MLS Forward Credit Card: 5,000 Point Bonus Offer

MLS Forward Credit Card Review

The MLS Forward Credit Card powered by Avant is a no annual fee rewards card that lets you show your love for your favorite MLS soccer franchise. The card features reasonable credit limits for building credit, up to 5X points on eligible purchases, and the chance to select your style with 24 different MLS team card designs.

Quick Online Pre-qualification

Avant is well-known in the credit space for providing access to financial solutions that help extend credit to those with near-prime credit scores. Because of that, Avant ensures you qualify for the MLS Forward Card before applying – removing the fear of a hard impact on your credit report accompanied by an application rejection.

Checking your suitability for the MLS credit card is as easy as filling in a quick pre-qualification form on the Avant website. This process only requires some basic information and won’t impact your credit score. Even better, you’ll have a response in as little as 60 seconds.

It’s worth noting that the MLS Card has a widely variable credit limit. New accounts will receive an initial credit limit between $300 and $3,000, with lower credit profiles getting smaller starting lines.

Related Article: How to Pre-Qualify for a Credit Card

Guide to Rewards with the MLS Forward Credit Card

The traditional Avant Credit Card from WebBank is a beginner-friendly credit-building tool that intentionally skips the “bells and whistles,” like a rewards structure, instead focusing on credit growth. The MLS credit card, however, offers quality rewards on all eligible purchases.

Decent Sign-up Bonus for New Cardholders

While Avant credit cards are typically designed for those looking to boost their credit or continue to demonstrate financial responsibility, that doesn’t mean the MLS Mastercard won’t provide a welcome offer. The MLS Forward Mastercard provides a simple 5,000 bonus point welcome offer after spending $1,000 on purchases within three months (80 days) from account opening. That offer won’t supercharge you towards season tickets with your favorite club, but it’s a “nice-to-have” and something not traditionally seen with near-prime credit cards.

How to Earn Rewards with the MLS Credit Card

The MLS Forward Credit Card earns up to 5X points per $1 spent on purchases, with MLS store transactions earning the maximum points.  Here’s the reward structure with the MLS Card:

• 5X points per $1 Spent on purchases at MLSStore.com,
• 3X points per $1 spent on gas,
• 2X points per $1 spent on dining and grocery stores, and
• 1X points per $1 spent on all other eligible purchases.

Getting 5X points online with the MLS fan store is great, but it’s frustrating that those rewards don’t apply to matchday purchases at the stadium or on other sports fan categories, like streaming or transit.

One frustrating thing that Avant keeps under wraps and hidden in the fine print is a cap on the enhanced rewards earned with the card. According to Avant, after earning 6,000 “Extra Points” in a calendar year (points above 1X per $1 purchase), you will earn 1X Points on all transactions. That Is very frustrating – and especially so if you have a larger credit limit and want to really use this card.

How to Redeem Rewards with Avant

Redemption options with Avant are fairly narrow. Rewards are redeemable for cash back, MLS match tickets, and MLSstore.com gift cards. Cashback is a statement credit, helping you stretch your money further to tackle other bills.

Soccer Fan Card Comparison

Here’s how the MLS Mastercard compares with two other credit cards for soccer fans, the Manchester United Credit Card and the Liverpool FC Credit Card from Cardless:

	MLS Forward	Manchester United	Liverpool FC
Annual fee	$0	$0	$0
Rewards	5X at MLSstore.com; 3X on gas; 2X on dining and groceries; 1X on all esle	3X at bars and restaurants; 2X on streaming and rideshares; 1X on all else	5X on Liverpool tickets and store; 3X on bars and dining; 2X on streaming and rideshares; 1X on all else
Official store savings	15%	10%	10%
Other perks	Pre-qualify; card design	N/A	Free LFC Int. membership for 1st year; LFCTV Go; digital program

Exclusive MLS Savings and Perks

Cardholders also get a few other nice perks with the MLS Avant Card. This includes exclusive pre-sale ticket access, expedited entrance to MLS special events, and an impressive 15% off merchandise at the official MLS online store. Cardmembers can choose their card design, with two MLS credit card designs or a branded design from 21 MLS clubs in the U.S. (sorry, Vancouver Whitecaps, Toronto FC, or CF Montreal fans).

Here are the available clubs and designs:

Other Card Features

Other notable features of the MLS Forward Credit Card from Avant include basic Mastercard protections and security benefits, including:

Avant Ratings

What are Avant and WebBank like card issuers and account servicers? Here is a selection of expert and consumer ratings for the pair:

Should You Apply for the MLS Forward Credit Card?

There is plenty to like about the MLS Forward Mastercard. The rewards are decent (if capped) and a nice addition to a credit card for people with near-prime credit. Equally enjoyable is the huge variety of card designs and the simple, modest welcome offer of 5,000 points. If you have average credit, love American soccer, and want to show your local love, the card is an interesting option with no annual fee.

Better options are available if you have good credit or want more lucrative rewards. Cardless, for example, offers several sports rewards cards, airline cards with LATAM and TAP Air Portugal, and the Simon Malls Amex. These cards all feature no annual fee, uncapped rewards, and no hidden fees.

Ultimately, the MLS Forward Mastercard is ideal for a very specific subset of American residents: those with average credit and a love for soccer. If that’s you, this might be your ideal credit card.