Curve Card

DeeWestern

callum9999 wrote: »

Have you ever read the blog before - you seem extraordinarily ignorant about it. They regularly promote the hotel cashback deals and regularly promote it's rivals with free foreign transactions. In fact, I can't remember the last time they promoted an affiliate link above a special offer, if they've ever even done so. In fact, they regularly specifically state that you shouldn't use their affiliate link and use the special offer instead.

I've been dipping in and out of the site to try and improve my extraordinary ignorance, and I see there's an interesting example that's been 'pinned' to the top of the headforpoints.com home page - so it sits above even more recent articles.

This is an offer that gives you extra hotel points if you book through the site's affiliate link - and presumably given the promotion pays out to the blogger for each stay. The value of the bonus points is much less than you'd get if you used Quidco (who give out 11% cashback) but there's zero mention of it in the article, and you can't get the double points and cashback.

As I mentioned earlier, I don't have a problem with bloggers using their readership to earn cash (they have to earn a living!) but don't be fooled that they promote the best deal for readers, rather than the best deal for themselves. Curve have cleverly played this blogger to push their message to forums and a blog without getting their hands dirty.

[Deleted User]

They've now updated the app, it appears similar to Mondo - a 'new bank' according to Mondo's marketing

Not read the pros/cons of Mondo, but essentially real time transaction reporting if it was a real-time auth, logging, transaction tagging etc.

Curve have introduced that, along with lock/unlock of card if you suspect it's lost, csv export (which would work well for heavy users) etc

I suspect work still needs to be done with Amex, but they're certainly attempting to create an 'all-rounder'. The idea of splitting the cashback with users would be amazing - essentially a 'cashback card' for all who are, or become, self employed. I'm sure they've thought of similar.

Still haven't got my card, but I'm quite excited for it. If they can't agree a deal with amex, I guess it will become free/very cheap to acquire the card - or some form of rebate once you've used it for £xxxx - as their users earn them money on non-amex transactions, so they'd need to push that to have a viable business.

NFH

DeeWestern wrote: »

Curve have cleverly played this blogger to push their message to forums and a blog without getting their hands dirty.

Not true. I have observed this blogger's posts and they are objective and honest. He doesn't promote anything that is not in his readers' interests. His readers are mostly too intelligent to be fooled.

DeeWestern

NFH wrote: »

Not true. I have observed this blogger's posts and they are objective and honest. He doesn't promote anything that is not in his readers' interests. His readers are mostly too intelligent to be fooled.

Am I missing something? I would suggest the current pinned post where he pushes his link when readers would be better off with Quidco, and the fact he has a post about new Curve T&Cs not applying to people for a month (so don't cancel!) that wasn't corrected both point in a different direction - i.e. putting his interests above the average reader.

I may well have missed something as I haven't been able to log on each day though, but I do remember that Curve also had the blogger post a reassuring message about Amex not pulling out on Flyertalk, rather than posting it themselves.

I just wonder if this confidence that he is 'putting his readers first' is down to the writing style of the blogger (i.e. how he makes you feel) or is down to posts where there's a potential for him to make money at the reader's expense, but he advises you to do something else instead (i.e. what he actually does).

[Deleted User]

Finally got a credit card to use with Curve - it appears that certain investment portfolios will accept Curve as a debit card.

It's then appearing in online servicing as a usual purchase transaction (MCC 8999 like all other Curve purchases I've done).

For people with big 0% purchase cards/limits (I believe 0% purchase credit limits are higher than money & balance transfer ones??), that could work out pretty well.

E.g. I'm on 8% p/a (monthly interest) on money that's not mine. Only a 1k limit, but hopefully constant utilization (when I repay each month, I'll re-deposit to the investment company) will force my card provider to give me a higher limit.

Curve 100% hasn't worked with Amex the way people thought it would -but I still firmly believe it is useful. I've got appalling credit and it's more faffing around for me - but those with good histories and 0% cards I believe could really benefit - e.g. cashback card, investment (with interest), withdraw after the 4 month waiting period..... repeat!

iamparakeet

I was investigating whether the likes of Plastc, Swyp, Coin and Stratos work in the UK when I found Curve...

I am interested in combining my multiple debit cards in to one. The idea, boasted by some, of combining loyalty cards, too, sounds amazing.

Is this something Curve is suitable for? Or is it prohibitive that it is a prepaid/credit card?

Plastc looks great, but, though it has EMV support, this is bank-reliant. To me, that says they will require deals with banks to properly support UK Chip & PIN.

Thanks.

Norscbu

Could you use this to buy nsi premium bonds with a cc?

starM

Applied for the card. Now showing waiting approval. Anyone know what checks are done to approve this card?

PoppyThankful

Of course the definition of business can be stretched to all sorts of things...

[Deleted User]

Norscbu wrote: »

Could you use this to buy nsi premium bonds with a cc?

You'll need to add the card to curve, then see if the website will accept curve.

Curve are rejecting many 'cash' transactions, they've certainly tightened up, but worth a shot. If not bonds, I'm sure a number of gambling, investment and stock broker type sites let you use Curve.

As for checks - if you put you were a limited company director I guess they check companies house etc as I believe financial institutions are obliged to. If you picked self employed or freelance there's nothing they can check..


I guess asking for last years Self Assessment return is an option.... But not if you've recently started trading......