All information about the U.S. Bank Smartly™ Visa Signature® Card has been collected independently by CardCritics™
U.S. Bank Smartly Visa Signature Card Review: Earn Unlimited 2% Cash Back and More
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Written by
Ethan Steinberg
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Edited by
Emily Gadd
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Reviewed by
Jasmin Baron
The U.S. Bank Smartly™ Visa Signature® Card is a simple, no-annual-fee 2% cash back credit card that’s best for existing U.S. Bank customers. There are several similar products on the market already, but what really makes Smartly stand out is that it allows eligible U.S. Bank customers with large account balances to earn up to an additional $200 in cash back every month, depending on their bank balance and spending amount.
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Purchase and Balance Transfer APR
0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 12 billing cycles. After that, a variable APR applies, currently 17.99% – 28.99%
Intro Bonus
N/A
Cash Rewards
2% Earn unlimited 2% cash back on every purchase
Earn up to an additional 2% cash back on your first $10,000 in eligible Net Purchases each billing cycle when paired with a U.S. Bank Smartly® Savings account plus qualifying balances in U.S. Bank Smartly® Checking and/or Safe Debit account(s).
Recommended Credit Score
Good – Excellent
670 – 850*
Annual Fee
$0
CardCritics™ Opinion
Among cash-back credit cards, 2% is the new 1%. Multiple issuers offer cards that earn a base rate of 2% (or 2 points per dollar) on all purchases. The U.S. Bank Smartly Card doesn’t have a welcome bonus, although it comes with a modest intro APR offer. This card is best for existing U.S. Bank customers with account balances over $10,000, who can earn bonus cash back on their first $10,000 in purchases each billing cycle.
Our Critical Analysis:
U.S. Bank Smartly™ Visa Signature® Card
- 2% cash back on purchases with no caps or limits
- 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 12 billing cycles. After that, a variable APR applies, currently 17.99% – 28.99%
- Up to 2% bonus cashback on the first $10,000 spent each month for eligible U.S. Bank customers with account balances over $10,000
- No annual fee
PROS
- No welcome bonus
- Must have $10,000 in eligible U.S. Bank accounts to start earning bonus cash back beyond the 2%
- Charges foreign transaction fees
- No travel or purchase protections
CONS
U.S. Bank Smartly Card Benefits
2% Cash Back
The U.S. Bank Smartly Card earns 2% cash back on all purchases, with no limitations or caps on how much you can earn. There’s something to be said for the value of simplicity these days. While other rewards credit cards offer higher earning rates in certain categories like groceries or travel, it’s nice knowing you’ll always earn at least 2% and you don’t have to think too much about which card to swipe.
Bonus Cash Back for U.S. Bank Customers
If you have a U.S. Bank Smartly savings and checking account, you can earn up to an additional 2% cash back on your first $10,000 in spending each billing cycle, for a maximum of an extra $200 a month. Your bonus earnings will depend on the balances you have in your U.S. Bank consumer Smartly checking and/or Safe Debit accounts.
- Account balances of $10,000 to $49,999: Earn 2.5% back on the first $10,000 in spending each month
- Account balances of $50,000 to $99,999: Earn 3% back on the first $10,000 in spending each month
- Account balances of $100,000 or more: Earn 4% back on the first $10,000 in spending each month
0% APR Offer
The Smartly Card is a good choice for people looking to earn cash back on their spending, but also for people looking to consolidate their credit debt and avoid pricey interest payments. New customers can enjoy a 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 12 billing cycles. After that, a variable APR applies, currently 17.99% – 28.99%.
Flexible Redemption Options
U.S. Bank gives you multiple ways to redeem your rewards, including as a statement credit, deposits directly to your linked U.S. Bank account, or gift cards for certain merchants.
U.S. Bank Smartly Card Drawbacks
No Welcome Bonus
This is one of the biggest drawbacks of the U.S. Bank Smartly Card. While it’s normal for no-annual-fee credit cards to have smaller welcome bonuses, the Smartly Card currently isn’t offering any type of bonus beyond the intro APR offer. This puts it in a tough position competitively, especially when compared to similar cards like the Citi Double Cash® Card, an advertising partner, that offers 2% cash back (1% when you buy and 1% as you pay), an introductory APR and a welcome bonus.
Strict Eligibility Restrictions and Low Cap for Bonus Cash Back
The idea of earning a “100% bonus” on your cash back can sound exciting, but the low cap and high balance requirements make this far less valuable than it seems initially.
Foreign Transaction Fees
The U.S. Bank Smartly Card charges a 3% foreign transaction fee, which is not uncommon for no-annual-fee cards. The good news is there’s an easy way to avoid this: simply leave your Smartly Card at home when you travel out of the country and bring another credit card that waives foreign transaction fees.
Few Extra Benefits
The Smartly Card is relatively bare bones when it comes to additional perks. You won’t find travel insurance or purchase protections, for instance. However, it offers a handful of standard Visa Signature benefits, including:
- Travel and emergency assistance: Get help with things like medical and legal referrals, translation services and more when you’re away from home. The service is complimentary, but any third-party costs are the cardholder’s responsibility.
- Roadside dispatch: This pay-per-use service charges a flat fee for things like standard towing, jumpstarts and tire changes.
- Visa Signature Concierge: Access this service any time for help with things like securing restaurant reservations, event tickets, ground transportation and more (third-party costs are also the responsibility of the cardholder).
Who Is the U.S. Bank Smartly Visa Signature Card Best For?
The U.S. Bank Smartly Card is best for people who are looking to add a simple, no-fuss cash back option to their wallet. If you already have other cards that cover you in the more common bonus categories (such as travel, dining, gas stations or groceries), then the Smartly can be a great way to increase your earning rate on non-bonused everyday spending.
This card gets even more rewarding if you have U.S. Bank Smartly savings and checking accounts with combined eligible balances above $10,000.
Someone looking for an introductory APR offer would also be a good applicant. The Smartly Card offers an intro APR on new purchases and balance transfers, which can be a really useful tool in paying down high-interest credit card debt.
Is It the Right Card for You?
The U.S. Bank Smartly Card could be the right choice for you if:
- You’re looking to earn simple cash back without worrying about bonus categories
- You’re a U.S. Bank Smartly banking customer with large account balances
- You want an intro APR offer
- You don’t care about extra perks and benefits on your card
Alternatives to the U.S. Bank Smartly Visa Signature Card
Several other credit cards offer a similar value proposition to the U.S. Bank Smartly that might be a better choice depending on your priorities.
- Citi Double Cash Card: Top of the list is the Double Cash Card, which has no annual fee and earns 2% cash back (1% when you make the purchase and another 1% when you pay it off). New applicants can earn a $200 bonus after spending $1,500 in the first six months of account opening. The card also offers a 0% Intro APR on balance transfers for 18 months, then 17.74% – 27.74% (Variable). A 17.74% – 27.74% (Variable) APR will apply for purchases.
- Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card: The Active Cash Card is another no-annual-fee card that earns unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases. It also offers a 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases and on qualifying balance transfers, then a 18.74%, 24.74%, or 28.74% Variable APR. New applicants can earn a $200 bonus after spending $500 on purchases in the first three months of account opening.
Card Details From U.S. Bank
- Earn unlimited 2% cash back on every purchase
- Up to an additional 2% cash back on your first $10,000 in eligible Net Purchases each billing cycle when paired with a U.S. Bank Smartly® Savings account plus qualifying balances in U.S. Bank Smartly® Checking and/or Safe Debit account(s).
- $0 annual fee
- 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 12 billing cycles. After that, a variable APR applies, currently 17.99% – 28.24%
How Does the U.S. Bank Smartly Card Stack Up Against Competitors?
The U.S. Bank Smartly Card is playing in a crowded landscape, and truthfully, other options get the same job done with more bang for your buck. The card has a tough time competing without offering a welcome bonus like its rivals do.
| U.S. Bank Smartly Card | Citi Double Cash Card | Wells Fargo Active Cash Card | |
| Welcome Bonus | N/A | Earn $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This bonus offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back. | Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months |
| Annual Fee | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| APR | 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 12 billing cycles. After that, a variable APR applies, currently 17.99% - 28.99% | 0% Intro APR on balance transfers for 18 months, then 17.74% - 27.74% (Variable). A 17.74% - 27.74% (Variable) APR will apply for purchases. | 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases and on qualifying balance transfers, then a 18.74%, 24.74%, or 28.74% Variable APR |
| Rewards Rate | Earn unlimited 2% cash back on every purchase Earn up to an additional 2% cash back on your first $10,000 in eligible Net Purchases each billing cycle when paired with a U.S. Bank Smartly® Savings account plus qualifying balances in U.S. Bank Smartly® Checking and/or Safe Debit account(s). | Earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases. To earn cash back, pay at least the minimum due on time. Plus, earn 5% total cash back on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked with Citi Travel. | Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases. |
| Standout Feature | U.S Bank customers with large eligible account balances can earn a higher cash back rate | Extra-long intro APR on balance transfers | Cell phone protection |
The information related to the U.S. Bank Smartly™ Visa Signature® Card was collected by CardCritics™ and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this product/card. Product details may vary. Please see issuer website for current information. CardCritics™ does not receive a commission for this product.
Frequently Asked Questions About U.S. Bank Smartly Visa Signature Card
What is the annual fee for the U.S. Bank Smartly Visa?
The U.S. Bank Smartly Visa does not charge an annual fee.
Does the U.S. Bank Smartly Card charge foreign transaction fees?
Yes, the U.S. Bank Smartly Card charges a 3% fee on foreign transactions.
How much do I need to deposit to earn bonus cash back with the U.S. Bank Smartly Card?
U.S. Bank customers with a Smartly savings account who have over $10,000 combined in eligible Smartly checking and/or Safe Debit accounts will earn a bonus on their first $10,000 in purchases every billing cycle. The bonus amount depends on how much you have on deposit.
What credit score do I need for the U.S. Bank Smartly Card?
For the best chance of approval for the Smartly Card, you’ll need at least a good credit score (670 or better on FICO’s scale). U.S. Bank will consider other factors when deciding whether to approve you.
Do rewards from my U.S. Bank Smartly Card expire?
Yes, your U.S. Bank Smartly Card rewards will expire if there’s been no activity on your account (purchases, rewards or balances) for 12 consecutive billing cycles.
Editorial Note: Any opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed are those of the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any card issuer.
*CardCritics™ references a FICO® 8 score, which is one of many different types of credit scores. A financial institution may use a different score when evaluating your application.
