Cardless Does Report To Personal Credit

There is no doubt that Cardless is maybe the most niche credit card provider out there. They hit the scene a few years back with some really creative card options. It appears that they were actually too creative, since they stopped offering every single one of them. I guess people were able to make them too rewarding, so they pulled them from the shelves so to speak. They instead leaned into co-branded cards, like the avianca lifemiles card that has an increased offer right now. These are personal cards, so that would mean they are normally over Chase 5/24 cards, but what if Cardless doesn't report to personal credit? Does that change things?

Update 11/29/24: We have some positive data points of Cardless cards showing on Experian so best to stay away until over 5/24, I have updated the post to reflect that.

Fool's Gold On Cardless Reporting

We had thought that we had found a little nugget of goodness with the Cardless ecosystem and that the cards didn't report to personal credit. We now have enough positive data points to show that they are showing for many on Experian. That makes Cardless an interesting option for you once you go over 5/24. It still is a decision that you should not take lightly, and that is because of the worst application rule in the business.

Cardless Has A Once Per Lifetime Rule That Makes Decisions Difficult

Cardless has by far the worst application rule in the business. That would be their one card per lifetime rule. Not even a one per lifetime rule for each individual card, but a one per lifetime across all Cardless cards. So, once you get one of their cards Cardless is dead to you for life. This is beyond dumb, and has to hurt their co-branded partners immensely. I wonder if they even know it is a thing, but I digress. That simply means that whatever card you pick should be your day 1, forever card. Choose a Cardless card that offers perks and benefits that work for you long term, and don't focus on the welcome offer as much. I chose the New Orleans Pelicans card years ago because of the earning structure. It is a card I plan on keeping, and using, for as long as they let me. I wish I could grab the avianca card too, since it has some valuable perks, but I am no longer eligible because of this rule.

Another negative side effect is that this rule may have people hesitant to decide on a card at all. The paralysis by analysis will just cost them willing cardholders long term. I would say you can't focus on what might be, and instead focus on what is. If I had waited to see what would come in the future I would have never been able to get the card I have now. That is because they discontinued it shortly after it launched. Just a reminder that there are negative sides to waiting too.

Cardless Does Report To Personal Credit: ToP Thoughts

You definitely want to take your time with Cardless, since they have that terrible one card until you are six feet under rule. Whatever you end up settling on needs to be your forever Cardless card. The avianca lifemiles increased offer and card could be that for some, since the perks are great for lifemiles super users, but I wouldn't dive in without looking first. And you will want to wait until you are over 5/24 to grab whichever Cardless card you choose since it does report to personal credit.

Let me know what Cardless card you have your eye on over in the ToP Facebook Group.