Elan Financial Services · Visa Signature · Personal

Associated Bank Max Cash Preferred

A no-annual-fee card earning cash back: 5× on Quarterly Categories, 1× on everything else.

Associated Bank Max Cash Preferred
Annual fee
$0No annual fee
Signup bonus
$150Cash bonus
Top rate
5×Quarterly Categories
Point value
1¢Cash back, a cent a point

Year one and year two

Is it worth it for you?

Tick the credits you’d really use and enter what you spend. The ledger adds up the bonus, your points and the credits, less the fee.

Your spending a year, by earning rate
5×Quarterly Categories
2×Daily Categories
1×All Other
Illustrative numbers, not an average.
LineYear oneYear two
Signup bonus cash$150–
Cash back on your spend Enter your spending$0$0
Credits you’d use No statement credits listed$0$0
Annual fee No annual fee$0$0
NetYear one includes the bonus · at your inputs · our estimates*$150$0

Bonus terms: $150 bonus awarded after you spend $500 within first 90 days of account opening.

Compare whole wallets See how the Associated Bank Max Cash Preferred does beside the cards you already hold.

Earning structure

3 categories, 3 rates

IconCategoryPoints per $1 Worth per $100 (our estimate)*
Quarterly Categories Cap $2,000 / 3 mo
Notes

Select up to two categories to earn 5% cashback on combined purchases (up to $2,000 per quarter). The available categories include: Home Utilities, Cell Phone Providers, TV, Internet, and Streaming Services, Select Clothing Stores, Fast Food, Furniture Stores, Gyms and Fitness Centers, Ground Transportation, Department Stores, Sporting Goods Stores, Electronic Stores, Bookstores​. NOTE: Sports and Recreation and Gym are combined one category selection. Entertainment includes "amusement parks" (Disney, Six Flags, etc.), 3rd party events ticket vendors and movie theaters. Gas and ground transportation are combined as one selection. Grocery and delivery and restaurants and delivery (not fast food) are also combined as one selection.

5×$5.00
Daily Categories
Notes

The 2% unlimited cash back on one everyday category, like gas stations & ground transportation, restaurants & food delivery, and grocery stores & grocery delivery. Effective April 22, 2025, purchases at Grocery Stores/Supermarkets and Gas Stations/EV Charging Stations at wholesale clubs, discount stores, and supercenters (e.g., Target, Walmart) will earn only 1% cash back.

2×$2.00
All Other 1×$1.00

The rest of the card

Details, rules and benefits

Card details
Annual fee
None
Card type
Personal
Network
Visa Signature
Bank
Elan Financial Services
Point system
Cash back
Foreign transaction fee
Yes
Transfer partners
No
Travel portal redemption
No
Cash to travel
No

Alternatives

Head to head with similar cards

Associated Bank Max Cash PreferredAssociated Bank Everyday Rewards+Fidelity RewardsChase Freedom Flex
Annual fee$0$0Same$0Same$0Same
Signup bonus$15015,000 ptsNone$200
Top rate5×Quarterly Categories4×Dining2×All Other5×6 categories
Travel value *–Cash back1¢Elan Rewards–Cash back1.85¢Ultimate Rewards
Why it’s hereThis cardAlso no annual feeAlso no annual feeAlso no annual fee

Discussion

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Full list of categories can be found here: https://card.associatedbankcreditcard.com /credit/associated/pdfs/categories_max_cash_preferred_visa.pdf

* Point valuations are RICH with POINTS™ editorial estimates, averaged from published valuations by The Points Guy, Upgraded Points, and Frequent Miler. They are not issuer figures and do not represent guaranteed redemption value.