U.S. Bank Cash+: Attractive Rates and Rewards

U.S. Bank Cash+

U.S. Bank Cash+: Attractive Rates and Rewards

FUNDSamentally Rating: 3.5 Stars

U.S. Bank Cash+ Card® Visa Signature® Card

ANNUAL FEE: $0

REWARDS RATES: 1%-5% Cash Back

INTRO OFFER: $200

RECOMMENDED CREDIT SCORE: 690-850
(Good – Excellent)

Pros

  • No annual Fee
  • 0% Intro APR
  • High rewards rate

Cons

  • Complicated Rewards
  • Requires good to excellent credit

Rates/fees

Annual fee– $0
Sign up bonus– $200 rewards bonus after $1,000 in eligible purchases in the first 120 days of opening your account
Reward Rate– 1% – 5%
Intro APR– 0% for the first 15 billing cycles
Ongoing APR– 19.49% – 29.74% Variable APR
Balance transfer fee– 3% of the transfer amount or $5, whichever is greater
Foreign transaction fee– 3%
Additional Benefits-Earn 5% cash back on prepaid air, hotel, and car reservations booked directly in the rewards travel center

-Get your cash back as a statement credit, a rewards card or directly deposited into your U.S. Bank checking or savings account. Enjoy flexible options designed to fit your needs.

-Receive a new cardmember $0 fee offer on ExtendPay Plans opened in the first 60 days after account opening.

Detailed Overview

If you are a frequent traveler looking to maximize rewards while also maximizing debt payoffs with zero interest, consider the U.S. bank cash+ Visa signature card.

The U.S. Bank Cash+ Card is a personally tailored balance transfer card. The strongest feature this card boasts has to be its intro APR. At 0% for the first 15 billing cycles, cardholders have ample opportunity to pay off debts without added fees. It also offers strong rewards rates, at up to 5% cash back. However, the rewards process can be complicated.

For those who won’t mind dealing with the difficult rewards, you can certainly maximize your cash back while enjoying a low intro APR offer for an extended period. The U.S. bank cash+ visa signature card is a strong competitor in the high cash back card space. If it weren’t for the complicated rewards system, this card would be rated much higher.

Card type: Cash back.

Annual fee: $0.

Sign-up bonus: $200 bonus after spending $1,000 in eligible purchases within the first 120 days of account opening.

Rewards:

  • 5% cash back on the first $2,000 in combined eligible net purchases each quarter in two categories you choose, from a list of 12.
  • 2% cash back in one “everyday” category that you choose (such as grocery stores, gas and EV charging stations or restaurants).
  • 5% cash back on prepaid air, hotel and car reservations booked directly in U.S. Bank’s Rewards Center.
  • 1% cash back on all other eligible net purchases.

You must opt in to the 5% and 2% bonus categories each quarter to earn the higher rewards rates; otherwise, you’ll earn only 1% back on all purchases.

Full list of 5% categories on the U.S. Bank Cash+

  • Fast food.
  • Home utilities.
  • TV, internet and streaming.
  • Department stores.
  • Cell phone providers.
  • Electronics stores.
  • Sporting goods stores.
  • Movie theaters.
  • Gyms/fitness centers.
  • Furniture stores.
  • Ground transportation.
  • Select clothing stores.

Rewards can be redeemed for statement credit, a U.S. Bank Rewards gift card or a deposit into an eligible bank account with U.S. Bank.

Interest rate: 0% intro APR for 15 billing cycles on purchases and balance transfers, and then the ongoing APR of 19.49%-29.74% Variable APR.

Balance transfer fee: 3% of the amount of each transfer or $5, whichever is greater.

Foreign transaction fee: 3%.

Additional Benefits

Generous bonus spending capacities

For most category cash back cards, they only provide you with the bonus 5% cashback for the first $1,500 spent in a category, per quarter. With the U.S. Bank Cash+ Card® Visa Signature® Card you get a higher spending ceiling in bonus categories. For the Bank Cash + card, you will receive 5% cashback up to $2,000 instead of the normal $1,500. That’s potentially an extra $400 in bonus rewards per year, assuming you hit the spending cap each quarter.

Extra Uncapped bonus category at 2% Cash back

With the U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card, you can choose an extra category for unlimited 2% cash back. In early 2020, options like gas stations, restaurants, and grocery stores were available. Unlike the capped 5% spending categories, these rewards have no limit.

Comparison to other 5% cashback cards


Considering the U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card? You’re likely aware of Discover it® Cash Back and Chase Freedom Flex℠. Unlike its counterparts, the U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card offers customizable 5% bonus categories with a higher spending cap of $2,000 quarterly. Plus, enjoy unlimited 2% back in an everyday category. However, the right choice depends on your spending habits.

Explore how all three compare.

U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® CardDiscover it® Cash BackChase Freedom Flex℠
Annual Fee– $0– $0– $0
Bonus offer
– $200 bonus after spending $1,000 in eligible purchases within the first 120 days of account opening.
– INTRO OFFER: Unlimited Cashback Match for all new cardmembers – only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year! There’s no minimum spending or maximum rewards. You could turn $150 cash back into $300.– Earn a $200 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening.
Intro APR offer– 0% intro APR for 15 billing cycles on purchases and balance transfers, and then the ongoing APR of 19.49%-29.74% Variable APR.– 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers, and then the ongoing APR of 17.24%-28.24% Variable APR.– 0% intro APR on purchases and Balance Transfers for 15 months, and then the ongoing APR of 20.49%-29.24%, Variable APR.

Is it easy to plan spending around bonus categories?– Yes. Categories are displayed on the website all year.– No, Categories get revealed a quarter at a time (starting in 2024)– No, Categories are announced quarterly too
Activation requirements– You must choose your two 5% categories and your 2% “everyday” category each quarter.

– Bonus rewards are not retroactive. This means you earn bonus cash back only after you activate your categories. If you forget and don’t activate until, say, mid-quarter, any purchases before then would earn only 1%.
– You must activate the 5% category each quarter.

– Bonus rewards are not retroactive.
– You must activate the 5% category each quarter.

– Bonus rewards are retroactive. You’ll earn 5% cash back on all spending in the category for the quarter as long as you activate by the deadline (usually the middle of the last month).

Is it The Right Card For You?

Opting for your preferred bonus categories provides a competitive edge. If maximizing rewards is paramount, the U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card suits your preference.