CatchPass

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. I led the design for CatchPass, a virtual debit card that lets shoppers earn rewards anywhere, not just at integrated brands.

Role

User Research, Prototyping, Usability Testing, Brand, UI Design

Timeline

2 months, 2024

Team

A limited network of brands

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.

Catch's online brand directory

More rewards, not more
credit cards

In user research, we found that participants were often overwhelmed by credit card offers and hesitant to open new ones.

To that point, most had associated Catch with "fun" purchases, but using it for more practical spending—especially with Apple Pay—got users excited.

CatchPass: Now, earn anywhere

CatchPass is a virtual debit card that acts as a layer on top of a an existing debit card. It allows Catch to attribute purchases and grant rewards. You can either use it in person, through Apple Pay, or by entering your card details online, like a regular credit or debit card.

Redeem Catch Cash at any partner

Normally, Catch credit is locked to a specific brand. We introduced Catch Cash, a universal 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

The right information at the right time

When testing the onboarding flow, 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 a 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.

Lightweight activation

In order to set up the virtual card, we were required to collect some personal details. Since research participants didn't seem too concerned about providing these, we aimed to keep the primary path minimal, while providing additional information in tooltips.

Activating CatchPass

A new home for CatchPass

We reworked our app architecture to keep CatchPass and offers separate from our partner brands, given the different model for earning. We used a purple color scheme, which felt cohesive, but distinct from our usual primarily-pink UI.

The new CatchPass tab

Early engagement (beta)

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. Over time, we'll be looking for changes in the average number of brands where each user has shopped, as well as the number of times they choose to pay with Catch.