Hassle-free holidays with MegaLink

Not everything will be on hold this Christmas season with the declared eight-day-long holiday from Dec. 25 to Jan. 1.  For most banks, the last banking day for 2008 will be Dec. 24, with a few banks opening on Dec. 29. The next banking day will be on Jan. 2, 2009.  Still, critical banking services will remain ready and accessible for MegaLink cardholders. MegaLink members have undertaken activities to ensure that cardholders can transact conveniently at the ATMs. These include ensuring that sufficient cash is loaded at the ATM; having on-call bank personnel to load cash into ATMs; and monitoring and servicing of ATMs during the holidays.

For more hassle-free holidays, here are some tips from the country’s pioneer in shared ATM services.

• Plan expenses for the long holiday ahead.  Take a tip from Santa and check your list twice.  The to-do list, guest list, gift list and menu will all have a corresponding budget that you can prepare for. 

• Check due dates for bills payment and settle them before the holiday starts.  Be a step ahead and pay bills early.  Bills payment for utilities, credit cards, insurance premiums and even tuition fees are accepted at MegaLink ATMs.

• Schedule your trips to the ATMs.  Transactions normally peak during this season of bonuses and extra pay.  Learn different ATM sites you can access easily, or find alternative ATM locations if necessary, and avoid peak hours. 

• Know the contact details of your bank.  MegaLink member banks have ATM monitoring teams or ATM hotlines that are ready to extend customer support.  Get your bank’s holiday schedule and contact details. You should also have your card and account number on hand when making inquiries. It is highly recommended that you only ask for assistance from bank personnel on ATM-related inquiries.

• Use MegaLink POS services for cashless shopping.  Your MegaLink ATM card is as good as cash in supermarkets, groceries, department stores and other merchant establishments with MegaLink POS terminals.  Your purchases will simply be debited from your account.

• Secure your PIN.  It’s been said before but never done enough:  memorize your personal identification number for ATM transactions and keep it safe.  Many unauthorized transactions are preventable by securing your PIN.

• Use fund transfers in case of emergency.  MegaLink ATMs can enable cardholders of accredited MegaLink banks to transfer money in real time to accounts in other accredited MegaLink banks. At a MegaLink ATM, choose “Other Services” then “Funds Transfer” and follow the directions on the ATM screen. For medical emergencies, some hospitals and clinics using MediLink POS terminals will also accept MegaLink ATM cards for debit bills payments.