What is Curve card? Curve is an app and debit card that lets you combine all your other debit and credit cards, whether physical or virtual, into one Mastercard card and app. It also allows you to add crypto cards for spending cryptocurrency alongside traditional payment methods. With Curve, you have the ability to switch between multiple cards and currencies as needed.
What’s Special About Curve Card
- You can make purchases using your credit card from merchants who don’t accept credit card by using Curve debit card details.
- Curve doesn’t apply any fees when spending in the currency your payment card is set to in-app.
- You save money on purchases and ATM withdrawals made abroad with Curve because there aren’t any fees.
- You can use your Curve card to buy cryptocurrency from supported merchants.
- You earn cashback via Curve Cash program when spending with your Curve Card.
How Curve Works
Curve Card is basically linked to an e-money account. It is a physical and virtual card. The money in the account comes from your linked payment cards. When you use your Curve Card, you are using the e-money loaded on the account linked to your Curve Card. Purchases or withdrawals made by Curve card are categorized as eCommerce transactions.
You can generate a Curve virtual card instantly and start using it before your physical card arrives. To start spending with your virtual Curve Card, you will first need to activate it in the app.
Curve is straightforward and easy to use. The Curve app is designed in a way that it’s simple to add cards, track payments, and navigate external wallets. Once you activate your virtual Curve card, you can safely pay for online transactions using your card details found in the app. You can also add your virtual Curve card to Apple Pay, Google Pay, or Samsung Pay.
Curve Cash is a feature of the virtual Curve card in the Curve app. It stores all your Curve balance, which is made up of money earned through cashback, promos, any money sent to you from other people on Curve, and referrals. Curve supported cards are Visa, MasterCard, and Discover debit and credit card. However, it does not support American Express, JCB, Maestro, or UnionPay card.
To create Curve card account, you need to the Curve card app available for both Android and iOS. After downloading the app, verify your phone number and email address. Then, provide personal details including your address and country of residence. Next, choose the type of Curve card you want. Then add and verify your bank cards. To verify your card, there will be a Curve card verification fee in form of a microcharge, less than 1.5 GBP (or equivalent), which will be immediately refunded.
To close Curve account or to cancel Curve card, you need to cancel your account. To do this, you’ll have to contact Curve and they will do it for you. All they will ask will be the reason for your decision (but you are free not to provide reasons) and some security details. If you ever decide to come back, you can do that at any time.
If you are on one of premium Curve Black or Metal tiers, your account will have to be downgraded and cancelled afterwards. You have a 14 day cooling-off period from the date you paid for your Curve subscription. If you decide to cancel within this time you’ll receive a refund. If you’re on Curve Metal and you request to cancel your Curve Metal contract within the first 6 months, you’ll have to pay a £50 Curve Metal Card fee consisting of the delivery and manufacturing costs. If you want to close Curve Card account because of the cost, keep in mind that you can enjoy all Curve’s benefits for free by using Standard subscription tier.
Curve Payment Card Problems
- No payment cards added to Curve. To transact using your Curve card, you must add at least one payment card to your Curve Wallet.
- Reaching spending limits. If you exceed your payment card’s spending limit, your transaction will be declined.
- Payment timeout. If a payment takes too long to complete, it gets declined.
- Blacklisted merchants. Curve does not allow/support some transactions especially those considered high-risk such as those in the gambling categories.
- Insufficient funds. If your selected payment card does not have enough money, your transaction will be declined.
Curve Card Features and Benefits
Curve card offers several features that aim to simplify and enhance the way you manage your finances. Here are some of the key features:
- Curve Cashback and Rewards: Depending on your Curve subscription plan, you may be eligible for cashback on purchases made with your Curve card. It also has a rewards program where you can earn points for every purchase made with your Curve card. These points can be redeemed for various rewards, such as cashback, airline miles, or gift cards.
- Go Back in Time: This feature allows you to switch the card you used for a transaction up to 90 days after you made it. This can be helpful if you accidentally use the wrong card or if you want to earn rewards on a different card.
- Curve Fronted: With Curve Fronted, you can use your credit card to make payments even in places that don’t accept credit cards. Curve acts as an intermediary, allowing you to charge your credit card for transactions that would typically require a debit card.
- Curve Flex: With tthis feature, you can convert previous transactions into monthly installment plans to spread out payments rather than paying for everything upfront.
- Anti-embarrassment: If your primary card is declined, Curve will automatically switch to another card in your wallet so you can complete your transaction.
- Smart Rules: You can set up rules to automatically choose the best card for each transaction. For example, you could set a rule to use your card with the best rewards for groceries and your card with the lowest fees for foreign transactions.
- Real-Time Notifications: Curve sends real-time notifications for every transaction made with your card, helping you stay informed about your spending activity and quickly identify any unauthorized charges.
- Fee-Free Currency Exchange: If you’re traveling abroad, Curve allows you to spend in foreign currencies without incurring additional fees. This can help you save money on exchange rate fees typically charged by banks and traditional currency exchange services.
How Curve Fronted Works
Curve Fronted is a unique feature provided by Curve, allowing you to use their Curve debit card in situations where merchants don’t accept credit cards, by leveraging an underlying credit card. When a you initiate a transaction using your Curve card at such a merchant, Curve Fronted automatically processes the payment using an underlying credit card linked to your Curve account. This enables the transaction to go through smoothly, even though the merchant does not accept credit cards directly.
The process is seamless for you, as you simply use your Curve card as they would normally, without needing to worry about whether the merchant accepts credit cards or not. Behind the scenes, Curve Fronted takes care of routing the transaction through the appropriate credit card.
However, there are associated Curve Fronted fees, set at 2.5% of the transaction value. For Curve Metal customers, the first £10,000.00 spent via Curve Fronted transactions are exempt from these fees, but any amount exceeding this Curve Fronted limit incurs the 2.5% service fee. Similarly, Curve Black customers are not charged fees for the first £1,000.00 spent, but they are subject to the 2.5% service fee on transactions surpassing this Curve Fronted limit.
How Curve’s Go Back in Time Works
Curve’s “Go Back in Time” feature is a handy tool that allows you to change the card used for a transaction, even after the purchase has been made. Whether you mistakenly used the wrong card, want to optimize rewards, or need to better manage your finances, this feature comes to your rescue. You typically have 30 days for Standard/X or 90 days for Black/Metal to make the switch within the Curve app.
However, it’s important to note that not all transactions are eligible for Go Back in Time; exclusions like cash withdrawals or bill payments may apply. Additionally, Curve’s Go Back in Time limit is 3 times for Standard/X and unlimited for Black/Metal, depending on your Curve plan.
How Curve Flex Works
Curve Flex allows you to split the cost of previous purchases into easy monthly payments. This feature works like a Buy Now, Pay Later option, helping you manage unexpected expenses, big buys, or just smoothing out your spending. Here’s how it works: First, you pick the transaction you want to split (within the last year for all plans). Then, you choose how long you want to spread out your payments: 3, 6, 9, or 12 months. After confirming your choice, Curve instantly refunds the full transaction amount to your Curve balance. From there, starting 30 days later, your chosen repayment card will automatically be charged with monthly payments according to your plan. It’s important to note that not all transactions are eligible for Flex, such as bill payments or cash withdrawals.
How Curve Cash Works
Curve Cash is a loyalty program that allows you to earn cashback while spending with your Curve Card. It involves the following schemes.
- Welcome Cashback. Earn 1% cashback on almost every purchase made with your Curve Card for at least your first 30 days.
- Curve Cash program. Pick 3-6 favourites from a list of over 100 popular retailers, including Amazon, Deliveroo, TfL and more. Each purchase at your chosen retailer will give you 1% cashback.
You will instantly receive cashback points on your Curve Cash card when spending on supported retailers. One Curve Cash point is equivalent to one pence (GBP). So 100 points = £1.00. However, your Curve Cash points have no monetary value themselves and are converted to e-money only when you spend them with your Curve Card.
You can spend your Curve Cash manually by selecting it as your payment method or use Auto-Use for automatic spending. You can use Curve Cash at most places that accept Visa or Mastercard, but not at ATMs or for transfers through Curve Send, and you can’t split payments between Curve Cash and another card. It’s important to note that Curve Fronted transactions do not qualify for Curve Cash rewards.
Curve card cashback retailers change periodically, so it’s important to check the Curve app regularly to see the latest offers. As of today, February 8, 2024, some of the featured Curve Cash retailers include: Primark, Argos, Waterstones, Foot Locker, Hotels.com, Booking.com, Deliveroo, Uber Eats, Amazon, Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Waitrose, Boots, John Lewis, Netflix, and Spotify.
Types of Curve Cards
Curve cards are available for business or personal use. The following are types of Curve cards:
Curve Standard
With the Standard plan, you won’t have to pay a monthly subscription fee, making it perfect for you if you’re a casual user. You can add up to 3 cards to your Curve wallet. Plus, you have the “Go Back in Time” feature available on 3 recent transactions each month, giving you flexibility if you used the wrong card or need to make changes. There’s also a £250 fee-free spending limit per month for foreign transactions. You get 2 Smart Rules to automate your spending based on categories or merchants to help you stay on top of your budget. There’s also real-time spending notifications of when and where your money is being spent.
Curve X
The Curve X plan offers an expanded range of features compared to the free plan. This plan allows you to add up to 5 cards to your Curve wallet and use the “Go Back in Time” feature on 3 transactions per month within a 60-day period. With a £1000 fee-free FX spending limit and a £300 fee-free FX ATM withdrawal limit per month, you can manage your international transactions more effectively. Te plan includes 5 Smart Rules for detailed spending automation and provides access to a variety of Curve offers to earn rewards in Curve Cash.
Curve Black
With Curve Black, you get a premium plan perfect for frequent travelers and those who love cashback rewards. You can have as many cards as you need in your Curve wallet. Plus, you have unlimited “Go Back in Time” for transactions within 90 days, so you can fix mistakes whenever you need to. You’ll enjoy a generous £2000 fee-free spending limit for foreign transactions and won’t pay any fees when using ATMs abroad. Travel insurance is included, except for US residents, giving you peace of mind on your trips. You also get 1% cashback at selected retailers, with the potential to earn up to £1,000 each month.
Curve Metal
With Curve Metal, you get the best rewards and extra perks. It’s perfect for you if you spend a lot and want rewards, insurance, and top-notch services. You’ll enjoy all the features of Curve Black and more. Get 1% cashback on all your purchases from any retailer, with no limits. Plus, you’ll have worldwide travel insurance with higher coverage limits, giving you more protection wherever you go. You also get access to airport lounges, depending on availability, for a comfortable travel experience. And if you ever need help, you have dedicated 24/7 customer support to assist you anytime.
Curve Card Limits
Curve cards come with various spending limits based on your card type and spending habits. While there’s a maximum daily spending limit for all plans, paid plans generally offer higher limits. Monthly spending limits follow a similar trend, often being higher for premium plans. Additionally, there are specific limits for Curve’s services. For example, the Go Back in Time feature has a monthly usage limit depending on your plan, and there are fee-free FX spending limits and ATM withdrawal limits. Curve Fronted, allowing credit card-only transactions, also has its own limits for each plan. Exceeding these limits may result in extra fees. You can easily check your current limits within the Curve app under the “Account” tab for a detailed breakdown.
Curve Card Fees
Curve makes money by charging fees for some of its services. There will also be a Curve card verification fee to be charged from your card and later to be refunded. Curve does not charge any fee for linking your payment cards to your Curve account.
The fees below are denoted in GBP (British Pounds) or the equivalent amount in other currencies.
| Sevice | Curve Standard | Curve X | Curve Black | Curve Metal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly fee | Free | £5.99 pm | £9.99 pm | £17.99 |
| Card Delivery Fee | £5.99 | Free | Free | Free |
| Access to fair FX rates (additional fees may apply) | £250 per 30 rolling days | £1,000 per 30 rolling days | £2,000 per 30 rolling days | Free |
| Fee-free foreign ATM withdrawals | ✕ | £300 per 30 rolling days | £500 per 30 rolling days | £1000 per 30 rolling days |
Curve Card Supported Countries and Currencies
Curve offers services in the US and 31 countries in the European Economic Area (EEA) including the United Kingdom, Italy, Belgium, France, Sweden, the Netherlands, Germany, etc. Other countries where Curve services are not available and there are no known plans to expand its services are Australia and Canada.
Curve supports cards in the following currencies: USD, RON, NZD, GBP, JPY, PLN, SGD, CNY, EUR, BRL, AUD, INR, USD, HRK, RUB, NOK, HKD, ISK, ZAR, CAD, SEK, HUF, DKK, BGN, CHF, ILS, and CZK. If you select a currency not supported by Curve, your card will be charged in GBP.
Is the Curve Card Safe?
Yes, Curve is safe. Curve has its own Customer protection scheme, which protects customers’ money up to £/€100,000. Also, Curve does not share your information with card retailers during transactions. Additionally, Curve uses the 3D Secure (3DS) technology for some online transactions to ensure that customers are protected from fraudulent activities. Integrating Curve with 3DS technology allows customers to enjoy shopping on multiple websites without experiencing declines. Also, within the app there is a functionality to lock your card should it be lost or stolen.
Curve Card Alternatives
Currently, there are no widely recognized alternatives to the Curve card, as it stands out without a well-established competitor. However, there are some companies offering similar solutions, such as:
Should You Use Curve Card?
If you’re seeking a fee-free way to track your expenses and managing numerous cards across different networks leaves you feeling scattered, Curve might offer a solution. This financial tool consolidates your debit, credit, and even gift cards from Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and others into a single physical and virtual card accessible through the Curve card app. It also supports crypto cards and you can use your Curve card to buy cryptocurrency.
Its standout features include the ability to switch between multiple cards and support for various currencies. With Curve, you gain centralized control over your finances, seeing all your transactions in one place regardless of the underlying card used. Make purchases and earn 1% cashback on every swipe (with potential for higher rates depending on your chosen plan). Notably, Curve doesn’t impose any fees on foreign transactions and it has no conversion fees on weekdays.
But Curve isn’t a complete one-stop solution. The free plan restricts access to some advanced features. ATM withdrawal fees, spending and withdrawal limits depends on the type of subscription tier you’re on. Some merchants might not accept Curve for specific transactions due to the underlying card network, and Go Back in Time refunds can take several days to process.
Curve is most beneficial for individuals juggling multiple cards who desire greater financial organization and flexibility. While limitations exist, it offers a centralized platform to simplify your spending habits and potentially earn some cashback along the way.
More Information
- Email: [email protected]
- Curve card phone number: +44(0)2033222585. (UK customers) and +370 5214 3815 (EU customers)