The lifetime cards images? what about it led to the need to have a card?

About two years ago UA removed the "physical card" statement, about when UA stop issuing cards.

And the just issue me a card and not everyone else, underestimate the costs of due a personalized card (annually). While in may feel like a $0.25 item, the cost of doing a full population or individual cards is far more than that --- we have had this discussion many times for elite status cards. These are not insignificant expenses and UA has chosen not to do -- as have the hotel programs, most airlines, ... Is it neat swag, perhaps for some, but prior discussions have suggested that most prefer the phone app solution over carrying cards.