U.S. Bank offers the variety of credit card options and cobranded cards you’d expect from the fifth largest commercial bank in the US.
However, it’s only in recent years that U.S. Bank has released especially attention-grabbing cards. Among them are several premier cards, such as the U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite® Card, that offer standout rewards opportunities or unique flexibility in the way you make the most of your card.
The U.S. Bank FlexPerks® Gold American Express® Card ups the ante on the old FlexPerks travel card by increasing the rewards and signup bonus while keeping the simplicity and perks that made the prior such a solid card. You'll earn up to 5x FlexPoints on eligible purchases while enjoying solid travel perks for a modest annual fee.
Reward earnings. Earn 5x FlexPoints on prepaid hotels and car rentals, 3x points at restaurants, 2x points at airlines and gas stations, and 1x points on everything else.
Signup bonus. Earn 30,000 bonus FlexPoints after spending $2,000 within 4 months of account opening.
Travel perks. Enjoy a Global Entry/TSA PreCheck statement credit, up to $25 in reimbursement for baggage fees or in-flight food and drinks, access to a global dining program and more.
Annual Fee
$85
Purchase APR
14.49% to 24.49% variable
Balance transfer APR
14.49% to 24.49% variable
Welcome offer
30,000 points worth $450, after spending $2,000 in the first 4 months
Rewards
3x points at restaurants, 2x at gas stations 2x at airlines and 1x on all other purchases
Best for business rewards card U.S. Bank Business Cash Rewards World Elite™ Mastercard®
Though some of U.S. Bank's other business cards might offer more customization or a travel focus, the U.S. Bank Business Cash Rewards World Elite™ Mastercard® offers great raw value when it comes to cash back. Earn 3% cash back on eligible purchases along with a solid introductory bonus.
Cashback rewards. Earn 3% cash back on cellular, gas and office supply store net purchases, and earn 1% cash back on all other eligible net purchases.
Signup bonus. Earn $500 cash back when you spend $4,500 on eligible net purchases within the first 150 days of opening your account.
No annual fee. This card carries no annual fee and additional employee cards are free of charge.
Annual Fee
$0
Purchase APR
0% intro for the first 15 billing cycles (then 11.99% to 22.99% variable)
Balance transfer APR
0% intro for the first 15 billing cycles (then 11.99% to 22.99% variable)
Welcome offer
$500 after spending $4,500 in the first 150 days
Rewards
3% cash back on gas, cell phone services, and office supply stores and 1% back on all other purchases
Best for 0% intro APR card U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card
The U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card offers a longer than average introductory purchase APR and balance transfer APR. This period is a great opportunity for savings.
Intro APR period. U.S. Bank offers a 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 20 months after you open your account. After that, you'll pay a 14.49% - 24.49% variable APR.
Cellphone protection. Receive protection on cellphone damage or theft when you pay your cellphone bill with your card.
Fraud protection. Receive notifications of any unusual card activity on your account.
Annual Fee
$0
Purchase APR
0% intro for the first 20 months (then 14.49% to 24.49% variable)
Balance transfer APR
0% intro for the first 20 months (then 14.49% to 24.49% variable)
Welcome offer
N/A
Rewards
N/A
Best for establishing credit card Harley-Davidson® Visa® Secured Card
The U.S. Bank Cash+™ Visa Signature® Card offers up to a sizable 5% cash back. This card also features an intro APR on balance transfers, making it a solid one-two punch of long term value.
Reward earnings. Earn 5% cash back on your first $2,000 in combined eligible purchases each quarter on two categories of your choosing, then 1%. You can choose these categories from a set list each quarter. Earn 2% back on one everyday category of your choice and earn 1% back on everything else.
Signup bonus. Earn a $150 signup bonus after spending $500 within 90 days of account opening.
Intro APR. Enjoy a 0% intro APR on balance transfers for the first 12 months, reverting to a 13.99% to 23.99% variable after.
No annual fee. You won't pay an annual fee to use this card.
Annual Fee
$0
Purchase APR
13.99% to 23.99% variable
Balance transfer APR
0% intro for the first 12 months (then 13.99% to 23.99% variable)
Welcome offer
$150 after spending $500 in the first 90 days
Rewards
5% on up to $2,000 each activated quarter on two categories combined (1% after), 2% on one everyday category and 1% on all other purchases
How we selected our top cards
When choosing our U.S. Bank credit card picks, we looked at a few features, including rewards opportunities, annual fees, purchase APRs other perks that a consumer might consider when browsing cards. Those cards that outperformed the others in a given category were chosen for our list.
What’s changed in 2021
The Harley-Davidson® Visa® Secured Card is something of a surprise addition to the list, as it performs quite well at helping users build credit, despite the branding of the card.
You can apply for a U.S. Bank credit card in person or online. To apply online:
Head to the U.S. Bank site, hover over Personal and click on Credit cards.
Click on Credit cards (overview) to view the various credit card categories.
Select your card category and click on the name of the card you want.
On the new credit card page, scroll down and click Apply now.
Fill out your personal information and click Next to complete the application.
Application requirements
To apply for a U.S. Bank credit card, you’ll need to be 18 years of age, a legal resident of the United States and have a Social Security Number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number. You’ll also need to have the following information available:
Personal information. Your full name, date of birth, Social Security Number, place of residence, phone number and email address.
Income and employment information. You’ll need to provide U.S. Bank with information regarding your employment status, total annual income and the source of that income.
If you’re applying for a secured card, you’ll also need to provide information on the account you’re using to fund your security deposit.
How many U.S. Bank credit cards can I have?
U.S. Bank doesn’t have a stated restriction on the number of credit cards you can have.
If you want to maximize the value of your U.S. Bank credit cards, here’s what to consider:
Do you have credit card debt? Get a U.S. Bank credit card with a long 0% intro APR period on balance transfers.
Do you want to make a large purchase? A card with a long 0% intro APR period on purchases would be the one to consider.
Do you want to build credit? Get a secured card. For a low annual fee, you get to build your credit with responsible card use.
Do you travel often? U.S. Bank has one premium and one mid-tier travel card. Depending on your needs and financial situation, consider one of the two.
Do you want to earn rewards on everyday spending? In this case, consider applying for a U.S. Bank cashback credit card.
Do you need a business card? U.S. Bank offers several business credit cards, each with its own perks and benefits. Consider the one that makes most sense for your business.
Types of U.S. Bank credit cards
U.S. Bank offers an assortment of credit cards, including a wide variety of business card options.
Cash back
U.S. Bank offers just one personal cashback card, the U.S. Bank Cash+™ Visa Signature® Card.
Typical benefits
Cash back. Earn 5% cash back on your first $2,000 in combined eligible purchases each quarter on two categories of your choosing, then 1%. Plus earn 2% back on one everyday category of your choice and 1% back on all other purchases.
Signupbonus. You can earn a $150 signup bonus after spending $500 within 90 days of account opening.
Noannualfee. You won’t pay an annual fee to use this cashback card.
U.S. Bank cashback cards
U.S. Bank Cash+™ Visa Signature® Card
Travel
U.S. Banks offers two travel card options. One option serves as the lender’s premier luxury card. Both feature an annual fee, but have varying perks.
Typical benefits
Points. You’ll earn points for eligible purchases. You can redeem these points on travel, cash back and more.
Signupbonus. Both U.S. Bank travel cards offer a large bonus point signup bonus when you meet the spending requirements.
Travelperks. Depending on which card you choose, you’ll enjoy a variety of travel perks. These can include annual statement credits, complimentary in-flight Wi-Fi, airport lounge access through Priority Pass, and more.
U.S. Bank travel credit cards
U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite® Card
U.S. Bank FlexPerks® Gold American Express® Card
Annual fee
Rewards
U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite® Card
$400
3x points on hotels and car rentals booked through Altitude rewards center
3x points on travel purchases and mobile wallet purchases (Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay and LG Pay)
1x points on all other purchases
U.S. Bank FlexPerks® Gold American Express® Card
$85
5x FlexPoints on hotels and car rentals booked directly from the FlexPerks rewards center
3x FlexPoints at restaurants
2x FlexPoints at airlines and gas stations
1x FlexPoints on all other purchases
Store and gas cards
U.S. Bank has extensive partnerships with multiple retailers, with more than a dozen store credit cards to choose from. These cards aren’t typically the best choice for everyday usage, though you might find them valuable if you shop frequently at a particular retailer.
Typical benefits
Rewards. Store and fuel cards work much like rewards cards, gaining points or cash back for eligible purchases. The main difference is most store cards can only earn and redeem rewards at a specific retailer.
No annualfee. Many of U.S. Bank’s store cards don’t require an annual fee for use.
Store specificdiscounts. You’ll usually receive card perks specific to the card’s cobranded retailer. For example, the Dillons Rewards World Mastercard offers ongoing discounts on gas when you meet the specific requirements.
U.S. Bank store and gas cards
Dillons Rewards World Mastercard
Fred Meyer Rewards World Mastercard
Fry’s Rewards World Mastercard
Harris Tetter Rewards World Mastercard
King Soopers Rewards World Mastercard
Kroger Rewards World Mastercard
Mariano’s Rewards World Mastercard
Pick’n Save Rewards World Mastercard
QFC Rewards World Mastercard
Ralphs Rewards World Mastercard
Smith’s Rewards World Mastercard
Quicken World Mastercard
REI World Mastercard
Business
You have three business cards to choose from with U.S. Bank. These cards will appeal to three different business cardholders: those looking for a rewards card, those looking for a cash back card, and those who simply need a low APR card.
Typical benefits
Business rewards. You can earn cash back or points on helpful business categories, including gas stations, office supply stores and cell phone service providers.
Signup bonus. Each business card offering from U.S. Bank offers some form of signup bonus.
U.S. Bank business cards
U.S. Bank Business Leverage® Visa Signature® Card
U.S. Bank Business Cash Rewards World Elite™ Mastercard®
U.S. Bank Business Platinum
Annual fee
Rewards
U.S. Bank Business Leverage® Visa Signature® Card
$0 annual fee for the first year, $95 after that
2x points on two categories where you spend most each month
1x points on all other purchases
U.S. Bank Business Cash Rewards World Elite™ Mastercard®
$0 annual fee
3% cash back at gas stations, office supply stores and cell phone providers
1% cash back on all other purchases
U.S. Bank Business Platinum
$0 annual fee
No rewards program
Are there US Bank annual fee-free credit cards?
Yes. The Minneapolis-based U.S. Bank offers a suite of credit cards with no annual fee, including a cobranded credit cards for airlines and supermarkets like Harris Teeter and Ralphs. Some earn you cash back, while others shine for long intro APR periods on balance transfers that can safe you hefty fees. Your US Bank no annual fee card options include:
Generally, yes. For most credit cards, the higher the annual fee you pay, the higher your perks and rewards earned.
US Bank annual fee credit cards tend to result in the following perks.
Higher signup bonus. You can earn from $350 to $750 in reward value, depending on the card you choose. However, the spend criteria to earn the bonus is also higher than no-annual-fee counterparts.
High rewards on purchases. You can earn up to 3x points on purchases at restaurants or travel, as opposed to the typical 1x points of a no-annual-fee U.S. Bank credit card.
TSA PreCheck or Global Entry fee credit. Enjoy up to $100 in statement credit reimbursement for the TSA PreCheck or Global Entry application fee.
Additional travel perks. Select cards come with Priority Pass lounge access, an annual travel credit, Boingo Wi-Fi and more.
Summary of U.S. Bank cards offers
Credit card
Best for
Typical benefits
U.S. Bank Cash+™ Visa Signature® Card
Everyday purchases
Cash back
Signup bonus
No annual fee
U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite® Card
Travelers who want premium travel perks
Travel rewards
Annual statement credit toward travel
Priority Pass lounge access
Hotel benefits
U.S. Bank FlexPerks® Gold American Express® Card
Travelers who want an affordable card with excellent travel perks
Travel rewards
TSA PreCheck or Global Entry application fee credit
U.S. Bank Business Leverage® Visa Signature® Card
Businesses that spend on a variety of categories
Accelerated rewards on two categories where you spend most
Signup bonus
U.S. Bank Business Cash Rewards World Elite™ Mastercard®
Businesses that spend on gas, office supplies and cell phone services
Cash back
Signup bonus
No annual fee and free employee cards
U.S. Bank Business Platinum
Businesses that want to make a large purchase and pay it off without interest, or to pay off debt without interest
Intro APR period
No annual fee
Store and gas cards
Everyone who is a loyal customer to a particular retailer
Rewards at the retailer
No annual fee
Typical card features and benefits of a U.S. Bank card
Cellphone protection. Receive coverage for cellphone theft or damage when you pay for your eligible cellphone service with your card.
Fraud protection. U.S. Bank will send notifications of unusual card activity on your account.
Free TransUnion credit score. Enroll in online banking to receive your TransUnion credit score at no cost.
Visa Signature benefits. U.S. Bank Visa Signature cards can receive many of the benefits included with the program, including Visa Concierge service, additional fraud protection and travel insurance coverage.
Online banking. You can manage most U.S. Bank cards online by signing up for their online banking service.
Autopay. Set up your account to automatically make payments and avoid interest and late fees.
U.S. Bank offers a rewards program called FlexPerks. By using certain cards, you can collect points called FlexPoints that you can redeem for rewards.
How can you redeem FlexPoints?
You can redeem your FlexPoints on a variety of purchases, including air travel, hotel stays, car rentals, gift cards, merchandise and statement credits on your account. Redeem them by signing into your U.S. Bank online banking account.
How much are FlexPoints worth?
According to the U.S. Bank site at the time of writing, the current value of FlexPoints when redeemed on travel is 1.5 cents per point. That said, the value of FlexPoints depends on what you’re redeeming them on.
How does U.S. Bank keep my credit card information secure?
U.S. Bank uses many of the standard security measures available to protect your information from unauthorized access during and after the application process. Additionally, U.S. Bank protects you from liability for unauthorized online transactions. Full information on security and privacy can be found on U.S. Bank’s site.
Whether you’re rebuilding your credit, growing your business, looking for a U.S. Bank no annual fee option or a premium reward card, you’ll find a competitive choice in most U.S. Bank credit card categories.
Steven Dashiell is a credit cards writer at Finder. He's worked on 250 Finder articles and counting, helping readers embrace and maximize credit cards. Backed by nearly a decade of research and reporting experience, Steve's work can be seen on Debt.com, CreditCards.com and Lifehacker.
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