topic Re: Curve Card - Tips/Tricks, What Works (and Doesn't Work) in Credit Cards

Curve Card - Tips/Tricks, What Works (and Doesn't Work)

UncleB — Mon, 03 Oct 2022 21:22:28 GMT

The chatter on using the Curve Card is scattered around a bit, an instead of bumping one of the old threads I figured it might be easier to keep all the data points in a new thread going foward.

What doesn't work: No surprises here... Capital One, Chase, and Citi all see through the "CRV*" notation on the charge so this doesn't bypass their category exclusions, i.e. Walmart (I had to try, though).

What does work: I figured since Chase could 'see' a Walmart transaction regardless of the CRV notation, perhaps it would still trigger the 5% WM category this quarter... and it did:

This could be useful for taking advantage of a Freedom Flex category up to 30 days before the quarter starts; simply 'park' the charge on another card, then after the new categories are active use the Curve app to move the charge to the Freedom Flex, easy peasy. The above transaction was "moved" from my Citi Double Cash, originally made at my local Walmart store a couple of weeks ago.

I'm still hopeful that Discover will treat Curve card transactions the same way it did Paypal Key transactions, that is using it at Walmart during the grocery quarter will just be a standard 'grocery' charge (bypassing the WM exclusion) but of course there's no way to know without just trying it.

Curve still doesn't support Visa or American Express. I honestly don't expect it to ever support Amex, but IMHO lack of Visa support will prevent Curve from ever reaching its potential. If they're unable to get Visa on-board I don't see them staying around long-term.

Re: Curve Card - Tips/Tricks, What Works (and Doesn't Work)

cashorcharge — Mon, 03 Oct 2022 22:36:29 GMT

Thanks for the update @UncleB

Re: Curve Card - Tips/Tricks, What Works (and Doesn't Work)

unsungivy — Tue, 04 Oct 2022 16:43:58 GMT

@UncleB wrote:
The chatter on using the Curve Card is scattered around a bit, an instead of bumping one of the old threads I figured it might be easier to keep all the data points in a new thread going foward.

What doesn't work: No surprises here... Capital One, Chase, and Citi all see through the "CRV*" notation on the charge so this doesn't bypass their category exclusions, i.e. Walmart (I had to try, though).

Interestingly, Target IS getting counted as "groceries" by Cap1 on the Savor card routed through Curve. This has happened at several locations across the nation. I don't think this is normally the case for Target? (Target/Walmart normally have the same exclusions on cards).

Re: Curve Card - Tips/Tricks, What Works (and Doesn't Work)

RootDet — Tue, 04 Oct 2022 18:36:34 GMT

is the curve card reporting to any cra?

Re: Curve Card - Tips/Tricks, What Works (and Doesn't Work)

unsungivy — Tue, 04 Oct 2022 18:41:46 GMT

@RootDet wrote:
is the curve card reporting to any cra?

So far no, it's not.

Re: Curve Card - Tips/Tricks, What Works (and Doesn't Work)

UncleB — Thu, 06 Oct 2022 02:31:43 GMT

@unsungivy wrote:
@UncleB wrote:
The chatter on using the Curve Card is scattered around a bit, an instead of bumping one of the old threads I figured it might be easier to keep all the data points in a new thread going foward.

What doesn't work: No surprises here... Capital One, Chase, and Citi all see through the "CRV*" notation on the charge so this doesn't bypass their category exclusions, i.e. Walmart (I had to try, though).
Interestingly, Target IS getting counted as "groceries" by Cap1 on the Savor card routed through Curve. This has happened at several locations across the nation. I don't think this is normally the case for Target? (Target/Walmart normally have the same exclusions on cards).

If your local Target doesn't code as grocery when just using the Savor card by itself this will be notable, since in my tests Capital One has been able to 'see through' both Paypal Key (RIP) and Curve when using my Savor.

I've not tried using Savor (with or without Curve) at my Target, since I can simply use my Altitude Reserve w/Google Pay and get 4.5% back.

With Curve giving 1% in 'Curve Cash' to folks who signed up for the Beta it's effectively getting 6% back at Walmart this quarter when using Curve + Chase Freedom Flex. Not too shabby...

Re: Curve Card - Tips/Tricks, What Works (and Doesn't Work)

M_Smart007 — Thu, 06 Oct 2022 03:20:31 GMT

@UncleB wrote:
@unsungivy wrote:
@UncleB wrote:
The chatter on using the Curve Card is scattered around a bit, an instead of bumping one of the old threads I figured it might be easier to keep all the data points in a new thread going foward.

What doesn't work: No surprises here... Capital One, Chase, and Citi all see through the "CRV*" notation on the charge so this doesn't bypass their category exclusions, i.e. Walmart (I had to try, though).
Interestingly, Target IS getting counted as "groceries" by Cap1 on the Savor card routed through Curve. This has happened at several locations across the nation. I don't think this is normally the case for Target? (Target/Walmart normally have the same exclusions on cards).
If your local Target doesn't code as grocery when just using the Savor card by itself this will be notable, since in my tests Capital One has been able to 'see through' both Paypal Key (RIP) and Curve when using my Savor.

I've not tried using Savor (with or without Curve) at my Target, since I can simply use my Altitude Reserve w/Google Pay and get 4.5% back.

With Curve giving 1% in 'Curve Cash' to folks who signed up for the Beta it's effectively getting 6% back at Walmart this quarter when using Curve + Chase Freedom Flex. Not too shabby...

@UncleB, You can't use Discover with digital wallet quarter for 5%? ..(oh wait, you might not have Discover?)

I maxed both Discover quarters on PayPal in the 3rd, and now maxed both 5% G-Pay in the4th. Still gotta do Chase Freedom Flex PayPal for the 5%.

You know, it is getting pretty hard to keep up with you

Re: Curve Card - Tips/Tricks, What Works (and Doesn't Work)

UncleB — Thu, 06 Oct 2022 03:51:13 GMT

@M_Smart007 wrote:
@UncleB wrote:
@unsungivy wrote:
@UncleB wrote:
The chatter on using the Curve Card is scattered around a bit, an instead of bumping one of the old threads I figured it might be easier to keep all the data points in a new thread going foward.

What doesn't work: No surprises here... Capital One, Chase, and Citi all see through the "CRV*" notation on the charge so this doesn't bypass their category exclusions, i.e. Walmart (I had to try, though).
Interestingly, Target IS getting counted as "groceries" by Cap1 on the Savor card routed through Curve. This has happened at several locations across the nation. I don't think this is normally the case for Target? (Target/Walmart normally have the same exclusions on cards).
If your local Target doesn't code as grocery when just using the Savor card by itself this will be notable, since in my tests Capital One has been able to 'see through' both Paypal Key (RIP) and Curve when using my Savor.

I've not tried using Savor (with or without Curve) at my Target, since I can simply use my Altitude Reserve w/Google Pay and get 4.5% back.

With Curve giving 1% in 'Curve Cash' to folks who signed up for the Beta it's effectively getting 6% back at Walmart this quarter when using Curve + Chase Freedom Flex. Not too shabby...
@UncleB, You can't use Discover with digital wallet quarter for 5%? ..(oh wait, you might not have Discover?)
I maxed both Discover quarters on PayPal in the 3rd, and now maxed both 5% G-Pay in the4th. Still gotta do Chase Freedom Flex PayPal for the 5%.

You know, it is getting pretty hard to keep up with you

Yep, Discover + digital wallet is the way to go this quarter (I do have Disco - actually my largest credit line) but generally speaking I'll use my AR wherever possible since it doesn't require much thought, LOL. Luckily this quarter just using Discover doesn't require much thought, either!

This is a really good quarter for cash back.

Re: Curve Card - Tips/Tricks, What Works (and Doesn't Work)

UncleB — Thu, 01 Dec 2022 20:25:01 GMT

I have an entry for the "doesn't work" column... making a purchase via Paypal billed to Curve then passed on to Chase Freedom Flex. To be more precise, the charge itself worked perfectly but the purchase did not trigger the Paypal bonus... the cash back was only 1%.

Not a big deal, but might have had interesting implications had Chase counted it as a Paypal purchase.

Re: Curve Card - Tips/Tricks, What Works (and Doesn't Work)

toofast — Fri, 23 Dec 2022 22:41:34 GMT

@UncleB wrote:
I have an entry for the "doesn't work" column... making a purchase via Paypal billed to Curve then passed on to Chase Freedom Flex. To be more precise, the charge itself worked perfectly but the purchase did not trigger the Paypal bonus... the cash back was only 1%.

Not a big deal, but might have had interesting implications had Chase counted it as a Paypal purchase.

You could still use go-back-in-time feature to move the charge to a better card though, eg: Coinbase debit for 4% cashback.

Re: Curve Card - Tips/Tricks, What Works (and Doesn't Work)

RootDet — Sat, 24 Dec 2022 02:45:10 GMT

@toofast wrote:
@UncleB wrote:
I have an entry for the "doesn't work" column... making a purchase via Paypal billed to Curve then passed on to Chase Freedom Flex. To be more precise, the charge itself worked perfectly but the purchase did not trigger the Paypal bonus... the cash back was only 1%.

Not a big deal, but might have had interesting implications had Chase counted it as a Paypal purchase.
You could still use go-back-in-time feature to move the charge to a better card though, eg: Coinbase debit for 4% cashback.

If that charge landed on the $500 Curve "POT" credit line, as they call it, you cannot use the go-back-in-time feature if it lands there. You're forced to pay it off directly. The ability to go-back-in-time applies to anything else but their special curve credit line.

Re: Curve Card - Tips/Tricks, What Works (and Doesn't Work)

toofast — Sat, 24 Dec 2022 15:52:20 GMT

@RootDet wrote:
@toofast wrote:
@UncleB wrote:
I have an entry for the "doesn't work" column... making a purchase via Paypal billed to Curve then passed on to Chase Freedom Flex. To be more precise, the charge itself worked perfectly but the purchase did not trigger the Paypal bonus... the cash back was only 1%.

Not a big deal, but might have had interesting implications had Chase counted it as a Paypal purchase.
You could still use go-back-in-time feature to move the charge to a better card though, eg: Coinbase debit for 4% cashback.
If that charge landed on the $500 Curve "POT" credit line, as they call it, you cannot use the go-back-in-time feature if it lands there. You're forced to pay it off directly. The ability to go-back-in-time applies to anything else but their special curve credit line.

Yes, that's correct, if a charge goes to their annoying credit line you can't go-back-in time, but the previous poster said "the charge itself worked perfectly but the purchase did not trigger the Paypal bonus". In that situation it went to the correct card, but didnt code as a PayPal purchase, so a perfect time to use the go=back-in-time feature.

Re: Curve Card - Tips/Tricks, What Works (and Doesn't Work)

UncleB — Wed, 28 Dec 2022 02:54:41 GMT

@toofast wrote:
@UncleB wrote:
I have an entry for the "doesn't work" column... making a purchase via Paypal billed to Curve then passed on to Chase Freedom Flex. To be more precise, the charge itself worked perfectly but the purchase did not trigger the Paypal bonus... the cash back was only 1%.

Not a big deal, but might have had interesting implications had Chase counted it as a Paypal purchase.
You could still use go-back-in-time feature to move the charge to a better card though, eg: Coinbase debit for 4% cashback.

Yep, this was a perfect example of when to use the "Go back in time" feature.

I also realized after-the-fact that I have exceeded the $1500 quarterly limit for Walmart on my Chase Freedom Flex. Since I ran the purchases through Curve, I'll be able to move a few of them over to my Double Cash, or maybe even Discover (if Disco happens to code Curve/WM charges as 'grocery'... to be determined in a week or so.)

I can't see myself using this card in place of my other cards on a regular basis, but for situations like this it really is handy.

Re: Curve Card - Tips/Tricks, What Works (and Doesn't Work)

UncleB — Wed, 04 Jan 2023 07:57:42 GMT

@UncleB wrote:
Since I ran the purchases through Curve, I'll be able to move a few of them over to my Double Cash, or maybe even Discover (if Disco happens to code Curve/WM charges as 'grocery'... to be determined in a week or so.)

I can't see myself using this card in place of my other cards on a regular basis, but for situations like this it really is handy.

I just love it when a plan comes together... let the good times roll!

(No worries about the address that's displayed... it's Curve's address, not the address of my Walmart.)

Due to my being tired and not paying attention the first WM charge I moved to Discover was actually Walmart.com, which didn't work (MCC is for discount stores). Of course there was no going back, but that's OK... I just moved another charge, this time being more careful to make sure it was an in-store purchase. Success!

I've read data points on the new Comenity AAA Advantage Visa where it also treats Walmart in-store purchases as grocery, but since I'm already effectively getting 5% back at Walmart three out of four quarters with Freedom and Discover there's little need to make any additions. For now I'm fine with "only" getting 3% back on the stray quarter using the Venmo Visa.

Note: This is for a Walmart Supercenter, not a neighborhood market. Last year Discover behaved similarly with the Paypal Key (R.I.P.), so I expect this to work at all WM Supercenters I frequent (and neighborhood markets as well, but those were already a given).

Re: Curve Card - Tips/Tricks, What Works (and Doesn't Work)

UncleB — Sat, 13 Apr 2024 08:30:04 GMT

Bumping this old(ish) thread for the benefit of anybody around who still has the Curve card.

In a couple of other places I've previously mentioned that I'm now using the BoA CCR with the Curve card, but I figured I'd mention it here for posterity. Anyway, I have selected 'online purchases' for the category for one of my CCRs, and so far everything I've put through Curve has triggered the 'online' category on the CCR with the exception of things they explicitly exclude.

The most interesting use for me is using Curve/CCR in-person at Walmart (without having to bother with Walmart Pay) - these charges code as 'online'. So far Curve hasn't been able to 'punch-through' the excluded list, at least for me; insurance premiums, USPS.com and the DMV did not trigger the online category, nor did a utility payment (all on the excluded list, so not surprising). I've made in-person purchases with Curve at the grocery store, fast food, and vending machines... all triggered the 3% online category.

I prefer to use my U.S. Bank AR w/ Google pay whenever possible in-person (4.5% back), but for those without the AR or when tap payments aren't accepted the Curve/BoA CCR combo might be useful.

Re: Curve Card - Tips/Tricks, What Works (and Doesn't Work)

DoppelgangerD — Sun, 14 Apr 2024 04:58:46 GMT

So it looks like this isn't even available in the US (???).

https://www.curve.com/en-us

Re: Curve Card - Tips/Tricks, What Works (and Doesn't Work)

UncleB — Sun, 14 Apr 2024 18:50:49 GMT

@DoppelgangerD wrote:
So it looks like this isn't even available in the US (???).
https://www.curve.com/en-us

They're no longer taking new U.S. applications, but there are quite a few people on here who picked it up when it was still available.

I admit the prospects of them ever opening apps again to the U.S. doesn't look good (support is minimal for U.S. cardholders). That said, until they shut it down completely I plan to take advantage of any perks/options it provides as often as I can.

Re: Curve Card - Tips/Tricks, What Works (and Doesn't Work)

unsungivy — Sat, 20 Apr 2024 14:08:38 GMT

@UncleB wrote:
@DoppelgangerD wrote:
So it looks like this isn't even available in the US (???).
https://www.curve.com/en-us
They're no longer taking new U.S. applications, but there are quite a few people on here who picked it up when it was still available.

I admit the prospects of them ever opening apps again to the U.S. doesn't look good (support is minimal for U.S. cardholders). That said, until they shut it down completely I plan to take advantage of any perks/options it provides as often as I can.

I still have mine. I've run into major issues lately however. On March 1st there was a fraudulent charge overseas (in British pounds). I assume this CC theft happened from an eBay purchase or somesuch from P2 using my card for the BoA CCR Online Shopping.

I contacted Curve within 20 minutes, and they mistakenly assured me that it didn't go through (though I could see it pending), and told me not to worry about it and lock my card and they'd send me a new one. Sounds simple right?

Well, charge goes through, I have to go back to them and they finally say oh we were wrong, we'll file a whatsit for that. Seven weeks later, still no resolution, I had to pay the fraudulent charge because they didn't even move it to a different bucket like AmEx or Chase would. They even just tried to read off a script and asked if I could contact the vendor etc... uh no? I don't know this random vendor in Britain? Don't YOU have that info connected to the charge itself?? Hell, the same place kept trying to make more charges on my card after it was locked, for over a month!! Stop them, **bleep**!! ("Association of Charter", whatever that is).

As far as sending me a new card, they ran into a snag, and it took 6 weeks for a new card to be sent to me (at which point new cards arrived two days in a row.)

It would be one thing if they communicated with me, but instead days or sometimes WEEKS go by without them acknowledging my Help inquiries. Via chat on the app only. Because they have flat out refused to give me a number I can call to talk to a human that can give me focus for more than 10 seconds a week.

Since they have recently "moved" their NYC office, I wouldn't be surprised if it was now just a mail drop and they are hiding that they pulled any support out of the US and are just operating out of Britain. I'm genuinely tempted to drive over to NYC and investigate in person.

If it wasn't so **bleep** useful, especially with the Go-Back-In-Time (especially on P2's card), I'd kick them to the curb soooo fast after this most recent experience.

Re: Curve Card - Tips/Tricks, What Works (and Doesn't Work)

UncleB — Sat, 20 Apr 2024 23:36:05 GMT

@unsungivy wrote:
@UncleB wrote:
@DoppelgangerD wrote:
So it looks like this isn't even available in the US (???).
https://www.curve.com/en-us
They're no longer taking new U.S. applications, but there are quite a few people on here who picked it up when it was still available.

I admit the prospects of them ever opening apps again to the U.S. doesn't look good (support is minimal for U.S. cardholders). That said, until they shut it down completely I plan to take advantage of any perks/options it provides as often as I can.
I still have mine. I've run into major issues lately however. On March 1st there was a fraudulent charge overseas (in British pounds). I assume this CC theft happened from an eBay purchase or somesuch from P2 using my card for the BoA CCR Online Shopping.

I contacted Curve within 20 minutes, and they mistakenly assured me that it didn't go through (though I could see it pending), and told me not to worry about it and lock my card and they'd send me a new one. Sounds simple right?

Well, charge goes through, I have to go back to them and they finally say oh we were wrong, we'll file a whatsit for that. Seven weeks later, still no resolution, I had to pay the fraudulent charge because they didn't even move it to a different bucket like AmEx or Chase would. They even just tried to read off a script and asked if I could contact the vendor etc... uh no? I don't know this random vendor in Britain? Don't YOU have that info connected to the charge itself?? Hell, the same place kept trying to make more charges on my card after it was locked, for over a month!! Stop them, **bleep**!! ("Association of Charter", whatever that is).

As far as sending me a new card, they ran into a snag, and it took 6 weeks for a new card to be sent to me (at which point new cards arrived two days in a row.)

It would be one thing if they communicated with me, but instead days or sometimes WEEKS go by without them acknowledging my Help inquiries. Via chat on the app only. Because they have flat out refused to give me a number I can call to talk to a human that can give me focus for more than 10 seconds a week.

Since they have recently "moved" their NYC office, I wouldn't be surprised if it was now just a mail drop and they are hiding that they pulled any support out of the US and are just operating out of Britain. I'm genuinely tempted to drive over to NYC and investigate in person.

If it wasn't so **bleep** useful, especially with the Go-Back-In-Time (especially on P2's card), I'd kick them to the curb soooo fast after this most recent experience.

Yeah, I don't doubt your experience at all... their support is basically non-existent these days.

I agree with your statement about how if they weren't so useful it definitely wouldn't be worth the hassle. For me, the main reason for keeping them around is being able to get 5% back at Walmart during the Discover grocery quarter (which ironically hasn't happened yet this year, but I digress). The GBIT has been useful at times and the BoA/online purchase hack is neat, but those are things I could do without/work around if Curve customer service (or lack thereof) ever becomes an issue for me.

Re: Curve Card - Tips/Tricks, What Works (and Doesn't Work)

okurosetta — Sun, 21 Apr 2024 19:53:29 GMT

I hope it sticks around as long as possible. I have it connected to 10 cards, and especially with my various Citi cards, it can cover dining, gas, grocery, travel, transit, home improvement, and non-category, as well as some more niche categories, at either our best return or close enough that the convenience of one card more than makes up for it.

It has been very useful for the Go-Back-In-Time feature, especially with the $500 cap on Custom Cash. If I accidentally go over I just find a charge that would put me close to the cap and move it.

It has also been great for tracking charges with P2. I manage most of our finances, including tracking all of our joint charges. I can use Curve for P2's Savor, which I am an authorized user on, but I don't have account manager status on that card - so basically if I use Savor I have no way of seeing charges, but if I use Savor via Curve I can see the charges in the app. This is a niche bonus, but the alternative is P2 going through her charges and listing them out, which she certainly does not enjoy. I also often switch which dining card is assigned while we are out, to split charges between myself and P2.

I have had some issues with charges not going through, but that was mostly around February, haven't had an issue in a month or so. There was some funky coding recently too - a restaurant in a mall food court coded as "Grocery Store, Supermarket" on my Custom Cash via Curve I use for dining, so I moved it to my Premier, but then it coded as "Misc Food Store, Specialty, Convenience" and only earned 1X. I mean, can't complain much when this is the one transaction I can think of with over a year of use, and it's all of 68 lost points. Can't win 'em all, and Curve does at least allow for a second try when things don't code as expected.