A Virtual Debit Card That Lets Shoppers Earn Rewards Anywhere

Catch provides rewards that benefit both shoppers and merchants, to promote healthier relationships with debt. In 2024, we needed a way to dramatically expand the number of brands where our users could earn rewards. We created CatchPass, a virtual debit card that lets shoppers earn rewards anywhere, not just at integrated brands.

As Head of Design, and the only designer on this project, my role was the end-to-end conceptualization, research, execution and handoff.

Tools

User research, prototyping, usability testing, brand, UI design

Timeline

2 months (2024)

Team

Catch's small network of brands limited the value we could offer to shoppers.

By 2024, we had integrated with about 70 partner brands. However, the top feedback we heard in interviews and surveys was, “I wish Catch was available at more places I shop.”

Since most shoppers only used Catch at 1–2 brands, it was tough to make a new payment method stick. Without more chances to use Catch at the places they shopped regularly, it was hard for shoppers to build the habit.

Catch's online brand directory

Shoppers wanted more rewards, not more credit cards.

Interviewees were often overwhelmed by credit card offers and not looking to open more.
Catch is mostly associated with fun or guilty-pleasure purchases, but users want to use it for more practical spending.
With Apple Pay being everywhere, the idea of linking Catch to it got users excited.

CatchPass lets you earn anywhere, without a new credit or debit account.

While most participants seemed averse to new credit or debit cards, many liked the idea of earning rewards in store. Our virtual debit card is a layer on top of your existing debit card that allows us to attribute purchases and grant rewards. You can either use it in person, through Apple Pay, or by entering your card information online.

CatchPass works with Apple Pay or online.

Earn Catch Cash anywhere. Redeem it at our partners.

Normally, Catch credit is be locked into a specific merchant. We introduced Catch Cash, a flexible reward-type that users could earn out-of-network and then redeem at any partner brand.

Earn Catch Cash anywhere

Redeem Catch Cash at any integrated brand

Onboarding educates, but doesn’t intimidate.

In user testing, we found that seeing the card image in Apple Wallet was an “aha” moment that it could be used in stores. However, emphasizing the card too early made it feel like just another debit or credit card product.

❌ Card focused

We hypothesized that leading with the virtual card visual would help users understand that they could now use Catch in stores. In effect, it immediately made people think it was a debit or credit card.

✅ Benefits focused

We hypothesized that showing brick & mortar brands would communicate that Catch could be used in stores, without looking like a credit or debit promotion. This option offered much more clarity.

Activation is lightweight.

In order to set up the virtual card, we were required to collect certain pieces of personal information. Research participants didn't seem concerned about giving their personal details. However, we aimed to provide information on why we needed each input using the descriptions and tooltips.

Activating CatchPass

CatchPass feels at home in our app, but intentionally distinct.

We reworked our app architecture to incorporate CatchPass and offers, which we purposely kept separate from our partner brands. We also used a primarily purple color scheme for everything related to CatchPass and Catch Cash, which felt cohesive but distinct from our usual pink-heavy UI.

The new CatchPass tab

How are beta users engaging with CatchPass?

It’s very early, but here’s what we’re tracking to understand whether this feature is intuitive and beneficial to users. Our team is setting up analytics so we can dive deeper into what’s working and what isn’t as we get more data.

55%

of beta users have activated CatchPass

66%

have added CatchPass to Apple Pay

34%

have made 1+ purchases

24%

have made 2+ purchases

How might CatchPass affect overall value to shoppers?

The bottom line for Catch shoppers is how much they can save. By creating CatchPass we hope that Catch becomes a product that they find useful on a daily basis, rather than something to use once in a while at 1-2 specific brands.