Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility

This device is too small

If you're on a Galaxy Fold, consider unfolding your phone or viewing it in full screen to best optimize your experience.

Skip to main content

Fifth Third Bank Credit Cards Review: Solid Cash Back Choices

Review Updated
Matt Frankel, CFP®
Nathan Alderman
Many or all of the products here are from our partners that compensate us. It’s how we make money. But our editorial integrity ensures that our product ratings are not influenced by compensation.

Fifth Third Bank offers three different cash back cards with solid rewards rates. All three have no annual fee and other key features. Read our full Fifth Third Bank credit cards review to see if one of them could be a good fit for you.

Fifth Third 1% Cash/Back Card
Credit Score: Circle with letter I in it. Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.

Recommended Credit Score required for this offer is: Good (670-850)
Credit Score Circle with letter I in it. Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.

Good (670-850)

Intro APR Circle with letter I in it. 0% introductory APR on purchases and balance transfers for your first 21 billing cycles after the account is opened.

Purchases: 0%, 21 billing cycles

Balance Transfers: 0%, 21 billing cycles

Regular APR

16.24% - 27.24%, variable

Rewards

1% cash back

Annual Fee

None

Welcome Offer

N/A

  • Fifth Third Bank offers three different cash back credit cards with slightly different rewards rates and perks. Read Full Review

    • Three different options
    • No annual fees
    • No foreign transaction fees
    • 0% intro APR available
    • Top card isn't available to everyone
    • Better cash back rewards could be available
    • No unique benefits
    • 0% intro APR for 21 months on purchases and balance transfers after your account opening. After that, your variable APR will be 16.24%-27.24%.
    • Earn unlimited 1% cash back on every purchase
    • No annual fee
    • No international transaction fees
    • Redeem your cash back anytime with no minimum
    • Contactless
Fifth Third 1.67% Cash/Back Card
Credit Score: Circle with letter I in it. Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.

Recommended Credit Score required for this offer is: Good (670-850)
Credit Score Circle with letter I in it. Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.

Good (670-850)

Intro APR Circle with letter I in it. 0% introductory APR on balance transfers for the first 12 billing cycles after the account is opened.

Purchases: N/A

Balance Transfers: 0% for 12 billing cycles

Regular APR

20.74% to 29.99% variable

Rewards Circle with letter I in it. From grocery runs to gas fill-ups to dining out, whenever you use your Cash/Back card, you get 1.67% cash back.

1.67% cash back

Annual Fee

None

Welcome Offer

N/A

  • Fifth Third Bank offers three different cash back credit cards with slightly different rewards rates and perks. Read Full Review

    • Three different options
    • No annual fees
    • No foreign transaction fees
    • 0% intro APR available
    • Top card isn't available to everyone
    • Better cash back rewards could be available
    • No unique benefits
    • Earn unlimited 1.67% cash back with every purchase
    • No annual fee
    • No international transaction fees
    • Redeem your cash back anytime with no minimum
    • Contactless
Fifth Third Preferred Cash/Back Card
Credit Score: Circle with letter I in it. Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.

Recommended Credit Score required for this offer is: Good (670-850)
Credit Score Circle with letter I in it. Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.

Good (670-850)

Intro APR

Purchases: N/A

Balance Transfers: 0%, 12 billing cycles

Regular APR

20.74% - 29.99% variable

Rewards

2% cash back

Annual Fee

None

Welcome Offer

N/A

  • Fifth Third Bank offers three different cash back credit cards with slightly different rewards rates and perks. Read Full Review

    • Three different options
    • No annual fees
    • No foreign transaction fees
    • 0% intro APR available
    • Top card isn't available to everyone
    • Better cash back rewards could be available
    • No unique benefits
    • Earn unlimited 2% cash back with every purchase
    • No annual fee
    • No international transaction fees
    • Redeem your cash back anytime with no minimum
    • Contactless

Full Fifth Third Bank credit cards review

This credit card is a good fit for: People who are looking for a basic cash back credit card, especially those who already have a banking relationship with Fifth Third Bank.

Top perks

Fifth Third Bank's credit cards are primarily focused on cash back rewards, and there are some perks that you might find attractive.

Three different cash back credit cards

Fifth Third Bank has three different cash back credit cards currently available:

  • Fifth Third 1.67% Cash/Back Card: The 1.67% cash back rate might sound odd, but it's a play on the bank's name (five-thirds of one percent). It earns this rewards rate on every purchase, has no annual fee, and has no foreign transaction fees.
  • Fifth Third 1% Cash/Back Card: The Fifth Third 1% Cash/Back Card has a lower 1% cash back rate, but also has an intro APR of 0%, 21 billing cycles on both purchases and balance transfers. It also has no annual fee or foreign transaction fees.
  • Fifth Third Preferred Cash/Back Card: The Fifth Third Preferred Cash/Back Card offers unlimited 2% cash back on all purchases. However, it is only open to Fifth Third Preferred Banking clients.

In addition to the three cash back credit cards offered by Fifth Third Bank, there's also the Fifth Third Secured Card that is designed for people who need to build or rebuild their credit. The secured credit card requires a deposit equal to your desired credit limit (at least $300), has a $24 annual fee, and works just like a regular credit card.

No annual fees

All three of Fifth Third Bank's cash back credit cards have no annual fees. The bank's secured card has a $24 annual fee, but this is rather low compared to some competing products.

No foreign transaction fees

This is a perk that is more often seen in travel-focused credit cards and can be valuable if you regularly travel overseas. Many credit cards (especially those without annual fees) charge an additional fee of about 3% for foreign transactions, which can add up if you take several overseas trips each year.

0% intro APR available

The 0%, 21 billing cycles intro APR from the Fifth Third 1% Cash/Back Card is one of the best offers in the industry, especially since it applies to both purchases and balance transfers. However, it's important to note that balance transfers have a fee, which is in line with most competitors. This card's is $5 or 4% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.

Credit card comparison

We recommend comparing options to ensure the card you're selecting is the best fit for you. To make your search easier, here's a short list of standout credit cards.

Offer Our Rating Welcome Offer Rewards Program APR Learn More
Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
Best for cash back on rotating categories
Discover will match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year. 1% - 5% Cashback Circle with letter I in it. Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places you shop each quarter like grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, and more, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.

Intro:

Purchases: 0%, 15 months

Balance Transfers: 0%, 15 months

Regular: 18.24% - 27.24% Variable APR

Rating image, 5.00 out of 5 stars.
5.00/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
Best for cash rewards on everyday spending
$200 cash rewards Circle with letter I in it. Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months. 2% cash rewards Circle with letter I in it. Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases.

Intro: Circle with letter I in it. 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers

Purchases: 0% intro APR, 12 months from account opening

Balance Transfers: 0% intro APR, 12 months from account opening on qualifying balance transfers

Regular: 19.24%, 24.24%, or 29.24% Variable APR

Rating image, 4.00 out of 5 stars.
4.00/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
Best for unlimited rewards on purchases
25,000 points Circle with letter I in it. 25,000 online bonus points after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening - that can be a $250 statement credit toward travel purchases 1.5-3 points per dollar Circle with letter I in it. Earn unlimited 1.5 points per $1 spent on all purchases, with no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees, and your points don't expire as long as your account remains open. Earn 3 points per $1 spent on travel purchases booked through the Bank of America Travel Center.

Intro: Circle with letter I in it. 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases. 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days. After the intro APR offer ends, 18.24% - 28.24% Variable APR on purchases and balance transfers will apply. A 3% fee for 60 days from account opening, then 4% fee applies to all balance transfers. Balance transfers may not be used to pay any account provided by Bank of America.

Purchases: 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases

Balance Transfers: 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days

Regular: 18.24% - 28.24% (Variable)

What could be improved

As mentioned in the previous section, the Fifth Third Bank credit cards aren't the most competitive cash back credit card products in the market. Here are a few of the reasons why.

2% cash back card isn't available to everyone

While the 2% cash back rate from the Fifth Third Preferred Cash/Back Card is in line with industry leaders, it is only available to customers who have a Preferred Banking relationship with Fifth Third Bank. Meanwhile, there are some excellent 2% cash back credit cards available that don't require you to have a banking relationship.

Better cash back rates and intro perks may be available

There are some great credit cards in the market that not only have a 2% cash back rate on all purchases, but that also have excellent 0% intro APR offers on purchases and balance transfers. Fifth Third Bank only offers a 0% intro APR on its lowest-earning cash back card.

Few unique benefits

While it is common for no annual fee credit cards to offer little more than a rewards program, there are some that offer some unique perks. For example, there are some no-fee credit cards that give customers access to their FICO® Score, concert ticket pre-sales, benefits on hotel stays, and more.

No welcome offers

One of the biggest drawbacks to the Fifth Third Bank credit cards is that none of them advertise a welcome bonus. There are some no annual fee credit cards on our radar that offer $200 or more after meeting certain spending thresholds, and this can be a big differentiator when opening a new credit card.

Suggested credit score

With the exception of the secured credit card, we'd suggest having an above average credit score to apply for the Fifth Third Bank credit cards, which can be loosely defined as a FICO® Score of 700 or more. However, other factors such as your income and other debts are considered when applying, so it's entirely possible to get approved with a lower credit score or rejected with a higher score.

A Fifth Third Bank credit card is right for you if:

The cash back credit cards offered by Fifth Third Bank are best suited for people who have a Preferred Banking relationship with Fifth Third Bank and can qualify for the Fifth Third Preferred Cash/Back Card. Or, they can be solid products for people who simply want a basic cash back credit card.

Our credit card methodology

At Motley Fool Money, we rate credit cards on a five-star scale (1 = poor, 5 = best). Our rating criteria includes rewards rates, welcome bonuses, fees, and perks like travel credits and 0% intro APR offers to evaluate our ratings.

We combine these factors with an evaluation of brand reputation and customer satisfaction to ensure you're getting the best card recommendations. Learn more about how Motley Fool Money rates credit cards.

FAQs

  • Fifth Third Bank offers three different cash back credit cards. The most competitive is the Fifth Third Bank Fifth Third Preferred Cash/Back Card, which offers a 2% cash back rate on all purchases, but it is only available to Fifth Third's Preferred Banking customers.

  • Fifth Third Preferred Banking is a relationship benefit program offered to Fifth Third Bank customers, and is designed for people with relatively high account balances of $100,000 or more between deposit and investment accounts.

  • Fifth Third Bank offers a total of four credit cards as of November 2023. It has three different cash back credit cards -- the Fifth Third 1.67% Cash/Back Card, the Fifth Third 1% Cash/Back Card, and the Fifth Third Preferred Cash/Back Card. It also offers a secured credit card for people trying to establish or reestablish credit.