From SM Advantage Card to SM Prestige Card

I first heard about the SM Prestige card while reading about the SM Advantage card online. I even called the latter a disadvantage card in the past. :D But seeing the number of points I’ve earned over the years through several renewed cards, it may indeed be advantageous after all, considering the fact that I can redeem those points and I’ll still be shopping through SM anyway with or without the card.

Advantages of having an SM Prestige Card

Like the SM Advantage card, the SM Prestige Card offers benefits as well. Some of the notable ones include the following:

1. Redeemable points every time you shop through SM and its partners.

2. Discounts and freebies from various establishments as well as special deals exclusively available for Prestige card holders. You will be notified via email if there are any.

3. Free delivery (with minimum purchase) for SM Appliance and Ace Hardware

4. Access to the SM Prestige Lounge. 
Related: Lounging at SM Prestige Lounge

5. Valet shopping (upon reservation).

6. Priority fitting rooms in SM Department stores.

7. Concierge services which include gift wrapping, bills payment, and other services

8. Special check-out lanes at SM Supermarkets and hypermarkets

For the latter three benefits, you can easily spot the lanes through the SM Prestige card logo.

I'm not sure if this is official but I got an item replace/exchange even without the receipt by simply using the Prestige Card as reference. The SM Store where I got the item from assisted me and was able to trace the purchase using my card's electronic transaction at their store about 3 days beforehand. But this may not always work with all stores and other policies for returns/exchanges will still be enforced, i.e. no-no for underwear and so on. 

How to Qualify for the SM Prestige Card

To become a Prestige Card holder, you should first be a SMAC holder and have made a purchase of at least 300,000 within 2 years. Prestige status is automatically renewed with a minimum spending on 150,000 within 2 years. Spending should be at SM stores and its affiliates.

If you feel like you are already qualified for Prestige, you can contact SMAC through their hotline or through a customer service counter at any SM branch. It is automatically detected by their system though so you don’t necessarily have to do anything. You will be notified through text, email or a phone call.

In my case, I received an SMS notification and was instructed to show the text to a customer service attendant at any SM mall along with my Advantage card and a valid ID. The Prestige card was issued after a few minutes but I get to keep the other card. I just actually renewed it a few weeks earlier and can still use till it expires in 2016.

What it Means to have an SM Prestige Card

I don’t know? I haven’t even availed of the benefits listed above. Anyway, the card is quite new so I am yet to try any of the supposed features. For the latter, the dedicated counters are always filled with shoppers with a mountain of items in their carts so I’d rather follow a regular shopper’s lane. :D

What shocked me is that I’ve spent that much already? It doesn’t even include other malls and stores where we shop and dine as well. I wouldn’t call it unnecessary spending though because it consists of groceries at home and gadgets or gizmos that are needed. We moved last summer and needed stuff so that’s one factor. But how I wish I could have saved more and spent less instead.

Renewal

Here's an update to this post about two years after (November 2016). Renewal had never been easy. I just presented my card to an SM Department Store Customer Service counter (any branch works for this purpose) and waited for verification. It took about a few minutes including printing my new card. 

While renewal is automatic with a minimum spend of 150,000 within two years, you still need to present the card for replacement at any SM customer service counter because there is an expiry date on those cards. 

I just had the card renewed again (November 2018). 

The New SM Advantage Card

The SMAC has a new look. I didn't get the new card and waited for the current card's expiry date before requesting for a replacement card. 

The new card looks neat. The user's personal information is no longer printed in front of the card but is now at the back, making the data slightly more private than before.

How to Transfer Points between SM Advantage or Prestige Cards

You can move points from the older SM Advantage card to a new Prestige card or even between the same type of cards, if you have multiple cards. There is an option to do that through the SMAC website. Just go to My Transactions and then Points Transfer to follow the process. 

I am not sure if this is possible for family members who wants to pool their points together but do contact the SMAC hotline to check.

SMAC Account Online and My SMAC App

Both the My SMAC mobile phone app and the website online version allows you to view your card details including points earned, transactions and more. The website is more detailed though. 

If you own a Prestige card, you can track how many points are needed in order to qualify for renewal. 

To use this feature, you just need to register your email address and SMAC card.

SMAC Support

See this page to fill up the form or for the list of phone numbers if you have any questions about the card:

https://www.smadvantage.com/contact-us

These are the numbers listed as of this update (Oct. 8, 2018). 

Metro Manila:
833-8888 
944-3888

Outside Metro Manila:
1-800-10-833-8888
1-800-8-944-3888

Globe:
0917-833-2090

Smart:
0998-533-8888

Sun:
0923-833-8888

From the list of phone numbers available, I was able to use the local landline hotline. The recording said they are open from 10AM to 11PM. The agent who assisted me over the phone was very helpful. 

Post last updated 3/20/2021