In addition to the reasons blindambition offered, I'd suggest that the card is meant to appeal to more typical credit customers than are found here. Specifically, people who:
- Want to keep things simple and use one card, or one and a back-up.
- Want it accepted everywhere cards are accepted worldwide, with none of the PIN or contactless issues people sometimes have using US-issued credit cards abroad.
- Are younger and may not have transitioned from debit cards to credit cards.
- Appreciate an effortless application process compared to almost everyone else.
- Also an equally effortless rewards redemption process.
I'm not a social butterfly, but I have relatives, friends and a partner. None of them do any of the SUB and rewards maximization we're familiar with here. Getting a new card is a once every few years event, usually accompanying a change in bank. None of them pay any attention to credit scores and how to maximize them - and most of them have no need to, because they have decades of no lates and PIF.
One of my friends (who has an Amex Platinum, TD Cash Visa and some form of Capital One) is absolutely horrified by the number of cards I have (he used to be my US mailing address) no matter how I explain I PIF except for 0% interest offers and I do it for the SUBs and maximizing the rewards. He's a big believer in "if you can't afford it, don't buy it."
