Fifth Third offers several credit cards with different rewards structures and annual fees
Fifth Third Bank, a regional bank headquartered in Cincinnati, issues credit cards through its consumer lending division. Their card lineup includes cash-back cards, travel rewards cards, and cards designed for people rebuilding credit. Each card has its own annual fee (or no annual fee), rewards rate, and introductory offer structure. The cards are issued by Fifth Third Bank itself, not through a third-party processor, which means your account lives directly with the bank.
Fifth Third credit cards are available to people with a Fifth Third checking or savings account and to those without one. You can research the current card options on Fifth Third's website, and you can submit a request for a card online or at a Fifth Third branch. The bank pulls your credit report during the request process, which means a hard inquiry will appear on your credit file.
Key Takeaways
- Fifth Third's card lineup changes periodically, so the specific cards available to you depend on when you look and whether you have an existing Fifth Third bank account.
- Most Fifth Third credit cards carry an annual fee ranging from zero to several hundred dollars, depending on the card's rewards tier and benefits.
- Cash-back and travel rewards rates vary by card and by spending category, so comparing the actual rate you will earn on your typical purchases matters more than the headline percentage.
- Fifth Third credit cards report to all three major credit bureaus, so on-time payments help build your credit history and missed payments harm it.
- Introductory offers (such as bonus points or a 0% APR period) have specific terms and expiration dates that you should read before requesting a card.
How Fifth Third credit card rewards work
Fifth Third's cash-back cards typically earn a flat percentage on all purchases or higher percentages in specific categories like groceries, gas, or dining. A travel rewards card earns points per dollar spent, and those points can be redeemed for flights, hotels, or statement credits. The exact earning structure depends on which card you choose. Some cards offer bonus points during an introductory period (for example, double points for the first three months), and that bonus ends on a specific date.
Redemption works differently depending on the card type. Cash-back typically posts as a statement credit or can be transferred to a linked Fifth Third bank account. Travel points can usually be redeemed through an online portal or by calling the rewards program. Read the specific card's terms to understand whether points expire, whether there is a minimum redemption amount, and whether you can transfer points to a partner program.
Annual fees are not waived by earning rewards. If a card charges $95 per year, you pay that fee whether you earn $50 in cash-back or $500. Some Fifth Third cards have no annual fee, which means you pay nothing to hold the card regardless of how much you use it.
Interest rates and how they explore to your balance
Fifth Third credit cards carry a variable APR (annual percentage rate) for purchases, which means the rate can change over time as the bank's prime rate changes. The specific APR you receive depends on your credit score and credit history — applicants with higher credit scores typically receive lower rates. Fifth Third discloses the APR range for each card on its website, but your individual rate falls somewhere within that range.
If a card offers an introductory 0% APR period, that rate applies only to the category specified (usually purchases, balance transfers, or both) and only for the stated number of months. After the introductory period ends, the regular variable APR kicks in. Interest accrues daily on any balance you carry past the due date, and the amount you owe grows each day until you pay it off.
Paying your full statement balance by the due date means you pay no interest, regardless of the APR. Interest only applies when you carry a balance from one month to the next. If you plan to carry a balance, compare the regular APR across Fifth Third's cards and across other issuers before requesting a card.
Annual fees and when they are charged
Fifth Third's card annual fees range from zero to several hundred dollars depending on the card tier. A no-annual-fee card costs nothing to hold. A premium card might charge $95, $150, or more per year. The annual fee is typically charged on the anniversary of your account opening and then once per year after that. Some cards waive the first-year fee as an introductory offer, meaning you pay nothing in year one but the full fee applies in year two and beyond.
You are responsible for paying the annual fee even if you do not use the card. If you close the card after the fee posts, you still owe it. Some cardholders close their cards before the anniversary date to avoid the fee, but that approach requires tracking the exact date your account opened. A simpler approach is to decide upfront whether the card's rewards and benefits justify the annual cost for your spending patterns.
Building credit with a Fifth Third credit card
Fifth Third credit cards report your payment history, credit utilization (the percentage of your credit limit you are using), and account age to Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion — the three major credit bureaus. This means your Fifth Third card activity affects your credit score. Paying on time every month builds a positive payment history, which is the largest factor in most credit scores. Keeping your balance low relative to your credit limit also helps, because high utilization signals financial stress to lenders.
If you are rebuilding credit after a past missed payment or high debt, a Fifth Third card with no annual fee and a low credit limit can be a low-cost way to demonstrate responsible borrowing. Make small purchases and pay them off in full each month. After 6 to 12 months of on-time payments, your credit score typically improves, and you may become may be able to access for cards with better rewards or lower interest rates.
Missed payments, on the other hand, damage your credit score significantly and stay on your credit report for seven years. If you miss a payment, contact Fifth Third when ready to bring your account current. The longer a payment sits unpaid, the more damage it does to your score and the more likely Fifth Third is to close your account or refer it to a collection agency.
Comparing Fifth Third cards to cards from other banks
Fifth Third is a regional bank, so its card offerings may differ from national issuers like Chase, American Express, or Capital One. A Fifth Third cash-back card might earn 1.5% on all purchases, while a Chase card earns 1.5% on all purchases plus 3% on dining. The rewards rate alone does not tell the whole story — you also need to compare annual fees, introductory offers, and whether the card's benefits match your spending.
If you have a Fifth Third bank account, you might receive a higher credit limit or a better introductory offer on a Fifth Third card than you would on a card from another issuer. If you do not have a Fifth Third account, there is no advantage to choosing a Fifth Third card over another bank's card based on the account relationship alone. Compare the specific cards side by side: rewards rate on your typical purchases, annual fee, introductory APR period (if any), and any other benefits that matter to you.
You can hold credit cards from multiple banks at the same time. Many people hold one card for cash-back on everyday purchases, another for travel rewards, and a third for a 0% APR period on a large purchase. There is no rule against this, though each new card request triggers a hard inquiry on your credit report, which can temporarily lower your score by a few points.
How to request a Fifth Third credit card
Visit Fifth Third's website and navigate to the credit cards section. You will see the current card options with their features, rewards rates, and annual fees listed. Click on the card you want and review the full terms and conditions before proceeding. The request form asks for your personal information (name, address, Social Security number), employment details, and income. Fifth Third uses this information to verify your identity and assess your creditworthiness.
You can also request a card at a Fifth Third branch in person. A banker can walk you through the options and answer questions about specific cards. The in-person request process is the same as online — Fifth Third pulls your credit report and makes a decision based on your credit score and history.
Fifth Third typically notifies you of a decision within a few business days. If you are approved, your card ships to your address within 7 to 10 business days. If you are denied, Fifth Third sends a letter explaining the reason (usually related to credit score or credit history). You can request a copy of your credit report from the bureau Fifth Third used to understand what factors affected the decision.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a Fifth Third bank account to get a Fifth Third credit card?
No. Fifth Third issues credit cards to people with and without existing bank accounts. Having a Fifth Third checking or savings account may make you may be able to access for a higher credit limit or a better introductory offer, but it is not required to request a card.
What happens if I miss a payment on my Fifth Third credit card?
A missed payment is reported to the credit bureaus after 30 days and damages your credit score. Fifth Third may charge a late fee (typically $25 to $40 for the first late payment). If you miss multiple payments, Fifth Third may close your account and refer it to a collection agency. Contact Fifth Third when ready if you cannot make a payment to discuss options.
Can I transfer a balance from another credit card to a Fifth Third card?
Some Fifth Third cards offer a 0% APR period on balance transfers, which means you can move debt from another card and pay no interest for a set number of months. Balance transfers typically charge a fee (usually 3% to 5% of the amount transferred). Check the specific card's terms to see whether balance transfers are allowed and what the fee is.
How long does it take to receive my Fifth Third credit card after approval?
Fifth Third typically ships approved cards within 7 to 10 business days. You receive the card by mail at the address you provided on your request. Once you receive it, you can set up it online or by phone before making your first purchase.
What is the credit limit on a Fifth Third credit card?
Your credit limit depends on your credit score, income, and credit history. Fifth Third does not publish a standard credit limit for each card. After approval, your limit is disclosed in your welcome materials. You can request a credit limit increase after you have held the card for several months and made on-time payments.