How to use your amaze card for international online subscriptions (Netflix, Spotify, Adobe and more)

Key takeaways

• Most global subscriptions like Netflix, Spotify, Adobe and AI tools bill in foreign currency, which can trigger FX charges each time your card is used.
• FX fees often stay hidden in monthly statements, but they repeat on every renewal and slowly increase your total subscription spend over time.
• Instarem’s amaze card helps you manage international online subscriptions in one place and reduces FX exposure on eligible foreign currency payments.
• You should always check the billing currency first, since some services charge in SGD where amaze may not give any FX benefit.
• A one-time setup is enough for most users—once you update your subscriptions, future renewals run in the background with less manual work and clearer tracking through the Instarem app.

Many people subscribe to global apps every day, but they often miss how each bill can include FX costs when paid in foreign currency. Over time, this raises your monthly spend on subscriptions like Netflix, Spotify, Adobe, and other online tools.

Instarem’s amaze card helps you pay for these international online subscriptions in a simple way through a linked setup in the Instarem app. You can switch payment sources, track spend in real time, and manage card use in one place.

This matters since small FX costs can build up across many subscriptions. You may not see it in one bill, but you notice it over months of use. In this blog, you’ll learn how to use your amaze card for international online subscriptions, which services to update, and how to set up payments step by step.

Keep reading to get clear steps to manage your subscription payments with more control and less effort.

The hidden FX costs in your monthly subscriptions

You often pay more than you think because most international subscriptions bill in USD, EUR, or GBP instead of SGD. Each time your bank converts the charge, it adds small FX fees that often go unnoticed. These repeated charges across multiple platforms create an FX fee factory that quietly increases your monthly spending without a clear warning from your bank or the subscription service.

In Singapore, banks can add up to 3.5% on top of the exchange rate. For example, a $20 USD subscription can cost over SGD 1 extra each time. Across Netflix, Adobe, Spotify, and other subscriptions, this turns into a steady monthly loss.

Here’s why this cycle keeps going:

• They bill in foreign currency: Apps like Adobe and many global tools charge in USD by default, even if you’re based in Singapore. Your bank then converts the amount and adds FX cost.
• Fees stay hidden in statements: You see the total charge, not the breakdown. Most people never notice the markup.
• It repeats on autopay: Subscriptions renew on their own. Each cycle repeats the same FX charge unless you update the payment method or cancel the plan.
• Costs stack across services: One subscription feels small. Many subscriptions create a steady drain each month.
• Banks set the rate gap: Banks use their own FX rate, which often sits above mid-market rates. The gap creates extra cost for each payment.

This is why it’s crucial to track how you pay for subscriptions. You can check the amaze card rates and fees in the Instarem app to understand how charges work before you spend. The Instarem amaze card gives you access to competitive exchange rates, helping you manage subscription costs efficiently. 

Subscription-by-subscription setup guide

Setting up each subscription one by one helps you avoid missed charges and keeps your payment flow clean. It also lets you choose where each bill goes, so you stay in control of FX costs and rewards.

If this feels new, don’t worry—we keep it simple and direct. You only update a few key apps, then the rest runs on its own. Let’s go through each type so you know what to switch and what to check first.

Subscriptions that bill in USD: Switch to amaze

Many global apps bill in USD, which means your local bank must convert each charge. This is where FX costs often appear, even if the app price looks fixed. You should treat these as high priority because they repeat monthly or yearly.

When you switch these payments to your amaze card, you manage FX flow in one place inside Instarem. You also get clearer tracking and better control of how each charge runs. USD billing is common for global tools, so this step covers most high-use apps. 

The platforms below all fall into this category, so switching to amaze here makes the most sense:

Adobe Creative Cloud

Adobe Creative Cloud is Adobe’s full suite of tools, such as Photoshop, Illustrator, Premiere Pro, and more. Users pay through monthly or yearly plans. Adobe bills Singapore users in USD by default, so each charge goes through FX conversion at the bank level.

How to set it up:

1. Log in to your Adobe account
2. Open ‘Plans & Payment’
3. Select ‘Manage Payment Method’
4. Add your amaze virtual card as the new payment method
5. Save changes and confirm.

Once set, Adobe charges your amaze card on each renewal cycle. You also earn InstaPoints on eligible spend, which you can convert to KrisFlyer miles through Instarem, so your creative tools start working for your next vacation trip too.

ChatGPT Plus/Claude Pro

ChatGPT Plus and Claude Pro are AI tools that run on monthly plans billed in USD. As of writing, both plans cost around USD 20 per month. If you use a standard bank card, your bank applies its FX rate and adds a fee on top.

Here’s how to add amaze as your payment method:

1. Log in to your ChatGPT or Claude account
2. Go to ‘Settings’
3. Open ‘Billing’ or ‘Subscription’
4. Select ‘Update Payment Method’
5. Enter your amaze card details
6. Save and confirm.

Canva Pro/Figma/Notion

Canva Pro, Figma, and Notion support design, teamwork, and planning work. These tools charge in USD for paid plans. Canva Pro is about USD 15/month, Figma starts at about USD 15 per editor/month, and Notion Plus costs around USD 10/month.

How to set it up:

1. Open Canva, Figma, or Notion account
2. Go to ‘Billing’ or ‘Account Settings’
3. Click ‘Manage Payment Method’
4. Remove old card if needed
5. Add your amaze virtual card
6. Save changes.

When you use amaze, you pay these subscriptions through supported currencies and merchant types without extra FX layers from your bank.

VPN services

A VPN helps you protect your online activity and secure your connection, especially when you travel or work remotely. Services like NordVPN, ExpressVPN, and Surfshark bill in USD. Most plans cost between USD 3 and USD 13 per month, depending on plan length.

Here’s how to add amaze as your payment method:

1. Log in to your VPN account
2. Go to ‘Account Settings’
3. Open ‘Billing Information’
4. Select ‘Update Payment Method’
5. Enter your amaze card details
6. Save changes.

Check first: Is your subscription already in SGD? (Do NOT use amaze) 

Not every platform bills in foreign currency. Some detect your location and charge you in SGD instead. When that happens, no FX conversion takes place. If you still use your amaze card in linked card mode for these SGD charges, you may incur a 1% domestic fee without gaining any FX benefit. So always check the billing currency before you update any payment method. The steps below show how to do it for common apps.

Netflix & Disney+ Singapore

Netflix and Disney+ charge Singapore users in SGD. As of May 2026, Netflix offers three plans: Standard with Ads at SGD 15.98/month, Standard at SGD 22.98/month, and Premium (4K) at SGD 29.98/month. Disney+ Singapore offers Standard at SGD 18.98/month and Premium at SGD 22.98/month. 

How to check billing currency:

1. Open Netflix or Disney+ on a browser (not just the app)
2. Log in to your account profile
3. Go to ‘Account’ or ‘Subscription & Billing’
4. Click into ‘Plan details’ or ‘Payment method’
5. Confirm the price line shown next to your active plan.

Your regular rewards card may be a better fit here, especially if it gives you cashback or points on SGD spending. Check out the best rewards credit cards in Singapore to find one that maximises these local charges.

Spotify Singapore

Spotify Singapore bills local users in SGD. As of May 2026, plans are priced at SGD 11.98/month (Individual), SGD 16.98/month (Duo), and SGD 20.98/month (Family).

How to check billing currency:

1. Open a browser and log in to Spotify’s official site
2. Go to your profile menu
3. Select ‘Account Overview’
4. Scroll to the ‘Your Plan’ section
5. Check the price displayed under your active subscription.

This section also shows the next billing date and plan type. That helps you confirm renewal timing and avoid confusion when charges appear on your statement.

Apple iCloud

Apple iCloud storage links directly to your Apple ID, so billing appears inside your Apple account settings. Singapore plans are priced at SGD 1.48/month (50GB), SGD 3.98/month (200GB), and SGD 13.98/month (2TB).

How to check billing currency:

1. Open ‘Settings’ on your iPhone or iPad
2. Tap your Apple ID profile at the top
3. Select ‘iCloud’
4. Tap ‘Manage Storage or Upgrade Storage Plan’
5. View the price shown before confirming changes or renewal.

This screen also shows storage usage, which helps you decide if your plan still fits your needs. It keeps billing and usage in one place, so you can manage it without guesswork.

Gaming & specialist services

Gaming platforms don’t follow one billing rule. Some charge in USD, others in SGD, and some change based on the game or publisher. So you should always check the billing currency before you switch to amaze. 

Below are the most common gaming setups and how they work:

Steam

Steam lets you buy and play games on PC. You can purchase full games, add-ons, and in-game items. In Singapore, Steam usually shows prices in SGD, but some publishers still set prices in USD, which can change how you get billed at checkout.

How to check billing currency on Steam:

1. Add the game to your cart
2. Go to checkout
3. Check the final price before payment
4. Look at the currency shown (SGD or USD).

If Steam shows USD, you can use amaze for the transaction. If it shows SGD, you can proceed with your usual card since no currency conversion happens.

PlayStation Plus/Xbox Game Pass

PlayStation Plus and Xbox Game Pass run on subscription plans. PS Plus gives online play, monthly games, and store perks. Xbox Game Pass gives access to a large game library on console and PC. Both services usually bill through their own stores and may show USD depending on your account region.

How to check billing currency on PlayStation:

1. Log in to playstation.com
2. Open the ‘Subscriptions’ or ‘PS Plus’ page
3. Click ‘Subscribe’ or ‘Renew’
4. Check the final price on the checkout screen.

How to check billing currency on Xbox / Microsoft:

1. Log in to account.microsoft.com
2. Open ‘Services & Subscriptions’
3. Select ‘Game Pass’ plan
4. View renewal price and currency.

If the checkout shows USD, you can use amaze by adding it under your account payment methods. This lets the card handle the currency conversion during each renewal cycle.

How to update all your subscriptions at once

You’ve already picked what to switch. Now set up your amaze card. The full process takes only a few minutes. Once done, you won’t need to change it again unless you add or remove a subscription. 

Follow the steps below to get everything running in order:

Step 1: Get your amaze virtual card

• Download the Instarem app and create an account if you don’t have one. 
• Use MyInfo with Singpass for faster sign-up. 
• Once your account gets approved, tap the card icon and select ‘Get Me Amaze.’ 

Your virtual card activates right away, so you can start using it. Fund your amaze wallet through PayNow or a linked bank account. You can also top up via Apple Pay, which carries a 1.5% fee. Another option is to link up to five Singapore-issued Mastercard debit or credit cards to amaze. Once active, you can pay at supported online merchants and track all spend in the Instarem app in real time.

Step 2: Open your bank or card app and find every subscription charge

Open your bank or card app and review your recurring payments. Focus on monthly charges like streaming, games, storage, and software tools. Then cross-check each platform directly to confirm billing details, since some services show different pricing based on account type or store region. 

This step helps you split your list into two groups: charges in SGD and charges in foreign currency. Once you finish, you will have a clear map of what needs updating.

Step 3: Log in to each platform and update the payment method

Once you know which subscriptions bill in foreign currency, log in to each platform and swap in your amaze virtual card. The exact steps vary per platform we’ve covered above, but still always check their billing page directly since rules, currency display, and renewal terms can differ by account region, app store, or payment route. This helps you confirm the exact charge before you save any changes.

Step 4: Verify on the next billing cycle

After you update everything, open your Instarem app and review your transaction list to confirm each subscription is active and paid. Approval may be needed for some online charges before they can be processed. If you’re unsure how to authorise your amaze transactions, the Instarem app sends a notification each time a charge comes through, and you just tap to confirm. With this done, your system runs on its own, and you only step in when you add or remove a subscription.

Final thoughts

Most people pay for subscriptions without checking how the charge flows through their card. Yet the billing currency, payment method, and hidden fees quietly shape your total monthly spend. That is the part worth taking control of.

With Instarem, you can use your amaze card for international online subscriptions like Netflix, Adobe, and other global apps in one clean setup. You can hold your USD or EUR balance in amaze wallet and manage eligible foreign spend in a single place. There’s no annual fee and no minimum spend. 

Download the Instarem app, sign up, activate your virtual card, update your subscriptions, and you’re done in minutes. Each eligible spend also earns InstaPoints. You can convert InstaPoints to KrisFlyer miles and turn routine subscription costs into travel value through Instarem. The change starts now—stop reacting to monthly charges and start setting how they work for you!

Frequently asked questions about the amaze method

What if subscription charges are in SGD? Should I still use amaze?

No. If a subscription bills in SGD, don’t use amaze for it. amaze charges a flat 1% fee (minimum SGD 0.50) on SGD transactions made through linked card mode, so you’d pay extra with nothing to gain. amaze card works best for subscriptions billed in foreign currency like USD, EUR, or GBP  where it removes the FX fee your bank would otherwise add. For SGD subscriptions, stick with your regular card.

Does amaze work with PayPal for subscriptions?

You can add your amaze virtual card to PayPal as a payment method since amaze runs on the Mastercard network. However, routing subscription payments through PayPal is not recommended. When PayPal processes a foreign currency charge, it applies its own currency conversion rate. That means you lose the FX benefit that makes amaze worth using in the first place. For the best results, add your amaze virtual card directly to each subscription platform instead of going through PayPal as a middleman.

What if a subscription declines amaze?

If a subscription declines amaze, the issue usually comes from merchant rules, region mismatch, or card verification checks. You can retry after confirming the billing details, or switch the payment method to another supported card. Some platforms also require you to re-enter card details after a failed renewal attempt.

Disclaimer: Rates and fees are accurate as of May 2026. amaze is a product of Instarem (Nium Pte. Ltd.). A 1% fee applies to domestic SGD transactions. Reward eligibility (miles/cashback) is determined by your bank; check your issuer’s latest terms for amaze-linked transactions.