More and more, people are opting to pay for everything online, and it really comes as no surprise because who has time to brave traffic just to settle accounts at a payment center? There currently many payment apps available for you to choose from, but there are two that are most trusted by customers, service providers, and retailers alike. One of them is PayMaya.
What is PayMaya?
According to their website, PayMaya is "an app that gives you a virtual prepaid card for shopping online, booking flights, and more." It's powered by Smart Communications, so you can be assured that it's widely accepted in different establishments, but you don't need to be a Smart subscriber to use it. Think of it as a debit card on your phone which you need to siphon money in to make purchases with.
It also has a physical card which you can use in establishments and retailers that accept EPS (electronic payment standard) transactions. The card looks exactly like your regular ATM card, complete with an EMV chip for better security. Physical cards are available in store.paymaya.com and in the following places:
- Robinsons Department Store Business Centers
- The SM Store Business Services
- LCC Supermarkets
- Gaisano Capital Business Centers
- Selected Family Mart Branches
How do you load your PayMaya account?
You can top up your PayMaya account through in the following establishments and online payment kiosks:
- Robinsons Department Store Business Centers
- The SM Store Business Services
- LCC Supermarkets
- Gaisano Capital Business Centers
- Western Union
- Shopwise
- Wellcome
- Palawan Pawnshop and Palawan Express Pera Padala
- Cebuana Lhuillier
- RD Pawnshop
- 7-Elevel
- Circle K
- Bayad Center
- Express Pay
- TouchPay
- ECPay
- Ayannah
- Philtech
- Pos!ble.Net
- Digipay
- eTap
- Pay&Go
- iBayad
- Global Access
- Allcard
- Pisopay
You can also top up using your accounts with the following banks:
- Unionbank
- RCBC
- BPI
- BDO
- Metrobank
- BDO
- PBCom via Instapay
- Maybank
- AUB
- PNB
Of course, you can put in cash at Smart Stores and through Smart Padala.
If you upgrade your account, you can directly link your credit card or your debit card to your PayMaya account for easier money transfer.
How do you upgrade your PayMaya account?
Upgrading your account opens up more things you can do with your PayMaya account. You'll be able to:
- Link and use your debit or credit card to load up your card.
- Use your physical card to withdraw from any BancNet ATM locally and internationally.
- Easily send money to other PayMaya users.
- Get a monthly top-up limit of P100,000, instead of the usual P50,000.
To upgrade your account, you'll need to:
1. Head to the drop down menu and tap "Upgrade Your Account."
2. Fill in your personal details when prompted, including your current and permanent address and your regular source of income, among others.
You'll then need to take a picture of either your primary or secondary ID. Accepted primary IDs include:
- UMID
- PhilHealth ID (digitized PVC)
- Driver's License
- Passport
- Postal ID (issued 2015 onwards)
- PRC ID
- Government office ID
- Integrated Bar of the Philippines ID
- NBI Clearance
- Alien/Immigrant Certification of Registration
Accepted seconday IDs include:
- TIN ID (laminated)
- PhilHealth ID (laminated)
- Voter's ID
- GSIS e-Card
- Police Clearance
- Barangay Certification
- Seaman's Book
- OWWA ID
- DSWD Certification
- Certification from the National Council for the Welfare of Disabled Persons (NCWDP)
- Company ID
3. Afterwards, you'll be required to record a four to five second video selfie, during which you'll be asked to move your head up and down then side to side. This is to help PayMaya verify your identity.
4. You'll get a text message from PayMaya about whether or not you're eligible for an update within 24 hours. You can check the status of your upgrade within the dropdown menu.
How do you send money through PayMaya?
If you've upgraded your account, you can easily send money to other PayMaya users five times a day max. This is to ensure the security of your account. Currently, there's no function to send money from PayMaya to other banks.
What bills can you pay using PayMaya?
PayMaya offers mobile payment services to over a hundred service providers, including utilities, insurance, health cards, government application fees, and more. Here are a few:
- Meralco
- Meralco Kuryente Load
- Bayantel
- Cignal
- Converge
- Destiny Cable
- Globe
- PLDT
- SKY
- Smart
- Sun
- MMDA
- Manila Water
- Maynilad
- NBI
- Pag-IBIG Housing Loan
- Cotabato Light and Power
- Davao Light and Power
- Sun Life Plans
- Pru Life U.K.
You can download the PayMaya app for the full list.
How do you shop with PayMaya?
PayMaya has hundreds of affiliate restos and retailers you can use the app in. At the cashier, simply open your app, tap "Scan QR," and simply scan the QR code provided by the store. Your payment will then be processed like a regular debit card payment.
You can also shop within the app, but since PayMaya isn't an online store, the options are pretty limited. You can buy load for your phone, load for online games, virtual prepaid cards for Cignal cable, Grab Car promo codes, and even pre-purchase treats from Jollibee and and Brownies Unlimited, among others.
For a full list of all of PayMaya's affiliates, click here.
What are the perks of using PayMaya?
PayMaya is huge on cashbacks and bonuses. It suggests "missions" or activities which, once you've completed them, allow you to earn a certain amount which will be credited to your PayMaya account.
What can be improved with PayMaya?
Currently, PayMaya doesn't have a "Send to Bank" service, and we're hoping that gets added to the interface, soon!
You can download the PayMaya app from the Apple Store and Google Play. For more details, visit PayMaya.com.
