Best U.S. Bank Credit Cards
Many or all of the products on this page are from partners who compensate us when you click to or take an action on their website, but this does not influence our evaluations or ratings. Our opinions are our own.
Many or all of the products on this page are from partners who compensate us when you click to or take an action on their website, but this does not influence our evaluations or ratings. Our opinions are our own.
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.
Our pick for: 0% intro APR period + perks
Annual fee$0Rewards rate4%CashbackIntro offerN/ARecommended credit scorePurchase intro APR0% intro APR on purchases for 21 billing cyclesBalance transfer intro APR0% intro APR on balance transfers for 21 billing cyclesRegular APR16.99%-27.99% Variable APRRewards breakdown
4%Cash back on prepaid air, hotel and car reservations booked directly in the Travel Center.Card details
- 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 21 billing cycles. After that, a variable APR currently 16.99% - 27.99%.
- 4% cash back on prepaid air, hotel and car reservations booked directly in the Travel Center when you use your card.
- Get a $20 annual statement credit for 11 consecutive months of purchases.
- No annual fee.
- Cell Phone Protection: Your eligible cell phone can be reimbursed up to $600 in the event it is stolen or damaged when you pay your monthly cell phone bill with your card.
- Terms and conditions apply.
- View Rates & Fees
NerdWallet's take
The U.S. Bank Shield™ Visa® Card is ideal for financing a large purchase or zapping existing debt, and it even comes with a few extra goodies.
Read full reviewProsThe card offers a 0% intro APR for 21 billing cycles on purchases and balance transfers, and then the ongoing APR of 16.99%-27.99% Variable APR. You'll also earn 4% cash back on prepaid air, hotel and car reservations booked directly in U.S. Bank’s Rewards Center, as well as the chance at a modest annual statement credit each year if you meet spending requirements. Plus, the card offers cell phone insurance.
ConsIf you're willing to accept a slightly shorter intro APR window, you can find cards with superior rewards.
Our pick for: No annual fee small-business card
Apply Nowon U.S. Bank's websiteon U.S. Bank's websiteAnnual fee$0Rewards rate1%-5%CashbackIntro offer$750Recommended credit scorePurchase intro APR0% intro APR on purchases for 12 billing cyclesBalance transfer intro APR0% intro APR on balance transfers for 12 billing cyclesRegular APR17.24%-26.24% Variable APRRewards breakdown
5%Cash Back on prepaid hotels and car rentals booked directly in the Travel Center.3%Cash Back on eligible purchases at gas 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 purchases.Card details
- Earn $750 in cash back. Just spend $6,000 on the Account Owner's card in the first 180 days of opening your account.
- Earn 3% cash back on eligible purchases at gas 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 purchases.
- Earn 5% cash back on prepaid hotels and car rentals booked directly in the Travel Center when using your card.
- Take control of your card spend with U.S. Bank Spend Management—a game-changing platform for monitoring and managing business expenses.
- 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
NerdWallet's take
The U.S. Bank Triple Cash Rewards Visa® Business Card 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.
Read full reviewPros- High cash-back bonus rate
- No cap on bonus rewards
- Intro APR period on purchases and balance transfers
- Reports to Dun & Bradstreet
- New cardholder bonus offer
Cons- Low rate outside bonus categories
- Activity on employee cards does not count toward bonus spending requirement
Our pick for: Flat-rate cash back
Apply Nowon U.S. Bank's websiteon U.S. Bank's websiteAnnual fee$0Rewards rate2%CashbackIntro offerN/ARecommended credit scorePurchase intro APR0% intro APR on purchases for 12 billing cyclesBalance transfer intro APR0% intro APR on balance transfers for 12 billing cyclesRegular APR17.74%-27.99% Variable APRRewards breakdown
2%Cash back on every purchase.Card details
- Earn unlimited 2% cash back on every purchase
- Up to additional 2% cash back on your first $10,000 in eligible Net Purchases each billing cycle when paired with U.S. Bank Smartly® Savings account plus qualifying balances in U.S. Bank Smartly® Checking and/or Safe Debit account.
- These cash back rates can be obtained when rewards are redeemed into an eligible U.S. Bank deposit account.
- No Annual Fee
- 0% introductory APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 12 billing cycles. After that, a variable APR applies, currently 17.74%-27.99%.
- Get your cash back directly deposited into your U.S. Bank checking or savings accounts, as a statement credit, a rewards card, merchant gift cards and more.
- Terms and conditions apply.
- View Rates & Fees
NerdWallet's take
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.
Read full reviewProsThe 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.
ConsTo 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.
Compare the Best Us Bank Cards Credit Cards
| Credit card | Rating | Annual fee | Rewards rate | Intro offer | Learn more |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 U.S. Bank Shield™ Visa® CardApply Nowon U.S. Bank's website on U.S. Bank's website | Best for 0% intro APR period + perks | $0 | 4% | N/A | Apply Nowon U.S. Bank's website on U.S. Bank's website |
| U.S. Bank Triple Cash Rewards Visa® Business Card Apply Nowon U.S. Bank's website on U.S. Bank's website | Best for No annual fee small-business card | $0 | 1%-5% | $750 | Apply Nowon U.S. Bank's website on U.S. Bank's website |
| U.S. Bank Smartly™ Visa Signature® Card Apply Nowon U.S. Bank's website on U.S. Bank's website | Best for Flat-rate cash back | $0 | 2% | N/A | Apply Nowon U.S. Bank's website on U.S. Bank's website |
ALSO SEE: Best credit cards of 2026 || Visa || Mastercard || American Express || Bank of America® || Capital One || Chase || Citi || Discover || US Bank || Wells Fargo
More about our picks
U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card
Our pick for: Bonus cash back
A credit card that lets you choose your rewards categories isn’t necessarily a novelty. What's unique about the U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card is the extensive variety of categories from which you can choose to earn 5% cash back. That list includes relative rarities such as home utilities, sporting goods stores and gyms. The 5% rate applies on up to $2,000 in combined purchases across two categories you select. The card also earns an uncapped 2% in one everyday category of your choice (grocery stores, gas and EV charging, or restaurants). The value proposition is strong for a $0-annual-fee card. But the main draw of this card — its customizability — is also one of its key drawbacks. Plenty of people won’t want the hassle of selecting rewards categories every three months. But if you don’t lock in your choices each quarter, you don’t get the big rewards. And some of the 5% categories (movie theaters and electronic stores, for example) can feel a little too niche. Read our review of the U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card.
» For rewards in everyday spending categories: Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card
U.S. Bank Shield™ Visa® Card
Our pick for: 0% intro APR period + perks
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) bonus categories on other credit cards, including places like Walmart and Target. In addition to 6% cash back — yes, 6% — at two retailers that you select from a list, the card earns 3% in an "everyday" category you choose and 1.5% back on everything else, which is itself a step up from the 1% that comparable cards pay out on non-bonus spending. Of course, there's a catch to this card. Actually, there are several. First is spending caps; the 6% and 3% rates are each limited to $1,500 per quarter in spending. Second is the annual fee; you'll need to spend at least $31 a week at your 6% retailers before you break even. Third is the hassle factor; it's on you to select which retailers qualify for the 6% and which everyday category qualifies for 3%. Also keep in mind that while the list of 6% retailers encompasses two dozen major brands, you only earn the top rate at two of them at any one time — and you must identify them ahead of time each quarter. If you've chosen, say, Amazon and Target and you see a gotta-have-it deal at Home Depot or Best Buy or Wayfair, you'll have to cool your jets till next quarter or miss out on the 6%. Nevertheless, for the right consumer, the U.S. Bank Shopper Cash Rewards® Visa Signature® Card can deliver unrivaled value in almost every spending scenario. Read our review of the U.S. Bank Shopper Cash Rewards® Visa Signature® Card.
» For rotating categories with fewer complications: Chase Freedom Flex®.
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 (on up to $2,000 per quarter in spending). Add in 2X rewards at grocery stores and the $0 annual fee, and its ideal for those with big food budgets who want a straightforward and affordable card. If you have a U.S. Bank account, you can redeem points for cash back at full value. If you don't, though, your redemption options are more restricted and potentially less valuable. Of course, if you spend big on dining and are willing to pay an annual fee, there are more rewarding options that don’t come with quarterly caps. You can also find no-annual-fee cards whose bonus footprint extends well beyond restaurants, which could translate into more overall rewards. Read our review of the U.S. Bank Altitude® Go Visa Signature® Card.
» For an option with more inclusive rewards categories: Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card
U.S. Bank Altitude® Connect Visa Signature® Card
Our pick for: General travel
The U.S. Bank Altitude® Connect Visa Signature® Card is easily a top contender for best travel rewards card with no annual fee. It’s particularly suited for travelers who want a cheap, uncomplicated yet lucrative option. The card is a rarity because it costs $0 to carry but offers reimbursement for the application fee for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry — a perk that’s typically offered only on travel cards with annual fees of $95 and up. Quadruple points on travel and on purchases at gas stations and EV charging stations make it an even more competitive option. But because there’s a combined quarterly cap for those rewards categories, the card it's not ideal for bigger travel spenders. Additionally, the card doesn’t have travel partners you can transfer your points to, which further differentiates it from annual fee cards (this time, not in a good way). To that end, it’s best suited for casual travelers. Read our review of the U.S. Bank Altitude® Connect Visa Signature® Card.
» For more perks, with a fee: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
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. Read our review.
U.S. Bank Triple Cash Rewards Visa® Business Card
Our pick for: No annual fee small-business card
The U.S. Bank Triple Cash Rewards Visa® Business Card is a solid cash-back card for business owners. Earn 3% cash back on eligible purchases at gas 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 purchases. Earn 5% cash back on prepaid hotels and car rentals booked directly in the Travel Center when using your card. Plus, the card offers a competitive welcome bonus and long intro APR period (on purchases and balance transfers) — all with a $0 annual fee. Learn more and apply.
How we choose the best credit cards
Our team of credit card experts has developed a rigorous methodology to determine how much value a card delivers and how it stacks up against its competitors.
400+
Cards reviewed
400+
Cards reviewed
NerdWallet’s experts have reviewed more than 400 cards, from the most popular options at the biggest banks to store cards to niche cards from startups and small issuers.
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Categories scored
8
Categories scored
Credit cards are so diverse that properly rating them with a single formula is impossible. We’ve built eight rubrics, plus variations, so we can score each card on what matters.
50+
Data points analyzed
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Data points analyzed
Our ratings consider not just a card’s rates, fees, rewards and perks, but also how easy or hard it is to get that card, manage it and enjoy its advertised benefits.
Star rating categories
What you want out of, say, a cash back credit card is fundamentally different from what you’re looking for in a balance transfer card or a card for building credit. That’s why we have different scoring models that put weight on different features.
Cash back cards
General travel cards
Balance transfer cards
Branded airline cards
Branded hotel cards
Credit builder cards
College student cards
Small business cards
Cash back cards
Our formula looks at how much cash back you could expect to earn from typical household spending. We consider rewards rates and categories, bonus offers and the cash value of other benefits, as well as any annual fee. The rating is also influenced by the complexity of the rewards structure.
General travel cards
We consider how many points you could expect to earn from typical household spending, along with per-point values and redemption options. We add in the cash value of bonus offers and other benefits, subtract annual fees and other costs, and take into account the complexity of the rewards structure.
Balance transfer cards
Our balance transfer rubric calculates how much money a card could save you with a low or 0% interest rate. Primary factors include the length and structure of the introductory APR period and the balance transfer fee. We also consider long-term value, such as whether the card offers rewards.
Branded airline cards
We calculate how many miles you could expect to earn from typical household spending and what those miles are worth based on our valuations. We add in the cash value of bonus offers and perks such as free checked bags and lounge access, and we subtract annual fees and other costs.
Branded hotel cards
We calculate how many points you could expect to earn from typical household spending and what those points are worth based on our valuations. We add in the cash value of bonus offers and perks such as free nights and automatic elite status, and we subtract annual fees and other costs
Credit builder cards
Our rubric focuses on accessibility (such as whether a credit check is required), out-of-pocket costs (such as annual fees or minimum security deposits), credit-building features (such as bureau reporting and access to a free credit score) and upgrade options when you’re ready to move on.
College student cards
Our formula calculates the rewards you could expect to earn on spending typical for a college student and takes into account the cash value of bonus offers and other benefits. Accessibility to students without established credit is a key consideration, as is the effort required to manage the card.
Small business cards
Our star ratings criteria for small business credit cards are similar to those for consumer cards, although they account for potentially higher spending levels and higher credit limits, as well as rewards structures and bonus categories tailored specifically to entrepreneurs and business operators.
NerdWallet's Credit Cards team selects the best credit cards in various categories based on overall consumer value, as evidenced by star ratings, as well as their suitability for specific kinds of consumers. Factors in our evaluations include fees, promotional and ongoing APRs, and sign-up bonuses; for rewards cards, we consider earning and redemption rates, redemption options and redemption difficulty. Because different consumers can have markedly different needs, preferences and spending habits, we recognize that there is rarely a single credit card that is "best" for everyone. That's why this page includes a variety of options to suit an array of circumstances. Also, a single card is eligible to be chosen as among the "best" in multiple categories.
Our star ratings provide a quick way to compare credit cards. We assess the features of a card, score those features according to how they compare with other options on the market, and assign the card a rating of 1 to 5 stars based on those features. In general, a card that rates 4.5 stars will be a better value for more people than a card that rates 4.0 stars. However, the 4.0 card might be better than the 4.5 card for an individual consumer depending on that person’s circumstances. Further, ratings are only comparable within categories. If you're looking for rewards, for example, a 3.5-star cash back card will be of greater value than a 5.0-star balance transfer card or a 4.5-star credit-builder card. Star ratings are an important consideration in which cards appear on our "best" pages, but they are not the sole determining factor. Learn how NerdWallet rates credit cards.
