Cash back · Mastercard · No annual fee
Last verified 2026-09-09. Review issuer source
First Interstate Bank Mastercard Max Cash Preferred is a no-annual-fee cash back card from First Interstate Bank. Its best everyday rates are 5% on cable TV, 5% on department stores, and 5% on electronic stores; everything else earns 1%. Cable TV is capped at $2,000 a quarter, then drops to the base rate. The top rate rotates through categories each quarter and needs activating.
On our reference budget of $24,600 a year it returns about $552, an effective 2.2% back. The welcome bonus, $150 after $500 in 90 days, is the strongest reason to open it in a given year.
It pays off only if you activate every quarter and the categories match how you spend. Skip a quarter and it is a 1% card. It charges 3% on foreign purchases, so leave it home when you travel abroad.
Cap: $2,000 per quarterly
5% cash back on the first $2,000 combined eligible purchases each quarter on two chosen categories
Cap: $2,000 per quarterly
5% cash back on the first $2,000 combined eligible purchases each quarter on two chosen categories
Cap: $2,000 per quarterly
5% cash back on the first $2,000 combined eligible purchases each quarter on two chosen categories
Cap: $2,000 per quarterly
5% cash back on the first $2,000 combined eligible purchases each quarter on two chosen categories
Cap: $2,000 per quarterly
5% cash back on the first $2,000 combined eligible purchases each quarter on two chosen categories
Cap: $2,000 per quarterly
5% cash back on the first $2,000 combined eligible purchases each quarter on two chosen categories
Cap: $2,000 per quarterly
5% cash back on the first $2,000 combined eligible purchases each quarter on two chosen categories
Cap: $2,000 per quarterly
5% cash back on the first $2,000 combined eligible purchases each quarter on two chosen categories
Cap: $2,000 per quarterly
5% cash back on the first $2,000 combined eligible purchases each quarter on two chosen categories
Cap: $2,000 per quarterly
5% cash back on the first $2,000 combined eligible purchases each quarter on two chosen categories
Cap: $2,000 per quarterly
5% cash back on the first $2,000 combined eligible purchases each quarter on two chosen categories
Unlimited 2% cash back on eligible net purchases on one everyday category chosen
Unlimited 2% cash back on eligible net purchases on one everyday category chosen
Unlimited 2% cash back on eligible net purchases on one everyday category chosen
Unlimited 2% cash back on eligible net purchases on one everyday category chosen
Unlimited 2% cash back on eligible net purchases on one everyday category chosen
Unlimited 2% cash back on eligible net purchases on one everyday category chosen
Unlimited 2% cash back on eligible net purchases on one everyday category chosen
$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.
Alamo, Hertz and National
Complimentary 24/7/365 access to a wide range of personalized services, including entertainment planning, business services, gift arrangements, specialty services and travel information.
Provides tools so you can act quickly if your identity is threatened.
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.
Provides return protection on designated items purchased entirely with the card.
Available 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.
Complimentary Zagat Survey restaurant rating and reviews. Plus, a host of fine wine and food experiences.
Provides cardmembers with special offers, opportunities and upgrades from participating merchants.
These come from Mastercard, not from First Interstate Bank. Every card on the World Mastercard tier carries them, so they should not decide between two cards.
Call 1-800-MASTERCARD (1-800-627-8372) for 24/7 assistance to report a lost or stolen card.
Enjoy a HealthLock for Mastercard Medical Claim Monitor complimentary membership plus a 90-day upgrade to all HealthLock services at no monthly cost.
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+.
Get exclusive PGA TOUR® experiences and access amazing golf benefits with our Golf Concierge Service.
Mastercard gives you exclusive access to ticket presales at top venues and festivals across the U.S. Eligibility restrictions, exclusions and terms apply. Offer expires 3/31/2027.
Save 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.
Browse exclusive Mastercard benefits, book travel, get hotel upgrades and more.
Enjoy experiences in culture, dining, sports, entertainment and more in over 45 exciting destinations around the globe.
With Mastercard Zero Liability protection you’re protected against unauthorized transactions in stores, online and in app.
Benefit descriptions are the issuer’s and network’s own wording, trimmed for length. Limits and exclusions are in the guide to benefits.
| Card | Annual fee | Rewards earned | Net after fee | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| First Interstate Bank Mastercard® Max Cash PreferredThis card · 5% on cable TV | None | $552 | +$552 | 121st of 1,291 |
| First Interstate Bank Mastercard® Max Cash SecuredFirst Interstate Bank's most-held other card · 5% on cable TV | None | $552 | +$552 | 122nd of 1,291 |
| Savor RewardsThe strongest no-fee card on this budget · 3% on dining | None | $642 | +$642 | 4th of 1,291 |
| Robinhood Gold CardHighest net return on this budget · 3% on everything | $50 | $798 | +$748 | 1st of 1,291 |
Reference budget: groceries $6,000, dining and restaurants $3,600, gas and ev charging $2,400, travel and transit $3,000, online shopping $2,400, entertainment and streaming $1,200, everything else $6,000. Points are valued at 1¢ unless the program is worth less; statement credits, welcome bonuses, and perks are left out. Run it with your own spending.
