U.S. Bank Cash+ Visa Signature Card Review: Great for Filling Rewards Gaps

U.S. Bank Cash+ Card Benefits

The no-annual-fee U.S. Bank Cash+ Visa Signature Card is adaptable to your needs.

Unique Cash Back Categories

With the U.S. Bank Cash+ Visa Signature Card, you can choose two categories every quarter from a dozen categories to earn 5% cash back (up to $2,000 in combined spending per quarter, then 1%). You’ll also earn 5% on prepaid travel through the U.S. Bank Travel Center. Many of the options aren’t commonly found as bonus categories on other cards, providing unique opportunities to customize your top rewards. You can select from the following options:

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

I always select home utilities, since the Cash+ is one of the only cards that earns high rewards on these necessary expenses. My second category changes based on my needs, but I often choose electronics stores or fitness centers because of my spending patterns. The best way to take advantage of the 5% categories is to select options where you spend the most that don’t earn rewards with different cards.

The card also lets you select an everyday spending category (restaurants, grocery stores and grocery delivery, or gas and EV charging stations) to earn unlimited 2% cash back each quarter. I don’t use this category as often, since I can easily earn above 2% back in any of these categories with other cards.

Easily Achievable Welcome Offer

No-annual-fee cards don’t always offer welcome bonuses, but you can get a substantial return without much spending on this card. You’ll earn a $200 bonus after spending $1,000 in eligible purchases within the first 90 days of account opening. That’s effectively a 20% return on that spending.

I opened this card when I needed to buy a new computer, which allowed me to earn the welcome offer in one purchase and stack it with 5% cash back at electronic stores as my chosen category. Since the offer doesn’t require a ton of spending, I recommend finding a similar way to stack it with an upcoming purchase that qualifies for 5% back.

Lengthy Intro APR Offer

New cardholders can also take advantage of a 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 billing cycles, then a variable APR of 17.99% to 28.24% applies. You can pay down expenses over time or consolidate higher-interest debt with a balance transfer. Compared to other no-annual-fee rewards credit cards, the intro period is among the longest you can find.

I recommend using the card’s intro APR to finance purchases in the 5% categories, which you can pay down over time while also earning the welcome bonus, allowing you to stack all of the card’s best features.

U.S. Bank Cash+ Card Drawbacks

This U.S. Bank Cash+ may not offer enough value, depending on your spending habits.

Category Limits and Activation

This card requires you to select and activate your categories each quarter to earn rewards. Unfortunately, if your spending needs change mid-quarter, you’re locked into your choices until the following quarter. Also, you’ll need to track your spending in your 5% categories. You’ll only earn the top rate for the first $2,000 in combined spending each quarter (1% after that). This may limit the card’s value for higher spenders or those who prefer a simpler option.

Since I have an ongoing need for utilities, I only need to figure out one option each quarter, but I’ve occasionally had to delay spending until I could change categories.

Limited Usefulness Outside of 5% Category

While 5% is among the highest reward rates you can find on any card, I only use the card in these categories. Many other cards can easily beat the 2% everyday options, and 1% on all other purchases isn’t worth using.

You also won’t get any valuable perks outside of rewards categories. While this isn’t uncommon with no-annual-fee cards, it’s another factor that limits this card’s potential as a standalone card.

Required Reward Minimums

You can redeem cash back from the U.S. Bank Cash+ Visa Signature Card in the following ways:

• Statement credit
• Deposit into an eligible U.S. Bank account
• Gift cards
• Real-Time Rewards

I only redeem my cash back as a statement credit, since some options may be worth less than 1 cent per point. You must have at least $25 to redeem for a statement credit or direct deposit, so you may not have immediate access to your rewards. While Real-Time Rewards lets you redeem rewards for purchases instantly, I find it simpler to accumulate enough to meet the minimum requirement and redeem them all at once.

Who Is the U.S. Bank Cash+ Visa Signature Card Best For?

The U.S. Bank Cash+ Visa Signature Card is an excellent choice if you’re able to take advantage of the rotating niche categories. If you can use this card in tandem with other rewards cards in your wallet, you can maximize your earnings on just about any purchase you make.

If you’re looking to squeeze as much value as possible from the card, you can earn a triple stack of rewards with elevated categories, a welcome bonus with a low spending requirement and an intro APR offer that gives you plenty of time to manage your expenses.

Is the U.S. Bank Cash+ Right for You?

The U.S. Bank Cash+ Visa Signature Card is right for you if you spend regularly in the top categories or need a solid intro APR offer. Here are some reasons to consider the card:

• 5% cash back on two eligible categories you choose (up to $2,000 in combined spending per quarter, then 1%)
• Ability to change categories quarterly
• 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 billing cycles, then a variable APR of 17.99% to 28.24% applies
• Welcome offer provides a substantial return

Alternatives to the U.S. Bank Cash+ Card

The U.S. Bank Cash+ Visa Signature Card offers outstanding rewards rates in a variety of unique categories. Here are two alternatives to consider.

• TD Cash Credit Card: The TD Cash is another no-annual-fee card with a similar intro APR and welcome offer to the U.S. Bank Cash+. The TD Cash only offers 3% for its top chosen category, while also offering a 2% category. The Cash+ provides a higher rate and more choices in the top category, but limits earnings to $2,000 per quarter (then 1%), while the TD Cash has unlimited earning potential. Both cards are ideal for filling rewards gaps or earning higher rewards on targeted category spending. Evaluate your spending to see which card earns you more in the long run.
• Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card: The Customized Cash Rewards card has no annual fee and offers a similar intro APR and welcome bonus to the Cash+ card. However, you can take advantage of a bonus of 3% for your first year in the top 3% category, and Bank of America Preferred Rewards customers can boost earnings by as much as 75%. While Bank of America has a lower rate and only allows one choice in the top category, you can spend up to $2,500 combined per quarter (then 1%), which is higher than the Cash+. Both cards offer different options for the top categories, so your spending needs will likely dictate which card works best for you.