Curve Card review 2022: Should you ditch it after HUGE changes?
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 4 ส.ค. 2024
- I've been a big fan of Curve, but there are some big changes which will be bad news for free users.
Youre now limited on how many cards you can connect for free, and how often you can "go back in time". If you want the full lot of features you'll need to pay.
In this updated review, I've shared how Curve works, the key features, how much it'll cost and whether I think it's worth it.
READ MORE ON THE BLOG becleverwithyourcash.com/curv...
W A T C H N E X T
The best cards to use abroad • The best travel cards ...
#Curvecard #Curveapp #Smartcard
00:00 What is Curve?
01:40 Different Curve Cards & costs
04:00 Go Back in Time feature
06:23 Smart Rules & Anti-embarassment mode
08:05 Card controls
08:44 Curve Flex
10:17 Curve Cash & Rewards (Cashback)
16:33 Insurance (Black & Metal only)
18:04 Using Curve abroad
19:40 Is Curve worth getting?
MORE
S U B S C R I B E / @becleverwithyourcash
N E W S L E T T E R - becleverwithyourcash.com/news...
(You'll also get a free Quidco bonus for signing up)
T W I T T E R - / andyclevercash
I N S T A G R A M - / andyclevercash
F A C E B O O K C O M M U N I T Y - / 2661970707423383
B L O G - becleverwithyourcash.com
A B O U T A N D Y
Andy Webb is a money blogger and journalist. He runs the award-winning website Be Clever With Your Cash, hosts the Cash Chats podcast, presented Channel 5’s Shop Smart Save Money and writes every month for Reader's Digest. Andy also founded the community ukmoneybloggers.com.
DISCLAIMER
Content in these videos does not constitute regulated financial advice. Any offers mentioned were correct at the time of filming.
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I've used CURVE for several years, have METAL. For me it's worth it, we travel as a family 3 - 4 times a year on international holidays, kids drop phones (insurance pays for it). Exchange rates. It's all down to personal circumstances. And totally hear where you're coming from.
I started with CURVE BLUE in its infancy but decided to upgrade just for the benefits. Only problem for me is the AMERICAN EXPRESS Dispute. Plus Lounge Access on Curve isn't good value. AMEX still gives better rates for Priority Plus.
I like Curve as it abstracts my payment cards. I find it a hassle updating all the businesses I use to a new card every time I change it. This frees me up to take advantage of the best cash back deals at a moment's notice.
Hi IcePee,
Can you help me, please? :) I am new to all this!
I have just apply for a Blue Curve card.
Just wondering whether you can help me with these questions...
1) If I am going to use my Physical HSBC Bank debit card and withdraw £300 from a foreign ATM.
Will I be charge? Because it is over my Blue Curve ATM limited?
1.b) If I am going to use my Physical HSBC Bank debit card and withdraw £300 from a local ATM.
Will I be charge? Because it is over my Blue Curve ATM limited?
2) If I am going to buy a car in the UK (£6000) using the Physical Curve card. Will there be any charge?
3) If I am going to buy a card in the UK (£6000) using contactless via my watch. Will there be any charge?
4) 1) If I am going to buy a card in the UK (£6000) using my Physical HSBC bank debit card. Will there be any charge?
I closed my Curve account. With Apple/Google pay it doesn't really add any benefits, especially with the new restrictions.
How did you close it? they said you can do it in app - damned if i can find it
@@times7171 You have to send them a message via their chat feature on the app.
@@Suasexed Got ya. Cheers for the reply.
I've only just signed up for it via Samsung pay and I can't even verify, like I'm going to send an image of my passport to a random company.
@@iwilltouchyourtoes Hey! I just added mine through Samsung Wallet as my card wasn't available 🤦🏽♀️. Had to sign up with Curve. I'm freaking out because I have no clue what I'm doing. 😂 My card should be arriving soon but I'm worried I've done something wrong. E.g. do I have to pay for it or whatnot? It says it's Samsung Pay+/Samsung Curve...do you know if that's different to the Curve card? Should I just remove it? 😬 xxx
Have had the free blue card for three years and use it anywhere the local currency is supported. However, with only two cards being available on the free version from this year, I personally do not think there is any point. The go back in time, smart rules and anti-embarrassment features are nice but, imo, I do not think it is worth paying for Curve X just to have them. It takes a few seconds to send money from different accounts and, ironically, my Curve card is the only one that has ever been declined (twice) so the anti-embarrassment mode was pointless. With Black and Metal then it might be worth it if you need the travel insurance I guess. Cool review, keep them coming.
Thank you that was very useful ...😎🤩
For me, the only benefit is being able to use Samsung pay with my bank, which isn't supported directly. I know I can use Google pay instead, but I just like how easy Samsung pay is and it stops my physical card triggering the NFC on my phone, which gets annoying.
Cheers for the video, I have been mulling this over for months since they announced the changes, I have still not decided, but as you say, other options out there now offer the similar for less, so rather than carry this one card around, I might link all to my phone and just carry the Chase or starling card instead now.
I feel really let down by the way they stunted the free card, even if they changed it for new subscribers, but kept us who have been with them since they first went public on the same terms it would have kept me happy for one, but I think they will see a lot of people tail off over time. I had a lot of cards linked to curve and i am finding as time goes by and they expire and get replaced that I am now unable to re-add them into the app, this will essentially mean that i will end up carrying all but 1 of my bank cards in my wallet anyway if i stick with Curve, which was kind of the point moving to them in the first place, but definitely not something I feel is worth £15/month
If you have Samsung device you get curve for free with unlimited cards as per their partnership with Samsung as Samsung pay doesn't work with many banks so they created samung pay plus that's powered by curve. It's completely free and unlimited cards can be added and you receive the card for free as well. Look into it. The best that then you won't need your card you can use your smartwatch or phone nfc to pay at the terminal.
Hi, do you know if you can close an existing curve account and then join Samsung Pay+?
I've already spoken to Samsung and curve about this... The Samsung pay card is now being changed to the free curve card tier so no point.
@@benjijmason I haven't been notified of any changes
@@benjijmason Thanks for that, I will stick with the Curve free
I use it with my Garmin watch! How about suggesting alternatives.
The go back in time feature, well you can do that directly. Used my Nat West card insead of my Halifax card I just went to the banking app and moved the money.
Thank you for the video Andy,
I have just apply for a Blue Curve card.
Just wondering whether you can help me with these questions...
1) If I am going to use my Physical HSBC Bank debit card and withdraw £300 from a foreign ATM.
Will I be charge? Because it is over my Blue Curve ATM limited?
2) If I am going to buy a car in the UK (£6000) using the Physical Curve card. Will there be any charge?
3) If I am going to buy a card in the UK (£6000) using contactless via my watch. Will there be any charge?
4) 1) If I am going to buy a card in the UK (£6000) using my Physical HSBC bank debit card. Will there be any charge?
I've had Curve for a few years. Simply so I can use Barclays debit card with Google Pay, and pay contact less using my smartwatch. Don't have any other card loaded onto it.
I use it with my Barclays credit card for the same reason. Also because the Barclays app doesn't support locking the card. Feels safer carrying the Curve card instead.
Same thing for me on Barclays but watching videos so see if it's safe😄
Got the problem activating my metal Card. It said Failed to activate your card. Please check the last 4 digit or network connection. Anyone maybe can help? Thaknks in advanve
I am a noob at Curve so am on the free one.
Recently I have hit a problem that it wants me to use a pin number but is it the pin number from the card that is loaded onto it or its passcode - I dont know why it calls it a passcode and I think this is the one I am supposed to use but I have 1 chance left before it gets locked.
Whilst other cards may offer good cash back rewards with no fees on forex transactions Virgin Atlantic and Barclaycard Avios Plus do charge 2.99%. They also offer a significant potential reward for air travel but for people with significant card spend this may mean a significant amount of forex card transactions. So, subject to any usage limits on the various Curve cards does using Curve a) illuminate this 2.99% fee Points b) not affect earning points (Virgin) and Avios (Barclaycard)? C) is expenditure still counted by Virgin and Barclaycard for the target spend to earn a companion voucher (Virgin) upgrade voucher (Barclaycard).
I had a curve card from back in the original format where I got casback for 90 days, however unlike other cashback cards they put the money in a special wallet that you have to spend from to use it.
Also I had the card before 'anti-embarrasment' mode, and it was constantly rejected at retailers. I once tried to use to spend £2 on a meal deal at Tesco and it was declined, of course I then took out my actual bank card and of course it worked fine.
They have also experienced problems with support being overloaded especially when they got a big influx of people doing cash recirculation with the IHG rewards card.
It really feels like a product looking for a solution rather than a solution in itself. The only good thing is is they allowed Amex so that you could use it where it is not accepted but Amex have said no way on multiple times.
dont forget the wirecard issues a few years back which saw them offline for a while!
Only real use now that I can see is for cards that are not supported directly by Google/Apple pay etc, have them in Curve for the convenience
I've gone metal recently. I use Gbit and fronted alot. Everything else is a bonus for me.
Same here
What about airport lounge access? Thanks
Post google pay, curve needs to step up their game to remain competitive..The only reason I got the free version is because my Xiaomi watch requires that for NFC payments in the UK
Google wallet has updated which I'm looking at. Added all my cards to that now.
Think I'll end up dumping curve in a few months as I don't think I'll use now. Currently use 3 bank cards and 2 credit cards but I'll just use Google wallet to switch nfc. Probably just carry one card in wallet for work and backup.
Thanks! Had the metal card for the insurance but now even that is gone
I’ll continue using the free curve as a backup abroad! How come you don’t review TSB?? Spend & Save Plus account costs £3/month but using the debit card 30 times/month earns you £5, and it’s free to use abroad for purchases and atms!
I am gutted with the changes. I have been offered 1.99 a month for 12 months. But the 4.99 is too steep. Looks like I will be closing the account. Gutted..
Having my curve account and Monzo linked helped me budget my money for two years to save for a deposit for my house but with this update, I might have to drop it. That's alot of money when I could just buy a bigger wallet
Curve was very useful with Natwest for over 2 years during my fixed rate mortgage. You could and maybe still can make overpayments with curve and link it to the Barclaycard Reward as it was processed as a purchase. I did also link some payments to my 0% credit card purchases and again were seen as purchases. My cashback rate on Barclaycard Reward is 0.5% as I was an old egg customer that transferred to Barclays years ago. So every payment on my mortgage that was linked to Barclaycard I got 0.5% cashback. The real bonus was when I transferred my mortgage away from Natwest recently. Before my solicitors requested a redemption statement I overpaid my Natwest mortgage by £8k and linked it to a 0% purchase card. The new mortgage provided still gave me the original amount I requested and the solicitors sent me back the £8k. I then had 8k sat on a 0% credit card, with the original 8k available to pay that 0% card off. I used the 8k to fund A Virgin Money 2.02% current account as my new mortgage provider interest rate is 1.39%. I would say if it wasn’t for curve then Natwest would have processed any credit card payment as a cash transaction, but for some reason processed it as a purchase when Curve/debit card was used. Anyone with Natwest mortgage want to try it out and confirm Natwest still processes payments as purchases as curve would be useful if you want to link it a credit card.
The only reason I have Curve is to use it with the nfc in a fitness watch, handy if you don't want to lug your phone somewhere with you. The free version is enough for this. I should say that it is only curve that works with this device.
Likewise. Curve is the only supported option in Xiaomi in the UK :(
How does Curve Fronted work with credit card rewards? Lets say I register for a credit card with a sign up bonus and spend on curve, would i still be eligible? Or even if I used NS&I to meet that spending requirement would that work? Thank you
It works for Sainsbury's, Lloyds Cashback and Halifax Cashback.
It doesn't work for HSBC Rewards or Barclays Rewards. That's because Barclays don't accept payment by Curve as they "don't recognise it as a bank". HSBC/First Direct don't allow payment by debit card, which rules out Curve too.
This is my personal experience. I've mentioned it to Curve. They said they'd look into it, but have not heard anything back.
@@sidkings Great, thanks for this!
Oh i got the metal card i thought it was a free one. Only want to try it out will have to call about it.
Did you cancel it
I've been using Curve for the past 2 years and the only negative point I found until now, is that in Portugal, rewards are limited to 7 partners that haven't changed in the last 6 months. Besides that, for me, Curve Metal is a huge saving because I would spend more than 200€ per month with travel and car-hire insurance as a frequent traveller... So, for me, having Curve is a benefit. But honestly, if you don't travel frequently, I don't think that Curve is worthy for you. Those functionalities like go back in time, and having more than 1 card at the same place, are extras for me and I've used them 3 or 4 times in 2 years, and I think that this happens with almost everyone.
I am using curve as Barclays is not supporting samsung pay but curve is so by adding barclays debit to curve and then curve to samsung pay you are able to pay with your barclays card then.
Can you do a review on samsung pay card that's Power by Curve please
Gotta be a catch, must be selling our purchasing habits
Well, even the free card gives them income. Both on the rewards they offer they get a kickback on any voucher you use and currency exchange above a certain limit. This doesn't take into account the money they get in interest from their flex pay. While I am not saying they _don't_ sell your purchasing habit, these cards are _not_ the free lunch that you might think they are.
@@icepee9252 perfectly put Thank you
I have 20 cards on this app as I have 2 businesses, and I have the metal yearly subscription = really useful card
Absolutely.... 👍
I have metal and its worth it for me.
how do I had paypal to my free Curve Card
I've used curve basic for about 5 years now. I have a mix of business and personal cards on it. I'll not be paying for it tbh.
I’ve got a Metal Rose gold 💪🤘
I no longer find Curve interesting, and cancelled my account back in February. I got Curve many years ago, originally because of the GBiT feature and to have several of my non-digital cards work with Google Pay (which was a rarity back then). The GBiT feature was very nice for weekend spend using an underlying Revolut card, as I could spend money on the weekends paying the weekend markup fee, and then on Monday perform a GBiT on those transactions to have the weekend fee refunded. That is no longer an interesting option as Curve now limits their service to only two (!) cards and GBiT to three (!!) times a month. And my other banks have caught up to the Google Pay game. I therefore find Curve utterly pointless at this point. They even shut down their community page, and basically I see this as the beginning of the end of Curve. They have not improved the app and experience for many years, it is still incredibly buggy - and still (!) not very interesting for users residing outside the UK.
GBIT is literally a delayed bank transfer. It's not worth your time, you just muddy the waters with a third party.
I got it, used it for a few months and soon got bored of it. NO benefits for points not used on a credit card directly was what stopped me using it. For my cards at the time, I could not get the cards benefits as it was being used through Curve. I just don’t get the point of it now. My iPhone wallet carries all cards with full benefits and so does my Apple Watch. I don’t need Curve now.
Just to add, it does nothing for me if I travel international as I have the old Nationwide Gold card with no charges anyway and of course my Chase card also.
So you can't top up Curve with credit cards? I'm with the Revolut but they stopped supporting credit cards top up. Now I ordered Wise been told I can use credit card but my bank charge me for top ups. I'm travelling lots so I'm looking for alternative.
Problems with curve is if you pairs this card with other Cashback or rewards card, the Cashback, rewards payback doesn't always work, or I would say, almost will not work.
Is this in your experience? One of Curve's main selling points is the "double" reward opportunity.
The black card is free with plutus card. and Plutus is free
The short answer: Yes.
The Free Samsung Pay+ card (by curve) lets you add unlimited cards and use unlimited GBIT feature. You need a Samsung phone though.
Thanks, good to know!
I have just apply for a Blue Curve card.
Just wondering whether you can help me with these questions...
1) If I am going to use my Physical HSBC Bank debit card and withdraw £300 from a foreign ATM.
Will I be charge? Because it is over my Blue Curve ATM limited?
2) If I am going to buy a car in the UK (£6000) using the Physical Curve card. Will there be any charge?
3) If I am going to buy a card in the UK (£6000) using contactless via my watch. Will there be any charge?
4) 1) If I am going to buy a card in the UK (£6000) using my Physical HSBC bank debit card. Will there be any charge?
How to i get i refund grom curve x.
You didnt mention airport launge
Man i wish they would add american express
Curve metal vs AMEX GOLD?
Not worth it anymore. It’s more of a “collectors item” now and not worth using
The pitch has always been "you can now carry just one card". However if one has an nfc phone this becomes moot as multiple cards can be "loaded" onto the same phone.
Newer iPhones also support nfc payments when the battery is dead, so the argument that one still need to carry a card when the phone is dead is weaker now.
Let's not forget that by adding cards that have withdrawal limits to Curve could also mean incurring extra fees twice when these are exceeded (once with the actual underlying card, once with the Curve card).
In the end Curve is still not my cup of tea...
I have on my samsung pay curve there but i didn't activate it yet looks ok
barclays credit card is now incompatable with curve now hmm.
Still using my Barclays debit card with Curve.
That's one of the main positive points for me. I use Google wallet for my Amex and others, but Barclays want you to use their own app.
Curve allows you to get around that.
Also useful with my smart watch that only allows Curve to be used.
@@zemas01do you know if you can pay your Amex with Barclaycard via Curve?
May as well keep the free version even with all the drawbacks because when you make a purchase through curve it also gives you protection through them as well as your actual card company itself
If you add a credit card to curve, one may argue the payment was made with the help of an intermediary, therefore section 75 protection would not apply. All you would have left is the protection offered by Curve (CCP) and Mastercard chargeback rights.
@@bufordmaddogtannen really? I know lots of people who have their credit cards loaded onto curve because they cannot add them to apple wallet but curve lets them add the cards.
@@bufordmaddogtannen same for debit cards ?
@@sstevogb sadly, when you pay, to be covered by section 75 protection the entities involved in the transaction must be you, the credit card provider and the merchant.
Add an intermediary or a third party in the mix and things can get complicated. How complicated nobody knows, including the ombudsman.
Debit cards don't have section 75 protection.
@@bufordmaddogtannen what I’m saying is , using curve on top of say a debit card then means that you’ll not only be covered by your cards protection service but also curves as well
If you spend 100 pounds a month between food shopping, travel and petrol...probably you don't need any financial advice and tips
The customer service on this company is complete rubbish I have been trying so downgrade / cancel my account since 03/11/2022. I have sent a few request through to app to cancel my account. I had a reply once asking for security details which I replied to and have had nothing since. I have been charged again since then. Stay away from this company they and a total rip off.