It’s hard not to think about all the things to blow your year end bonus on, especially when December is just a few months away.
You can choose to do the adult thing and spend it on bills, loans, insurance, home improvement, or investment.
Or if you can afford to forget about all that, you may want to treat yourself to some well-deserved pampering.
Luxurious Staycation
You’ve been working so hard, and you deserve a really nice treat that will rejuvenate your body and mind. What do you say to a luxurious staycation?
When you book with your Citi credit card from now until December 30, 2019, you can enjoy 50% off on deluxe rooms at the Marriott Hotel (standard room rates start at 12,000 PHP per night).
A minimum of two nights stay is required, but a buffet breakfast for two is included. Advance reservation is also required, especially if you’re planning your staycation there in December.
You can also book and stay at Astoria Hotels and Resorts from now until December 30, 2019 and enjoy a 50% discount on their published room rates.
Choose to stay at Astoria Greenbelt or Ortigas, or fly to Astoria Boracay or Puerto Princesa to make your staycation a real vacation. Make your reservation in advance, though, because there are blackout dates.
Food Trip
If food makes you happy, then you truly don’t need to feel guilty when you blow your year end bonus on buffets. Especially if you avail of different buffet promotions in town using your BDO credit card.
For example, you can enjoy 50% off on Cafe 1228’s lunch and dinner buffets at the New World Makati Hotel from now until February 28, 2020. You can bring your significant other with you, or you can bring the whole family along. Maximum is 12 diners.
This promo is valid for weekday lunch (11:30 am to 2:30 pm), weekend brunch (11:30 am to 3 pm), and dinner (6 pm to 10:30 pm). But there are blackout dates, such as Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve, and New Year’s Day. Make sure to book in advance and plan your food trip accordingly.
You can also avail of the 50% off on buffets at Cafe Eight at Crimson Hotel. This offer is valid until December 31, 2019.
You can go for Saturday buffet lunch, Sunday brunch, or buffet dinner every Monday to Friday. The minimum is two diners and the maximum is 10. With the 50% discount, you will only be spending 900 PHP to 1,050 PHP per person for the buffet.
Do you live for samgyeopsal? If you do, you can treat yourself to a Korean barbeque buffet at GEN Korean BBQ House at the Mall of Asia Complex until December 31, 2019.
They offer a 5+1 and a 5+2 buffet promo. If it’s your birthday, you can take advantage of the 4+1 buffet for free. Children below 3 feet can eat for free. Advance bookings are required.
Travel
Have you always dreamed of experiencing a White Christmas or walking the Parisian streets whilst holding hands with that special someone?
If you are a BDO credit cardholder, you can enjoy up to 25% discount with the KKday Getaway promo.
Book a trip, tour, or activity in destinations like the USA, Australia, Germany, Italy, or Paris in France. This discount also applies to Asian destinations like Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Korea, Japan, Taiwan, and anywhere in the Philippines. The promo runs until January 1, 2020, and the travel period is until February 29, 2020.
You can also avail of BDO’s Travel Now Pay Later offers until December 31, 2019. Experience winter in Korea for 6 days and 5 nights (Dec 26-31) and pay the all-in package price of 53,550 PHP in 3 installments (21,183 PHP per month). There are packages available for Tokyo and Osaka as well.
If you don’t want to fly, you can take a cruise to Australia and New Zealand, too. You can even travel to Coron and Siargao and pay later for an all-in price of 14,000 PHP and 20,000 PHP respectively.
Wardrobe Makeover
If you have always wanted to do a closet overhaul, your year end bonus can help you achieve this feat. A credit card that offers lots of discounts and rewards can help you buy your new set of clothes, shoes, makeup, or accessories.
For example, shop online at Zalora with your HSBC credit card to get a 12% discount on your purchases. Just make sure to key in the code HSBC12 when you check out.
You can also shop to your heart’s delight at Robinsons Department Stores using your Security Bank credit card. Avail of their 0% ChargeLight Installment Plan of up to 6 months.
Cosmetic Procedures
These procedures are not what you can call cheap. But with your year end bonus, you can afford to have one. Depending on the procedure, of course.
HSBC credit cardholders can get a 15% discount for a minimum spend of 2,400 PHP on their first visit at Belo. For the succeeding visits, you get 10% off with no minimum spend. You can also take advantage of the 0% interest installment up to 12 months.
If you have a Security Bank credit card, you can enjoy 20% off on Belo facials, Ulthera, and Thermage FLX treatments. You can opt to receive these treatments under their 0% ChargeLight Installment Plans and pay up to 6 months.
Do you have an RCBC Bankard credit card? You can finally get the eyebrow makeover you’ve always wanted!
Enjoy up to 74% discount at Browhaus The Brow Salon on their Lash In Bloom 2.0 treatment. That means you pay only 1,500 PHP instead of 5,800 PHP.
You can also buy 6 sessions of Multi Lash in Bloom treatments and get 1 for free, with a free lash removal as well.
Before that year end bonus gets credited to your account, seriously think about how you want to spend it. It’s fine to splurge every now and then, but don’t forget that you worked hard for this money so don’t go too crazy! Consider how you can maximize it and how it can best help you and your finances.