SmartBank Mastercard® Max Cash Preferred
SmartBank and related product names are trademarks of their respective owners. Madeen is not affiliated with, sponsored by, endorsed by, or acting on behalf of SmartBank. Madeen is an independent credit-card comparison and education service. Issuer websites control current terms, fees, and eligibility.
How we calculate effective rate →
The SmartBank Mastercard® Max Cash Preferred from SmartBank earns up to 5% effective value on other in Madeen's catalog snapshot. It has no annual fee. New applicants may see: $150 bonus rewarded after you spend $500 within first 90 days of account opening. Redeem cash back for a statement credit, rewards card, or a deposit to a qualifying account..
- Top category
- Other
- Effective value
- 5%
- Annual fee
- $0
Best for other-heavy spend when you want to avoid an annual fee; confirm issuer terms before applying. Best for spenders who put meaningful volume in other and can earn 5% back. The welcome bonus can help if you can meet the spend requirement.
What does the SmartBank Mastercard Max Cash Preferred earn in each category?
Other is the strongest category at 5% effective value (5% back). That other rate ranks higher than about 93% of the 2,849 cards we track in that category. The five-category effective-rate table on this page shows how SmartBank Mastercard Max Cash Preferred compares across dining, grocery, gas, travel, and other spend. Catalog spend signals highlight music and audio at 5x.
Other is the strongest category at 5% effective value (5% back). That other rate ranks higher than about 93% of the 2,849 cards we track in that category. The five-category effective-rate table on this page shows how SmartBank Mastercard Max Cash Preferred compares across dining, grocery, gas, travel, and other spend.
| Category | Earn rate | Effective value |
|---|---|---|
| Dining Restaurants, cafes, takeout | 2% back | 2% |
| Grocery Supermarkets and grocery stores | 2% back | 2% |
| Gas Gas stations and fuel | 2% back | 2% |
| Travel Flights, hotels, transit | 2% back | 2% |
| Other General everyday spend | 5% back | 5% Top category |
Madeen values cash back at about 1 cents each. Madeen compares every card using this cash-equivalent estimate while still showing the raw earn rate for context.
What are the SmartBank Mastercard Max Cash Preferred reward caps and conditions?
The SmartBank Mastercard Max Cash Preferred has 2 notable cap or condition rule(s) in Madeen's catalog, including activation windows, spend limits, and category exclusions. Review each bullet below before assuming unlimited earn rates.
- 5% cash back on the first $2,000 combined eligible purchases each quarter on two chosen categories Capped at $2000 per quarter.
- Unlimited 2% cash back on eligible net purchases on one everyday category chosen
Who should get the SmartBank Mastercard Max Cash Preferred?
The SmartBank Mastercard Max Cash Preferred fits spenders who put meaningful volume in other and can earn 5% back. Best for spenders who put meaningful volume in other and can earn 5% back. The welcome bonus can help if you can meet the spend requirement.
SmartBank Mastercard Max Cash Preferred fits spenders who put meaningful volume in other and can earn 5% back. Madeen ranks its other effective rate higher than about 93% of the catalog in that category. Compare it against cards you already carry with Madeen — no bank login required.
Best for spenders who put meaningful volume in other and can earn 5% back. The welcome bonus can help if you can meet the spend requirement.
Foreign transaction fees make it weaker for international spend.
Best for other-heavy spend when you want to avoid an annual fee; confirm issuer terms before applying.
Pros
- Strongest Madeen category is other at about 5% effective (5% back).
- That other rate ranks higher than about 93% of cards we track in the category.
- No annual fee in our catalog snapshot.
- Welcome bonus may add value if you can meet spend requirements.
Cons
- Charges $3 foreign transaction fees.
What is the SmartBank Mastercard Max Cash Preferred welcome bonus?
In Madeen's catalog snapshot, the SmartBank Mastercard Max Cash Preferred welcome offer is $150 bonus rewarded after you spend $500 within first 90 days of account opening. Redeem cash back for a statement credit, rewards card, or a deposit to a qualifying account.. Minimum spend, eligibility, and offer windows are set by the issuer and can change — confirm on.
- Offer
- $150
- Terms (catalog snapshot)
- $150 bonus rewarded after you spend $500 within first 90 days of account opening. Redeem cash back for a statement credit, rewards card, or a deposit to a qualifying account.
- Minimum spend
- $500
- Window
- 90Days
Does the SmartBank Mastercard Max Cash Preferred have an annual fee?
The SmartBank Mastercard Max Cash Preferred 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 SmartBank Mastercard Max Cash Preferred?
The SmartBank Mastercard Max Cash Preferred includes Auto Rental Discounts, Concierge, Global emergency services in our snapshot. Perks and benefits can change; verify coverage on the issuer site before you rely on them.
Lost Luggage Reimbursement
$3,000/yrUp to $3,000 reimbursement for the actual cost of repairing or replacing your checked or carry-on luggage and personal property contained therein that is lost or damaged. Coverage begins when the luggage is checked in or carried onto the common carrier by you.
Return protection
$1,000/yrProvides return protection on designated items purchased entirely with the card.
Roadside Dispatch
$1,000/yrAvailable only when traveling in the 50 United States and the District of Columbia. If your car breaks down on the road, just call and tell us where you are. We'll send someone to the rescue.
Mastercard Transit Benefit
$200/yrSave when you tap and go with your eligible Mastercard and receive a $2.50 statement credit when you spend $10 or more each month at participating transit systems.
Concierge
$150/yrComplimentary 24/7/365 access to a wide range of personalized services, including entertainment planning, business services, gift arrangements, specialty services and travel information.
Instacart
$140/yrGroceries and more delivered in as fast as one hour. Get $10 off your second order each month, and new Instacart+ members can also get three free months of Instacart+.
Auto Rental Discounts
$10/yrAlamo, Hertz and National
ID Navigator Powered by NortonLifeLock
$10/yrProvides tools so you can act quickly if your identity is threatened.
Signature Fine Wine & Food
$10/yrComplimentary Zagat Survey restaurant rating and reviews. Plus, a host of fine wine and food experiences.
Signature Privileges
$10/yrProvides cardmembers with special offers, opportunities and upgrades from participating merchants.
Global emergency services
$10/yrCall 1-800-MASTERCARD (1-800-627-8372) for 24/7 assistance to report a lost or stolen card.
HealthLock
$10/yrEnjoy a HealthLock for Mastercard Medical Claim Monitor complimentary membership plus a 90-day upgrade to all HealthLock services at no monthly cost.
Related encyclopedia topics
Common questions about the SmartBank Mastercard Max Cash Preferred
Where do cardholders spend most with the SmartBank Mastercard Max Cash Preferred?
Madeen's RewardsCC catalog snapshot shows the strongest bonus categories on music and audio (5x), other entertainment (5x), sporting events amusement parks and museums (5x) for the SmartBank Mastercard Max Cash Preferred. These are anonymized issuer category signals, not individual cardholder transactions. Route everyday spend through categories that match your habits, then compare effective rates with Madeen at checkout.
Does the SmartBank Mastercard Max Cash Preferred have an annual fee?
The SmartBank Mastercard Max Cash Preferred 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 SmartBank Mastercard Max Cash Preferred?
Other is the strongest Madeen category for the SmartBank Mastercard Max Cash Preferred at about 5% 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 SmartBank Mastercard Max Cash Preferred charge foreign transaction fees?
The SmartBank Mastercard Max Cash Preferred 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 is the SmartBank Mastercard Max Cash Preferred welcome bonus?
The SmartBank Mastercard Max Cash Preferred welcome offer in our snapshot: $150 bonus rewarded after you spend $500 within first 90 days of account opening. Redeem cash back for a statement credit, rewards card, or a deposit to a qualifying account.. Minimum spend, eligibility, and offer windows are set by the issuer and can change.
What credit score do you need for the SmartBank Mastercard Max Cash Preferred?
Madeen's catalog lists a typical credit range of Good to Excellent for the SmartBank Mastercard Max Cash Preferred. Issuers decide approval using their own criteria; Madeen does not predict approval odds or prequalification.
How does the SmartBank Mastercard Max Cash Preferred compare to similar cards?
Compare the SmartBank Mastercard Max Cash Preferred against SmartBank Mastercard Everyday Rewards+ (4% on Dining, $0 fee); SmartBank Mastercard Travel Rewards+ (4% on Gas, $99 fee); SmartBank Mastercard Business Cash Preferred (3% 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
SmartBank Mastercard Max Cash Preferred This card | Other | 5% | $0 |
| Dining | 4% | $0 | |
SmartBank | Gas | 4% | $99 |
| Dining | 3% | $0 | |
| Dining | 2% | $390 |
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SmartBank and related product names are trademarks of their respective owners. Madeen is not affiliated with, sponsored by, endorsed by, or acting on behalf of SmartBank. 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