The Pandemic Made Me Do It: Going Around the City Without Cash

During, the pandemic, I remember going home from a weekly grocery run with my wallet completely devoid of cash. I tried to get as much as I can so I can avoid going out for a second time. Also, bringing home cash handed to you was like bringing a known source of dirty bacteria. So, I didn’t mind not having walk-around money, especially if it meant keeping myself safe. But, I would be lying if the proposition of getting caught out without no money at all. After all, cash is king here.

But, having lived in the city at the time, if you’re signed up to services like GCash or Maya, you’re already carrying money. You just need your phone with you. It’s like having one less thing to worry about in your pockets, which is always welcome.

While I’m wary about going cashless indefinitely, it doesn’t feel like a pandemic fad. People adapted the idea en masse. That’s why I thought it apt to test if you can really make do without hard currency. I’m talking zero cash or coin. I want to know how much the pandemic changed this part of daily life.

So, here’s what I learned after braving the streets with no access to cash.

On Malls and Supermarkets

Going to malls without cash is a match made in heaven. The big three, Ayala, Robinsons and SM, are the first to offer cashless payment during the pandemic, and everyone in their malls followed suit. The gravity of these three companies essentially pulled everyone into the cashless orbit, and soon enough, every outlet joined in on the digital party.

You can go shopping, eat at restaurants, play arcade games, and get your groceries without having to take out a single bill. It’s something I’ve done multiple times at this point, and I can’t see going back to the hassle of counting changes and all that.

On Convenience Stores

Convenience stores are a hit or miss. I remember being told several times by a cashier that their system is down after my item has been scanned, forcing me to look around for the nearest ATM and take money out to pay. It happened quite a lot that I would ask the cashier about cashless payment before picking up a single thing in the store. So, it’s definitely safer to carry cash if you frequent Ministop, 7-11, and the like.

On Restaurants and Bars

Chain restaurants such as Mango Tree, Wildflour, Elephant Grounds, and more almost always accept cashless payments. Even Jollibee, McDonald’s and KFC, which had previously only ever accepted cash payments, made the no-contact option available to their customers.

It’s bars and clubs that usually don’t take cashless payment. Credit cards are fine, but it’s not a no-contact payment if you hand someone your card. As always, it’s best to ask what kinds of payments they accept before you’re even seated, especially if you're planning on running up your tab.

On Food Delivery

The two players in this sector, Grab and Foodpanda, allow cashless transactions. But, the former makes it a little tricky to use your usual no-contact options (GCash and Maya). You must send money from your app to Grab, which is basically a bank transfer that costs a P15 transaction fee. You can connect your bank account or a debit card if that’s an alternative that works for you.

On the other hand, Foodpanda only allows GCash and debit or credit card integration.

Each platform has some exclusives that could entice you, such as a new fast-food chain that’s only available on Foodpanda or an upscale restaurant that offers Grab-only delivery. In the end, it could come down to your preference.

On Travelling

For people flying somewhere in the country, having cash on you is the safe option. But, for those going out of town, it’s a mixed bag. You can get your RFID tags and put some money on it, so you don’t have to go through the cash lane. As for food establishments, it’s best to call in advance to know the payment situation.

It’s hard to say if the cashless trend is going to stay or not. As a firm believer of the no-cash movement, I hope that it’s going to be a permanent fixture in every kind of retail experience in the city. Having cash will always be part of the life here, but counting all that coin and folding your bills? I’m not sure if I want to go back to that.