Fifth Third Preferred Cash/Back Card
A no-annual-fee cash back card from Fifth Third.
Rates, fees, and full terms are set by Fifth Third and can change. See current rates & fees on the issuer’s site, and always confirm the latest terms before applying.
Our review
The Fifth Third Preferred Cash/Back Card is a flat-rate cash back card from Fifth Third, running on the Mastercard network. The Fifth Third Preferred Cash/Back Card keeps things simple, earning a flat 2x on every purchase with no categories to track or quarterly activations. There is no annual fee, which means every dollar of rewards is pure profit.
It is built for simplicity. There are no categories to track, no quarterly activations, and no annual fee, which makes it one of the easier cards to set and forget while still earning a respectable flat rate.
Think twice if: you have heavy, predictable spending in one category, where a card with a higher bonus rate there would simply earn you more.
Our 7.4 out of 10 rating
Each score weighs the rewards rate, value after the annual fee, welcome offer, points flexibility, and perks, with every point valued at a flat 1 cent. This is our editorial assessment to help you compare cards, not a guarantee of approval or of the value you will get.
Earning rates at a glance
Rewards: how it earns
The Fifth Third Preferred Cash/Back Card earns a flat 2x on every purchase. On a typical $29,160 of annual average household spending that comes to about $583 back a year, with nothing to track or activate.
| Category | Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Dining and restaurants | 2x | Base rate |
| Groceries | 2x | Base rate |
| Gas | 2x | Base rate |
| Travel | 2x | Base rate |
| Streaming | 2x | Base rate |
| Everything else | 2x | Everything else |
The fine print on rates: Requires Fifth Third Preferred Banking, a relationship tier that generally needs around $100,000 in combined assets. Cash back is fixed value and does not transfer to travel partners.
Every point and mile above is valued at a flat 1 cent, the same honest standard we use for every card. Run your own spending through the calculator to see what this card would actually return for you.
Best ways to earn & redeem
Use it as a flat-rate everyday card, since it earns the same on every purchase, and pair it with bonus-category cards for groceries, dining, and travel.
When you cash in, take the rewards as cash back or a statement credit, worth a flat 1 cent each. We value every point at a flat 1 cent, so treat any transfer upside as a bonus rather than the baseline — see what your points are really worth.
Pros and cons
- Flat 2x on every purchase
- No annual fee
- No foreign transaction fees
- Generally needs good to excellent credit to qualify
The welcome bonus
This card does not run a traditional welcome bonus, so its value comes entirely from ongoing rewards and perks.
First-year value vs ongoing value
| Welcome bonus | None |
| To earn it | None |
| Est. first-year value* | $583 |
| Est. ongoing value / yr* | $583 |
There is no lump-sum welcome bonus, so first-year and ongoing value are about the same, roughly $583 a year on typical spending after the fee. What you see is what you get from day one.
*First-year value counts the welcome bonus, estimated rewards, and annual credits, minus the annual fee; ongoing value is a typical year after. Every point at a flat 1 cent, on average spending.
Benefits and protections
Beyond the rewards, the perks and protections worth knowing about include:
- No categories to track and no caps
Statement credits
This card does not come with recurring statement credits. Its value is in the rewards rate and welcome offer.
Who should get it, and who should skip it
It is best for anyone who wants the simplest possible setup: one flat rate on everything, no categories to track, and no annual fee to earn back.
Skip it if you have heavy, predictable spending in one category, where a card with a higher bonus rate there would simply earn you more.
Alternatives to the Fifth Third Preferred Cash/Back Card
Pairs well with
The Fifth Third Preferred Cash/Back Card earns a flat rate on everything, so pair it with a category card or two to earn more where you spend the most.
Frequently asked questions
Best-card guides featuring this card
Learn more
How does it rank for your spending?
Every card is ranked by what it actually returns on the way you spend. Run your numbers and see where the Fifth Third Preferred Cash/Back Card lands.
Calculate My CardOffer details verified against issuer sources as of October 2026. Editorial opinions are our own. Cardocrat values all points at a flat 1 cent and never inflates redemptions.
