PayMaya app review 2017

For months, I kept looking for a prepaid card that I can use for Paypal and other online transactions.Obtaining a credit card is not one of my choices 'cuz I don't have my own source of income yet (still a dependent student here!).
So I tried Globe's Gcash Mastercard Beep card before but was very disappointed by their service.
I was actually eyeing for either BPI's Prepaid card or the BPI-Ayala Amore Card (The Amore card looks really cute kasi). But BPI's fees are too much considering my budget for account maintenance and such.

I badly want an item online but it was only available from suppliers from outside of the country. I've searched Ebay, Amazon and other sites but AliExpress gave me the most "sulit" deal so I decided to try it. But one major problem blocking me was the Payment options.

Usually, we use my mom's credit card when paying for online transactions like when buying tickets from Cebu Pacific Air during their Pisofare promos. And knowing my mom, she doesn't trust other online stores because of the fear of being charged/billed more than the correct amount needed (scared actually to get scammed by fake online stores). So even without telling her the idea of ordering from AliExpress, I could already smell rejection from her :(.

But this Item is what I've been looking for for months now and they aren't available in the wonderful pasilios of divisoria. So I tried researching for something I could use for that PayPal credit card payment part. And I discovered the PayMaya App.

I've heard about PayMaya before and their Beep card. A friend of mine got his after applying from a kiosk in LRT2 last August but I dismissed the fact of applying as well since PayMaya isn't really famous that time.

PayMaya: The safe and easy way to pay online

PayMaya is an app that lets you pay online so you can buy the things you'd love to have, without a credit card. The app could be downloaded in Google Play and from the Apple store. Upon signing up, It gives you a virtual credit card which you could use instantly.

To sign up, you just need your PHONE NUMBER (they will use his to contact and update you for every transaction you do when using PayMaya and its services) The number could be from ANY network providers (Globe,Smart,Tm,etc.) as long as it is active. (Not to worry 'cuz PayMaya DOESN'T charge anything for every sms they sent to you).

Why having a PayMaya is a major "YES-YES" today?

1. ONLINE SHOPPING!!!

With the app, you could buy stuffs online by giving you your own visa prepaid card that you could load up and fund easily. You just have to input your card details and you're good to go. (just make sure that your account is funded.) 

you could:

• Shop at Zalora, Amazon (and anywhere--thanks to the credit card *winks* )
• Book flights at PAL and other booking sites (CEB, AirAsia, etc.) by using your visa (credit-card-like) card to pay
• Book accomodations in AirBnB and other booking sites.
• Buy tickets from TicketNet, TicketWorld or SM Tickets
• Buy credits from GooglePlay, Apple store and Playstation network. (Finally! I could buy lots of awesome apps <3)
• Purchase Steam credits (don't really know how that one works. haha!)
• Get Discounts on Deal sites like Ensogo, MetroDeal or DealGrocer (much of my addiction.. really. 'cuz I could get discounts especially on entrance tickets of some attractions here in the country)
• Get Discounts in restaurants, concert ticketsa and events - thanks to VISA
• Get Spotify premium! and enjoy the music-all-you-want wherever you go even without data
• Easily order Food from FoodPanda 
• Subscribe to Netflix! (and watch movies, documentaries, series and more)
• and finally, Link it to PayPal! (my main reason actually for using PayMaya) 
• To link your Paypal, you just have to simply sign up/register for a PayPal account.
• Make sure to load at least 1 dollar in your paymaya account (In my case, I loaded up Php100 )
• In the Paymaya account page/dashboard, Click Add a credit card, You have to provide your Virtual Card Number (Visa), Expiry date of the card and the CVV2 (the three digit code)
• Once approved, you will receive a SMS notification in your phone deducting 1 dollar (Php50.88-based on current rate) on your account. This will also be given back to you after few minutes (Mine took only 2 minutes)
• These transaction will also be reflected in your mobile app. You may now use your Visa for Paymaya :)

2. LOADING UP IS SUPER EAAASY!!! (and fast!)

You could load up in 7-eleven connect kiosk which I find super duper hassle-free. (No queue numbers and long lines). Aside from that, you could cash-in from other stores:

• Robinsons Department stores
• SM business center
• SMART money
• SMART padala Centers
• BDO
• 7-eleven stores with Cliqq Kiosks
• (soon) MiniStop
• (soon) FamilyMart

Click here for instructions how to load up your account. 

note: Some loading methods requires you to pay service fee up to worth 15 pesos. but when I tried loading up Php400 at 7-eleven.. there is no service fee! (Yey!) 

3. LOTS (and lots and lots) OF PROMOS AND FREEBIES

Click here to see the list of PayMaya's current promos. Never miss out 'cuz there are lots of freebies like Loads, products and huge discounts specially for  PayMaya app users.

4. BUY LOAD (AT DISCOUNTED RATES!!)

You heard it right.. with discounts! You could use their app and buy eLoad & Call and text promos at cheaper rates. Php 18.40 for a regular 20 pesos load and as save as much as Php80 pesos when loading up worth 1,000 pesos!! come on! that's a huge discount considering most of the retail loading stations are adding up one to three pesos for every load transaction you have.    Update: You can now buy load for both Globe and SMART

5. SEND MONEY TO ANYONE (but you need to upgrade your account to have this)

hmmm.. maybe try this next time. I will just update you guys if i have tried it.

Update: Since I have upgraded my account last 2016, I had the advantage to try sending money. It works pretty Easy! I tried sending Php 14 to another account and it was successful (Plus you could send simple message together with the money you are giving.

6. PAY BILLS 

Yey! Paying Bills online would make my life waaaaay easier!!!

Update: As of January 2017, Paying Bills is now accessible thru Paymaya (Even if your account is not upgraded)

In the "Pay Bills" tab of your mobile app, wou will be required to fill in details such as:

1. Biller
2. Acount Number
3. Exact Amount

You could pay bills to the following companies:

• ABS-CBN Mobile
• AEON
• Bayantel
• Cignal Mediascape
• Destiny Cable
• Finas Wide
• Fortune Medicare
• Globe Telecom
• Home Credit
• Innove Communications
• Laguna Water
• MERALCO
• Manila Memorial Park
• Manila Water
• Manulife
• Manulife China Bank
• Manuplans
• Maxicare
• Maynilad Water
• PLDT
• PLDT Ultera (Smart MyBro)
• Paramount Insurance
• PhilamLife
• Sky Affiliates
• Sky Cable
• Smart Communications (Bro)
• Smart Communications (PostPaid)
• Sun Cellular (Digitel)
• Sun Life Canada
• Sun Life Plans

MY EXPERIENCE:

After downloading the app from the apple store (was using my iPad that time and downloaded it in my android phone after realizing that this app would be so useful), I signed up. Received the verification code via sms after few minutes and entered it in the app. Activated the virtual visa card and received another sms confirming that my visa card is now activated.

I went to the nearest 7-eleven store to load up my account. here are the steps on how to cash-in:

1. Visit the 7-eleven store and proceed to the Cliqq Kiosk.
2. Select e-money
3. Then choose PayMaya
4. enter the phone number you wish to load up and the mobile number you used to register on PayMaya (the good thing is, you could load up for someone else's PayMaya account) make sure to double check the number!!
5. Enter how much you want to cash-in
6. The kiosk will issue a receipt and pay it in the Cashier. 
7. Once completed, PayMaya will send you an SMS confirming the transaction and updating you how much credits you still have in your account. 

I signed up for PayPal also, paid my orders from AliExpress and paid using my Paypal.

Every time I made payments, PayMaya sends me an SMS and is reflected also on the app.

  

left: (using other camera) shot of the PayMaya app on android after loading up at 7-eleven

right: screenshot of the PayMaya app on iOS showing complete history of my transactions.

comparing the Android and apple PayMaya apps:

Android PayMaya app requires you to enter your password everytime you open the app and wouldn't let you screenshot the app.  (Security features) 

Apple PayMaya app also requires you to enter your password too (or you could just simply use your UserID fingerprint to sign in). Also, you could screenshot the app. 

note: if you are using an iPad, make sure to change the settings from "iPad only apps" to "iPhone only apps".

ISSUES:

I have been using my Paymaya for my online transactions (buying from AliExpress) and as a payment methods for my online shop. It was working pretty well buy I had one issue wherein one of my Clients loaded up Php900+ pesos. It was reflected on my account but to my dismay, 7-eleven deducted the same amount. In other words, they took back the money! I tried contacting Paymaya(thru landline and FB messenger) The FB service wasn't really good but the hotline works well. The customer service instructed me what to do and confirmed that the transaction wasn't successful-so they told me I have to go back to the 7-eleven branch. It was a hassle considering that my client had to go back again. In the end, I let the issue go (leaving a loss of almost a thousand :( And did not consider Paymaya as a mode of Payment for my online shop again.

Another issue is that I LOST MY PHONE!! and the FB customer service isn't really helpful. but I tried looking into their FAQs and discovered I could still access my account (provided that I know the number and password). I forgot my password as well so I had to recover it with their "Forget password" feature.

What happens to my account if my phone is stolen/lost?

If you linked a post-paid mobile number to your PayMaya:

• Report it to your mobile network
• Once you recover your mobile number
• Install your new SIM into a new device
• Download the PayMaya app and log back into your account.

If you linked a prepaid mobile number to your PayMaya:

• Use a different smartphone (Android, iOS) to log in to your account
• Change your password
• Use up your balance if you have any
• If your account is upgraded and you have the physical card, withdraw any remaining balance or send it to another PayMaya account
• Create a new PayMaya account using a new mobile number

What I did:

I made a new account (with my new number), retrieved my password in my old account and since I my old account is upgraded, I was able to send the remaining balance to my new account. I tried linking my old physical card to my new account but it doesn't work. I could contact Paymaya again but for now, 

I ain't considering updating my new account anymore. My plan is just to use my new account (virtual visa) for my online transactions (buying items online) and consume all remaining balance by buying Load.

............

CONCLUSION:

Weighing my experience, Paymaya has both pros and cons. But I still like how they try to improve their services. In my year of using the app, I have seen improvements in their customer service and types of product offerings.

PayMaya is still useful for simple transactions like loading, online shopping where visa is accepted, paying small bills because of the easy access & convenience. But I really don't advice using Paymaya for transactions worth around a thousand pesos and above.

For more details, visit their site , follow them on facebook and read the frequently asked questions here as a guide. 

The PayMaya services offers great solution for our everyday needs (and WANTS!! I mean it. those little obsessions of ordering cute and wonderful and amazing stuffs online). and the best part is.. 

IT IS FREE!!! no registration fees, monthly subscription fees,etc. and by looking at it, PayMaya is expanding more of its services to make our lives easier. More power PayMaya! :D 

...........

Paano mag move-on (compilation)

Disclaimer: i did not write this article. I just saw it from other sites and compiled it for personal purposes of reminding myself how to moveon. Lol

How to move on:

First.. Remind yourself that moving on is the best choice specially if:
> You’re asking for attention and affection.

You should never have to look for evidence that the other person likes you. It should be clear. Nor should you ever have to earn love from that person. You are lovable and valuable, simply because you are here. Love from your significant other should be freely given. It should never have to be begged for or asked for.

> You can’t be your true self.

Are you constantly trying to make yourself more “pleasing” for the person you’re with? you shouldn’t feel that way all the time.Accept, love and be yourself. It’s not a solid relationship if you can’t ask for what you want/need, or can’t simply be yourself without fear the other person will leave you.

> S/he doesn’t invite you anywhere.

If someone wants you around, he or she should be proud to bring you places. Please remember your friendship, love, time and company are gifts, not burdens, and deserve to be treated that way. He or she is separating you from others

> You keep trying to “fix” your significant other.

You keep making excuses for your partner’s actions. You have to date the person, not his or her potential.Otherwise, you’re wasting precious moments of happiness focusing on what “could be” instead of the reality of what is.

> Your relationship is one-sided.

People will always be willing to go out of their way, sacrifice and make the effort for things that are important to them.It’s exhausting to give 100 percent of yourself to a person who only gives you 20 percent in return. You deserve to be just as much of a priority as you make your partner.A relationship is a two-way street.

> You have to convince yourself you’re happy.

Don’t keep someone around who leaves you feeling exhausted and depleted every day. Friendship and love should be sources of joy, not stress. If you have to sit and think if you love your partner, you probably don’t; rather,  you like the idea of him or her.

I read a quote once that said, “If you find something good, hold onto it. If you have to convince yourself that it’s good every day, let it go.”

At the end of the day, regret nothing. Time spent with the wrong person can sometimes bring about the right things. Although it’s scary, sometimes you need to run away to see who is running with you.Realizing I deserved better was the first step to receiving it. It’s better to have nobody than to have someone who is halfway there, or doesn’t want to be there.

Don’t hold on to someone who doesn’t deserve you, or stay in a place that causes you more pain than joy.

Will it be hard? Yes! But it’s better to have some temporary pain than a lifetime of being stuck somewhere you know you don’t belong.

You can care about someone, forgive someone, want good things for someone, and still move on without him or her.

You don’t lose anything when you let go of someone who doesn’t care for you the way you deserve; you gain back who you are.

I’ve said this is an another article before, and I will say it again now: You don’t have to have romantic love in your life to have love in your life. Open your eyes to the beautiful world all around you.

Romantic love will come in due time.
------

Stop Loving Someone You Have a Crush On

Ask yourself if you really love this person. Sometimes it might feel like you love someone - the hot guy who works at Starbucks, someone you met on the internet, etc. - but it's really just an infatuation or crush. Yes, you might think about them all the time and imagine what it would be like to be with them, but if you never spend any time with them or they don't even know you exist, it's unlikely that what you're feeling is love.
True love requires reciprocation, it requires spending time with the person and getting to know all of their individual quirks and flaws.
If you haven't experienced this, then it's more likely that you're more in love with the idea of the person, than with the person themselves.
If you can persuade yourself that what you're feeling isn't really love - in the true sense of the word - then you will find it a lot easier to move on.


Make a list of all the reasons why it would never work.

Making a list of concrete reasons why a relationship between you and the other person would never work can be very helpful when you're pining for them and need a little reminder of why you should stop.
It could be absolutely anything - from the fact that there's a thirty year age gap between you, to the fact that they're gay, to the fact that you could never truly love someone who has a tattoo of a Celtic cross on their left bicep.
Be brutally honest with yourself - your heart will thank you for it in the long run. Tell yourself that he/she isn't the nicest person and they don't deserve you.

Focus on developing relationships with available people.

Do yourself a favor and stop mooning over someone it's never going to work out with and start focusing your attentions on someone more available. Perhaps you've been so busy loving someone from a distance that you haven't noticed your soul mate sitting right under your nose.
You know that male friend that's always offering to carry your books for you? Or that girl who looks you directly in the eyes and smiles every time she passes by? Focus on him/her.
Even if you don't develop any romantic engagements immediately, it's always good to put yourself out there and endeavor to meet new people.

Remind yourself that you deserve to love someone who loves you back. 

Unrequited love is painful and is something that no one deserves to live with forever, especially someone as amazing as you. You deserve to be with someone who adores you, who thinks the sun shines out of you, who wants to spend the rest of their lives with you. Forget the idiot who doesn't love you back and refuse to settle for anything less than pure, unadulterated adoration.
Try using positive affirmations to remind yourself of how awesome you are. Look in the mirror and repeat five times "I am an amazing person who deserves to be loved". You may feel silly at first, but sooner or later it will start to sink in.