Curve 2.0: New App With Launchpad? (And Fees)

Curve recently announced a major update to their app, which they are marketing as Curve 2.0. The new version promises to bring in iOS-style dashboard called Launchpad, which is supposed to be simpler and quicker to use. It’s almost like it is bringing new apps withing the app, similar to what Revolut has done with their app since the beginning. The company also claims this is just the first phase of Curve 2.0.

Curve also stated that the upgrade is supposed to roll out gradually. Even if you already see the announcement on the App Store (like it happened to me), you won’t be able to access the new dashboard until they turn it on for you.

A ton of users are complaining about this update, since they believe that a ‘card-centric’ approach is better than an app-centric one. What are your thoughts? What’s interesting to me is that they pushed this big announcement, but there are almost no details about the new app. No screenshots, no landing page, no blog post.

Also, Curve is making some changes in their fees and pricing structure soon (next November), so make sure to check the latest status below. I agree with many users that think that Curve has been in cash-cow mode for a while, without introducing new features and major upgrades. It’s especially losing a ton of terrain against Revolut and other cool products out there, particularly since the introduction of Revolut Ultra, and even Pro or Business accounts.

Revolut is also incentivizing users to get €60-70 for each friend and family member referred! Curve even joked about this on X/Twitter:

My take is that, for now, Curve is still a good option if you are using their Free/Basic tier or the Curve X tier if you are a heavy reward user who is after racking up lots of points with a single payment method. Curve Black and beyond make little sense compared to Revolut Metal, Revolut Ultra, and more premium options in the market in 2023.

Curve 2.0 app: New design, but is it good?

Here’s the official statement by the company:

Since adding more and more features to Curve over the years, it’s got a little messy around here.

So we’ve cleaned up our app.

Launchpad is our new app menu, making it super easy to find everything you need, all in one place. Whether you want to reach support, explore features, refer friends or check out your latest cashback offers – it all starts here.

You might even discover something new along the way. Make sure you update the app to the latest version to see the changes we have made.

Complaints: Curve New Terms, Conditions, and Fees

Back on September 4th, Curve sent out this email where they were announcing new fees and charges because they were set to ‘introduce new products’.

Of course, the news was poorly received among the users and the community. A big group of users (including myself) believe that Curve was put in ‘cash cow’ mode a while back: just earning money thanks to their great product and not pushing any new features, upgrades, or announcements. You can read more and follow these discussions here.

After announcing the Curve 2.0 app (which brings very few new things and a more complex UI), they just sent out this email, revising the price and terms changes announced on September 4.

Here’s the official statement:

On 4 September 2023 we sent you a notice about changes to our terms. Since then, our community has given us feedback on what matters most to them.

We’ve listened carefully and we’ve taken action, revisiting our currency conversion pricing to give you more freedom to spend abroad on any card without fees, while earning rewards on your credit cards.

And here are the new terms

	Curve Standard	Curve X	Curve Black	Curve Metal
Currency conversion fee
What we notified to you on 4 September 2023	2.5% per transaction over the Mastercard Wholesale Rate	Fee-free currency conversion up to €500 per rolling 30-day period. Then, 2.5% per transaction over the Mastercard Wholesale Rate	Fee-free currency conversion up to €1,000 per rolling 30-day period. Then, 2.5% per transaction over the Mastercard Wholesale Rate.	Fee-free currency conversion up to €5,000 per rolling 30-day period. Then, 2.5% per transaction over the Mastercard Wholesale Rate.
New change effective as of 14 November 2023	Fee-free currency conversion up to €250 per rolling 30-day period. Then, 2.5% over the Mastercard Wholesale Rate No weekend surcharge for USD, EUR and GBP.	Fee-free currency conversion up to €1,000 per rolling 30-day period. Then, 2.5% over the Mastercard Wholesale Rate No weekend surcharge for USD, EUR and GBP.	Fee-free currency conversion up to €2,000 per rolling 30-day period. Then, 2.5% over the Mastercard Wholesale Rate No weekend surcharge for USD, EUR and GBP.	Free – unlimitedSubject to fair use policyNo weekend surcharge for USD, EUR and GBP.
Currency Conversion Fee (for purchases and ATM withdrawals over the weekend or public holidays)
What we notified to you on 4 September 2023	If the currency of the selected payment source and the transaction are both in GBP, USD or EUR, the rate will be increased by 0.5% over the Currency Conversion Fee (which means that the weekend Currency Conversion Fee would be 3%). In any other currency, the rate will be increased by up to 1.5% over the Currency Conversion Fee (which means that the weekend Currency Conversion Fee would be 4%).
New change effective as of 14 November 2023	If the currency of your funding source and the transaction you are making are different: • we do not apply any surcharge in addition to the Currency Conversion Fee (see above) where the currency of your payment source is EUR, GBP or USD; or • we charge 1% in addition to the Currency Conversion Fee (see above) where the currency of your payment source is in any other currency.

Other posts you’ll love

• Curve CANCELS Curve Rewards (Starting March 9th)
• Curve Cards: New Prices and Curve X Tier (60% discount)
• Curve Card Sweden: Review and First Impressions (Get €5 for FREE)