The Swirl Card from The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf

I love coffee. Any brand. I'm not picky and I'm definitely not a coffee expert. I don't know what granules are best and what not but I do love coffee. Coffee to me is like cigarette to smokers wherein after a heavy hearty meal you just get the urge to have because you feel it washes away that feeling of "bloatness" (Is that even a word? I'm not sure if I am making sense but just go with me hahahahahaha *nervous laughter, body shaking. Caffeine overload*). Hihihi! Nah, I wouldn't really call myself a coffee addict because I can limit myself to just 3 cups a day (since I am still proudly breastfeeding at night). And according to most breastfeeding research I googled, up to 3 cups is okay for breastfeeding moms. (Always best ask your OB-GYN first don't take my word for it).

But anyway because I have been willingly locked up in the cave of mother hood and refused to go out (beautiful, colorful cave with butterfly murals and rainbow sprinkles), it is only now that I came across this wonder that is called Swirl Card of The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf. The cashier sales-talked me and explained that with the card, you can earn points that you can use for purchase yada yada yada. During this point, my mind sort of wandered off because a lot of establishments have the same concept but then miss Cashier brought me back when she suddenly said the two magic words which sounded slow motion but with music to my ears...

"FREE WI-FI"

Free Wi-Fi to all branches when you present this card which only cost 195 Php? Obviously I was sold!

Now you might be thinking what the big deal is with free Wi-Fi in a coffee shop. Well, let me tell you, here in the Philippines, that other popular coffee shop that we know and love and another one that is kind of popular as well (Fine. Starbucks and Figaro) have certain charges for Wi-Fi access. Bummer, right? Exactly. In New York you can pretty much steal Wi-Fi connection in every corner. But thankfully a lot of other establishments now give free Wi-Fi access so kudos to them! Anyway I figured this would be helpful for me especially during waiting games in between work-related events and the like.

Oooh and did you see the designs? Sooo pretty!!! This was my second reason for buying (obviously). This means I'll be able to buy me more White Chocolate Dream Frap! It's my favorite! I was actually bumming really hard during my pregnancy because I was really craving for it but I couldn't because it's coffee-based. So I had to be strong and resist :( I completely gave up coffee during my whole pregnancy and first 8 or 9 months of motherhood. So I guess this is a kind of reward for me hehe.

I got this Paris looking design. Lovely!

Some info on the perks of Swirl card:

1. For every 100 php purchase (single receipt), you earn 5 points. So if your bill is 220 php, you earn 10 poins (as explained in the card pack)
2. Points are as good as cash and are effective IMMEDIATELY. Now na! Meaning you can spend your points right away. (For 15 points you can upsize your drink! Yum! No more Mrs. Cheapskate for me hahaha!)
3. Again, Freeeeeee Wiiiiiii-Fiiiiiiii!

You just need to register your card at www.swirlrewards.com.ph . You can also check your points there and other freebies. Cool! Looks like The Coffee Bean is really making efforts to be "the place to hang out and do your homework" place. They brilliantly thought of providing laptop locks so your laptop will be snatch-free when you have to go to the loo or order more stuff from the cashier or something. Not sure how it actually works though or how it looks like. But it sounds awesome!

So there I just wanted to share this little discovery I made today. So to other coffee shops, don't take it personally but looks like I'll be spending more time here for now. Peace!!! ;-)