The Instarem Amaze Card launched in July 2021, so if you were among the first wave of cardholders, your card should be approaching the end of its five-year validity period right about now.
You might assume that it’s just a simple matter of waiting for the replacement card to arrive in the mail — but you’d be wrong.
As it turns out, Amaze Card replacements are not automatic, and if you don’t request your replacement in time, you’ll have to pay an annoying fee for something you might (reasonably) have expected to be free!
| ⚠️ Story update: Instarem now says it will not charge a S$9 fee for card replacements, even if the card has already expired. Replacement cards can be requested as early as 45 days before expiry. |
Amaze Card replacements are not automatic!
You’re probably familiar with the card replacement process by now.
A few weeks before your card expires, you’ll receive a replacement in the mail. Once you activate the new card, the old one is automatically deactivated, and then you have five years before the process repeats.
That’s not how it works with Amaze.
With Amaze, you must manually request a replacement card through the app, under Card > Manage > Replace a Card > Card Expiring Soon.
While the new digital card will be available immediately in the Instarem app, the replacement physical card may take up to a week to arrive.
Some cardmembers were previously informed by Instarem CSOs that if they did not request for a replacement card before expiry, they would be charged a S$9 replacement fee.
Instarem has since clarified that this information is incorrect, and there is no fee for replacement cards, even if the existing card has already expired.
In my case, my card expired in July. When I realised I had to actively request for a replacement, I applied for one on 3 August and wasn’t charged a fee (at least not that I can see). Other community members have reported likewise.
While we’re on the topic of replacement cards, it’s worth noting that Instarem will also charge you a S$9 fee to replace a lost card. That’s a bit unusual — most banks do it for free — but OK, your mistake, your dime. The fee may be waived for cards affected by fraud, on a “case-by-case basis”. Some people get it waived, others don’t.
| ❓ Instarem FAQs |
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Q: Is there a fee for replacing my Amaze Card? Yes, we charge a small fee to replace your card. This fee covers manufacturing and delivery costs. You can check the exact fee details here. Note:
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What to do with your new card
Unlike credit cards, where the new card has an updated expiry date and CVV but maintains the same card number, Instarem issues you a brand-new card: new card number, new expiry date, new CVV.
You will also need to relink all your cards with the new Amaze Card, as they will be automatically deleted from the Instarem app once a new card is issued. Be sure to get this done before heading out — the last thing you want is to be holding up the line!
Remember, you will need to link a card to Amaze to check MCCs, because declined wallet-linked transactions no longer show MCCs.
Also, if you had the purple Founder’s Edition card that was issued to early joiners, the replacement card comes in the standard turquoise only.
Conclusion
Amaze Cards are not automatically replaced when they expire. Instead, you’ll have to request for a new card through the Instarem app. Fortunately, despite what Instarem CSOs have informed customers, there is no replacement fee for expired cards.
I’m not sure why Instarem doesn’t just send replacement cards like any regular issuer, but now that you know, be sure to request yours when the time comes.
Also make sure you reset the payment controls in the app on the new card. Mine had all been set to ALLOW whereas I usually disable everything to prevent fraud.
Thank you, this was helpful. My settings were all automatically enabled as well, and I hadn’t noticed until I saw this comment.
is there any point pairing the Amaze card anymore with DBS cards ?
Absolutely not. No points earned.
This is one of the most stupid processed of any company. Obviously they have a database of which card is expiring and obviously if the card is expired it can’t be used. Normally most banks will just auto issue a new card 2 weeks or so before the expiry date Also, without this milelion post, how is a typical user able to know I need to go into card> manage > replace card > card about to expire to replace one Furthermore, if a user has an expired card an and request for a new one , why are they… Read more »
Oh my. Thanks for this PSA. I seldom use the card. But no idea late requests for expiry Amazed card costs money. Bit of daylight robbery
Bizarre.
Mine will be expiring in Sep’26. I just tried to initiate a replacement card under category ‘Card expiring soon’, but I got error message ‘Card is not eligible for replacement under this reason yet’. Clearly it’s now within 45 days before the expiry but the system rejects my request.
Card expires at month end, so I don’t think you’re within 45 days yet. Might be worth trying again closer to the window.
Interestingly the sender of the replacement card is from Kuala Lumpur and they delivered to my doorstep rather than in the mailer.
yes, they send the card via registered post