[teddyboy]

zerovector wrote:

Can 2 people make an Avios booking for LHR-DEN and use 1 voucher to upgrade the return (DEN-LHR) leg of the round trip? To clarify, the outbound would be an Avios PE redemption and the return would be an Avios business redemption (but paying the PE number of Avios).

I am trying to do similar – 2 people, upgrading just the return leg with 1 cabin voucher. I can’t book the round trip online (as it says I don’t have enough vouchers to upgrade both pax return), and I clearly can’t book as 2 separate bookings (as the cabin voucher can only be used on flights itineraries originating from UK). So it can only be done by phone.

But is there a way of securing the outbound flight on t-355 (I think I read somewhere that you could do this if you have TWO vouchers, and use them both when you book the outbound? But I’ve only got 1 and don’t want to use it on the outbound), or do I have to sit tight until the return leg is t-355 and then call?

[teddyboy]

Rui N. wrote:

I’d like very much to take them on their offer, but I click on the emails or the app notifications and it goes to a page for upgrade, and no free option.

I also have this. If I click on “Try Pro For Free” in the App, or in the emails, it takes me to “Pick Your Plan” – Pro+ £17.99, Pro £9.99, X 5.99 – with no mention of a free month. I don’t trust Curve enough to click on ‘Pro’ in the hope/belief that I will then get the first month for free.
Should I be more trusting??

[teddyboy]

ZW wrote:

Toaster wrote:

Some reddit people have stated they did £3k fronted at beginning of March and did a test transaction after the announcement and it had no fronted fee. Could be that the limit is reset today, then reset again 1St April.

I’ve used up my 3k front last week. I just did a test with front on, and got charged 2.5%. So had to GBIT..

New terms apply “as of 21 March 2024”, so should already be in effect. It sounds as though they are treating early March transactions as part of the March ‘Calendar Month’, even though the transaction occurred under the old terms. The change from rolling 30 days to calendar month is still a major improvement.

[teddyboy]

JDB wrote:

@IrishGlobeTrotter the ridiculous thing is suggesting there is any lack of information or any need for confusion. FX is now unlimited, subject to a fair use policy which doesn’t involve a monthly limit. That’s a very significant improvement. Such fair use policy is in place to stop excessive abuse and is more than reasonable for the vast majority of people. The Fronted limit was reduced for obvious reasons. I trust you have told Barclaycard you live in Australia.

The confusion was caused by conflicting information provided by Curve themselves. For example, I received 2 emails within 2 minutes on 14/9 (slightly disingenuously saying that there was to be “a few changes” to the T&Cs, with changes to the subscription schedules to reflect the introduction of ‘several new products’) which said that the change would take place WEF 13/11. Or 14/11, depending on which email I looked at.

The Subscription Schedule I downloaded at that point (described as V.3, published 4/9 – in turn saying that the change was WEF 10/11!) said – with respect to Metal currency conversion – M to F “Fee-free currency conversion up to £5,000 per rolling 30-day period. Then, 2.5% per transaction over the Mastercard Wholesale Rate” and weekends “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 Mastercard Wholesale Rate. In any other currency, the rate will be increased by up to 1.5% over the Mastercard Wholesale Rate”.

By October this had changed, although without any further notification from Curve. The ‘new’ Subscription Schedule (still described as V.3, but now stating published 15/9 and taking effect from 15/11) says – again in relation to Metal – “Free**” FX (the “**” being a cross-ref to the “up to £100,000 per calendar year” limit under Curve’s ‘Fair Use Policy’ (V.2, published 14/9). But also, in relation to weekend FX fees, “If the currency of your payment source and the transaction you are making are different: ● we do not apply any surcharge in addition to the Currency Conversion Fee (see above) or the Foreign ATM Withdrawal Fees (see below) 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) or the Foreign ATM Withdrawal Fees (see below) where the currency of your payment source is in any other currency.” [Given that “the currency of your payment source” is a reference to your underlying payment card (or PayPal, if that is revived), for most people this will be GBP and therefore it seems that there will be no Currency Conversion Fee.] Major changes on both points, then.

So, Yes @IrishGlobeTrotter @JDB, there is confusion. I am pleased to say that today, as at 19.25, the UK Subscription Schedule on Curve’s website remains as V.3 published 15/9/2023, with “Free**” Metal currency conversion.

As others have noted, there are other differences between the ‘Version 3’ UK Subscription Schedules published 4/9 and 15/9.

[teddyboy]

Also, for non-metal people, currency conversion fee for Curve Standard now fee-free on first £250 rolling (previously was going to be 2.5% on any transaction), X is £1,000 (not £500) and Black is £2,000 (not £1,000). Obviously still not as good as it was, and the over-limit fee is up from 2.0%, but the removal of the weekend surcharge applies to all cards.

[teddyboy]

Jon wrote:

kt74 wrote:

So, which is it, 10 Nov, 13 Nov or 15 Nov?

My email says Nov 14th 😂

I have 2 emails 14th Sept, timed a minute apart, one saying 13th and the other 14th. The Subscription Schedule I downloaded at that time (Version 3, published 4th Sept) says that it will take effect 10th Nov. The latest version on the website (version 3, published 15th Sept) says it will take effect 15th Nov.

Other than the date (and removal of Crypto Rewards), the big change is currency conversion fees on purchases. Metal was Fee Free £5,000 rolling 30 days M to F in first version. Latest version says “Free” (subject to 100k fair use), including weekend/holidays, provided ‘payment source’ (i.e. underlying card) is EUR, GBP or USD.

[teddyboy]

teddyboy wrote:

I rejected the Creation offer made back in March (accrued points, accrued free night and pro rata refund), seeking in addition ‘distress and inconvenience’ compensation. FOS investigator has now upheld the complaint and proposes £100 compensation for: (a) ‘loss of opportunity to use the card during the notice period’ (when I phoned after the first statement they told me I wouldn’t earn points during the notice period, so I stopped using it at that point); and (b) being unable to use the free night in 2022 (I provided evidence of a paid stay where I could/would have used the free night had it been credited at the correct time).

To finish the story, I accepted the FOS Investigator’s decision but Creation did not, so we went to an Ombudsman. The Ombudsman decision has now be circulated, and he has decided that £100 compensation for inconvenience should be paid for: (a) being “misinformed about [my] ability to earn points during the notice period” (of course this was not ‘misinformed’ as such, in that this was clearly Creation’s policy at the time, but that policy was wrong, as Creation now accept. Having been so (mis)informed I stopped using the card, so Creation’s policy effectively deprived me of the notice period I was entitled to); and (b) being unable to use the free night for an IHG stay which I took within the 12-month period the free night voucher would have been valid had it been issued at the time it should have been.

Although the reasoning is expressed in slightly different terms, the outcome is the same as that reached by the Investigator. The Ombudsman’s decision will, of course, be published.

[teddyboy]

stevenhp1987 wrote:

JDB wrote:

If anyone actually read the decision by an Ombudsman in the link provided above, it’s clear the FOS has been provided with confidential information that has persuaded them that the cardholder had acted in a way that entitled Creation to cancel their account and withhold points. Those cases are quite rare and there will have been a serious transgression.

I find it interesting that the cardholder themselves, who is being accused of something, has no means to defend themselves.

What’s to stop Creation from bending the truth or simply making up stories to get out of paying?

Mr G accepted the Investigator’s decision (closure without notice and no credit of points was fair, lack of notification of closure caused £50 inconvenience). It seems that he knew that he had been a naughty boy. Creation did not accept the Investigator’s decision, so it was referred to an Ombudsman. The Ombudsman reached the same decision.

[teddyboy]

teddyboy wrote:

I rejected the Creation offer made back in March (accrued points, accrued free night and pro rata refund), seeking in addition ‘distress and inconvenience’ compensation. FOS investigator has now upheld the complaint and proposes £100 compensation for: (a) ‘loss of opportunity to use the card during the notice period’ (when I phoned after the first statement they told me I wouldn’t earn points during the notice period, so I stopped using it at that point); and (b) being unable to use the free night in 2022 (I provided evidence of a paid stay where I could/would have used the free night had it been credited at the correct time).

For the benefit of those who are keeping track with FOS and MCOL outcomes, Creation has rejected the Investigator’s recommendation and we are now going to see what an Ombudsman thinks about it. It will be interesting to see whether that stage takes more or less time than the 18 months it has taken to reach this point (the Investigator’s indication of “a few months” seems a little optimistic!).

Some may question whether this is good use of an Ombudsman’s time, but it was Creation who rejected the Investigator’s recommendation, not me. The Ombudsman’s decision will be binding on Creation and will also be published, so this is a potentially risky course for Creation to take.

[teddyboy]

I rejected the Creation offer made back in March (accrued points, accrued free night and pro rata refund), seeking in addition ‘distress and inconvenience’ compensation. FOS investigator has now upheld the complaint and proposes £100 compensation for: (a) ‘loss of opportunity to use the card during the notice period’ (when I phoned after the first statement they told me I wouldn’t earn points during the notice period, so I stopped using it at that point); and (b) being unable to use the free night in 2022 (I provided evidence of a paid stay where I could/would have used the free night had it been credited at the correct time).
Nothing to get too excited about, but worth waiting the extra 3 months for, I suppose. Especially when it had taken Creation over 12 months to accept that it owed my the points, night and pro rata refund.
I still miss the IHG card (and the annual free night) – it’s a pity no one else has stepped in.

[teddyboy]

Offer rejected 18/3. Acknowledged by FOS 20/3 (“Thank you for your prompt response letting me know you don’t accept the settlement offer. Your comments have been noted and will be taken into consideration once your case is assigned to an investigator.”). But I have now received a Free Night Award and a “Goodwill Adjustment” that covers the points that weren’t transferred in October and November 2021. I’m not sure why Creation have done this. Maybe because they know they are bang to rights on the points/free night but think they might have a shout arguing over “points I could have earned 6 Nov to 3 Dec” and “inconvenience/stress”.

[teddyboy]

Grant wrote:

I would not be surprised to find that all Creation did when this kicked off is close off the use of the cards, leaving everything else in place as it was. I can still login to my old account, view statements, see my points balance, etc. It is possible that the links to IHG Rewards accounts are still there in the background.

Yes – and IHG still thinks I am an “IHG Rewards Credit Cardholder” (and seems to be maintaining my status on that basis). The Creation account usefully says how may points they think they are withholding.

[teddyboy]

Froggee wrote:

This is starting to do my nut in. Creation haven’t made an offer. They’ve made a general statement. Whereas what the FOS say happens is this:

“Telling you what we think
When we’ve reviewed everything you and the business have told us, we’ll let you know whether we think the business treated you fairly or not. We’ll always explain the reasons behind our initial assessment. If we think the business treated you unfairly, we’ll say what they need to do to put things right. ”

FOS haven’t completed their investigation, so it hasn’t reached the point of FOS making an ‘initial assessment’. This is a proposal from Creation (in vague terms, but setting out the basis on which Creation would be willing to resolve individual complaints) presumably intended to avoid FOS reaching a determination. The fact that Creation has reached this point suggests that they have a good idea of the conclusion FOS will reach!

The other point to note is that, if the matter is resolved by FOS assessment, that assessment will be in financial terms only. FOS will need to put a cash value on the points and the free night, as FOS can’t compel Creation to award you points/nights.

[teddyboy]

Same offer email as above received from FOS today at 12.28, for complaint raised Oct 2021!

I used Curve a fair bit, but not MS. Mainly paying off big bills where DC (but not CC) was accepted. The assertion that “it’s been important to take [additional information provided by Creation] into account for the individual circumstances of each case” and then “As a result of our conversations with Creation, we’re pleased to let you know that Creation have made an offer to resolve your complaint” strongly suggests that not everyone is going to receive this offer.

As with others, I find the “grant Anniversary Night Vouchers for eligible customers” very vague. The points presumably will be as stated on the statements, and the pro rata fee is easy enough to work out (although I stopped using the card before the account was closed, when I realised they weren’t transferring the points, but with a pro rata of less than £2 pw I’m not losing sleep on that). Creation ought to be paying compensation on top, but I don’t think I can be bothered to pursue it for that if I get the points, free night and pro-rata refund.

Given the vague Anniversary Night offer (I spent the 10k, but as I no longer hold the card will the night be properly credited? Will it be valid for (at least) 12 months from the date it is credited?), I am thinking of IGNORING the email. FOS says “If we don’t hear from you by [31/3/2023], we will assume your acceptance of this offer, ask Creation to action the settlement and close your complaint”. If Creation then ‘action the settlement’ in a way that does not accord with my understanding of what I should be due under the 3 stated heads of the offer, maybe it will be easier to revive the complaint than if I “accept the offer from Creation in full and final settlement of [my] complaint”.

That may be a bit cowardly, but it should give some extra wriggle room!

[teddyboy]

Is anyone else having trouble with Curve and HMRC? I tried several times yesterday and today without success. The problem may be with HMRC as I didn’t get any decline messages through the App, and I was also unable to pay with new Chase debit card or even a ‘standard’ debit card. Maybe HMRC has blocked any debit card transactions by me due to my past use of Curve?