Acting on Sam's advice we zipped over to Superama today to load up on the 2 for 40 pesos curry sauce sale. While we were there we also loaded up on the ever-elusive cranberry sauce, of which they had two displays; OceanSpray and S&W. But I digress. If you all recall V's comments about proving the utility of having an INAPAM card, below is photographic proof. Considering how much we spent today, I really wish I had gotten mine. We have our CURP numbers, but fell into a manana loop when it came to getting the card. Next week we'll renew our driver's licenses and then find our way to the INAPAM issuing office, Apologies for the crappy cellphone picture.
Well, 7% isn't bad, is it, Mixz1. That's also what Walmart gives at its pharmacy. I haven't used the card much, so far, but the best benefit I've gotten is 50% off on ADO tickets, and 50% off on Ultramar tickets. Also, I've been in and out of a lot of parks under the management of the national park system, INAH, since getting the card, and have always been admitted for free. Most museums I've been in also gave significant discounts- or admitted me for free. The card is a great piece of ID, in Mexico, and I've used it when checking in for domestic flights and on other occasions when official ID was requested, like when I signed a lease, recently. For full details on how to apply for the INAPAM card, go to the link, below, and look for the post "Applying for INAPAM ID card", near the bottom of the page. http://www.cancuncare.com/forum/living-cancun-riviera-maya/13536-why-do-you-live-cancun-3.html
I wasn't being sarcastic. 7% is a significant amount. We dropped 1893 MXN at Superama. If I had the card it would have been around 1760 MXN. I think it's interesting that the eligibility dates were for the last two weeks of the month, giving people a break for the holiday. Is the Walmart discount permanently in place?
Hi, Mixz1, it's just the problem with expressing things in writing: I knew you were not belittling a discount, as they are almost always welcome; and, yes, the 7% discount on pharmaceuticals at Walmart is a standing offer, posted in the pharmacy, and readily honored. Some hotels and restaurants will also offer discounts to INAPAM holders, though this is a hit or miss thing, with just some of them offering the discount. It seems to be a fairly standard 10%, when they do offer it. With local buses, in Oaxaca, I paid 2 pesos, rather than 4.5, by presenting the card at the time of payment: I haven't used it here, but I suspect the card will be honored here, as well, on local transportation. Although the process of obtaining the card is a little involved, it comes with no expiry date.
Mix and V, Remember what the little old lady said when she pee'd in the ocean. "Every little bit helps."
I tried the card on the public buses in Cancun, yesterday, and the fare was an embarrassingly small 50 centavos. Unless I used the buses a lot (I don't, because it can take over an hour to get across town) this wouldn't mean much to me; but, to an elderly Mexican on a pension this would be a great help, allowing them to get out without having to weigh the cost of transport. For those who might object to foreigners having these cards, I would remind you it's the Mexican Government's decision to make these available to us as part of the inducement to retire in Mexico. As long as they maintain a policy of encouraging immigration for those who are financially self-sufficient, I expect the INAPAM card will remain part of the package.
Another poster to this forum went to the offices of INAPAM, today, to apply for a card. Although greeted by an extremely pleasant and somewhat English speaking older gentleman (probably the director of the local program, though he didn't identify himself), he was disappointed to learn that enrollments in the program have been suspended, nationwide, for the time being, reason not given. The same spokesman said he expected the enrollments to resume in March and provided a number to call for updates.
Small point but, for completeness I'll mention it, Walmart has reduced the discount they're giving on drugs to 5%, from 7%, when you present the INAPAM card.
