I have personally used only one of the options listed here. Except for Payoneer virtual bank account where I am currently invited to participate in their pilot program, I have not personally tried out these services.

I had identified other options because there are more Filipinos who like to pursue ways in earning online. However, getting customer support help in withdrawing funds is really not that good, when someone gets into a problem withdrawing funds. Just like what this guy experienced: what started out as a dull bearable pain, came back and turned into a headache, then into a migraine – I hope this story doesn’t get worse than that.

PLDT Online

PLDT Online is a huge portal where one can shop, pay bills and buy e-load online. I am more interested in their Smart Money reload facility. If you own a Smart Money account, just withdraw cash directly from verified Paypal or Moneybookers account. I think the transfers are immediate except for the first withdrawal, where there is a need to submit documentation to verify one’s account. There are corresponding fees applicable depending on the how small or how large the amount to be withdrawn.

i$end

The i$end feature is the one that comes with the desktop version of Chikka Txt Messenger. Getting funds from Paypal is reported to be immediate: it will just take a few minutes that funds get credited into one’s Smart Money account. However, there are no enough writeups to see satisfied and dissatisfied users (I found only one through Google, as of writing this post), so it is safe to assume that there are less people who opted to try out this feature.

Payoneer debit card using its virtual bank account

UPDATE: This is already implemented. Enabling the virtual bank account costs $20 per year.

I received my Payoneer card from oDesk more than a year ago. I have used that card not only to receive earnings from that freelance site but also to receive Paypal earnings in just two days. Paypal to Payoneer transfers will be available soon to the card holders. As one of the participants in their pilot program, I am very satisfied with the smoothness of their Paypal to Payoneer transfers. The only problem that I had was when I discovered that my Payoneer virtual bank account was not listed as one of my Paypal bank accounts (I did not lose any money anyway). ReviewMe, Elance, Freelancer and iStockPhoto are some of the sites that offer debit cards powered by Payoneer, aside from the one that I use with oDesk.

Learn more about Payoneer from some of these previous posts:

• Receiving my Payoneer Card
• Coming Soon: Payoneer Virtual Bank Account
• How to Get Paypal Verified using a Payoneer Card
  

Xoom (do not use)

For a time Xoom was used to withdraw funds from Paypal when Paypal did not offer the facility to withdraw to a local bank, credit or debit card. Withdrawal is supposed to be quick but many users have now reported that their Paypal accounts turning into limited status after trying the Xoom facility. I still included this one since it was once an a facility to withdraw funds. Please do not use this option to withdraw Paypal funds in the Philippines.

a funny Happy Slip video about Xoom

Individuals who buy and sell Paypal funds (too risky)

I keep on seeing plenty of  individuals and even businesses who are roaming around in a lot of making money online forums to promote the trade of selling Paypal funds in exchange for G-Cash, Western Union or Smart Money funds. This kind of exchange is too risky because the other party can simply run away with the funds. Transact using small amounts with people who have gained enough reputation: this is best checked through trust ratings voted by many members in several make money online forums.

These alternatives may be more efficient and better than the popular options provided to withdraw Paypal funds.

Have you ever used any of those alternative services or know of any other withdrawal alternatives that I had missed out? Please share your experience through the comments.

In case you are not aware of Smart Money, it is the blue ATM card that Smart Buddy subscribers can avail. Getting cash this way is secured: even if I get to lose either the cellphone or if the Smart Money card gets lost, a PIN is required first before those funds are accessed. Separate PIN numbers are issued for the cellphone and the Smart Money card.

Let me explain how I am able to save this way. Let’s say I have a P10,000 amount to be withdrawn from Paypal. I choose “withdraw to bank account” option and decided to withdraw that amount from my Unionbank EON bank account. As I have illustrated in a previous post, there’s no charge when “withdraw to bank account” option is selected. I need to wait for about three business days before the entire amount gets into my Unionbank EON account without any deduction: meaning, I get the entire P10,000 entered into my Unionbank EON bank account.

This is where I use my mobile phone to take out Unionbank EON bank earnings to Smart Money. That transfer will only cost me P2.50 which is actually taken out from the airtime (i.e. P2.50 is charged from the cellphone load, not from the P10,000 amount). Then I simply go to any BDO ATMs to get the funds out: unless the ATM sets a lower withdrawal limit per transaction, I would get a full P10,000 amount without any additional charges (Smart Money withdrawals are free at any BDO ATM).

If I had withdrawn funds from Paypal at less than P7,000 then I would have spent a total of only P52.50.

I don’t think this one is possible with Globe G-cash, but I think it would be better for Globe to make their G-cash services accessible through an ATM card.

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