Live: Amaze Card InstaPoints redemptions

Back in July 2022, Instarem nerfed its popular Amaze Card by replacing cashback with InstaPoints. Compared to cashback, InstaPoints are much more finnicky- they’re only awarded on foreign currency transactions of at least S$10 and capped at 500 points per transaction. 

InstaPoints can be redeemed for cashback, but the introduction of a new rewards currency means expiry and minimum conversion blocks. Basically, the idea is to increase breakage (when points expire or are stuck in an account), thereby lowering the cost of the rewards programme for Instarem.

The InstaPoints redemption catalogue has now gone live, and everything’s pretty much as expected. InstaPoints can be redeemed for cashback at a rate of 2,000 InstaPoints= S$20, and either spent through the Amaze Card or cashed out via GrabPay (more on that later). 

Apply here

Use code 7HK2A2 for 225 bonus InstaPoints

💳 tl;dr: Amaze Card

Link up to five Mastercard credit/debit cards Overseas transactions are converted into SGD (no FCY fees, but subject to FX spread) and charged to the underlying credit/debit card Transaction MCC remains the same, offline transactions charged to Amaze become online transactions for the underlying credit/debit card Earn 1 InstaPoint per S$1 spent on FCY transactions of at least S$10 (except exclusion categories), capped at 500 InstaPoints per transaction Redeem InstaPoints for cashback in blocks of 2,000 InstaPoints= S$20

InstaPoints redemption catalogue now live

Amaze Cardholders can now cash out their InstaPoints balance via the Instarem app. To find the catalogue, launch the app and tap on the card icon on the bottom > InstaPoints

You’ll see a summary of your InstaPoints balance, as well as the various redemption options. 

InstaPoints can be redeemed for cashback in the following denominations (you’ll only see the S$100 and S$500 denominations if you have sufficient points).

The minimum conversion block is 2,000 InstaPoints (S$20), so anything smaller than that becomes an orphan balance.

A few things to note:

• All InstaPoints cashback redemptions will be credited to your Amaze Wallet instantly
• The maximum balance you can hold in your Amaze Wallet is S$3,000
• There is no limit on the number of InstaPoint redemptions you can make 

With the launch of these redemption options, Instarem will be implementing a new InstaPoints expiry policy:

• Points earned before 1 October 2022 expire six months after date of crediting
• Points earned from 1 October 2022 expire 12 months after date of crediting

InstaPoints will not be earned on any transaction that is in SGD, smaller than S$10, or under the exclusion list. InstaPoints earned from Amaze Card spending will be awarded on the 15th of the following month after each calendar quarter. 

How do I cash out an Amaze wallet balance?

Instarem does not currently offer a cash out option for Amaze Wallet balances, but a simple workaround exists.

1. Top up a GrabPay account using the Amaze Card (don’t forget to switch the payment source to Amaze Wallet before you do!)
2. Withdraw the balance to a bank account

Remember: Amaze is considered a debit card, so any funds topped up from Amaze can be transferred to a bank account (unlike funds originating from a credit card).

Each GrabPay top-up must be at least S$10 and in whole dollars (i.e. no cents), but an easy way to zero out your Amaze Wallet is to top it up further with a card, then cash out the whole amount.

For example, suppose I have S$8.29 in my Amaze Wallet. This is insufficient for a GrabPay top-up, but I can:

1. Top-up S$21.71 using my credit card (Amaze requires a minimum top-up of S$20)
2. Use the S$30 Amaze Wallet balance to top-up GrabPay
3. Cash out S$30 from GrabPay to my bank account

For avoidance of doubt, Amaze Wallet top-ups code as MCC 6540 (POI Funding Transactions), and will not earn rewards with any card in Singapore. 

Conclusion

Apply here

Use code 7HK2A2 for 225 bonus InstaPoints

InstaPoints earned through the Amaze Card can now be converted into cashback and cashed out to a bank account via GrabPay. There is a minimum conversion block of 2,000 InstaPoints (S$20), however, which makes this system decidedly inferior to the previous cashback scheme. You’ll also need to monitor your InstaPoints for expiry.

I recently updated my review of the Amaze Card in light of all the new developments; be sure to check it out below. 

Instarem Amaze Card Review: Less amazing, still essential