Firestone Mastercard credit card review: Worth considering for Firestone fans
Editor's Note
Firestone Mastercard overview
The Firestone Mastercard is a unique store card in that it offers a tiered system of rewards based on spending. With good earnings on Firestone spending, a simple redemption method for points earned and no annual fee, this card makes sense for anyone with a cash-back wallet who uses Firestone frequently for their automotive needs. Card rating*: ⭐⭐⭐
*Card rating is based on the opinion of TPG's editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.
Store cards are rarely recommended here at TPG, and for good reason. Many have poor earnings rates, unnecessarily complicated redemption methods and gimmicks that cause more headaches than they're worth.
The Firestone Mastercard, however, is different. While it isn't for everyone, it can make sense if you use Firestone as your primary auto service and have a cash-back-focused wallet.
Firestone issues two credit cards: a closed-loop version that can only be used by Firestone and its partners and a Mastercard version that can be used anywhere.
In this guide, we're exploring the Firestone Mastercard details. It has no annual fee and we recommend applicants have a credit score of 640 or higher to increase their chances of approval.
If you're considering getting it, here's what you need to know and why it's one of the better store cards currently available.
Related: Store vs. cash-back credit cards: Which one should I get?
The information for the Firestone Credit Card and Firestone Mastercard has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Firestone Mastercard pros and cons
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Related: How to choose your best credit card strategy
Firestone Mastercard benefits
After opening the card, you'll instantly get 5% off your next Firestone purchase. This welcome offer is not comparable to most travel and general cash-back card welcome offers.
However, it makes the card worth opening for Firestone loyalists just for the extra discounts; since this card lacks an annual fee, you don't need to worry about getting value beyond that.
The Firestone card also offers deferred interest financing for six months. As long as the amount charged to the card is paid in full within six months, you won't have to pay any interest. However, interest still accrues during this time, so if you don't pay off the full amount in time, you could be hit with a potentially large bill.
While I don't recommend using a deferred interest financing plan, it can be helpful if you urgently need a car repair and it isn't something you can afford at that moment. Just ensure you know for certain that you can pay off the balance in time. Otherwise, you'll be better off choosing a credit card with an introductory 0% annual percentage rate (APR) offer.
Other benefits available to all cardholders include in-store discounts, special rebate offers and, for Mastercard holders, identity theft protection and zero liability protection. Additional benefits for the Firestone card are awarded after reaching a certain tier of spending with your card.
There are three tiers:
- Passenger: Default tier
- Driver: Requires $1,250 to $2,499 in spending with Firestone in a calendar year
- Adventurer: Requires spending over $2,500 with Firestone in a calendar year
The Driver and Adventurer statuses both offer extra rewards on your birthday, access to double points-earning events and access to the option to store your points instead of getting them automatically redeemed for you.
Beyond this, the only difference between Driver and Adventurer status is the amount of points you'll earn on Firestone purchases.
Earning points on the Firestone Mastercard
With the Firestone card, you'll earn 3% back on all Firestone purchases with Passenger and Driver status and 4% back with Adventurer status.
Rewards are earned as myCFNA Rewards points. These points aren't like the transferable points you'd earn with a general travel card; they function more like cash back since they can only be redeemed for statement credits.
Firestone Mastercard holders will earn 2% back on fuel and other automotive purchases and 1% back on everything else.
I wouldn't recommend using this card for non-Firestone spending unless it's your only credit card; you can get better value with a general cash-back or travel card. That said, getting either 3% or 4% back on Firestone purchases is good, especially if you use Firestone as your primary auto-care service.
The extra percent on Firestone purchases for having Adventurer status is the only extra benefit you'll get over Driver status, so in my opinion, it isn't worth putting the effort in unless you're naturally spending $2,500 or more in a year with Firestone.
Related: How to choose a cash-back credit card
Redeeming points on the Firestone Mastercard
Redeeming points on the Firestone card is straightforward. By default, every 1,000 points you earn will automatically be redeemed for a $10 myCNFA Reward. This reward will automatically be applied as a statement credit after your next qualifying purchase.
Driver and Adventurer status tiers grant access to the Points Bank feature, allowing you to store your points instead of automatically redeeming them. With this feature, 1,000 points will still equal a $10 myCNFA Reward, but this method makes a larger redemption possible.
It's important to note that once your points have been converted to myCNFA Rewards, you must make your next qualifying purchase within six months. Otherwise, those rewards will expire.
If you've opted into the Points Bank feature, it's wise to avoid redeeming your points until you're ready to make a purchase. Additionally, your points will not expire unless you go more than 12 months without making a purchase with your Firestone card.
Related: What happens to your points and miles after you die?
Which cards compete with the Firestone Mastercard?
When considering competitors for the Firestone card, consider cards that can earn good rewards on auto-related spending. Here are a few options:
- If you want a flat-rate earnings card: The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card earns 5 miles per dollar spent on hotel, vacation rental and car rental bookings through Capital One Travel and 2 miles per dollar spent on all other purchases. While you won't earn as many rewards at Firestone with this card versus the Firestone card, the miles you earn can go much further. To learn more, read our full review of the Venture Rewards card.
- If you want a cash-back card: The Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card (see rates and fees) earns 2% cash rewards back on purchases. It doesn't have an annual fee, making it great as an early-stage cash-rewards card or for a single-card wallet. You'll also enjoy added perks since the Active Cash is a Visa Signature card. To learn more, read our full review of the Wells Fargo Active Cash.
- If you want a card with good bonus categories: The Chase Freedom Unlimited® (see rates and fees) earns 5% back on Chase Travel℠ purchases, 3% back on dining and drugstore purchases and 1.5% back on everything else. While its nonbonus earning isn't as good as the other cards suggested here, you'll earn extra rewards on dining, a primary spending category for many. To learn more, read our full review of the Chase Freedom Unlimited.
For additional options, check out our picks for the best cash-back cards and everyday spending cards.
Related: 5 reasons I love the Chase Freedom Unlimited as a credit card beginner
Is the Firestone Mastercardcard worth it?
If you use Firestone as your main auto service and your wallet is cash-back focused, the Firestone Mastercard is worth considering. Getting 3% or 4% back on Firestone purchases, along with added perks for heavy spenders, makes this a competitive card as far as store cards are concerned. However, if your wallet is focused on earning points and miles, this card may not be the best fit for you.
Related: How to choose the best credit card for you
Bottom line
Most credit card enthusiasts will probably not mention the Firestone card when asked about the best store cards, but it deserves some attention given its solid earning structure and lack of an annual fee. If you're in the market for a card that earns good rewards on your auto service needs, the Firestone card may be for you.
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 5X | New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Valuable dining and food-related credits
- Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
- Multiple travel and purchase protections
- No foreign transaction fees
- Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
- Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
- Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
- Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.