Curve Card Launching In USA: Join Waitlist To Earn More Rewards

Curve Card Launching In USA: Join Waitlist To Earn More Rewards

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Curve is in the process of launching in the United States. This has the potential to be a game-changer for many people using rewards credit cards, though there are some restrictions to be aware of. While I first wrote about this in the summer of 2021, people are now starting to be invited to apply for Curve, which is a sign that this product will become a reality.

If you’re not yet eligible to apply, I’d recommend getting on the Curve waitlist. This will give you an extra bonus when the time comes to apply, and there’s no obligation to actually get the product.

What is Curve?

The concept behind Curve is fascinating — it’s a credit card you can make payments with, and it can be linked to your rewards credit card. Here’s the general idea when you get Curve:

  • Curve allows you to link credit cards with major issuers; unfortunately in the United States, only Mastercard, Diners, and Discover work initially, while Visa and American Express don’t work yet
  • Then you can make all of your purchases with your Curve credit card, rather than using individual credit cards — essentially Curve pays the merchant, and then Curve charges your credit card
  • One of your designated individual credit cards will be charged through Curve for those purchases — transactions will still show up on your individual credit cards, but there will be a note making it clear that the purchase was through Curve, though you’ll still earn bonus points based on the merchant you made the purchase with
  • There are plenty of advantages to using Curve — there are no foreign transaction fees, you can switch the card you paid with for a period of 30 days, Curve offers contactless technology, and more

The concept might sound wild, though Curve has existed in the United Kingdom for a while, so this has been tried and tested elsewhere. Now it’s coming to the United States.

What are the benefits of using Curve?

Above I explained some of the basic features of Curve, though let me give some more concrete examples:

  • The Citi Double Cash is one of the best card for everyday spending, but it has foreign transaction fees; you could use Curve to make payments abroad with no foreign transaction fees, and then have it charged to the Citi Double Cash
  • If you’re looking to maximize credit card rewards, you can change the card you’ve used to pay for a purchase for 30 days; this can be useful if you didn’t use a card with the right bonus category, or if you have a spouse who isn’t great at using the right credit card for the right kinds of purchases
  • If you join the Curve waitlist now (more on that below) you can earn 1% back on purchases for the first six months, in addition to your credit card rewards

How does Curve make money?

You might be thinking to yourself “this sounds too good to be true, so what’s the catch, and how does Curve make money?” Well, that’s a great question.

Like so many companies nowadays, I’m guessing the answer is that Curve probably won’t make money, or at least isn’t looking to make money directly from consumers. I’m guessing venture capital companies will be funding these rewards, and that this is a play for collecting data on consumers, market share, etc.

Curve waitlist & refer-a-friend program

Curve isn’t yet open to the general public, but you can get on the Curve waitlist. All beta users who join the waitlist will receive an additional 1% cash back on every purchase for the first six months, in addition to the credit card rewards that they earn. On top of that, you’ll be invited to apply early. Note that for the cash back bonus, paying taxes, paying for insurance, or buying gift cards, won’t qualify for that bonus.

Last summer there was a promotion whereby those in the top 100 spots on the waitlist would receive 10% cash back on their purchases for the first six months, for a total of up to $1,000 in rewards. I received an email indicating that I was in the top 100 spots, and received an invitation to apply (I know there’s a hard pull here, but I’d assume this doesn’t count as a new product toward the 5/24 limit… or does it?).

OMAAT readers are welcome to leave their referral codes in the comments section, so that others can use them (and please use those and not mine — after all, I’ve already gotten my invite to apply).

Bottom line

Curve is in the process of launching in the United States, and select people are now being invited to apply for the card. This could provide very useful for anyone collecting miles & points. Curve essentially lets you use a single payment card, and then link several other cards so that you can maximize your rewards with every transaction.

If you join the waitlist now, you’ll even be able to earn 1% cashback on your purchases for the first six months, on top of the credit card rewards you usually earn. There’s plenty of long-term value beyond that, like no foreign transaction fees (which pairs nicely with cards that are rewarding but have foreign transaction fees), the chance to change which card you use for transactions after the fact, and more.

What do you make of Curve? Could you see yourself using it?

Conversations (73)
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  1. amit Guest

    So this turned out to be a very poor product. They closed my account today forfeiting unredeemed cash back. without any warning or grace period.

  2. amit Guest

    Good concept, but the implementation is super buggy for now. Some transactions randomly get assigned to Curve Credit, so you lose the extra rewards you'd get if you used the rewards card directly. Even worse, sometimes transactions are declined after the fact, so you have to keep an eye on your emails in case you have to go in and submit another payment method. Not worth the hassle at the moment.

  3. askmrlee Guest

    I just got an email telling me I'm off the waitlist. The 30 day back in time feature has this lovely term per the card agreement:

    Be aware your Linked Card issuer may charge you a fee for this and may classify the transaction as a balance transfer. We encourage you to check with your Linked Card issuer.

    Can anyone who got this card in March 2022 confirm their use of this feature...

    I just got an email telling me I'm off the waitlist. The 30 day back in time feature has this lovely term per the card agreement:

    Be aware your Linked Card issuer may charge you a fee for this and may classify the transaction as a balance transfer. We encourage you to check with your Linked Card issuer.

    Can anyone who got this card in March 2022 confirm their use of this feature and how their Linked card classified this transaction? I presume I will have a hard time asking my bank about this feature since it's so new.

    1. askmrlee Guest

      Well I didn't get far. I got a "So Sorry! Based on the information you provided you are not eligible for a Curve account right now. And, for security reasons, we can't provide you with more info about this." message on the app, and any subsequent launch of the app takes me directly to this message. And they also sent me an email telling me to complete my Sign Up on the App so that I don't miss out on any cashback. What gives?

  4. Lieflat19 Gold

    when you say "spouse" we know youre referring to the wife. they never know what card to use where and when. i trained mine right. every screw up came out of her pocket and i got to have my way for the night...

  5. iamhere Guest

    The big issue is that they do not cooperate with Visa or American Express. I assume that the charge will come through as a technology company or a finance company so for people that are at a restaurant for example, this does not work well if they are charging to a card that gives them more for dining. Also, if there is no credit card symbol such as Visa or Mastercard on the card I...

    The big issue is that they do not cooperate with Visa or American Express. I assume that the charge will come through as a technology company or a finance company so for people that are at a restaurant for example, this does not work well if they are charging to a card that gives them more for dining. Also, if there is no credit card symbol such as Visa or Mastercard on the card I assume that many service staff will assume they do not accept it or will not know what is going on.

    1. Leo Guest

      So they actually have a logo on the card, which is Mastercard, which process the purchase. They now accept visa debit cards and I am certain they will add all other issuers soon. It’s just in beta.

  6. Former Curve User Guest

    No, Curve is not launching in the US anytime soon. This is about the third or fourth time they're hyping a US Launch Wait List most likely because they're burning through cash and are desperate to raise additional capital. Seeing this Dud hyped yet again on the travel reward blogs probably means Curve is promoting an affiliate marketing promotion for blog sites.
    Having had a Curve Card in Europe, their Customer Service is about...

    No, Curve is not launching in the US anytime soon. This is about the third or fourth time they're hyping a US Launch Wait List most likely because they're burning through cash and are desperate to raise additional capital. Seeing this Dud hyped yet again on the travel reward blogs probably means Curve is promoting an affiliate marketing promotion for blog sites.
    Having had a Curve Card in Europe, their Customer Service is about Last in Class and they're definitely not ready for Prime Time or a launch anywhere else.

    1. Jon Guest

      I just got my card 2 days ago

  7. AC Guest

    Many cards would treat the payment to Curve as a cash advance (similar to when I add money to my Draft Kings sportsbook app using my Chase Sapphire Reserve for example). If so you may get a fee (Chase charges me $10 for each deposit to a sportsbook) and also have to pay interest since there typically is no waiver from interest accruing on cash advances. Also do you really want a middle man between...

    Many cards would treat the payment to Curve as a cash advance (similar to when I add money to my Draft Kings sportsbook app using my Chase Sapphire Reserve for example). If so you may get a fee (Chase charges me $10 for each deposit to a sportsbook) and also have to pay interest since there typically is no waiver from interest accruing on cash advances. Also do you really want a middle man between you and your credit cards. I already have that situation with PayPal and my Apple Pay account but at least there I'm dealing with mature companies and proven technology. As an IT professional for almost 40 years there is NO WAY I would use a curve card (regardless of any benefits) at a front end processor for my credit cards. Too many potential points of failure as well as hacker risk with yet another party involved. Also, if there is an issue related to any payment (or settlement to curve) I can't wait to see the finger pointing.

    Bottom line, things that sound too good to be true rarely are and this seems like a potentially costly (and dangerous) practice.

    1. Ivan X Guest

      How is Apple Pay an account? It’s a middleman from a transaction mechanism standpoint, but not a financial one. You’re directly charging your card. There’s no Apple Pay account; the virtual credit card number stored in the Secure Enclave of the device is the bank’s number, and the bank cross references it during a transaction to your real number, which is why you need bank participation for it to work.

  8. Andrew Diamond

    LOL @ working with Diner Club. We can all thank BMO Harris for tombstoning that program.

    That's up there with "works with JCB."

  9. Never In Doubt Guest

    "How does Curve make money?"

    They sell your transaction data. Is that a sustainable business model? ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

    Except for the no int'l fee, I don't see any real benefit (except for you Ben, REFERRALS!).

    And given that there's 1.5% cash back cards with no intl fee (and Apple Card at 2% via NFC), that extra 0.5% on non-bonused spending is a *really* small benefit.

    And if your points/miles life is so complicated that you...

    "How does Curve make money?"

    They sell your transaction data. Is that a sustainable business model? ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

    Except for the no int'l fee, I don't see any real benefit (except for you Ben, REFERRALS!).

    And given that there's 1.5% cash back cards with no intl fee (and Apple Card at 2% via NFC), that extra 0.5% on non-bonused spending is a *really* small benefit.

    And if your points/miles life is so complicated that you need to switch transactions after the fact routinely, you're doing it wrong.

    5 more replies
  10. SaiRam Guest

    As per my knowledge we can add it to Apple and google pay. Also it is not completely like coin. Coin took $50 but this is for free. That means we are not loosing anything in Curve. Also Coin card has some electric button type to change card you use and have limit for number of cards we can add. Also no rewards in Coin. No option of changing payment to one to other card....

    As per my knowledge we can add it to Apple and google pay. Also it is not completely like coin. Coin took $50 but this is for free. That means we are not loosing anything in Curve. Also Coin card has some electric button type to change card you use and have limit for number of cards we can add. Also no rewards in Coin. No option of changing payment to one to other card. I feel that no risk in trying it. It avoids carrying different cards in wallet and probability of missing cashback is very less.

  11. Clifford Guest

    I've had the Curve card in Europe for a few years. I've not used it extensively, and I had an issue once where I tried to pay using the Curve card, and the money was taken from the backing credit card, but the payment didn't go through at the merchant. I complained and got a refund from Curve, but the issue has put me off using it too much going forward.

  12. Chris Muncy Guest

    Coin was just hardware for lack of a better term. I had one and loved it and was disappointed when it shut down.

  13. Nick Guest

    Being a Brit, I have held a Curve card for four years now, and your right, once you get your head around the way it works... It is simply amazing. So personally would recommend looking at the "waitlist". And btw I am not employed or have any connection to Curve, only someone who has the card as a general consumer and happy with what it offers.

    3 more replies
  14. Tracy Guest

    Can the underlying card be in another person's name? (Essentially can the Curve card act like an FX-free supp card?)

    1 more reply
  15. iamhere Guest

    What would the transaction be classified as?

  16. Steven L. Diamond

    If Curve is making the payment and then in turn charging your credit card, the transaction is settled between the card issuer and Curve instead of the card issuer and the merchant, right? What happens to the insurance, purchase protection, and other benefits that would otherwise normally apply?

    Do bonus point categories still work? What about more specific cases like adding a World of Hyatt credit to Curve and using the Curve card at a...

    If Curve is making the payment and then in turn charging your credit card, the transaction is settled between the card issuer and Curve instead of the card issuer and the merchant, right? What happens to the insurance, purchase protection, and other benefits that would otherwise normally apply?

    Do bonus point categories still work? What about more specific cases like adding a World of Hyatt credit to Curve and using the Curve card at a Hyatt; would I still get the bonus points there?

    1 more reply
  17. Polarbear Guest

    If they pay first, then route to my actual card, wouldn’t my actual card see a charge from Curve, not the actual merchant?
    If I change the actual card on day 29, would not the new card see it as transaction on day 29, thus extending grace period?

  18. Erik Guest

    Curve's Customer Support is only available by email and their Customer Service is about the worst I've experienced. Would not use Curve Again if you paid me.

    Think the chances of Curve launching in the US are low and the probability of Curve being able to continue to do business in the US if launched are even less.

  19. Eskimo Guest

    Somebody please explain to me how adding another middle man would benefit me or make the transaction fees lower?

    I get that you have the intro 1% for 6 months, then what?
    What about the more you refer, the higher on the list. This is a new Ponzi?

    Another startup trying to solve a problem that we don't have.

    3 more replies
  20. Alan Guest

    I've used Curve for a couple of years now in the UK - my referral link is http://www.curve.app/join#GSVVI

  21. dalo Guest

    I must be missing something. The Citi Double Cash is cited but, the Capitol One Venture gets 2X for everything. Is the Double Cash actually better than the Venture?

    2 more replies
  22. rsa127 Guest

    As European user of Curve for 2 years and 20+ card Business specialist I can say:
    1. Curve will never make money, they will always bring losses. Fees they need to pay are significantly higher than income from interchange. As consumer obviously I don’t care :-).
    2. It is not exactly true there are no currency exchange fees. Curve charges extra over weekend. Also there is a fee if you exceed quite low...

    As European user of Curve for 2 years and 20+ card Business specialist I can say:
    1. Curve will never make money, they will always bring losses. Fees they need to pay are significantly higher than income from interchange. As consumer obviously I don’t care :-).
    2. It is not exactly true there are no currency exchange fees. Curve charges extra over weekend. Also there is a fee if you exceed quite low monthly limit.
    3. There is no way that issuer of linked card will treat purchase as made in particular merchant. It will always see it as Curve payment. So no increased bonus if you paid at the hotel for example.
    4. Personally I use possibility to change card charged quite a lot.

    3 more replies
  23. John Guest

    So, can it route grocery transactions to a certain card, travel to another, dining to another?

    3 more replies
  24. LTL Guest

    Isn't this basically like Coin, which promised something similar and then launched in 2015 only to shut down in 2016?

    2 more replies
  25. ovacikar Member

    İt is a credit card , read the updated t&c

    Joining the waitlist to apply for a Curve credit card does not guarantee eligibility for the card.

  26. Jim F. Guest

    Isn't the U.S. Curve product going to be a credit rather than a debit card and, if so, how does this change the value proposition?

  27. Tiny wallet Guest

    @Never In Doubt - only ever having to carry a single card, but being able to maximize rewards by putting each purchase on the best card for it, would be pretty big for me. Even when I have carried several different rewards cards, I have a hard time keeping track of which is best to use at a given time.

    2 more replies
  28. Never In Doubt Guest

    Best of luck with the referral clicks, but except for “eliminate intl transaction fees from a card”, which is likely an edge case for most OMAAT readers, where’s the benefit?

    2 more replies
  29. James Guest

    Do you think this can be used for rent payments for landlords that accept debit cards?

    1 more reply
Featured Comments Most helpful comments ( as chosen by the OMAAT community ).

The comments on this page have not been provided, reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any advertiser, and it is not an advertiser's responsibility to ensure posts and/or questions are answered.

iamhere Guest

The big issue is that they do not cooperate with Visa or American Express. I assume that the charge will come through as a technology company or a finance company so for people that are at a restaurant for example, this does not work well if they are charging to a card that gives them more for dining. Also, if there is no credit card symbol such as Visa or Mastercard on the card I assume that many service staff will assume they do not accept it or will not know what is going on.

2
Never In Doubt Guest

Ben, of course you are correct on the math. That math appeals to... US credit card users who use a cash back card that's currently unusable internationally because of its fee. How many of those people who *already* don't have a better option for un-bonused intl spend are suddenly going to want to spend a lot outside the US? They're unicorns. As for the, "I'll grab it just for six months of 1% more!" folks, you're way beyond me on micromanaging your benefits.

2
LTL Guest

Isn't this basically like Coin, which promised something similar and then launched in 2015 only to shut down in 2016?

2
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