What Is Cardless? A Complete Guide to Cardless Credit Cards and Who They’re Best For
Cardless is a modern financial technology company that partners with well-known brands to offer co-branded credit cards. While its name might suggest a digital-only experience, Cardless actually issues both physical and digital credit cards, combining traditional banking reliability with brand-specific rewards.
Founded in 2019 and headquartered in San Francisco, Cardless operates in partnership with First Electronic Bank, an FDIC-insured institution based in Salt Lake City. This structure ensures that Cardless credit cards meet the same security and regulatory standards as cards issued by major banks.
Is Cardless a Legitimate and Safe Company?
Yes—Cardless is a legitimate and trustworthy credit card provider.
All Cardless-issued cards are backed by an FDIC-insured bank, meaning cardholder funds and transactions are protected under U.S. banking regulations. The company has built partnerships with globally recognized brands, particularly in the airline and retail sectors, further reinforcing its credibility.
While Cardless originally focused on co-branded cards for professional sports teams, the company has since pivoted toward travel and lifestyle-focused credit cards, which now make up the majority of its portfolio.
How Cardless Credit Cards Work
Cardless does not operate like a traditional bank. Instead, it designs and manages credit card programs for individual brands, allowing customers to earn brand-specific rewards, such as airline miles, elite status credits, or shopping cash back.
Most Cardless cards:
- Earn rewards tied directly to a specific brand
- Include perks such as free checked bags, lounge access, or priority boarding
- Are best suited for frequent customers of the partner brand
However, there is an important limitation to understand.
One-Card Lifetime Rule
Are Cardless Credit Cards Worth It?
Cardless credit cards can be valuable—but only for the right type of user.
Cardless Cards Are a Good Fit If:
- You frequently fly with a specific airline like Qatar Airways, LATAM, Avianca, or TAP Air Portugal
- You want airline-specific perks rather than flexible points
- You shop regularly at Simon Malls or partner retailers
- You value elite status benefits tied to a single brand
Cardless Cards May Not Be Ideal If:
- You prefer flexible travel rewards
- You want to transfer points across multiple airlines
- You dislike being locked into one brand ecosystem
- You want the option to hold multiple cards from the same issuer
In many cases, a general travel credit card may offer greater flexibility, especially if you like comparing award prices across airlines.
Read More:
Cardless Airline Credit Cards Overview
Qatar Airways Credit Cards
Cardless offers two Qatar Airways co-branded Visa cards designed for frequent international travelers.
Qatar Airways Privilege Club Visa Infinite
- High annual fee with premium perks
- Accelerated Avios earnings on Qatar Airways purchases
- Elite Gold status for one year
- Lounge access and Visa Infinite benefits
Qatar Airways Privilege Club Visa Signature
- Lower annual fee
- Slower Avios accumulation
- One year of Silver elite status
- Visa Signature travel protections
These cards are best suited for travelers who fly Qatar Airways regularly and want faster access to elite privileges.
TAP Air Portugal Credit Card
The TAP Miles&Go American Express Card focuses on travelers who frequently transit through Europe.
Key benefits include:
- Bonus miles on TAP flights
- Lounge access at Lisbon Airport
- Extra checked bag privileges
- Status mile accumulation through spending
This card can be useful for Europe-focused travelers but may offer less flexibility than transferable-points cards from major U.S. issuers.
LATAM Airlines Credit Cards
LATAM’s two Cardless-issued Mastercard options cater to travelers within South America and international LATAM routes.
LATAM World Elite Mastercard
- Annual fee with premium travel perks
- Higher earning rates on LATAM purchases
- Lounge passes and upgrade opportunities
- Elite status qualification through spending
LATAM Mastercard (No Annual Fee)
- Entry-level option
- Lower earning rates
- Limited elite status progress
These cards are ideal for travelers who frequently fly LATAM and value airline-specific benefits over flexibility.
Avianca LifeMiles Credit Cards
Avianca’s American Express cards stand out for travelers who want Star Alliance access.
Avianca LifeMiles Elite Card
- High earning potential on Avianca purchases
- Complimentary LifeMiles+ subscription
- Faster elite status progression
- Lounge access and priority services
Avianca LifeMiles Card
- Lower annual fee
- Simpler rewards structure
- Partial elite status qualification
Because LifeMiles can be redeemed across Star Alliance airlines, these cards offer more redemption options than many other Cardless products.
Cardless Credit Cards for Shopping
Simon American Express Credit Card
Unlike the airline-focused cards, the Simon American Express Card targets frequent shoppers.
Key highlights:
- 5% cash back at Simon Malls, Premium Outlets, and Mills locations in the U.S.
- 5% cash back at select online retailers
- Annual spending cap on bonus earnings
- Monthly transaction requirement to unlock rewards
This card is best for shoppers who regularly spend at Simon-owned retail locations and can meet the usage requirements.
Cardless vs Traditional Travel Credit Cards
One important consideration is that many Cardless airline partners already participate in major bank transfer programs.
For example:
- Qatar Airways partners with Citi
- TAP Air Portugal partners with Capital One
- Avianca partners with American Express, Citi, and Wells Fargo
This means travelers may already earn transferable points without committing to a single airline-branded card.
Read More:
Final Verdict: Should You Get a Cardless Credit Card?
Cardless credit cards are legitimate, secure, and thoughtfully designed, but they are not universal solutions.
They work best for:
- Brand-loyal travelers
- Frequent flyers of a specific airline
- Shoppers committed to specific retail ecosystems
They are less ideal for:
- Users who want flexibility
- Beginners building credit
- Travelers who prefer transferable rewards
If you strongly align with one of Cardless’s partner brands, a Cardless credit card can deliver meaningful value. Otherwise, a traditional travel or cash-back card may be a better long-term choice.
