Curve – is this “innovative” card aggregator worth using?

What is Curve?

The Curve Card is a physical (and a virtual/digital) card that allows you to connect other cards to it and to decide for each transaction you are going to make with which card among those connected to actually pay. With the Curve card, you will be able to use the card that is most convenient for you at the time of purchase, for example, the one that offers you a cash back on purchases, the one with lower commissions if you pay in foreign currency, or the one on which you have more economic availability.

For example, if you hold a Revolut card and a Monese card, all cards can be linked to the Curve account and used for payments. Each time the card is used, a user can choose whether to charge the payment to the default card or to choose another of the available cards.

While Curve does not offer a personal IBAN, you can use it to withdraw money from any ATM that supports MasterCard Cards, send and receive funds. Curve allows customers to store as many Visa and MasterCard credit and debit cards. The Curve card can be connected to Apple Pay, Google Pay and Samsung Pay systems. Furthermore, if you have a cryptocurrency card or digital wallet, just connect it to the Curve app and you can also use cryptocurrencies to make payments.

Some of the compatible cards are Revolut, Monese, Soldo, bunq, Coinbase, Wirex, N26 etc. American Express, Maestro, Diners Club, JCB and UnionPay cards are not currently supported. Residents of the all thirty one countries in the EEA region and soon launching their services in the US.

Curve services 

There are several card products to choose from: 

1. Curve Blue is a free blue card.
2. Curve Black - card in black, costing 9.99 EUR / month.
3. Curve Metal - Red, Blue, and Rose Gold Card, priced at 14.99 EUR/ month.

The Blue card allows you to withdraw cash up to 200 Euros per month. Other benefits include 1% cashback in free mode for 90 days at 3 merchants to choose only, and no fees abroad (within a certain limit). This card has limited functionalities.

The Black card, compared to the free card, allows you to withdraw cash up to 400 Euros per month abroad without commissions, and 1% unlimited cash back at 3 premium merchants. Users have access to the cashback program for three selected resellers without time limits and protection for online purchases and travel insurance.

The Metal card allows you to withdraw cash abroad without commissions up to 600 Euros per month. Users have access to the cashback program for six selected resellers without time limits, protection for online purchases, and travel insurance. Additionally, it offers insurance on mobile phones, access reserved to the lounges of airports all over the world and collision insurance for rental cars.

For a comprehensive review, use the Askwallet service or Curve website to compare these cards.

Curve by default has daily, monthly and annual withdrawal and spending limits. You can check these thresholds from your account, and contact support to request an increase in your limits.

** Please note that charges could be applied on foreign currency or ATM withdrawals made abroad during the weekend.**

Back in Time

Through this service, you can move the payment made with one card to another card. For instance, if you have chosen to pay with an N26 and after a few days you have changed your mind, you can choose to debit the Revolut card connected to the same account. The “Go back in time” function can be used for amounts under 5,000 Euros with a Curve card up to 90 days after it was made.

CashBack feature

The cashback feature offers immediate credit of 1% of the expenses made at selected retailers. Users can select three merchants for the free card (up to 90 days) and Black card (unlimited), and six retailers for Metal card for unlimited time.

Is Curve Safe?

Curve operates as Curve OS Ltd in the UK region and conducts its activities in the EEA region under Curve Europe UAB. It is authorised and regulated by the FCA UK and the Bank of Lithuania. 

All Curve card holders are protected by the British deposit fund which guarantees coverage of up to 100,000 Euros.

The card also offers a buyer protection system that ensures the refund of purchases. Users can avail of this feature if the goods purchased online were not received, or they were defective, or if the user charged twice etc.

Conclusion

Unlike N26, bunq or Revolut, Curve is not a “neobank”, nor even a bank. This fintech or electronic money service consolidates and modernizes several bank cards on a single card and a single all-in-one application. CURVE eliminates the difficulty of having to manage your different credit cards separately, facilitating the management of your finances through its app to make every transaction carried out safely.

Curve is very convenient for those who habitually use multiple cards (personal credit card, debit card, rechargeable card, and company credit card). The Curve card and app make it possible to combine all payment instruments in one place and to be able to check the available balance at a glance. However, the withdrawal limit for its free card is limited i.e. 200 Euros without any charges, those who prefer to use cash may find it more convenient to use other cards with high limits or lower fees than Curve.

Before you sign up for this service, I would recommend checking the AskWallet page to compare its fees and features with other services. Askwallet offers a comprehensive review of neobanks, e-money, and payment services, and you will definitely find a service that fits your needs.