Update 2: IMPORTANT! As of August 2022, the below information no longer applies. Cardless gutted every credit card’s earn rates. And they reduced sign-up bonuses to almost nothing. None of these cards are worth getting anymore, unless MAYBE you’re a fan of the below teams. If not: Cardless has zero benefits compared to competitors. Very few people will find these cards useful – many better options exist!
2 out of 5 stars for everything from Cardless.
–
Update 1: As of April 2022, there are now 6 cards, and all of them now have the same sign-up bonus.
Although at first glance the “Cardless” credit cards look like novelties for certain sports teams, they’re surprisingly interesting. The sign-up bonuses and earning structures are reasonable for no-fee cards. Points are a standard $0.01 each as a statement credit. (Slightly more if you get gift cards related to the specific sport team instead.) Even if you don’t care about the team featured on each card, these are worth considering for long-term cash back benefits.
Cardless uses the Mastercard network. “Issued by First Electronic Bank, Member FDIC. Offers subject to credit approval.“ They reportedly use the Experian bureau. We haven’t verified yet if there are special benefits like World Elite status. Cards don’t have any fees. No annual fee, no foreign transaction fees, no late fees, nothing. Several reports say that Cardless doesn’t allow applications to more than one card. If you’re going to pick one of the below options, choose carefully, because that’ll be the only option for your foreseeable future.
Most of these cards earn cash back on streaming. This might be limited. According to their FAQ: “Purchases on subscription streaming services (including eligible music and video streaming services, including Netflix, Hulu and Disney+.) Some services, such as Apple Music, Apple TV+, ESPN+, Prime Video, AT&T TV and Verizon FIOS On Demand, are excluded, as well as audiobook subscription services & fitness programming.” Some cards have an extra monthly benefit, “$5 towards Peacock Premium after $500 in monthly spend.”
Boston Celtics by Cardless
- 7x points on rideshare services
- 7x points on streaming services
- 4x points on dining/restaurants
- 2x points on groceries and drug stores
- 1x points on everything else
- Sign-up bonus: $300 after spending $2,000 in 3 months, a 15% RoS (Return on Spend)
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
A solid card which over-delivers on rideshare/streaming, and outdoes many other dining cards. The 2x category is, of course, useless; any 2+% card outperforms here. But overall, this is a good card because it’s the only credit card to get above 6% cash back on rideshare/streaming. The 4% at restaurants is hard to beat too, especially without annual fees. The card also earns up to 10% cash back on certain Celtics purchases.
Pelicans by Cardless
- 4x points on dining/restaurants (including delivery)
- 4x points on gas
- 1x points on all other purchases
- Sign-up bonus: $300 after spending $2,000 in 3 months, a 15% RoS
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is the only credit card which earns an unlimited 4% cash back on both dining and gas purchases. It’s not quite as flashy as the Celtics card but it’s still useful. High-earning gas cards usually have spending limits (with two exceptions: Abound Platinum and Penfed Platinum). Earning 4% back for restaurants is equally competitive. The only downside is that the card technically isn’t best-of-category in either category. It does simplify wallets though. The Pelicans card also earns up to 10% back on Pelicans gear, tickets, or concessions.
Cleveland Cavaliers by Cardless
- 5x points on streaming services
- 3x points on dining/restaurants (including delivery)
- 3x points on groceries
- 1x points on all other purchases
- Sign-up bonus: $300 after spending $2,000 in 3 months, a 15% RoS (previously double points for 12 months, with a maximum 100,000 bonus points earned)
⭐⭐⭐
A decent card which competes with the Capital One SavorOne. Earning an unlimited 3% cash back on every food-related category is useful. The 5% cash back on streaming is competitive enough to surpass several other cards. This card also earns up to 10% cash back on Cavaliers gear and tickets. The downside is that better options exist and this card is just okay. The best alternative is to combine the Boston Celtics card (dining/streaming) with the Citi Custom Cash Card (groceries).
Manchester United by Cardless
- 5x points on rideshare services
- 5x points on streaming services
- 5x points on bars/restaurants “on match days”
- 1x points on all other purchases
- Sign-up bonus: $300 after spending $2,000 in 3 months, a 15% RoS (previously double points for 12 months, with a maximum 100,000 bonus points earned)
⭐⭐
Overall not a good card. It’s worse than the Celtics card for rideshare and streaming services, and has limited usage otherwise. The conditional bar/dining earn rate is silly. Anyone can can circumvent it by getting one of the best dining cards instead. Avoid the Manchester United card unless you’re a die-hard fan. The card also earns up to 10% cash back on certain Manchester purchases.
Miami Marlins by Cardless
- 3x points on dining/restaurants (including delivery)
- 3x points on gas
- 3x points on drugstores
- 1x other
- Sign-up bonus: $300 after spending $2,000 in 3 months, a 15% RoS (previously $100 and a Marlins Jersey after spending $1,000 in 3 months)
⭐⭐
A fair card in general, except obsolete now that we have the Pelicans card (4x on dining/gas). The Marlins card’s only useful category is drugstores, and some cards already cover that. Better choices include the Chase Freedom cards, the Venmo Visa, Upgrade Triple Cash Rewards, or retailer-specific options like the Walgreens Mastercard. Overall, the Marlins card isn’t impressive unless you’re a Marlins fan. The card also earns 5% cash back at loanDepot park and on Marlins tickets.
Liverpool FC by Cardless
- 5x points on rideshare services
- 5x points on streaming services
- 3x points on dining/restaurants (including delivery)
- 1x points on all other purchases
- Sign-up bonus: $300 after spending $2,000 in 3 months, a 15% RoS (Return on Spend)
⭐⭐
For earning pure cash back, this is useless compared to the Boston Celtics card. Liverpool fans, however, will enjoy the card. This includes free LFC International Membership (almost $25 n value) and earns up to 10x points on Liverpool purchases.
Notes
If you’re interested in signing up for one of the above cards, consider looking for a referral link. Referral bonuses are a free $100 for someone.
Disclaimer: This review was last updated in April 2022. Details may have changed since then. Please do your own research where applicable, to ensure you’re getting the best deal. Or contact us directly to benefit from our personalized consulting services!