Yesterday, I posted about the new Avianca LifeMiles credit card coming from Cardless. Before that, we learned about the Qatar card about to launch from Cardless. Both of these cards have waitlists you can get on to get additional bonus miles. Unfortunately, it looks like I won’t be able to get either card.
Cardless Application Rule
Cardless has the strictest application rule I’ve ever seen. You can only own one Cardless card, EVER. Even if you cancel a card, you can’t apply for a different card. This is a screenshot from the FAQs on the Cardless mobile app:
This is a major bummer because last fall, I opened the TAP Air Portugal card by Cardless. I was actually hoping to apply for the upcoming Qatar card, but it looks like I’m out of luck. My husband can still apply, though.
As Cardless adds more co-branded cards to its collection, I hope that it relaxes this strict rule for card approvals. But until then, choose your one Cardless card thoughtfully.
Yes it means less churning, but it also means a lot less revenue. Let’s say you’re an average consumer, had airline credit card A, used it for a couple years and then cancelled it. A few months later you decide you’d like airline card B. Guess what? All the spend that would’ve been on that card ends up going to another bank.
Chase’s 5/24 rule makes sense. The Amex one bonus per lifetime rule makes sense. We may not like those rules, but from the business side I understand it. In the case of Cardless? This is a short-sided overreach on their credit card rules which will only restrict their earnings in the long run.
It makes sense from a business perspective. This means less churning and people who will actually put spend on the card and carry a balance. It’s not good for churners like people here but I can’t blame the company for doing good business for themselves. My only question is what about people who had a card and cancelled 2 years ago.
Alissa Heinerscheid?
As far I am concerned you are the first blogger that mentions this; is a very important information that people need to know before applying for a Cardless CC, congratulations to you. Hope Cardless changes the rules since they will have 4 Airline C.C. and is dumb just to limit one card per life.
@projectx and @Xavier Hopefully Cardless will change this rule. It’s not good for those of us in this hobby but probably very few “normal” people run into issues with this restriction.
What brain-dead bean counter thought this was a good idea? This is absolutely bizarre.