Commons too. Yes, I called to ask.

Love Letters Clutch by Olympia Le-Tan for LeSportsac

2) A warm but stylish jacket for Dada's upcoming business trip. Dada knows what he likes, and he's had his mind set on a classic navy jacket of great quality that he can wear for many, many years.

Quilted, insulated jacket from Marks & Spencer

3. A cute but practical wheelie bag for Beriray, for next school year. A bigger bag means more subjects, which also means more lessons for me to tutor. But before we get to that, let's enjoy summer first, and shopping for a cute wheelie bag.

 

A Mom & Berry-approved pink wheelie bag from Pottery Barn Kids

4) Cute toys for the boys. Wala lang, I think Xavi and Tepper will enjoy playing with this, when they're both big enough to know they are not supposed to put the small parts in their mouths. Heehee.

Brio Monorail Airport Set from Hamleys

Unfortunately, shopping money does not grow on trees. Fortunately, for new Smart Infinity subscribers, your shopping wishlist might as well be reality, because your shopping money will come in the form of SSI Purple Cards! 

“Smart Infinity has always been about having our members enjoy the lifestyle they want and deserve, hence our latest offerings featuring the Purple Card of our partner Stores Specialists, Inc. (SSI),” said Julie Carceller, head of Smart Infinity.

She added, “If you subscribe to our plans today, you will receive a generous amount of shopping GCs, a.k.a. Purple Cards, matched to your chosen package and/or your iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus device.” 

Purple Cards are accepted at all Stores Specialists, Inc. (SSI) shops, like the ones on my wishlist - LeSportsac, Marks & Spencer, Pottery Barn and Hamleys! This also includes A/X Armani Exchange, Debenhams, Jimmy Choo, GAP, Kate Spade, Lacoste, MUJI, Tory Burch, YSL and Zara, among others.

For Aspire Plan 3500 members, they will receive Purple Cards worth PHP 19,000, while members availing of higher plans such as Prestige 5000 and Premium 8000 will receive Purple Cards valued as high as P35,000.

For those who want their iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus under Smart Infinity’s customer-priority and pampering services, Purple Cards are available in the following amounts corresponding to specific iPhone plans: PHP 10,000 when you avail of Prestige Plan 5000 bundled with a free iPhone 6 (16gb); PHP5,000 for Prestige Plan 5000 plus one iPhone 6 (64gb); PHP21,000 for every Premium 8000 plan with an iPhone 6 (64gb); and PHP16,000 for every Premium 8000 plan with an iPhone 6 (128gb)

iPhone 6 + Purple Card = FUN!

For iPhone 6 Plus offers, the Purple Card amounts will likewise be as follows: PHP 5,000 with Prestige Plan 5000 with free iPhone 6 Plus (16gb); PHP21,000 with Premium Plan 8000 plus free iPhone 6 Plus (16gb); PHP16,000 with Premium Plan 8000 plus free iPhone 6 Plus (64gb); and PHP11,000 with Premium Plan 8000 plus a free iPhone 6 Plus (128gb).

Purple Cards are also bundled with Samsung Galaxy Note 4 and Samsung Galaxy S5 premium smartphones. New Smart Infinity members may receive Purple Cards in the amount of PHP14,000 plus a Samsung Note 4 and Gear S with their Premium Plan 8000 subscription.

James Chi, Marketing manager for Smart Infinity, stated, “This is one of Smart Infinity’s means to let our clients know that we are here to give the best of every mobile and data experience. It’s really one thing to give them plans that cater to their demands—such as network reliability and quality service—and it’s another fulfilling experience to know that your needs are being thought of.”

Chi added, “Previously, we bundled our plans with gadgets and premium appliances; this time, our subscribers get to shop for the premium brands they want for themselves! That in itself is quite an offer.”

And I would have to agree. It was such a thrill to tick off items from my shopping list without having to shell out cash, thanks to Smart Infinity!

For more about Smart Infinity's latest packages and SSI Purple Card offering, visit http://smart.com.ph/infinity/purplecard.