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U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card Review [2024]: A No-Annual-Fee Card That’s Got Earning Power

CREDIT CARDS - CASH BACK CREDIT CARDS
The U.S. Bank Cash+ Visa Signature Card is great if you’re looking to maximize your cashback earnings and keep fees to a minimum.
Sarah Li Cain
By Sarah Li Cain
Yahia Barakah, CEPF
Edited by Yahia Barakah, CEPF
Updated Nov. 5, 2024
Fact checked

We receive compensation from the products and services mentioned in this story, but the opinions are the author's own. Compensation may impact where offers appear. We have not included all available products or offers. Learn more about how we make money and our editorial policies.

If you want to maximize and customize your rewards without an annual fee, the U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card could be the one for you. Cardholders can choose their bonus categories to earn up to 5% cash back with a $0 annual fee.

This card isn't the first to offer a higher rewards rate on bonus categories, but it's one of few that let you choose the categories yourself. You still have to remember to opt into your chosen bonus categories each quarter, but you can choose which categories will benefit you most. As cashback credit cards go, this one's a good option compared to cards from other issuers. 

Read our credit card review of the U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card to learn more, including its top benefits, who it’s best suited for, and the best ways to maximize your earnings and redemptions.

Cash Back in Categories You Choose!

U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card
4.5
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U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card

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Current Offer

Earn a $200 bonus after spending $1,000 in eligible purchases within the first 90 days of account opening

Annual Fee

$0

Rewards Rate

5% cash back on two categories you choose (up to $2,000 in combined eligible purchases each quarter) and on prepaid air, hotel and car reservations booked directly in the Rewards Center; 2% cash back on one everyday category, like gas stations/EV charging stations, grocery stores, or restaurants; and 1% cash back on all other eligible purchases

Benefits and Drawbacks
Card Details

In this U.S. Bank Cash+ Visa Signature Card review

Key takeaways

  • Unlike many other cashback cards, the U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card lets you choose your own bonus categories to earn rewards on. You can earn up to 5% cash back.
  • This card works well for people who don’t need a lot of travel rewards and primarily want cash back on everyday purchases.
  • If you don’t want to pay an annual fee, then the U.S. Bank Cash+ is a good choice. It has a $0 annual fee.
  • Keep in mind that you have to sign up for your chosen bonus categories every quarter for this card to be worth it.

Who should get the U.S. Bank Cash+ Visa Signature Card?

The U.S. Bank Cash+ Visa Signature Card is best for those who want one of the best U.S. Bank credit cards to earn cashback rewards without having to pay an annual fee. You can earn 5% cash back on two categories you choose (up to $2,000 in combined eligible purchases each quarter) and on prepaid air, hotel and car reservations booked directly in the Rewards Center; 2% cash back on one everyday category, like gas stations/EV charging stations, grocery stores, or restaurants; and 1% cash back on all other eligible purchases.

This is great for those who want to be more hands-on with their earnings approach and can take advantage of the bonus categories. With the welcome bonus, you can also earn a $200 bonus after spending $1,000 in eligible purchases within the first 90 days of account opening.

However, this card does require a excellent, good credit score, so if yours is less than stellar, you might want to consider the best credit cards. In addition, this card isn’t ideal for those who prefer a more hands-off approach to earning rewards. You’ll need to register your bonus categories each quarter and ensure you make eligible purchases within a specified time frame to qualify. 

Credit card basics

Card type Cash Back
Credit card issuer U.S. Bank
Annual fee $0
Intro bonus Earn a $200 bonus after spending $1,000 in eligible purchases within the first 90 days of account opening of account opening
Rewards rate 5% cash back on two categories you choose (up to $2,000 in combined eligible purchases each quarter) and on prepaid air, hotel and car reservations booked directly in the Rewards Center; 2% cash back on one everyday category, like gas stations/EV charging stations, grocery stores, or restaurants; and 1% cash back on all other eligible purchases
Recommended credit score Excellent, Good
Intro APR 0% for 15 billing cycles on purchases, then 18.74% to 28.99% (Variable) APR

0% for 15 billing cycles on balance transfers, then 18.74% to 28.99% (Variable) regular APR
Foreign transaction fee 3% of each foreign transaction

Why we like the U.S. Bank Cash+ Visa Signature Card: benefits and perks

  • Generous sign-up bonus: New cardholders can earn a $200 bonus after spending $1,000 in eligible purchases within the first 90 days of account opening.
  • No annual fee: You don’t need to pay an annual fee, which can save you some money considering many other rewards credit cards charge one.
  • High cashback rewards: Cardholders get 5% cash back on two categories you choose (up to $2,000 in combined eligible purchases each quarter) and on prepaid air, hotel and car reservations booked directly in the Rewards Center; 2% cash back on one everyday category, like gas stations/EV charging stations, grocery stores, or restaurants; and 1% cash back on all other eligible purchases. You must enroll in your chosen bonus categories every quarter.
  • Introductory APR: The U.S. Bank Cash+ Visa Signature Card offers an intro APR of 0% on purchases for the first 15 billing cycles, then 18.74% to 28.99% (Variable) APR. You can also take advantage of a 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 15 billing cycles, then 18.74% to 28.99% (Variable). Balance transfer fees are 3% of the amount of each transfer or $5 minimum, whichever is greater.
  • Pay-over-time option: With the U.S. Bank ExtendPay Plan, you can split eligible purchases of $100 or more into equal monthly payments.
  • No limit on certain rewards rates: Aside from the 5% bonus categories, there are no caps on earnings with the other rewards rates, and you can redeem your rewards anytime by logging into your account online.

What we don't like about this card: drawbacks

  • Has foreign transaction fee: This card has a foreign transaction fee of 3% of each foreign transaction. If you are planning an international trip, you may want to bring another card along instead. 
  • Complex rewards program: While this card offers generous cash back, it requires that you choose and activate spending categories each quarter to earn bonus cash. If you want simple, flat-rate cash back, this may not be the best card for you.

Earning and redeeming rewards

Potential earnings in years one and two

Here's a look how your cash back can add up with the U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card.

Remember, this is an estimation. The actual value will be determined by how much you spend and in which categories you spend.

Year one earnings: $795

Year two earnings: $595

These values are based on the FinanceBuzz Credit Card Rewards Valuation Model, which looks at points earned via spending, the welcome offer, and the annual fee. These numbers do not take into account the rotating bonus spending categories since we can't predict what it will be or how much you will spend in that area. So your earnings have the potential to be much higher than what is indicated here.

Best ways to earn

Category Rewards rate
Two categories you choose (up to $2,000 in combined eligible purchases each quarter) 5%
One everyday category, like gas stations/EV charging stations, grocery stores, or restaurants 2%
All other eligible purchases 1%
Prepaid air, hotel, and car reservations booked directly in the Rewards Center 5%

The best way to maximize your earnings is to take advantage of the bonus categories of your choice. Each quarter, enroll in the bonus categories of your choosing to earn either 5% or 2% cash back. Some example categories are home utilities, gyms, electronic stores, furniture stores, clothing stores, sporting goods stores, and ground transportation. During that quarter, use the U.S. Bank Cash+ Visa Signature Card whenever making purchases that are in those categories.

When choosing your categories, think about where you spend the most money. For example, if one of the bonus categories is gas stations and you have a long commute to work, you can choose that and use the card to fill up your tank during that quarter.

Maximizing your redemptions

Redeeming rewards is easy, as you can do so anytime online — choose between a statement credit, rewards card, or deposit in your U.S. Bank checking, savings, or money market account. Remember to redeem your rewards in a timely manner, as they’ll expire within 36 months. There are no minimum redemptions, with the exception of the U.S. Bank rewards card which requires a $20 minimum and must be redeemed in $5 increments.

U.S. Bank Cash+ Visa Signature Card FAQ

What kind of quarterly bonus categories does the U.S. Bank Cash+ Visa Signature Card offer, and how do I enroll in them?

The U.S. Bank Cash+ Visa Signature Card offers rotating categories for the 5% and 2% cashback offers. Examples of quarterly categories for 5% cash back include utilities, department stores, cell phone providers, fast food, fitness centers, and streaming services; the 2% cash back categories include gas stations, grocery stores, and restaurants. Note that Walmart and Target are not included in the department store category.

To choose your quarterly categories, you’ll need to log into your account to select them by the specified date each quarter. Otherwise, you’ll earn 5% on prepaid air, hotel, and car reservations booked directly in the Rewards Center and 1% cash back on all other eligible purchases.

What Visa Signature benefits come with the U.S. Bank Cash+ Visa Signature Card?

Here are some of the Visa Signature benefits that cardmembers get with the U.S. Bank Cash+ Visa Signature Card:

  • Auto rental collision damage waiver (secondary coverage)
  • Extended warranty protection for eligible purchases
  • 24/7 entertainment and travel concierge
  • Roadside dispatch services
  • Travel and emergency assistance services

What credit limits are available for the U.S. Bank Cash+ Visa Signature Card?

U.S. Bank doesn’t specify credit limits on their website. However, since this card requires a good-to-excellent FICO score, it may be safe to assume that there’s a fairly high limit since you may be seen as more creditworthy.

Other cards to consider

Chase Freedom Flex®

There are a few similarities between the Chase Freedom Flex® and the U.S. Bank Cash+ Visa Signature Card. With the Freedom Flex, you can get 5% total cash back on qualifying Lyft rides; 5% cash back on rotating quarterly categories you activate (on up to $1,500 spent) and travel purchased through Chase Travel℠; 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants (including takeout and eligible delivery service); and 1% cash back on all other purchases. 

Plus, you can cash in on the sign-up offer: Earn a $200 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening.

With the Chase Freedom Flex, you have more flexibility when it comes to redeeming your rewards. You can redeem rewards for a statement credit, cash back, Amazon.com purchases, or travel through the Chase Travel portal.

Citi Double Cash® Card

If you're after simpler cash back, then the Citi Double Cash® Card might be for you. The Citi Double Cash gives you up to 2% cash back on every purchase. Along with this, you’ll enjoy a 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 18 months, then 18.49% - 28.49% (Variable).

Cash Back in Categories You Choose!

U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card
4.5
info

U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card

Why We Like It

Earn a $200 bonus after spending $1,000 in eligible purchases within the first 90 days of account opening

See how these cards compare:

Chase Freedom Flex®
Chase Freedom Flex®
  • Earn a $200 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening
  • Up to 5% cash back on spending
  • Perks from Lyft, DoorDash, and more
Citi Double Cash® Card
Citi Double Cash® Card
  • Simple flat-rate cash back on all your purchases
  • 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 18 months, then 18.49% - 28.49% (Variable) APR
  • No annual fee
  • Rates and fees

U.S. Bank Cash+ Visa Signature Card: bottom line

The U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card is a cash back credit card that allows you to choose your own bonus categories. With a $0 annual fee and a generous welcome offer, this credit card offers attractive benefits for individuals looking to maximize their cash back according to their spending habits.

This card’s redemption options are flexible, allowing you to redeem your rewards as a statement credit, rewards card, or deposit into your U.S. Bank account. However, the card requires quarterly activation of bonus categories, making it more suitable for those who prefer a hands-on approach to earning rewards.

Discover more card options in our list of the best cash back credit cards.