U.S. Bank Cash+ Review

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U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card
Credit Card logo for U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card
MoneyGeek Rating
4.1/ of 5
On Issuer's Site

Rewards Summary
Earn 1%–5% cash back
APR Regular
18.74% - 28.99% variable APR
Annual Fee
$0
Recommended Credit
670–850 (good to excellent)

U.S. Bank Cash+ Card Rundown

The U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card is best for strategic spenders who are willing to do a little extra planning to maximize cash back rewards. Don’t worry; you don’t need to be a math major to maximize those rewards. With a Cash Back Score of 4.1 out of 5, it ranks 14th among cash back cards, thanks to its customizable 5% cash back categories and no annual fee.

The card's standout 5% cash back is well worth the extra planning you need to get the most out of the card. The 5% categories have a combined spend cap of $2,000 each quarter, and you need to activate them each quarter (even if they are the same as last quarter). The 5% categories offer some cash back bonus categories, like utilities, that are hard to find with other cards. Still, some categories are often more narrowly defined than you’d typically see for a cash back category. For example, the U.S. Bank Cash Plus 5% category is "Fast Food," while other cards typically bonus all dining if they bonus dining cash back.

For those considering alternatives, the Citi Custom Cash® Card offers a similar 5% cash back on top spending categories but without the need for quarterly activation. However, the U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card's flexibility in choosing categories each quarter may still make it the better option for those who can manage the activation process effectively.

MORE>> MoneyGeek's Best Cash Back Credit Cards

U.S. Bank Cash+ Card Cash Back Rewards

The U.S. Bank Cash+ card ranks 10th among cash back cards due to its customizable 5% cash back categories. Compared to flat-rate cards like the Capital One Quicksilver, it offers higher rewards potential but requires active management. The card’s cash back rewards are as follows:

  • 5% cash back on two categories of your choice, up to $2,000 in combined purchases each quarter. Categories require activation each quarter.
  • 5% cash back on prepaid travel booked through the Rewards Travel Center
  • 2% cash back on one everyday category, such as gas stations or grocery stores
  • 1% cash back on all other eligible purchases

5% Categories

We noted in our research that the 5% categories are narrower than the definitions of bonus categories from other cards. If you get take-out, you may actually be outside of the "Fast food" category purely based on the vendor’s merchant codes. That said, the Cash+ card is a great option for high cash back on some recurring purchases that are hard to find bonus cash back in — for example, utilities.

You can select from these 12 categories:

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

Categories are eligible 45 days before the quarter and can be made online or via application. It’s important to note that your 5% category selections are not retroactive, so set a calendar reminder to pick your categories on the first of the 3rd month (March, June, September, December).

Redemptions

When it comes to redeeming your cash back, you can redeem it as a statement credit or a direct deposit into your U.S. Bank account starting at $25. U.S. Bank offers Real-Time Rewards, a program that, upon activation, uses text messaging to apply redemptions directly to purchases in categories of your choice. Your cash back expires 36 months after the billing cycle in which it is earned, so you'll need to redeem your rewards to avoid losing them.

U.S. Bank Cash+ Cash Back Calculator

U.S. Bank Cash+ Cash Back Estimator

Estimate the cash back value you could earn with the U.S. Bank Cash+ card. Enter your estimated spending in the categories below to see how much cash back you can earn.

Important Disclaimers:

  • This calculator is for planning and evaluation purposes and is not sponsored or endorsed by U.S. Bank.
  • Some of your purchases may not be eligible for earning points.
  • The value of points at redemption will vary.
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How much do you spend MONTHLY on your top 2 selected categories (5% cash back, up to $2,000 per quarter)?

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2

How much do you spend MONTHLY on your top 2 selected categories beyond the $2,000 per quarter cap (1% cash back)?

$
3

How much do you spend MONTHLY on your selected everyday category (2% cash back)?

$
4

How much do you spend MONTHLY on all other eligible purchases (1% cash back)?

$
Total Cash Back Earned:$0

Getting a Cash+ Card

The U.S. Bank Cash+ can be hard to get. The bank recommends a credit rating of good to excellent. However, user feedback suggests U.S. Bank's approval process can be conservative, often requiring a call to the reconsideration line. Some users report low initial credit limits, like one who said, "I got approved after contacting the recon line for the second time, but with a $500 credit limit." If you're considering this card, be prepared for potential hurdles in the approval process.

Cardholders of the U.S. Bank Cash+ Secured card may be automatically upgraded to the unsecured Cash+ card based on responsible use. U.S. Bank states that they review your accounts after 12 months for upgrade opportunities.

Customer Satisfaction

Cardholder satisfaction with the U.S. Bank Cash+ is in the middle of the pack, with an issuer satisfaction rating of 3.5 out of 5. Users appreciate the customizable rewards, particularly for recurring bills, as noted in online forums. Cardholders express frustration with merchant code limitations and the need for quarterly activation. Approval processes and credit limits also receive criticism.

U.S. Bank Cash+ Card Benefits

U.S. Bank Cash+ is lacking in additional perks beyond the cash back rewards like most other cash back cards. The card’s only feature different from other Visa Signature cards features is the pay over time option, U.S. Bank ExtendPay, which allows you to divide your existing balance into fixed payments.

Introductory Offers and Welcome Bonuses

The U.S. Bank Cash+ offers a good introductory package: 0% APR for 15 billing cycles on purchases and balance transfers, plus a $200 bonus for spending $1,000 in the first 120 days.

Introductory APR Offers

A standout feature is a 0% introductory APR on purchases for 15 billing cycles. Although several cards offer 15 months, this is the second-longest intro period on new purchases we’ve seen on the market.

Similarly, the 0% APR on balance transfers for the same period is advantageous for consolidating existing debt. Its rating of 3.5 and ranking of 5 indicate it is a competitive option among cash back cards.

Welcome Bonuses The $200 welcome bonus, earned after spending $1,000 within 120 days, is a decent offer but not the best. It suffers from a higher spend requirement, albeit over 6 months rather than the typical 3 months.

Interest Rates, Penalties and Fees

The U.S. Bank Cash+ card offers a competitive but otherwise unexceptional fee structure. For example, its regular APR of 19.49%–29.74% is average compared to other cards. Here's a breakdown of the card's fees:

  • Annual Fee: $0
  • Regular APR: 19.49%–29.74% variable
  • Cash Advance Fee: 5% of the amount of each advance or $10 minimum, whichever is greater
  • Foreign Transaction Fee: 3% of each foreign transaction
  • Late Payment Fee: Up to $41
  • Returned Payment Fee: Up to $41
  • Balance Transfer Fee: 3% of the amount of each transfer (minimum $5)

How U.S. Bank Cash+ Compares

To help you decide on the U.S. Bank Cash+, we compare it with similar cash back cards.

U.S. Bank Cash+ vs Cash+ Secured

The U.S. Bank Cash+® Secured Visa® Card is best suited for individuals looking to build or rebuild their credit, given its lower credit score requirement of 580-740 Card. It has the same cash back rewards program but a higher APR and requires a minimum deposit of $300. U.S. Bank will automatically consider upgrading you to the regular Cash+ card after 12 months.

Credit Card logo for U.S. Bank Cash+® Secured Visa® Card card
MoneyGeek Rating
3.1/ of 5
On Issuer's Site
Rates & Fees

U.S. Bank Cash+ vs Citi Custom Cash®

The Citi Custom Cash is the simpler and slightly more rewarding card when compared to U.S. Bank Cash+. Its automatic 5% cash back on your top spending category each billing cycle eliminates the need for quarterly activation. It also includes more bonus categories and broader category definitions, making it more user-friendly. The U.S. Bank Cash+ offers a slightly higher spending cap and two categories.

Credit Card logo for Citi Custom Cash® Card
MoneyGeek Rating
5/ of 5
On Issuer's Site
Rates & Fees

Cards You Can Pair With U.S. Bank Cash+

Counterintuitive as it may seem, we recommend pairing the U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card with another 5% card, the Chase Freedom Flex® Card to enhance your cash back strategy. In our opinion, if you’re already committed to taking the time to activate categories for one card, you might as well do two cards in the same sitting each quarter.

The Freedom Flex provides 5% cash back on rotating categories and 3% on dining and drugstores, allowing you to optimize cash back with complimentary categories. To simplify things, pick recurring categories that you can automate with your Cash+ as your 5% categories and designate it as your gas or grocery card. Use the Freedom Flex on everything else, and you’ll naturally pick up any 5% rewards and the 3% bonus categories.

Credit Card logo for Chase Freedom Flex® Card
MoneyGeek Rating
3.8/ of 5
On Issuer's Site
Rates & Fees

Is U.S. Bank Cash+ Worth it?

The U.S. Bank Cash+ is a good option for strategic spenders who can stay on top of its customizable rewards. Its quarterly activation requirement and merchant code limitations may not suit everyone. Compared to similar cards, it stands out for its flexibility but lacks additional perks.

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THE BEST CASH BACK CARDS OF 2024

Still not sure about the U.S. Bank Cash+? Check our recommendations for the Best Cash Back Credit Cards to help you find one that matches your spending habits and lifestyle.

How We Evaluated the U.S. Bank Cash+ Card

We evaluated the U.S. Bank Cash+ using our Cash Back Score, ranking it 14th among 78 cards. Key features were weighted as follows:

  • Effective Reward Rate (50%): Measures how rewarding the card is, with a 5 indicating high rewards.
  • Annual Fee (10%): Rated from 1 to 5, with 5 meaning no fee.
  • Introductory Purchase APR, Recommended Credit, Issuer Satisfaction, Penalties, Regular APR, Foreign Transaction, Return on Welcome Bonus, Perks Value (5% each): Various aspects rated from 1 to 5, assessing factors like APR offers, credit accessibility, and fees.

About Doug Milnes, CFA


Doug Milnes, CFA headshot

Doug Milnes is a CFA charter holder with over 10 years of experience in corporate finance and the Head of Credit Cards at MoneyGeek. Formerly, he performed valuations for Duff and Phelps and financial planning and analysis for various companies. His analysis has been cited by U.S. News and World Report, The Hill, the Los Angeles Times, The New York Times and many other outlets.

Milnes holds a master’s degree in data science from Northwestern University. He geeks out on helping people feel on top of their credit card use, from managing debt to optimizing rewards.


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*Rates, fees or bonuses may vary or include specific stipulations. The content on this page is accurate as of the posting/last updated date; however, some of the offers mentioned may have expired. We recommend visiting the card issuer’s website for the most up-to-date information available.
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