First Citizens Bank Smart Option
First Citizens Bank and related product names are trademarks of their respective owners. Madeen is not affiliated with, sponsored by, endorsed by, or acting on behalf of First Citizens Bank. Madeen is an independent credit-card comparison and education service. Issuer websites control current terms, fees, and eligibility.
How we calculate effective rate →
The First Citizens Bank Smart Option from First Citizens Bank earns up to 0% effective value on dining in Madeen's catalog snapshot. It has no annual fee.
- Top category
- Dining
- Effective value
- 0%
- Annual fee
- $0
Best for dining-heavy spend when you want to avoid an annual fee; confirm issuer terms before applying. Best for spenders who put meaningful volume in dining and can earn 0x points.
What does the First Citizens Bank Smart Option earn in each category?
Dining is the strongest category at 0% effective value (0x points at about 0 cents each). The five-category effective-rate table on this page shows how First Citizens Bank Smart Option compares across dining, grocery, gas, travel, and other spend.
Dining is the strongest category at 0% effective value (0x points at about 0 cents each). The five-category effective-rate table on this page shows how First Citizens Bank Smart Option compares across dining, grocery, gas, travel, and other spend.
| Category | Earn rate | Effective value |
|---|---|---|
| Dining Restaurants, cafes, takeout | 0x points | 0% Top category |
| Grocery Supermarkets and grocery stores | 0x points | 0% |
| Gas Gas stations and fuel | 0x points | 0% |
| Travel Flights, hotels, transit | 0x points | 0% |
| Other General everyday spend | 0x points | 0% |
Madeen values points at about 0 cents each. Madeen compares every card using this cash-equivalent estimate while still showing the raw earn rate for context.
Who should get the First Citizens Bank Smart Option?
The First Citizens Bank Smart Option fits spenders who put meaningful volume in dining and can earn 0x points. Best for spenders who put meaningful volume in dining and can earn 0x points.
First Citizens Bank Smart Option fits spenders who put meaningful volume in dining and can earn 0x points. Compare it against cards you already carry with Madeen — no bank login required.
Best for spenders who put meaningful volume in dining and can earn 0x points.
Foreign transaction fees make it weaker for international spend. Mostly a flat base earn card without strong category bonuses.
Best for dining-heavy spend when you want to avoid an annual fee; confirm issuer terms before applying.
Pros
- Strongest Madeen category is dining at about 0% effective (0x points).
- No annual fee in our catalog snapshot.
Cons
- Charges $3 foreign transaction fees.
- points value depends on how you redeem, not straight cash back.
Does the First Citizens Bank Smart Option have an annual fee?
The First Citizens Bank Smart Option has an annual fee of $0 and a foreign transaction fee of $3. Confirm current fees on the issuer page before applying.
- Annual fee
- $0
- Foreign transaction fee
- $3
What benefits come with the First Citizens Bank Smart Option?
The First Citizens Bank Smart Option includes Booking.com, Cell phone protection, Credit monitoring in our snapshot. Perks and benefits can change; verify coverage on the issuer site before you rely on them.
Cell phone protection
$7,200/yrWhen you pay your monthly wireless bill with your covered First Citizens credit card, your cell phone is protected for the next calendar month.
Roadside Dispatch®
$1,000/yrThis is a pay-per-use roadside assistance program available 24x7. Roadside Dispatch will ask for your location, find out what the problem is, and will remain on the phone with you while arranging a dispatch to a reliable tow operator or locksmith. You pay a set price per service call.
Sofar Sounds
$240/yrEnjoy a free ticket per show with the purchase of one or more tickets, plus you can access 7-day Visa Exclusive Presale opportunities.
OpenTable
$120/yrEligible Visa cardholders can enjoy special events access to the hottest dining events on OpenTable. Restrictions apply.
Roadside assistance
$50/yrCall on Roadside Dispatch® whenever you're in need of a tow. Assistance is available to eligible First Citizens credit cardholders 24/7 with no membership required.
Credit monitoring
$25/yrTake charge of your credit rating with DOVLY Uplift™, a Visa-backed free credit monitoring service. Dispute credit issues, monitor and track score changes, and more.
Identity protection
$25/yrYour First Citizens credit card includes ID Navigator powered by NortonLifeLock, providing tools so you can act quickly if your identity is threatened.
Porch piracy protection
$25/yrWhen you use your covered First Citizens account for your purchases, your new purchases can be protected against theft from your home or other location.
Booking.com
Purchase qualifying stays with your eligible Visa Credit or Debit card and get up to 8% in Travel Credits to use on future flights, stays, car rentals, attractions, car rentals, taxis and more.
Dovly Uplift™
Get free access to Dovly Uplift. Dovly helps you raise your credit score and get more for your money. While Dovly's platform is designed to remove inaccuracies from your credit report, every case is different, and not everyone will achieve the same results.
Related encyclopedia topics
Common questions about the First Citizens Bank Smart Option
What credit score is needed for a citizens bank credit card?
Madeen's catalog lists a typical credit range of Good for the First Citizens Bank Smart Option. Issuers decide approval using their own criteria; Madeen does not predict approval odds or prequalification.
Does the First Citizens Bank Smart Option have an annual fee?
The First Citizens Bank Smart Option carries an annual fee of $0 in Madeen's catalog snapshot. Issuer terms can change, so confirm the current fee on the issuer's site before you apply. Madeen does not predict approval or prequalification.
What category earns the most with the First Citizens Bank Smart Option?
Dining is the strongest Madeen category for the First Citizens Bank Smart Option at about 0% effective value, based on our catalog snapshot and standard point valuations. Other categories are listed in the effective-rate table on this page.
Does the First Citizens Bank Smart Option charge foreign transaction fees?
The First Citizens Bank Smart Option charges a foreign transaction fee of $3 in our catalog snapshot. Check issuer terms before international spend because rates and fee waivers can change.
What credit score do you need for the First Citizens Bank Smart Option?
Madeen's catalog lists a typical credit range of Good for the First Citizens Bank Smart Option. Issuers decide approval using their own criteria; Madeen does not predict approval odds or prequalification.
How do you redeem rewards on the First Citizens Bank Smart Option?
Rewards on the First Citizens Bank Smart Option post as points. Redemption value depends on how you use points (statement credit, travel, transfers, or issuer portals). Madeen shows effective cash-equivalent rates using standard valuations.
How does the First Citizens Bank Smart Option compare to similar cards?
Compare the First Citizens Bank Smart Option against First Citizens Bank Premium Rewards Business (3% on Dining, $95 fee); First Citizens Bank Travel Rewards (2% on Dining, $95 fee); First Citizens Bank Cash Rewards (1.5% on Dining, $0 fee). Madeen ranks effective value by category and annual fee using the same catalog snapshot dated 2026-05-01.
| Card | Top category | Effective value | Annual fee |
|---|---|---|---|
First Citizens Bank Smart Option This card | Dining | 0% | $0 |
First Citizens Bank | Dining | 3% | $95 |
First Citizens Bank | Dining | 2% | $95 |
First Citizens Bank | Dining | 1.5% | $0 |
First Citizens Bank | Dining | 0% | $0 |
Store-specific guides
Madeen publishes merchant guides that rank cards for specific stores and services. Browse guides for dining spend to see which cards win at checkout.
Related Madeen guides
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Madeen compares the cards you already carry for dining, groceries, gas, travel, and everyday purchases — free, no bank login required.
First Citizens Bank and related product names are trademarks of their respective owners. Madeen is not affiliated with, sponsored by, endorsed by, or acting on behalf of First Citizens Bank. Madeen is an independent credit-card comparison and education service. Issuer websites control current terms, fees, and eligibility.
Madeen compares cards you add to your wallet using published catalog rules — no bank login required. Issuer pages control current fees, caps, exclusions, and eligibility; Madeen does not issue cards, make approval decisions, or provide financial advice. Apply links are temporarily hidden on madeen.app. Affiliate disclosure