Curve, the virtual credit / debit card that has already launched on iOS has finally launched out of private Beta on Android.
After signing up to a free Curve card, you can assign your other cards to it and switch between them at will, paying via conventional means or contactless. It works incredibly well and is a great way of keeping track of transactions etc. Purchase notifications are pushed to your phone instantly, email receipts can be switched on and receipt image capture, currently on iOS, will be coming to the Android app in the future. No Android Pay support as yet, I hope this comes at some point!
The card itself (the entry level 'Blue' version) was previously paid for, but it is now free for a limited time. A 'Black' version is also available which will offer a higher cashback rate in the future as is a black version with an included card wallet.
As well as the cards you load on the app, a built in reward card is included. This is empty on a normal signup, but if you sign up with the code 'VIOMM' (NOT my code mods, can provide evidence if required) then you will be credited with £5 the first time you use the card. For each friend you refer, you will get £5 also. Pretty great really.
There are some useful value add features I've enjoyed in the time I've had it on iOS, such as the ability to withdraw cash against credit cards with no fee (as the CC just sees it as a regular transaction) and the excellent foreign exchange rates. I used it abroad and got better rates than my Fair FX card!
[Note: This is targetting self employed and entrepreneurs right now. So determine how entrepreneurial you are!]
Top comments
paulobrien to ToldGoat
15 Dec 1613#12
You paid for your wallet. And it didn't have a fiver in it.
rand0m
15 Dec 168#16
why would someone use this (except to get "free" cash) when there's Android Pay?
ToldGoat
15 Dec 167#10
my wallet does the same thing but I cannot remember the last time the battery ran out on my wallet
bob_regis
16 Dec 163#66
I can confirm that there is no credit check as I misspelled my name (stupid predictive text) and they still approved me.
Have no idea how to change it!
Barbara Regis
All comments (144)
Silhouette
15 Dec 16#1
Yeah I failed on the employment status bit. Didn't realise the Beta was again reserves for self employed etc.
Can never understand that. Surely the employed will be using the card as much as anyone else...
paulobrien to Silhouette
15 Dec 16#4
Yeah, don't really know why that is. Especially as it's fairly vague (e.g. Entrepreneur).
AN_786
15 Dec 16#2
Monzo all the way!
paulobrien to AN_786
15 Dec 16#3
Monzo is cool, but also completely different. I like Curve because it integrates with all the banking services I use already, but makes them better. I don't really want to switch banks, top up Monzo, etc. etc.
paulobrien
15 Dec 16#5
I've been using Curve a while, literally the only thing that I don't like is the fact you can't add what are effectively pre-paid cards (including my PayPal debit card) and the fact it is a pre-paid card itself (which stops it working in French petrol pumps!). Oh, and that they aren't supporting Amex at the moment, although I have it on good authority discussions are underway to make this happen!
stuielxl to paulobrien
15 Dec 16#31
How long we talking for AMEX? That's a game changer!
halfbakedjake
15 Dec 16#6
one of the reviews say its business use only not for personal ?
paulobrien to halfbakedjake
15 Dec 161#9
Not sure how that's the case, I use it for both and it's fine. In fact, one of the benefits. Great for tallying expenses!
pete1993
15 Dec 16#7
I'm struggling to see value in Curve anymore. Previously when it integrated with American Express & allowed you to withdraw cash without very low caps, it was useful.
The only use for it now that I can see is to put all of my cards into one place, but I keep seeing major outages. I've started carrying around another card so I don't get caught out with a down curve card, which to me defeats the purpose of having it.
Tempted to ditch Curve now.
paulobrien to pete1993
15 Dec 161#8
Amex was a shame, but I think it'll return. Since they changed their payment processing to online it seems reliable for me at least. What are the cash limits now? Use abroad is still a big win for me, as well as convenience.
ToldGoat
15 Dec 167#10
my wallet does the same thing but I cannot remember the last time the battery ran out on my wallet
paulobrien to ToldGoat
15 Dec 161#11
Lol
paulobrien to ToldGoat
15 Dec 1613#12
You paid for your wallet. And it didn't have a fiver in it.
sms12
15 Dec 161#13
shame no amex.
paulobrien to sms12
15 Dec 161#21
I asked them about this recently - I'm also an Amex user - and I have a feeling it'll be back. Customer experience is important to Amex and if Curve can deliver, I think there's a future.
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Opening post
After signing up to a free Curve card, you can assign your other cards to it and switch between them at will, paying via conventional means or contactless. It works incredibly well and is a great way of keeping track of transactions etc. Purchase notifications are pushed to your phone instantly, email receipts can be switched on and receipt image capture, currently on iOS, will be coming to the Android app in the future. No Android Pay support as yet, I hope this comes at some point!
The card itself (the entry level 'Blue' version) was previously paid for, but it is now free for a limited time. A 'Black' version is also available which will offer a higher cashback rate in the future as is a black version with an included card wallet.
As well as the cards you load on the app, a built in reward card is included. This is empty on a normal signup, but if you sign up with the code 'VIOMM' (NOT my code mods, can provide evidence if required) then you will be credited with £5 the first time you use the card. For each friend you refer, you will get £5 also. Pretty great really.
There are some useful value add features I've enjoyed in the time I've had it on iOS, such as the ability to withdraw cash against credit cards with no fee (as the CC just sees it as a regular transaction) and the excellent foreign exchange rates. I used it abroad and got better rates than my Fair FX card!
[Note: This is targetting self employed and entrepreneurs right now. So determine how entrepreneurial you are!]
Top comments
Have no idea how to change it!
Barbara Regis
All comments (144)
Can never understand that. Surely the employed will be using the card as much as anyone else...
The only use for it now that I can see is to put all of my cards into one place, but I keep seeing major outages. I've started carrying around another card so I don't get caught out with a down curve card, which to me defeats the purpose of having it.
Tempted to ditch Curve now.