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. 

MFO Paris Series: The Airbnb Apartment

The first thing I did when I got to our Airbnb apartment after freshening up, was to head out to the pharmacy. 

On the way to one of the many I visited that afternoon, I happened to pass by the Arc de Triomphe, which was oh, just in the neighborhood. 

Crazy good right?!

Our Airbnb apartment was in the 8th arrondissement, a jewel box of a place (read as tiny but pretty, haha) that was clean, bright, airy and complete with all the comforts a traveler would need - washer/dryer, iron, ironing board, extra towels, hair dryer, etc. Our host even had a bottle of wine for us. I immediately felt right at home. Haha.

I loved that while the apartment was contemporary in look and feel, the floors were just as I would expect from Parisian apartments - with those classic chevron wood patterns.

Another plus? I had a full length mirror in my room, that was perfect for my outfit shots. Heehee.

This was the view from my first floor room. I lavettt!

Our apartment was right on Rue Washington, flanked by Avenue des Champs-Élysées on one end, and Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré on the other end. Talk about Shopping Temptation Central.

Whenever we would head out towards Champs-Élysées, ito lang naman yung nasa dulo ng kanto. The Louis Vuitton flagship store.

We didn't have an espresso machine in the apartment, but we would get our coffee at the nearby Paul boulangerie, where we would sit outside and watch the early risers walk this scenic stretch of a sidewalk.

We had front row views of Champs-Élysées. Amazing how major this avenue is, but the traffic is nothing like ours here in Manila.

I think we only spent €200 a night for our apartment, which is extremely reasonable considering how well-equipped it is, and of course, the location can't be beat. Gotta love Airbnb. There's nothing like being in Paris and living like a local, in one of the best districts too.

Speaking of which, Airbnb has come up with a convenient mobile app that, through Smart, will now bring the world at the fingertips of Filipino travelers who are in search of a home away from home as well as an immersive travel experience. Read on to find out more:

The Smart x Airbnb Partnership

“A global pioneer in accommodations, Airbnb has revolutionized the way travelers search and book a suitable place to spend their getaways wherever they are headed around the world. It shows how a meaningful mobile innovation can shake things up and enrich the lives of people – and is very much aligned with our vision of a mobile-empowered lifestyle,” said Ariel Fermin, EVP and Head of Consumer Business at Smart.

To celebrate the groundbreaking partnership, all Smart Prepaid, Smart Postpaid and Smart Bro subscribers may enjoy a P2500 discount for a minimum of P8,000 booking at any Airbnb-listed accommodation here and abroad.

Smart subscribers simply have to text SMARTAIRBNB to 2855 for FREE to receive the unique promo code that they can use to activate the discount whenever they complete their Airbnb booking.

The discount is limited to one booking per registered Philippine Airbnb user, but is open to all past and first-time bookers. Booking period us until March 31, 2016 with travel period until December 2016. For more details visit the Smart Airbnb page, and visit www.airbnb.com/smart to book.

Oh, and while in Paris, I did Smart Surf Abroad, which guarantees no bill shock on data roaming. I was on Waze, Instagram, Whats App, Viber, checking my emails and all that, the entire day, for 10 days and I only paid Php5,500 on data roaming charges.

Yes, I lived a pretty Smart Life while in Paris, staying in an Airbnb apartment and staying connected via Smart Surf Abroad. Too bad we missed out on this Smart x Airbnb discount offer, but there's plenty of time to use this for the next trip. Woohoo!

Next up: Pumping breast milk while traveling. Yes, it can be done!