Frequently Asked Questions

Redeeming your First Tech credit card reward points is simple and rewarding—just like it should be.

Personal Credit Cards

You can access and redeem your rewards in just a few steps:

  1. Log in to Online Banking or the First Tech Mobile App.
  2. In the menu, select the Manage Cards widget.
  3. Click on your card image to view details.
  4. Select the Rewards tab at the top.
  5. Follow the on-screen instructions to redeem your points for travel, merchandise, gift cards, and more.

Note for iOS users: Due to Apple’s security settings, please use Online Banking on a desktop to access the rewards site.

Business Rewards Cards

Business Rewards accounts are managed separately:

  • Visit bizrewards.firsttechfed.com.
  • Register your Business Rewards card if it’s your first time logging in.
  • Once registered, you can view and redeem your points anytime.

Helpful Resources

Transferring a balance from another financial institution to your First Tech credit card is fast, secure, and designed to help you save.

Here’s how to get started:

  1. Log in to Online Banking or open the First Tech Mobile App.
  2. Select the Manage Cards widget from the menu.
  3. Choose the First Tech credit card you want to transfer the balance to.
  4. Select the Balance Transfer option and follow the on-screen prompts to complete your transfer.

Transferring a balance may help you consolidate debt and reduce interest—check your card’s terms for details.

Helpful Resources

At First Tech, we believe rewards should fit your lifestyle. That’s why our credit cards come with flexible rewards options—so you can choose how you want to treat yourself.

Depending on the card you choose, you can earn rewards like:

  • Cash back for everyday purchases
  • Travel perks including flights, hotels, and experiences
  • Merchandise and gift cards from top brands
  • And more!

Explore your options and find the card that fits your goals by visiting our Credit Card Comparison Page.

Helpful Resources

Great question! When you use your First Tech credit card, the rewards you earn depend on how the merchant is classified.

Here’s how it works:

  • Merchant Codes:
    Every business that accepts Visa® or Mastercard® is assigned a merchant category code (MCC). This code is set by the merchant or their payment processor based on the primary type of goods or services they offer.

  • Rewards Categories:
    First Tech groups similar MCCs into broader rewards categories—like dining, travel, or groceries—to make earning rewards simple and meaningful.

Heads-up:
Even if a merchant seems to fit a rewards category (like a bookstore selling coffee), their MCC might not match that category. That’s why some purchases may not earn the expected rewards.

We do our best to include all relevant merchant codes in each category, but final classification depends on how the merchant is coded by their processor.

Important Note on Rewards Categories

While we group similar merchant types to offer rewards, First Tech does not control how a retailer classifies their business. Rewards points are based on the merchant’s category code, which is set by their payment processor—not by First Tech.

  • Points begin accumulating once the transaction posts to your account.
  • We reserve the right to determine which purchases qualify for rewards.

Helpful Resources

The gas category generally includes merchants where the primary business is selling automotive fuel. This typically covers:

  • Gas stations where you can pay at the pump or inside
  • Locations that primarily sell automotive gasoline or diesel

Important to know:

Some businesses that sell fuel but don’t specialize in automotive gasoline may not qualify for gas rewards. These may include:

  • Truck stops
  • Boat marinas
  • Home heating fuel providers (e.g., propane, coal, wood, or fuel oil dealers)
  • Convenience stores or grocery stores that also sell fuel

Whether a purchase qualifies depends on how the merchant is classified by their payment processor, not by First Tech. We group similar merchant codes to help you earn rewards, but we don’t control how businesses are categorized.

The grocery stores category generally includes merchants whose primary business is selling a full range of grocery items. This typically covers:

  • Full-service grocery stores with departments like produce, deli, bakery, and household goods
  • Smaller neighborhood grocery stores that focus on food and everyday essentials

Important to know:

Some merchants that sell grocery items may not qualify for grocery rewards, including:

  • Warehouse clubs and discount stores (e.g., Costco, Walmart)
  • Drugstores and convenience stores
  • Gas stations that also sell groceries
  • Delivery services or third-party platforms

Whether a purchase qualifies depends on how the merchant is classified by their payment processor, not by First Tech. We group similar merchant codes to help you earn rewards, but we don’t control how businesses are categorized.

The household goods category generally includes merchants that primarily sell items for your home. This may include:

  • Home furniture and décor stores
  • Retailers offering lighting, rugs, bedding, and storage solutions

Important to know:

Some merchants may not qualify for household goods rewards, including:

  • Office and commercial furniture suppliers
  • Secondhand stores and antique shops
  • Specialty retailers that focus on a limited selection of household items

Whether a purchase qualifies depends on how the merchant is classified by their payment processor, not by First Tech. We group similar merchant codes to help you earn rewards, but we don’t control how businesses are categorized.

The travel category includes select merchants in airlines, transportation, and lodging. These purchases may qualify for travel rewards when made directly with eligible merchants.

Airlines

Qualifying purchases typically include:

  • Airline tickets purchased directly from the airline

May not qualify:

  • In-flight purchases, airline miles, or non-ticket items
  • Tickets purchased through travel agencies, discount travel sites, vacation clubs, or tour operators unless the merchant is classified under the airline category

Transportation

Qualifying purchases typically include:

  • Car rentals booked directly with the rental agency
  • Local transit and commuting services such as buses, taxis, limousines, cruises, and tour operators

May not qualify:

  • Rentals booked through third-party platforms or bundled packages
  • Services like freight railroads, ambulance transport, moving companies, boat rentals, tolls, parking garages, and RV/truck rentals unless classified under transportation

Lodging

Qualifying purchases typically include:

  • Hotel stays booked directly with the hotel
  • Motels, inns, and bed & breakfasts

May not qualify:

  • Hotel bookings made through travel agencies, discount sites, or bundled packages
  • On-site purchases (e.g., restaurant or entertainment) unless coded as lodging
  • Hotel points, short-term rentals (e.g., Airbnb), timeshares, campgrounds, and trailer parks unless classified under lodging

Note: Merchant categories are determined by the merchant’s payment processor, not by First Tech. We group similar merchant codes to help you earn rewards, but we don’t control how businesses are classified.