Goodbye GrabPay, good day higher numberless card alternate options!

There’s no must bemoan the lack of the GrabPay card, because it was hardly that incredible to start with. However for these of you who suppose you’ll miss the numberless card function, you’ll be glad to know that whereas Seize was certainly the primary to launch that function right here, 2 different card issuers have adopted since – so right here’s these 2 various choices you’ll be able to take into account as a substitute.

After I first learn the information yesterday about Seize’s determination to discontinue their GrabPay card (from June), my first thought was that it might need been an April Idiot’s prank performed by the model.

Besides that it wasn’t.

Shortly after, I obtained a number of DMs on my Instagram from readers asking if I knew of some other playing cards that would supply “comparable advantages”. That originally left me bewildered, as a result of in my head I used to be considering, “WHAT advantages did the GrabPay card have within the first place?”

You’ve seen me function varied playing cards right here on the weblog, and I’ve talked extensively about how I’m an everyday Seize consumer right here, right here and right here.

However let’s get actual, that doesn’t imply each Seize providing is sweet. And the GrabPay card is high of that so-horrible-why-does-it-even-exist listing.

The historical past of GrabPay card

The GrabPay Card, basically a pay as you go MasterCard, was launched in late 2019 and again then, had a minimum of some justifiable use circumstances for it:

That was the ultimate nail within the coffin for the GrabPay card. The modifications not solely rendered the GrabPay card ineffective, but additionally made the the whole Seize level techniques an excessive amount of effort for too little reward. And let’s be trustworthy, whereas the GrabPay Card’s reward scheme was respectable at finest, however if you weigh it in opposition to a number of the heavyweight bank card choices on the market, it’s like bringing a knife to a gunfight. What’s extra, navigating Seize’s rewards system was about as simple as a hedge maze – you’re higher off with out it in your life anyway.

Since then, it has just about been a ineffective card to maintain; you’d be higher off with a specialised card that rewards you for spending on Seize, akin to DBS Girl’s World, Citi Rewards or HSBC Revolution for miles (4 mpd) or 10+% cashback with UOB One Card.

Safety as a card profit

Nevertheless, there was one minor card profit left: Seize’s numberless card function.

Keep in mind, again in 2019 when Seize first launched the cardboard, it touted it as Asia’s first numberless bodily card for enhanced safety. That meant that even in the event you lose your card, you didn’t have to fret about somebody stealing and utilizing your bank card numbers for his or her on-line purchases since your whole card particulars securely saved throughout the Seize app, and you might lock the cardboard immediately via the app in case of an emergency​ (learn: scams).

After a number of voice messages with this reader, I lastly understood why she was nonetheless utilizing the cardboard – it was primarily for her on-line transactions on suspicious-looking web sites. She was additionally trying right into a numberless bank card for her aged mom to deliver out in alternative of her POSB Debit card, so she requested me for assist.

Whereas I personally select to not maintain a card in my arsenal except it has safety AND different advantages (which is why GrabPay didn’t meet my necessities), I’ve to acknowledge that there are some teams of shoppers who don’t thoughts proudly owning a card solely for safety functions.

Besides that…you actually don’t need to settle. Let me let you know why.

Higher alternate options to the GrabPay card: Belief card and Hugo card

Critically, in the event you haven’t ditched your GrabPay card already by now, isn’t it good that this discontinuation now forces you to interrupt up with a card that hardly serves you?

There’s no must mourn the upcoming closure both as a result of actually, there are higher playing cards on the market that may supply BOTH safety and rewards. The GrabPay Card might need been a good contender in its heyday, however the fintech evolution in Singapore has already levelled up since. So in that sense, the tip of the GrabPay Card isn’t only a closure; it’s an opportunity so that you can degree up your monetary recreation.

Utilizing numberless playing cards as the principle precedence function, right here’s 2 playing cards that I like to recommend you guys take a look at to switch GrabPay card as a substitute – Belief and Hugo.

Belief (financial institution) card

Belief Financial institution Singapore is a digital financial institution backed by Normal Chartered and FairPrice Group, and their Belief bank card can be a numberless bodily card.

• Your Belief Visa Signature Card is a numberless bank card, which signifies that solely you’ll be able to entry your card particulars on the Belief app. Identical to the GrabPay card. Within the (uncommon) occasion that your card particulars are compromised, you’ll be able to instantly disable it on the app. You may as well set the credit score restrict (I selected a low $1,000 for mine) and alter it anytime, so that you shouldn’t have to fret about scammers siphoning off extra money than you’ll be able to afford to lose or pay again.
• Cash in your Belief account is safeguarded by Normal Chartered Financial institution with a $100k SDIC safety.
• You get to earn upsized LinkPoints and luxuriate in service provider promos (I’m an everyday at Wang and Burger King with my Belief card perks).

In contrast to Seize who nerfed their rewards, Belief has truly elevated it (from a beforehand 15% to as much as 21%* financial savings right this moment on FairPrice Group groceries and meals spend). There are additionally different advantages together with preferential mortgage charges and the choice to purchase low-cost insurance coverage ($0.50 per 30 days) for household accident plans underwritten by NTUC Earnings.

Learn my detailed evaluation of Belief financial institution and its card right here to resolve if that is best for you. Whereas the $170 can now not be earned since they eliminated the bonus $25 welcome voucher again in 2022, you’ll be able to nonetheless get a $10 welcome Fairprice e-voucher instantly upon signup and different perks.

Don’t neglect to make use of my referral code earlier than you signal as much as get $10 FairPrice vouchers! Use 0BWH3B31 (that’s a zero in entrance).

Hugo Card

Should you like the thought of with the ability to “make investments as you spend”, then Hugo is likely to be proper up your alley:

• Your Hugo Platinum Visa Debit Card is a numberless debit card, which signifies that solely you’ll be able to entry your card particulars on the Hugo app. Identical to the GrabPay card. Within the (uncommon) occasion that your card particulars are compromised, you’ll be able to instantly disable it on the app and really feel secure that the utmost the scammers can siphon off is restricted to the money you’ve saved in your Hugo debit account.
• It really works like several Visa contactless card would, and cash in your Hugo account is safeguarded by DBS Financial institution i.e. even when Hugo had been to stop operations in the future, your cash will nonetheless be there in DBS.
• It “rounds up” your financial savings (something in cents) and invests that spare become your Gold vault. I’m in earnings now due to this due to how a lot gold costs have risen since I began utilizing Hugo!
• This card may also be excellent for these of you considering of giving your children or aged dad and mom a Hugo Account + card, since you’ll be able to load their spending allowance every month (with out worrying about them busting the funds!) and observe the place they’re spending at. Keep away from a situation of your children spending hundreds of {dollars} on on-line video games, merchandise or even thriller bins!

You possibly can learn my detailed evaluation concerning the Hugo card and its whole app providing right here to resolve if it’s best for you.

Unlock entry to Hugo and stand up to S$80 Goldback welcome profit instantly as a Funds Babe reader right here!

TDLR Conclusion: Goodbye GrabPay card, say good day to Belief or Hugo!

As you’ll be able to see, there actually isn’t any must mourn the lack of the GrabPay card – I might say as a substitute that the cardboard ought to have been closed earlier (again in 2022, in all probability) as soon as it ceased to turn out to be helpful to most individuals.

And in the event you suppose you’ll miss the numberless card safety function, then take this as your probability to take a look at Belief card or Hugo card as a substitute. I’ve each and use them for various causes (Belief card for my FPG buying, and Hugo for smaller purchases / make investments into gold), however it’s possible you’ll favor to get simply 1 as a substitute in the event you’d fairly maintain your pockets slim.

In brief, right here’s a fast abstract of how the three playing cards stack up:

Which is able to you like?

With love,
Funds Babe

Apply for Belief card right here and key in 0BWH3B31 to get a S$10 FairPrice e-voucher.

Apply for Hugo card right here and begin incomes as much as S$80 Goldback.