The Rove credit card stands out as a revolutionary travel credit card that breaks the mold by approving users without a credit history. This $0-annual-fee card looks beyond traditional credit scores to assess eligibility and offers rewards on both travel and everyday purchases. Users can redeem these rewards across 13 airline partners and at least one hotel program.
Although the card is not yet available, interested applicants can join the waitlist. The card is expected to be accessible to some waitlist applicants starting in December 2024, with a wider rollout in early 2025, according to Rove’s co-founders, Arhan Chhabra and Max Morganroth.
One of the key features of the Rove credit card is its nontraditional underwriting process. Instead of solely relying on FICO scores, Rove considers factors like income and account balances to evaluate an applicant’s creditworthiness. By linking their bank accounts to Rove, applicants can go through a preapproval process to understand their chances of qualifying before officially applying. This approach allows individuals with no credit history or poor credit to access a travel card, a rarity in the industry.
In terms of rewards, the Rove credit card offers 3 points per $1 spent on travel booked through the Rove portal, which includes flights, hotels, car rentals, and experiences. Additionally, users can earn 2 points per $1 spent on all other purchases. Upon launch, cardholders will have the opportunity to earn 4 points per $1 spent by referring new users, up to $2,500 in rewards.
When it comes to redeeming rewards, points are valued at 0.75 cents each as cash back, but they hold greater worth when used for travel. Through the Rove travel portal, points are typically valued at 1.25 cents each, and even more when booking with Rove’s travel partners. The card also plans to offer alternative redemption options with partners offering unique transportation experiences like private jets and helicopters.
In addition to the credit card, Rove will introduce an A.I. travel agent called “The Rover.” This in-app travel concierge will assist users in finding flight deals, suggesting trip itineraries, and providing insights on points usage for flights, hotels, and experiences. The innovative tool aims to simplify travel planning and make it more accessible to all users.