U.S. Bank Visa Platinum Review: Lengthy 0% Period Makes It Worthy
The card offers a generous introductory interest-free window. But if you want rewards, bonuses and other spoils, look elsewhere.
Our Take
5.0
The bottom line: This card can buy you time to pay off a large purchase, and it's not a bad balance transfer option either.
Full Review
Best 0% Intro APR and Balance Transfer Credit Card
on US Bank's website
on US Bank's website
Annual Fee
$0*
Regular APR
14.49% - 24.49%* Variable APR
Intro APR
0%* intro APR for 20 billing cycles on purchases and balance transfers*
Recommended Credit Score
Quick FactsView rates and fees
Pros & Cons
Pros
No annual fee
Intro APR period on Purchases and Balance Transfers
Cell phone insurance
Cons
No rewards
Foreign transaction fee
Alternate Pick: Cash-back rewards
Citi® Double Cash Card – 18 month BT offer
2% back on everything: 1% when you buy, 1% when you pay
Earn a high flat rate on all your spending. Plus, get an intro 0% intro APR on Balance Transfers for 18 months, and then the ongoing APR of 13.99% - 23.99% Variable APR and an annual fee of $0.
Compare to Other Cards
Annual Fee$0* | Annual Fee$0 | Annual Fee$0 |
Regular APR14.74% - 24.74% Variable APR | Regular APR14.99% - 23.74% Variable APR | |
Intro APR0%* intro APR for 20 billing cycles on purchases and balance transfers* | Intro APR0% intro APR on Purchases and Balance Transfers for 18 months | Intro APR0% intro APR on Purchases for 15 months |
Recommended Credit Score |
Recommended Credit Score |
Recommended Credit Score |
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Full Review
If you're looking to finance a major purchase, the U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card is one of the best options on the market for buying time until you can pay it off.
That’s because the card charges an annual fee of $0*, yet it offers a long 0% introductory interest rate on purchases, as well as a good interest-free period on balances you transfer from elsewhere.
You won't earn rewards with the U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card. But it comes with cell phone insurance, a minor perk.
U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card: Basics
Card type: 0% APR/low-interest.
APR offer: 0%* intro APR for 20 billing cycles on purchases and balance transfers*, and then the ongoing APR of 14.49% - 24.49%* Variable APR.
Annual fee: $0*.
Balance transfer fee: 3% or $5 minimum, whichever is greater.
U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card: Benefits
Lengthy APR promotion on purchases. This is the defining feature of the card. If you’re facing a large expense you can’t pay right away, the extra-long interest-free period allows you to pay over time without piling on finance charges.
Balance transfer period. The card also offers a pretty long interest-free period for balances you transfer to it. But note the balance transfer fee, discussed below.
Annual fee of $0*. Once you use the introductory interest-free period to pay your balance, the card won’t cost you anything to keep — although, it might eventually be relegated for use as a backup card.
Cell phone insurance. The card is one of a handful of cards that come with cell phone insurance. 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. This covers your phone and additional lines on the account. However, the insurance is “secondary,” meaning it kicks in only after any other phone insurance you have. If you have other insurance, it would reimburse the deductible of your primary plan — minus the $25 deductible of this card’s protection. And it does not cover loss of a cell phone like most insurance from wireless carriers.
U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card: Pitfalls and other possibilities
No rewards. If you want a card that's ideal for everyday spending, the U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card is not for you. There are no rewards for spending with this card. If debt is not an issue for you and you pay your bills in full and on time every month, consider moving on to another card that offers you more benefits. Like the Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card, which has a solid 0% intro APR period, includes a bonus offer for new cardholders, and gives you 1.5% cash back on every purchase.
No sign-up bonus. New cardholders get no bonus, which is disappointing since competing cards with almost-as-long 0% APR periods include at least a modest bonus. Some are $150, for example.
Foreign transaction fee. Forget about travel perks with this card. And it’s a poor choice for using abroad because of its fees for foreign transactions: 2% of each foreign purchase transaction or foreign ATM advance transaction in U.S. dollars or 3% if the transaction is in a foreign currency.
Requires good credit. If you have a mountain of debt and your credit rating is hurting because of it, you might have trouble getting approved for this card.
Is the U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card right for you?
If you're looking for a card that offers a generous amount of time to pay down a new purchase, the U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card could be a fit. While the card won't cost you anything to keep, even after you've said sayonara to the balance, you might find yourself graduating to a different card for the long term.
To see other potential options, visit NerdWallet's roundup of best credit card offers.
on US Bank's website
Frequently asked questions
You’ll need at least good credit to qualify for the U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card. Generally speaking, “good credit” is defined as a score of at least 690. But a credit score alone isn’t enough to qualify for any credit card. Issuers take into account your income, existing debts and other information.
The U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card has an a introductory 0% interest offer for new cardholders: 0%* intro APR for 20 billing cycles on purchases and balance transfers*, and then the ongoing APR of 14.49% - 24.49%* Variable APR. The balance-transfer fee is 3% or $5 minimum, whichever is greater.
The annual fee on the U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card is $0*.
You won't earn rewards with the U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card. But it comes with cell phone insurance, a minor perk.
No. New cardholders get no bonus. Some competing cards with almost-as-long 0% APR periods include at least a modest bonus.
This is a Visa card.