SmartBank Mastercard® Max Cash Preferred
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.. Madeen compares this card against the cards you already carry — no bank login required.
- Top category
- Other
- Effective value
- 5%
- Annual fee
- $0
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Madeen compares public issuer terms with its card-rule catalog. Issuer pages control rewards, fees, benefits, exclusions, and eligibility; Madeen does not issue cards, make approval decisions, or provide financial advice.
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 87% of the 1,546 cards we track in that category. Madeen summarizes catalog reward rules for comparison only; issuer pages control current fees, caps, exclusions, and eligibility.
Other is the strongest category at 5% effective value (5% back). That other rate ranks higher than about 87% of the 1,546 cards we track in that category.
| 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. Madeen summarizes catalog reward rules for comparison only; issuer pages control current fees, caps, exclusions, and eligibility.
- 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 87% 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. Madeen summarizes catalog reward rules for comparison only; issuer pages control current fees, caps, exclusions, and eligibility.
Pros
- Strongest Madeen category is other at about 5% effective (5% back).
- That other rate ranks higher than about 87% 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.
Does the SmartBank Mastercard Max Cash Preferred have an annual fee, and what's the welcome bonus?
The SmartBank Mastercard Max Cash Preferred has an annual fee of $0 and a foreign transaction fee of $3. 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.. Confirm current issuer terms before applying.
- Annual fee
- $0
- Foreign transaction fee
- $3
- Signup bonus
- $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.
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. Madeen summarizes catalog reward rules for comparison only; issuer pages control current fees, caps, exclusions, and eligibility.
- Auto Rental Discounts
Alamo, Hertz and National
- Concierge
Complimentary 24/7/365 access to a wide range of personalized services, including entertainment planning, business services, gift arrangements, specialty services and travel information.
- Global emergency servicesIncluded with World Mastercard®
Call 1-800-MASTERCARD (1-800-627-8372) for 24/7 assistance to report a lost or stolen card.
- HealthLockIncluded with World Mastercard®
Enjoy a HealthLock for Mastercard Medical Claim Monitor complimentary membership plus a 90-day upgrade to all HealthLock services at no monthly cost.
- ID Navigator Powered by NortonLifeLock
Provides tools so you can act quickly if your identity is threatened.
- InstacartIncluded with World Mastercard®
Groceries 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+.
- Lost Luggage Reimbursement
Up 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.
- Mastercard GolfIncluded with World Mastercard®
Get exclusive PGA TOUR® experiences and access amazing golf benefits with our Golf Concierge Service.
Common questions about the SmartBank Mastercard Max Cash Preferred
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. Madeen summarizes catalog reward rules for comparison only; issuer pages control current fees, caps, exclusions, and eligibility.
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. Madeen summarizes catalog reward rules for comparison only; issuer pages control current fees, caps, exclusions, and eligibility.
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. Madeen summarizes catalog reward rules for comparison only; issuer pages control current fees, caps, exclusions, and eligibility.
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. Madeen summarizes catalog reward rules for comparison only; issuer pages control current fees, caps, exclusions, and eligibility.
How do you redeem rewards on the SmartBank Mastercard Max Cash Preferred?
Rewards on the SmartBank Mastercard Max Cash Preferred post as cash back. Redemption value depends on how you use cash back (statement credit, travel, transfers, or issuer portals). Madeen shows effective cash-equivalent rates using standard valuations. Madeen summarizes catalog reward rules for comparison only; issuer pages control current fees, caps, exclusions, and eligibility.
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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