Truist credit cards come in cash back, rewards, and travel categories, each with different annual fees and earning rates
Truist Bank offers roughly a dozen credit cards across several product lines. The main categories are cash back cards (no annual fee or low fee), rewards cards tied to specific spending categories, and travel cards that earn points toward flights and hotels. Each card has its own earning structure, welcome offer, and annual fee — ranging from zero to several hundred dollars. The cards are issued by Truist Bank and managed through their online portal or mobile app.
Your choice depends on how you spend money and whether the earning rate or welcome offer justifies any annual fee. A card with a $95 annual fee needs to deliver at least $95 in value through rewards or other benefits to break even. This guide walks through the main Truist cards, what each one pays, and how to think about whether one fits your situation.
Key Takeaways
- Truist cash back cards carry no annual fee and return a flat percentage on all purchases, making them straightforward if you want straightforward rewards without category tracking.
- Truist rewards cards earn higher rates in specific categories (groceries, gas, dining) but charge an annual fee and require you to track which card to use for each purchase.
- Truist travel cards earn points toward flights and hotels, often include travel protections like trip delay reimbursement, and typically charge an annual fee between $95 and $450.
- Welcome offers vary by card and change over time; the current offer is shown on Truist's website when you view each card's details.
- All Truist cards report to the three major credit bureaus, so opening a new card will create a hard inquiry and temporarily lower your credit score by a few points.
Truist cash back cards: flat-rate rewards with no annual fee
Truist's cash back cards are the simplest option if you want rewards without tracking spending categories. The main card in this line returns a fixed percentage on all purchases — typically 1.5% to 2% depending on the specific card. You earn the same rate whether you're buying groceries, gas, or plane tickets. Cash back posts to your account monthly and can be redeemed as a statement credit, transferred to a linked bank account, or held as a balance to use later.
These cards charge no annual fee, so there's no minimum spending threshold you need to hit to make the card worthwhile. The trade-off is that the earning rate is lower than what category-specific cards offer in their bonus categories. If you spend heavily on groceries or gas, a rewards card that pays 3% or 4% in those categories will earn more — but only if the annual fee is worth it. For someone who wants simplicity and doesn't want to think about which card to pull out, a flat-rate cash back card is often the better choice.
Truist rewards cards: higher rates in specific categories
Truist's rewards cards earn bonus points in categories like groceries, gas stations, restaurants, and travel purchases. A typical structure might pay 3 points per dollar at grocery stores, 2 points per dollar at gas stations, and 1 point per dollar on everything else. These cards usually charge an annual fee between $95 and $150. The points can be redeemed for cash back, gift cards, or merchandise through Truist's rewards portal.
Whether a rewards card makes financial sense depends on your spending pattern and the annual fee. If you spend $500 a month at grocery stores and the card earns 3 points per dollar, that's 18,000 points per year from groceries alone. If each point is worth 1 cent in cash back value, that's $180 in annual rewards from one category. Subtract the annual fee and you're ahead. But if you spend $100 a month at grocery stores, the same card generates only $36 in annual rewards — not enough to cover the fee.
The key calculation is: (your annual spending in bonus categories × earning rate × point value) minus annual fee. If the result is positive, the card pays for itself. Truist's website shows the earning rates and annual fee for each card, so you can do this math before you open an account.
Truist travel cards: points for flights and hotels
Truist's travel cards earn points on all purchases, with bonus earning on travel-related spending like flights, hotels, rental cars, and travel agencies. A typical travel card might earn 2 points per dollar on travel purchases and 1 point per dollar on everything else. Annual fees range from $95 to $450 depending on the card's tier and benefits package.
Travel cards often include perks beyond earning: trip delay reimbursement (covers meals and lodging if your flight is delayed by a certain number of hours), baggage delay insurance, rental car damage coverage, and access to airport lounges on premium cards. These benefits have real value if you travel frequently, but they're worth little if you take one vacation every two years.
Points on Truist travel cards typically redeem through their travel portal, where you book flights and hotels and pay with points. Some cards allow you to transfer points to airline or hotel loyalty programs, which can sometimes yield higher value. Check the specific card's redemption rules before opening it, because the flexibility and point value vary.
Welcome offers and how they affect your decision
Most Truist credit cards come with a welcome offer — typically a bonus of cash back or points if you spend a certain amount within the first few months. A common offer might be "$200 cash back after you spend $500 in the first three months." This is real money, but it only matters if you were already planning to spend that amount anyway. If you have to change your spending behavior to hit the threshold, the offer isn't actually a benefit.
Welcome offers change regularly and vary by card. Truist publishes the current offer on each card's product page on their website. The offer is one factor in deciding whether to open a card, but it shouldn't be the only one. A card with a strong welcome offer but a high annual fee and earning rates that don't match your spending is still a poor choice.
How opening a Truist card affects your credit
When you open a Truist credit card, the bank performs a hard inquiry on your credit report. This inquiry temporarily lowers your credit score by a few points — typically 5 to 10 points — and stays on your report for about 12 months. The impact is small and fades quickly if you pay on time.
Opening a new card also lowers your average account age and increases your total available credit. Over time, both of these factors help your score: the new account ages and becomes part of your history, and having more available credit (that you don't use) improves your credit utilization ratio. The net effect on your credit is usually neutral or slightly positive within a few months, as long as you pay your bills on time and don't carry a balance.
If you're planning to explore for a mortgage or car loan in the next few months, opening a new credit card right before that process can hurt your timing. The hard inquiry and new account will be fresh on your report when the lender pulls it. If you're not explore for credit soon, the timing of opening a card doesn't matter much.
Comparing Truist cards to cards from other banks
Truist cards compete with offerings from Chase, Capital One, American Express, and other issuers. The comparison depends on what you value: earning rate, annual fee, welcome offer, or specific perks. A Truist cash back card with 1.5% back and no annual fee competes directly with similar cards from other banks — the main difference is usually the welcome offer and whether you already bank with Truist.
If you're a Truist customer, opening a Truist credit card may give you access to additional perks through your banking relationship, such as waived fees or bonus points. Check your account to see whether Truist offers any relationship benefits. If you don't bank with Truist, the card itself has to compete on its own merits: earning rate, annual fee, and welcome offer.
The best card for you is the one that matches your spending and delivers more in rewards than it costs in fees. That card might be from Truist, or it might be from another bank. The only way to know is to look at your actual spending over the past few months, calculate what each card would have earned, and subtract the annual fee.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to be a Truist bank customer to open a Truist credit card?
No. Truist credit cards are open to anyone who meets the bank's credit and income requirements. Having a Truist checking or savings account may make the process process faster or unlock additional benefits, but it's not required to open a card.
Can I earn rewards on my credit card payment itself?
No. Paying your credit card bill with another credit card typically is not allowed, or the payment processor charges a fee that wipes out any rewards you'd earn. You can pay with a debit card or bank transfer, but those don't earn rewards. The only way to earn rewards is on the purchases you make with the card itself.
What happens if I don't use my Truist card?
Truist can close an inactive account after a period of non-use, though the exact timeline varies by card. A closed account stays on your credit report for up to seven years, which can slightly lower your credit score because it reduces your total available credit. To keep a card active, use it for at least one small purchase every few months.
Can I transfer my Truist rewards to cash?
Yes, but the value depends on the card. Cash back cards redeem directly as cash at full value. Rewards points on other cards typically redeem as cash at a rate of 1 point = 1 cent, though some cards offer better value if you redeem for travel or merchandise. Check your specific card's redemption options on Truist's website.
How long does it take to receive my new Truist credit card?
Truist typically ships new cards within 7 to 10 business days after your account is opened. You can sometimes request expedited shipping for an additional fee. You can also check your Truist app or online account to see the card number before the physical card arrives, which lets you start using it right away.