Best U.S. Bank Credit Cards
Updated: Nov 26, 2024
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Minneapolis-based U.S. Bank is one of the country's largest banks and also one of the biggest issuers of credit cards. Although its branch locations are primarily in the West and Midwest, anyone can apply for a U.S. Bank credit card — and it has some good ones.
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NerdWallet's credit cards content, including ratings and recommendations, is overseen by a team of writers and editors who specialize in credit cards. Their work has appeared in The Associated Press, USA Today, The New York Times, MarketWatch, MSN, NBC's "Today," ABC's "Good Morning America" and many other national, regional and local media outlets. Each writer and editor follows NerdWallet's strict guidelines for editorial integrity.
Minneapolis-based U.S. Bank is one of the country's largest banks and also one of the biggest issuers of credit cards. Although its branch locations are primarily in the West and Midwest, anyone can apply for a U.S. Bank credit card — and it has some good ones.
Why trust NerdWallet
400+ credit cards reviewed by our team of experts (See our top picks)
80+ years of combined experience covering credit cards and personal finance
27,000+ hours spent researching and reviewing financial products in the last 12 months
Objective comprehensive ratings rubrics (Methodology)
NerdWallet's credit cards content, including ratings and recommendations, is overseen by a team of writers and editors who specialize in credit cards.
Their work has appeared in The Associated Press, USA Today,
The New York Times, MarketWatch, MSN, NBC's "Today," ABC's "Good Morning America"
and many other national, regional and local media outlets.
Each writer and editor follows NerdWallet's strict guidelines for editorial integrity.
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Minneapolis-based U.S. Bank is one of the country's largest banks and also one of the biggest issuers of credit cards. Although its branch locations are primarily in the West and Midwest, anyone can apply for a U.S. Bank credit card — and it has some good ones.
Why trust NerdWallet
400+ credit cards reviewed by our team of experts (See our top picks)
80+ years of combined experience covering credit cards and personal finance
27,000+ hours spent researching and reviewing financial products in the last 12 months
Objective comprehensive ratings rubrics (Methodology)
NerdWallet's credit cards content, including ratings and recommendations, is overseen by a team of writers and editors who specialize in credit cards. Their work has appeared in The Associated Press, USA Today, The New York Times, MarketWatch, MSN, NBC's "Today," ABC's "Good Morning America" and many other national, regional and local media outlets. Each writer and editor follows NerdWallet's strict guidelines for editorial integrity.
Minneapolis-based U.S. Bank is one of the country's largest banks and also one of the biggest issuers of credit cards. Although its branch locations are primarily in the West and Midwest, anyone can apply for a U.S. Bank credit card — and it has some good ones.
Why trust NerdWallet
400+ credit cards reviewed by our team of experts (See our top picks)
80+ years of combined experience covering credit cards and personal finance
27,000+ hours spent researching and reviewing financial products in the last 12 months
Objective comprehensive ratings rubrics (Methodology)
NerdWallet's credit cards content, including ratings and recommendations, is overseen by a team of writers and editors who specialize in credit cards. Their work has appeared in The Associated Press, USA Today, The New York Times, MarketWatch, MSN, NBC's "Today," ABC's "Good Morning America" and many other national, regional and local media outlets. Each writer and editor follows NerdWallet's strict guidelines for editorial integrity.
Why trust NerdWallet
400+ credit cards reviewed by our team of experts (See our top picks)
80+ years of combined experience covering credit cards and personal finance
27,000+ hours spent researching and reviewing financial products in the last 12 months
Objective comprehensive ratings rubrics (Methodology)
NerdWallet's credit cards content, including ratings and recommendations, is overseen by a team of writers and editors who specialize in credit cards. Their work has appeared in The Associated Press, USA Today, The New York Times, MarketWatch, MSN, NBC's "Today," ABC's "Good Morning America" and many other national, regional and local media outlets. Each writer and editor follows NerdWallet's strict guidelines for editorial integrity.
NerdWallet's Best U.S. Bank Credit Cards
U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card: Best for Bonus cash back
U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card: Best for Balance transfers & 0% intro APR
U.S. Bank Shopper Cash Rewards® Visa Signature® Card: Best for Big box shopping
U.S. Bank Business Leverage® Visa Signature® Card: Best for Small business rewards
U.S. Bank Business Platinum Card: Best for Small business — 0% intro APR period
U.S. Bank Business Triple Cash Rewards World Elite Mastercard®: Best for No annual fee small-business card
U.S. Bank Smartly™ Visa Signature® Card: Best for Flat-rate cash back
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Best U.S. Bank Credit Cards From Our Partners
| Credit card | NerdWallet rating | Annual fee | Rewards rate | Intro offer | Learn more |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® CardApply Now on U.S. Bank's website on U.S. Bank's website | Best for Bonus cash back | $0 | 1%-5% | $200 | Apply Now on U.S. Bank's website on U.S. Bank's website |
 U.S. Bank Shopper Cash Rewards® Visa Signature® CardApply Now on U.S. Bank's website on U.S. Bank's website | Best for Big box shopping | $0 intro for the first year, then $95 | 1.5%-6% | $250 | Apply Now on U.S. Bank's website on U.S. Bank's website |
 U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum CardApply Now on U.S. Bank's website on U.S. Bank's website | Best for Balance transfers & 0% intro APR | $0 | N/A | N/A | Apply Now on U.S. Bank's website on U.S. Bank's website |
 U.S. Bank Smartly™ Visa Signature® CardApply Now on U.S. Bank's website on U.S. Bank's website | Best for Flat-rate cash back | $0 | 2%-4% | N/A | Apply Now on U.S. Bank's website on U.S. Bank's website |
 U.S. Bank Business Platinum CardApply Now on U.S. Bank's website on U.S. Bank's website | Best for Small business — 0% intro APR period | $0 | N/A | N/A | Apply Now on U.S. Bank's website on U.S. Bank's website |
 U.S. Bank Business Leverage® Visa Signature® CardApply Now on U.S. Bank's website on U.S. Bank's website | Best for Small business rewards | $0 intro for the first year, then $95 | 1x-5x | 75,000 points | Apply Now on U.S. Bank's website on U.S. Bank's website |
 U.S. Bank Business Triple Cash Rewards World Elite Mastercard®Apply Now on U.S. Bank's website on U.S. Bank's website | Best for No annual fee small-business card | $0 | 1%-3% | $750 | Apply Now on U.S. Bank's website on U.S. Bank's website |
Find the right credit card for you.
Whether you want to pay less interest or earn more rewards, the right card's out there. Just answer a few questions and we'll narrow the search for you.
Whether you want to pay less interest or earn more rewards, the right card's out there. Just answer a few questions and we'll narrow the search for you.
Bonus cash back
The U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card has an annual fee of $0 and the most customizable cash-back structure of any card on the market.
Our Take
You earn 5% cash back on the first $2,000 in combined spending each quarter in two categories that you choose from a list. Options have included things like department stores, fast-food restaurants, fitness clubs, wireless phone providers, electronics and more. You'll also get uncapped 2% cash back on an "everyday" category of your choice, such as gas stations or grocery stores, and 1% back on all other non-bonus-category spending. Other cards offer 5% cash back in categories that they choose for you; this one puts you in control — and the unlimited 2% cash back on an everyday category is a sweet extra.
This is a high-maintenance card. You have to log into your account each quarter to choose and activate your 5% and 2% categories, then keep track of what spending qualifies for which bonus. (For example: “Fast food” is a 5% category, but “restaurants” is a 2% category). If you're looking for cash-back redemptions of your rewards, as opposed to a statement credit, you'll have to have an account with U.S. Bank.
The U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card has an annual fee of $0 and the most customizable cash-back structure of any card on the market.
Big box shopping
The U.S. Bank Shopper Cash Rewards® Visa Signature® Card is tailor-made for consumers who spend a lot at specific merchants that don't fit into (or are specifically excluded from) the highest-paying categories on other cards. There's an annual fee, but with a top cash back rate of 6%, it may be well worth it.
Product Details
- 6% Cash Back on your first $1,500 in combined eligible purchases each quarter at two retailers you choose.
- Earn a $250 bonus after you spend $2,000 in eligible purchases within the first 120 days of account opening.
- 3% Cash Back on your first $1,500 in eligible purchases each quarter on your choice of one everyday category like gas stations & EV charging stations (excludes discount stores/supercenters and wholesale clubs), bills and home utilities.
- 1.5% Cash Back on all other eligible purchases.
- 6% Cash Back on prepaid car and hotel reservations booked directly in the Rewards Center.
- Terms and conditions apply.
- View Rates & Fees
Our Take
You earn 6% cash back on up to $1,500 a quarter in combined spending at two retailers you choose from a list. Among the 24 options are Amazon, Walmart, Target, Best Buy, major home improvement chains, department stores and more. You also earn 3% on up to $1,500 per quarter spent in an "everyday" category like gas, wholesale clubs or bills and utilities. All other purchases earn 1.5% — a major edge over other cards that pay only 1% on non-bonus-category spending.
The card charges an annual fee, although $31 a week in spending at your chosen retailers will return enough cash back to offset it. The rewards structure requires a bit of work: Not only is it on you to lock in your 6% and 3% options each quarter, but you must choose your 6% retailers before you do any spending. So it's important to plan ahead.
The U.S. Bank Shopper Cash Rewards® Visa Signature® Card is tailor-made for consumers who spend a lot at specific merchants that don't fit into (or are specifically excluded from) the highest-paying categories on other cards. There's an annual fee, but with a top cash back rate of 6%, it may be well worth it.
Balance transfers & 0% intro APR
The U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card comes with a lengthy interest-free period: 0% intro APR for 18 billing cycles on purchases and balance transfers, and then the ongoing APR of 17.99%-28.99% Variable APR. With an annual fee of $0 it won't cost you anything to keep the card after you've paid off the balance.
Product Details
- 0% Intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 18 billing cycles. After that, a variable APR currently 17.99% - 28.99%.
- Get up to $600 protection on your cell phone (subject to $25 deductible) against covered damage or theft when you pay your monthly cellular telephone bill with your U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Credit Card. Certain terms, conditions, and exclusions apply.
- Choose a payment due date that fits your schedule.
- No Annual Fee
- Terms and conditions apply.
- View Rates & Fees
Our Take
With well over a year of interest-free breathing room, the card gives you time to pay down a big purchase or tackle a big balance. If you pay your cell phone bill every month with this card, you’ll get coverage for damage or theft up to $600, with a $25 deductible, for up to two claims for a total of $1,200 per 12-month period.
You won't earn any rewards on the card. And if you're transferring a balance, know that the card comes with a balance transfer fee: 3% intro fee on balance transfers made within 60 days, then 5% after that (minimum $5).*
The U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card comes with a lengthy interest-free period: 0% intro APR for 18 billing cycles on purchases and balance transfers, and then the ongoing APR of 17.99%-28.99% Variable APR. With an annual fee of $0 it won't cost you anything to keep the card after you've paid off the balance.
Flat-rate cash back
The $0-annual-fee U.S. Bank Smartly™ Visa Signature® Card is a best-in-class option if you have enough money in qualifying U.S. Bank accounts.
Product Details
- Introducing the U.S. Bank Smartly™ Visa Signature® Card – Earn unlimited 2% cash back on all eligible purchases – and that’s just the beginning! Plus, if you have a U.S. Bank Smartly® Savings account and average daily combined qualifying balances in U.S. Bank deposit, trust or investment accounts, you can earn even more:
- Earn a total of 2.5% cash back. Get a 25% Smartly Earning Bonus with a qualifying balance between $5,000 - $49,999.
- Earn a total of 3% cash back. Get a 50% Smartly Earning Bonus with a qualifying balance between $50,000 - $99,999.
- Earn a total of 4% cash back. Get a 100% Smartly Earning Bonus with a qualifying balance of $100,000 or more.
- Enjoy a 0% introductory APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 12 billing cycles. After that, a variable APR, currently 18.74%-28.99%.
- No limit on total rewards earned.
- Rewards do not expire unless there is no reward, purchase, or balance activity for 12 statement cycles.
- Terms and conditions apply.
- View Rates & Fees
Our Take
The card earns a base rewards rate of 2% on all purchases, which can jump to 2.5%, 3% and 4% back for holders who meet certain balance requirements. This makes it one of the best flat-rate cash back credit cards on the market. It also comes with a 0% intro APR offer.
To earn more than 2% back, you must have accounts open with U.S. Bank and have enough money saved with the institution. And to get the full value of your rewards, you have to redeem them as a deposit into an eligible U.S. Bank account. There's also no sign-up bonus.
The $0-annual-fee U.S. Bank Smartly™ Visa Signature® Card is a best-in-class option if you have enough money in qualifying U.S. Bank accounts.
Small business — 0% intro APR period
The U.S. Bank Business Platinum Card has one primary benefit, but it's a rare one for small-business cards: a super-lengthy 0% intro APR period on purchases.
Product Details
- 0% Intro APR on purchases 18 billing cycles. After that, a variable APR currently 17.24% - 26.24%.
- Expense management tool VISA Spend Clarity is free to access and sync expenses, set employee card controls, generate reports, and more.
- Great Offer from U.S. Bank, a 2022 World's Most Ethical Company® - Ethisphere Institute, February 2022.
- Terms and conditions apply.
- View Rates & Fees
Our Take
The card offers an intro 0% intro APR on Purchases for 18 billing cycles, and then the ongoing APR of 17.24%-26.24% Variable APR. You'll be hard-pressed to find anything close to that length on other small-business cards — or even among consumer cards, for that matter.
The card doesn't earn rewards, and because of its 3% foreign transaction fee, it's not ideal for use internationally. Also, should you opt to make use of the card's balance transfer terms, just be aware that you'll owe a 3% transfer fee.
The U.S. Bank Business Platinum Card has one primary benefit, but it's a rare one for small-business cards: a super-lengthy 0% intro APR period on purchases.
Small business rewards
The U.S. Bank Business Leverage® Visa Signature® Card doesn't just offer customized rewards. It also automatically customizes those rewards each month according to your business spending, ensuring that you earn the maximum in rewards.
Product Details
- Earn 75,000 points when you spend $7,500 in eligible purchases on the account owner's card within the first 120 days of opening your account.
- Earn 2X points in the top two categories where you spend the most each month automatically.
- 1X points per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Earn 5X points on prepaid hotels and car rentals booked directly in the Rewards Center.
- No limits on the total rewards your business can earn.
- Terms and conditions apply.
- View Rates & Fees
Our Take
This card maintains a list of 48(!) bonus categories. Every month, you earn unlimited 2 points per dollar in the two categories where you spend the most. All other spending earns 1 point per dollar. The automatic adjustment makes this a great card for businesses with a wide range of expenses. There's also a bonus offer: Earn 75,000 points worth $750 cash back. Just spend $7,500 in eligible net purchases on the Account Owner's Card within the first four months of account opening. You can also earn bonus rewards if your company uses U.S. Bank to process card payments.
There's a $0 intro for the first year, then $95 annual fee. If your spending tends to be consistent from month to month, you may be better off with a flat-rate card or one that pays a higher rate in preselected bonus categories. The first-year bonus is paid out in monthly increments rather than all at once.
The U.S. Bank Business Leverage® Visa Signature® Card doesn't just offer customized rewards. It also automatically customizes those rewards each month according to your business spending, ensuring that you earn the maximum in rewards.
No annual fee small-business card
The U.S. Bank Business Triple Cash Rewards World Elite Mastercard® offers a long intro APR period, strong rewards rate and competitive welcome bonus — all with a $0 annual fee. That's a valuable combination for small-business owners.
Product Details
- Introducing the U.S. Bank Business Triple Cash Rewards World Elite Mastercard® the card that gives back on all your eligible business needs.
- Earn $750 in cash back. Just spend $6000 on the Account Owner's card in the first 180 days of opening your account.
- Earn 3% cash back on eligible purchases at gas stations and EV charging stations (transactions of $200 or less)*, office supply stores, cell phone service providers and restaurants (*excludes discount stores/supercenters and wholesale clubs).
- 1% cash back on all other eligible net purchases.
- Earn 5% cash back on prepaid hotels and car rentals booked directly in the Rewards Center.
- No limit on total cash back earned.
- Redeem Cash Rewards right away or save them for later. Cash Rewards do not expire as long as the account remains active.
- Earn an annual $100 statement credit for recurring software subscription expenses such as FreshBooks or QuickBooks.
- Terms and conditions apply.
- View Rates & Fees
Our Take
Bonus cash back categories
No annual fee
Intro APR period on purchases
Requires good/excellent credit
Low rate outside bonus categories
The U.S. Bank Business Triple Cash Rewards World Elite Mastercard® offers a long intro APR period, strong rewards rate and competitive welcome bonus — all with a $0 annual fee. That's a valuable combination for small-business owners.
ALSO SEE: Best credit cards of 2024 || Visa || Mastercard || American Express || Discover || Bank of America® || Capital One || Chase || Citi || US Bank || Wells Fargo
BEST U.S. BANK CREDIT CARDS
Before applying, verify details on the issuer's website:
U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card
Our pick for: Bonus cash back
If you don't mind putting some work into your rewards, check out the U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card. It might be the most customizable cash back card available. You pick which categories earn the most cash back — you get two 5% categories and a 2% category — and you can change those options every quarter. There's a good bonus offer for new cardholders, too. Read our review.
U.S. Bank Shopper Cash Rewards® Visa Signature® Card
Our pick for: Big box shopping
The U.S. Bank Shopper Cash Rewards® Visa Signature® Card is tailor-made for consumers who spend a lot of money at retailers that don't fit into (or are specifically excluded from) the bonus categories offered by other credit cards. The card also offers a higher-than-usual rate on spending outside its bonus categories. The downside: There's an annual fee. Read our review.
U.S. Bank Altitude® Go Visa Signature® Card
Our pick for: Dining rewards
The U.S. Bank Altitude® Go Visa Signature® Card is perhaps the most cost-effective restaurant card on the market, earning a whopping 4 points per dollar on dining purchases including takeout and delivery. You can find higher rates on dining, but not on cards with no annual fee. Read our review.
U.S. Bank Altitude® Connect Visa Signature® Card
Our pick for: General travel
The U.S. Bank Altitude® Connect Visa Signature® Card is one of the most generous cards on the market if you're taking to the skies or the road, thanks to the quadruple points it earns on travel and purchases at gas stations and EV charging stations. It's also a solid card for everyday expenses like groceries, dining and streaming, all for a $0 annual fee. Read our review.
U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card
Our pick for: Balance transfers & 0% intro APR
A lengthy introductory APR period for both purchases and balance transfers has made the U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card a NerdWallet favorite. Read our review.
U.S. Bank Smartly™ Visa Signature® Card
Our pick for: Flat-rate cash back
The $0-annual-fee U.S. Bank Smartly™ Visa Signature® Card offers an eye-popping cash-back rate of up to 4% on all purchases — if you meet eligibility requirements. To get that top rate, you'll need a significant sum of money in a qualifying U.S. Bank account. But there are no special requirements to earn the card's baseline rate of 2% back, which is still quite good. Read our review.
U.S. Bank Business Leverage® Visa Signature® Card
Our pick for: Small-business rewards
If your business expenses are all over the place, the U.S. Bank Business Leverage® Visa Signature® Card might be just what you're looking for. This card earns double points in the two categories (from a list of 48) where you spend the most each month. There's a fantastic bonus offer for new cardholders, too, but also an annual fee. Learn more and apply.
U.S. Bank Business Platinum Card
Our pick for: 0% period for small business
Introductory 0% APR offers on small-business credit cards aren't too common, and lengthy ones are even less so. The U.S. Bank Business Platinum Card is worth a look for entrepreneurs seeking to finance a large purchase. Read our review.
U.S. Bank Business Triple Cash Rewards World Elite Mastercard®
Our pick for: No annual fee small-business card
The U.S. Bank Business Triple Cash Rewards World Elite Mastercard® is a solid cash-back card for business owners. Earn 3% cash back on eligible purchases at gas stations and EV charging stations (transactions of $200 or less)*, office supply stores, cell phone service providers and restaurants (*excludes discount stores/supercenters and wholesale clubs). Earn 1% cash back on all other eligible net purchases. Earn 5% cash back on prepaid hotels and car rentals booked directly in the Rewards Center. Plus, the card offers a competitive welcome bonus and 0% intro APR on Purchases for 12 billing cycles, and then the ongoing APR of 18.24%-27.24% Variable APR — all with a $0 annual fee. Learn more and apply.
*For U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card: An introductory fee of either 3% of the amount of each transfer or $5 minimum, whichever is greater, for balances transferred within 60 days of account opening. After that, either 5% of the amount of each transfer or $5 minimum, whichever is greater.
Last updated on November 26, 2024
Methodology
NerdWallet's credit cards team selects the best credit cards in each category based on overall consumer value. Factors in our evaluation include fees, promotional and ongoing APRs, and sign-up bonuses; for rewards cards, we consider earning and redemption rates, redemption options and redemption difficulty. A single card is eligible to be chosen as among the "best" in multiple categories. Learn how NerdWallet rates credit cards.
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