Please don't offer me the SM ADVANTAGE CARD

I do most of my shopping at SM Sta. Mesa and I really find it quite bothersome to be offered the "SM ADVANTAGE CARD".

Usually, before the cashier tells you how much your purchases are, they ask you two questions (like automatons):

Sir, meron na ba kayong SM Advantage?

Gusto niyo po ba ng SM Advantage?

Even before they ask me the question, I blurt out.

Wala. Ayaw. 

The thing is, the SM Advantage Card is NOT A DISCOUNT CARD.  According to its website, the card is described:

SM Advantage is SM’s customer loyalty program that rewards members with points every time they shop in SM Department Store, SM Supermarket, SM Hypermarket and other SM retail establishments inside and outside SM Malls. The points can then be used to redeem practically anything sold in any of those stores.

Aside from reward points, SM Advantage also offers numerous members-only privileges such as exclusive sales, discounts and freebies both inside and outside SM Malls.

Now, the SM ADVANTAGE CARD is NOT FREE.  You, the loyal customer of SM, will have to PAY for the ADVANTAGE CARD.

Being offered the SM ADVANTAGE CARD every tine
at the cashier in SM is ANNOYING.

The SM ADVANTAGE CARD will allow you to accumulate reward points with every purchase and these reward points can be redeemed.

The problem is that it is rather difficult to find out when you can redeem your points.

I used to have an SM ADVANTAGE CARD and I accumulated so many points after a year's worth of groceries and shopping.

One time while paying for a couple of items, the Cashier told me that I should check if I could redeem my points.

So I went to the information desk smiling, thinking that I could get a discount or gift checks or whatever.  The first sign of trouble came when I approached the information desk and found that NO ONE WAS THERE.  Being rather pressed for time, I decided to try and check again with the SM INFORMATION DESK the next day since I would be back at SM to pick up a bed frame that I had bought.

When I arrived at SM the next day, I went straight to the information desk and this time someone was able to entertain my queries.  She swiped my card and after a few seconds, smilingly told me disappointing news:  "Sir, EXPIRED na po ang POINTS niyo."

Ouch!!

So, since then, I have refused the SM ADVANTAGE CARD.