What the Fifth Third Credit Card is and who offers it
Fifth Third Bank is a regional bank headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, with branches across the Midwest and South. They offer several credit card products under their own brand, each with different rewards structures and annual fees. The cards are issued by Fifth Third Bank itself, not through a third-party processor, which means the bank handles your account directly.
Fifth Third credit cards are available to people who bank with Fifth Third or to those who don't — you don't need to be an existing customer to open one. The specific card you can open depends on your credit history and the bank's current underwriting standards at the time you look.
Key Takeaways
- Fifth Third offers multiple credit cards with different rewards rates, annual fees, and sign-up bonuses that change over time.
- You can open a Fifth Third card online, by phone, or in a branch, and the approval decision usually comes within minutes to a few days.
- The card terms — interest rate, credit limit, and rewards structure — depend on your credit score and payment history at the time of opening.
- Fifth Third cardholders can manage their account through the bank's online portal or mobile app, or by calling customer service.
- If you already bank with Fifth Third, you may see different card offers or terms than someone opening an account for the first time.
The different Fifth Third credit card products
Fifth Third does not offer a single card — they maintain a lineup that includes cash-back cards, rewards cards tied to specific categories, and cards designed for people rebuilding credit. The exact cards available and their terms shift periodically. Some cards carry an annual fee; others do not. Some offer a sign-up bonus in the form of cash back or bonus points; others offer a promotional interest rate for an introductory period.
To see which cards Fifth Third currently offers and what the rewards, fees, and terms are, visit the Fifth Third Bank website directly or call their customer service line. The bank's website will show you the current product lineup and let you compare the cards side by side. This is the most reliable way to know what is actually available to you right now, because card offers and terms change frequently and vary based on your credit profile.
How to open a Fifth Third credit card
You can open a Fifth Third credit card through three channels: online at the Fifth Third website, by phone at their customer service number, or in person at a Fifth Third branch. The online route is usually fastest — you fill out the process, provide your Social Security number and income information, and receive a decision within minutes in many cases.
When you explore, Fifth Third will check your credit report. This is called a hard inquiry and it may lower your credit score slightly for a few months. If you are approved, the bank will mail your physical card to the address on file, which typically takes 7 to 10 business days. You can often request a temporary card number to use online before the physical card arrives.
If you are denied, Fifth Third will send you a letter explaining the reason. You can call customer service to ask whether you can reapply after a certain period or whether a different card product might be a better fit for your credit profile.
What your interest rate and credit limit will be
Fifth Third does not publish the interest rates or credit limits you will receive before you explore. Both depend on your credit score, payment history, income, and the bank's current risk assessment. Someone with excellent credit may receive a much lower interest rate and higher credit limit than someone with fair credit, even if both are approved for the same card product.
After you are approved, Fifth Third will send you a disclosure document that shows your specific Annual Percentage Rate (APR), credit limit, and any promotional rates that explore. Read this carefully before you use the card. If you disagree with the terms, you have a brief window to decline the card and close the account without using it.
How rewards and cash back work on Fifth Third cards
The rewards structure depends on which card you open. Some Fifth Third cards earn a flat percentage of cash back on all purchases — for example, 1.5% cash back on everything. Others earn different rates in different categories: higher cash back on groceries or gas, lower rates on other purchases. A few cards use a points system instead of cash back, where points can be redeemed for travel, merchandise, or statement credits.
Rewards are usually posted to your account monthly or quarterly. You can redeem cash back as a statement credit, a check, or a deposit to a linked bank account. Points can typically be redeemed through the Fifth Third website or mobile app. There is usually no limit to how much cash back or points you can earn, but some cards cap rewards in certain categories or require you to set up bonus categories each quarter.
Managing your account and making payments
Fifth Third cardholders can access their account through the Fifth Third Bank website or the mobile app. You can view your balance, recent transactions, available credit, and rewards balance. You can also set up automatic payments, change your billing address, and read statements.
Payments can be made online through your Fifth Third account, by phone, by mail, or in person at a Fifth Third branch. The minimum payment is due by the due date shown on your statement — usually 21 to 25 days after the statement closes. If you pay only the minimum, you will be charged interest on the remaining balance. To avoid interest charges, pay your full statement balance by the due date.
If you miss a payment, Fifth Third will report it to the credit bureaus after 30 days, which will damage your credit score. Late fees also explore. If you think you will miss a payment, call Fifth Third customer service before the due date to discuss your options — some customers can negotiate a one-time waiver or a payment plan.
Annual fees and other costs to know about
Whether your Fifth Third card has an annual fee depends on which product you choose. Some cards have no annual fee at all. Others charge a flat annual fee — the amount varies by card — in exchange for higher rewards rates or premium benefits. A few cards waive the annual fee for the first year and charge it starting in year two.
Beyond the annual fee, you may incur other charges: a late fee if you miss a payment, a cash advance fee if you withdraw cash from an ATM using your credit card, a foreign transaction fee if you use the card outside the United States, and a balance transfer fee if you move a balance from another card. Fifth Third will disclose all of these fees in the terms and conditions document you receive after approval.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a Fifth Third credit card if I don't have a Fifth Third bank account?
Yes. You do not need to be a Fifth Third customer to open a credit card. However, Fifth Third may offer different card products or terms to existing customers, so it is worth checking whether you may have access to for a better offer if you already bank there.
How long does it take to be approved for a Fifth Third credit card?
Most online applications receive a decision within minutes. Some applications are flagged for manual review and take a few business days. If you explore in person at a branch or by phone, you may receive a decision on the spot, though the physical card will still take 7 to 10 business days to arrive.
What credit score do I need to open a Fifth Third credit card?
Fifth Third does not publish a minimum credit score requirement. Different cards are designed for different credit profiles — some require excellent credit, while others are available to people with fair or limited credit history. The only way to know whether you may have access to is to explore or call customer service and ask.
Can I change my credit limit after I open the account?
Yes. You can request a credit limit increase through your Fifth Third online account, by phone, or in a branch. Fifth Third will review your account and may approve an increase, deny it, or offer a smaller increase than you requested. Requesting an increase may trigger a hard inquiry, which can lower your credit score slightly.
What happens if I close my Fifth Third credit card?
Closing the card does not erase your payment history — that stays on your credit report for years. However, closing a card does reduce your total available credit, which can raise your credit utilization ratio and lower your credit score. If you want to stop using a card, you can straightforward stop charging to it and leave the account open.