Qatar Airways & Cardless Launching USA Credit Cards

Qatar Airways and Cardless will be launching co-branded credit cards in the United States. While details are limited as of now, there’s an opportunity to join the waitlist, and to receive an extra bonus if you get approved when the cards do launch.

Qatar Airways’ new credit cards in the United States

While details remain limited as of now, Qatar Airways has emailed Privilege Club members in the United States, encouraging them to join the waitlist for the oneworld carrier’s new credit cards, launching soon.

The marketing so far suggests that there will be two cards, with one being a Visa Signature, and the other being a Visa Infinite (with the latter being more premium).

If you join the waitlist for the cards by May 3, 2024, you’ll enjoy an exclusive offer if you apply and then get approved. You’ll receive an extra 10,000 Avios with no extra minimum spending requirement, on top of the standard sign-up bonus.

As of now, there are limited details about the cards, though the Visa Infinite should be the premium card, which could be exciting. I hope there are some opportunities to earn elite status, ideally with an option to qualify for oneworld Sapphire or oneworld Emerald status.

It’s interesting to see Cardless launching this credit card

I find it noteworthy that Qatar Airways is partnering with Cardless on this venture. For those not familiar, fintech firm Cardless has been doing some really creative stuff in the credit card space. What makes Cardless unique is how quickly it’s able to launch new cards.

Cardless can launch products faster and with lower startup costs than with other issuers, so it has allowed co-brand card portfolios to be introduced that might not otherwise be economically viable with one of the “big” players.

The reason I find this a bit surprising is because Qatar Airways uses Avios as its rewards currency, and there are currently three Chase co-branded credit cards in the United States that earn Avios, comprised of the Aer Lingus Visa Signature^® Card (review), British Airways Visa Signature® Card (review), and Iberia Visa Signature^® Card (review). Keep in mind that Avios can be transferred between programs.

While it wasn’t a given that Qatar Airways would also launch a card with Chase, that’s what I would have expected by default. What’s interesting is that Chase hasn’t launched many co-branded travel credit cards in recent years, and seems to be heavily focused on both its Ultimate Rewards ecosystem, plus its partnership with United.

So I wonder if Chase wasn’t interested in working with Qatar Airways, if Qatar Airways wanted to try something different, or what…

Bottom line

Qatar Airways and Cardless are partnering on new co-branded credit cards in the United States, expected to launch in the coming weeks. There will be at least two cards, with one being a Visa Signature product, and the other being a Visa Infinite product.

I’m curious to see what Qatar Airways and Cardless have come up with, as this should be a good opportunity to earn Avios.

What would you like to see from Qatar Airways’ new credit cards?