New Client's Struggle
A week ago, I have shared here in my article, "A Promo and A Parcel", that the bank called me offering a Credit Card, and I accepted it. After a few days, it was approved. Then it was delivered here to me after 3 days and I immediately activated it. I wanted to enroll that in my BPI Mobile App and change the billing address before I make a purchase. I want my payments to be paid online so that I wouldn't go to the bank or to some payments centers to pay every time. I want to save time, energy, and money for transportation.
It wouldn't be activated immediately, so I have to wait for a few days again.
Before I can receive a message about it, I spend my time watching how it works, the advantages and disadvantages of using it, and the proper way of using it. I don't mean to swipe here and there when it is ready to use, though. I just want to use it to buy a laptop and pay it in installments, so I wouldn't have to touch my savings anymore. Also, I can use it for my Mom's groceries, when we dine out, and for business. As I have said in my previous article, I want to do a reselling business using that Card. If someone wants to buy gadgets in our place and they want to pay it in installments, I'll go get it for them. Maybe, I can also use that to shop for items for our store at home. The store isn't still approved by my Mom, though.
I received a message saying it is now active this morning. It is now ready to use. As I said, it is not my aim. I opened my BPI Mobile App and tried to enroll in that card. It often says "no record", and I can't figure out why because it is now activated. I spend time watching Youtube videos about it but I can't find the right video at first. I reached out to their website and send an email, but it was no good either.
They sent me links to their tutorial videos but I can't still find the solution to why I can't enroll. I called their 24/7 hotline number and listen to the recorded instructions. My concerns weren't included in what they are saying, so I just hung up and continue searching on the internet. Then, I stumbled on a Youtube video again saying that an account number and the customer number are different. That's when I realized my mistake. I thought it was the 16-digit number on my card.
I look up that customer number in the letter that they sent me with the card but I can't find it. It became another problem. I looked upon the internet again to where I can find that customer number. The answers tell me that it is written in the Statement of Account, or the monthly billing statement. Just where can I get that? I don't want to purchase anything yet. Even the direct message of BPI on Twitter told me the same.
I really just have to wait until I can go home to our province and settle this matter. I will ask for their assistance directly at one of their branches, then ask them to change my billing address and ask for my customer number, so I can finally enroll in their online portal. I don't have any other choice aside from that now, I guess. I don't need the laptop now, so I'll let it wait for a month or so. Besides, I have known that it is just okay not to use it regularly. You just have to pay their annual fee and don't leave any pending balances. It would be dormant over time, but a month or two, maybe, couldn't terminate my account.
Problem solved but not quite.
It's partially solved for now, but at least, I know how to fix that already. I should have researched more about this thing. Having a lot of knowledge is powerful and less stressful. To some, it is a curse to have a credit card but I think if only you misuse it. You also need to have the discipline upon yourself to control your hands from swiping them everywhere, then you'll be scratching your head seeing that unbelievable debt that you have to pay within the 21 days grace period. I have been watching Chinkee Tan's videos about this and it's quite very helpful. If you are also a first-time cardholder over there, I recommend Chinkee Tan's videos. He says all you need to know about this thing.
I got a headache from that but after a nap, it's gone. My mind is peaceful again after knowing what to do.
Thanks for reading!
Images edited from Canva
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If you have a good record, you can actually request for the annual fee to be waived. I have had good credit standing when I started using my card and so I requested for the fee to be waived which was approved right away. However, since pandemic, I have been missing out in my payments. Once everything is okay and my credit is good again, I will surely request for the annual fee to be waived again.