Cheap and quality services don't always go together. This is why I am very apprehensive and suspicious of the Cebu Pacific Citibank Card which the airline company is currently promoting.
The invite had landed in my inbox last Monday, and my stomach immediately churned at the sight of the screaming subject line: ""Be the first Juan to apply!" It's one thing to be fun and another to suck at word play. Anyway....
The Offer
It turns out that Cebu Pacific will be partnering with Citibank. To solidify the collaboration, the airline will offer a free one-way ticket for people whose credit card application is approved by the bank any time between July 24 and October 15, 2011.
The Cebu Pacific Citibank credit card will supposedly allow the holder to:
- Redeem a one-way airline coupon for free
- Utilize the one-way coupon to travel to any domestic or international destination
- Avail of points which never expire
- Use the points to claim e-vouchers
- Receive text alerts or reminders two hours before a promo goes live
- Book without fare and destination restrictions
The Catch
Before you get carried away by sweet promises and sundry, be sure to read the fine print - yes, that inconspicuous link found at the lower right portion of the landing page - and you will actually feel like you're opening a can of worms. Here's why:
- The return flight is on you and you cannot use the freebie in conjunction with any of the carrier's other seat sale or promotional offer. You must also use your credit card only to pay for the return ticket.
- The freebie does not include taxes and surcharges. I'm not talking about a few hundreds here, but thousands. Hidden costs usually amount more than the ticket price itself, so be warned.
- The one-way "free" flight stays free only when you remain a credit card user of "good standing" within 18 months. If for any reason you or the bank decides to cancel the card earlier than the stipulated period, you will be charged for the full amount of the "free" one-way ticket. Ouch!
- The "any domestic or international destination" clause is deceptive. In fact, you will not get to enjoy any free flight for the following destinations:
- Boracay, Philippines
- Busan, Korea
- Hong Kong
- Incheon, Korea
- Osaka, Japan
