I like online shopping. But isn’t always easy.

I don’t own a credit card and since not all websites accept my debit card, I sometimes rely on my credit card-toting friends to use their plastic in exchange for my cash.

That doesn’t always work either. A lot of the websites I enjoy purchasing from do not accept Philippine-issued credit cards. And while others do, they refuse to ship outside the US. Nordstrom, Macy’s, Zappos, Chanel—when I want to buy anything from these websites, I usually bug my US-based friend Peter to order for me. He then waits for the package in his home or office in New York and then sends it to me here in Manila through our favorite forwarding service. I then have to wait for the forwarder’s text telling me the package is ready for pickup in one of their Manila branches.

It’s a crazy process that involves me bugging my very patient friends to satisfy my retail whims.

Paolo Baltao, president of G-Xchange Inc., the Globe Telecom subsidiary that developed the mobile commerce service GCash, is no stranger to this complicated route. He’s an online shopper who regularly buys stuff for himself, his wife and kids. “My problem is, most of these sites only ship within the US. I have to call up my aunt, my uncle, I have to call up my relatives. “Can you be the one to receive the goods on my behalf?” And when the goods are delivered, they have to be there. And then I have to ask my aunt or uncle to find me a cargo forwarder who will ship the goods to the Philippines. I will pester them and ask them, are you sure I wouldn’t have to go to the post office? Nakakahiya na, hassle talaga sa kanila,” he said.

Easy access

Realizing that many Filipinos have the same problem, GCash partnered with American Express in creating a product that Paolo calls “the dream of an online shopper.”

The GCash American Express Virtual Card provides people with an innovative online payment solution, giving them easy access to their favorite shopping sites. The GCash American Express Virtual Card is a prepaid card that’s linked to your GCash mobile wallet.

When you register, you are given an American Express card number and your personalized US address which you can use as both your billing and shipping address when you shop.

Paolo said, “It’s very easy. You just go to the site, enter your mobile number, enter your e-mail address and there you go. Immediately you’re registered, you get your US address, you get your card number and you can now shop.”

A security code feature makes the transactions secure. “Only you will know that code so nobody else can use your virtual card to shop online,” he added.

The key is making sure there is enough money in your GCash wallet for what you want to buy. You can add funds to your GCash by visiting Globe stores or any of the 8,000 GCash outlets all over the country. You can also use your Bancnet ATM card to transfer funds into your GCash wallet. Consumers with BDO, Planters Bank, Union Bank or UCPB bank accounts may also move money to their GCash wallet on the site. That’s one of the things I really like about this service—since it’s prepaid, there’s no risk of racking up a crazy debt and no risk of a stranger swiping your card details and going on a shopping spree with your virtual card.

Low shipping cost

And to make sure your orders reach the Philippines safely, GCash and American Express have tied up with cargo company My Shopping Box. “You can choose to ship it from the US to the Philippines via air freight or sea freight, whichever you prefer. The key here is the low shipping cost. Trust me, I compared it to my previous purchases,” Paolo said. Purchases are delivered directly to your doorstep—no need to pick them up from the post office.

You can also use your GCash American Express Virtual Card to access iTunes Philippines and US, Google Play, Blackberry App World.

“It’s the first time we are introducing an American Express-branded virtual payment product to consumers in the region. We’re making it safe. We make it more secure, more rewarding. We think it’s going to satisfy people,” said Kula Kulendran, executive vice president and head of global network services for Japan, Asia Pacific, Australia American Express.

Paolo has already been using the service. “I  bought shoes for my daughter and Sims 3 for Wii for my kids. It’s a wonderful experience.”

At the press event held at the Makati Shangri-La hotel, I got the chance to try my own GCash American Express Virtual Card. KC from GCash guided me through the steps.

Quick and problem-free

Using one of the iPads at the GCash stations at the event and my phone, we signed up for the service. It must be said that you do not need a fancy shmancy smart phone to use the service. My battered Nokia did just fine.

They had lists of suggested sites—Best Buy, Target, Amazon. Because of my nail polish obsession, I decided to go to Nordstrom. I usually purchase my Deborah Lippmann nail polish bottles from Rustan’s but sometimes she releases exclusive sets with Nordstrom. I spotted the three-bottle Christmas In The City set for $42 and ordered it using the American Express credit card number and US address GCash provided when I signed up. The transaction was quick and problem-free.

I placed my order on Oct. 15, Nordstrom shipped it on Oct. 17. On Oct. 24, I received an e-mail from My Shopping Box, telling me my package had arrived. Two days later, on Oct. 26, I logged on to My Shopping Box to authorize the shipment. I was given the choice between air freight ($17.97) or sea freight ($8.97). I went for air freight and paid for the shipping charges with GCash. I was then given a tracking number. Six working days later, I woke up to find the package in front of me, already waiting to be opened.

GCash American Express Virtual Card has turned me into an instant fan. I’ve been recommending it to all my friends.

First-time subscribers get a one-month free trial. After one month, subscribers can continue using the service for as low as P250 per year. Monthly and semiannual subscriptions are also available.

This might just be the answer to your Christmas shopping problems. But can they handle the holiday rush? We asked Paolo. “Oh yeah, definitely.”

Visit www.globe.com.ph/gcash-amex for more details.