20 Benefits of the U.S. Bank Cash+ Visa Signature Card

There’s a great deal of information published on the credit cards issued by top card issuers American Express, Chase, Citi, and even Capital One. You hear much less discussion about cards issued by U.S. Bank, yet the issuer offers an impressive card lineup of both personal and business credit cards.

Today we’re looking at the benefits offered by the U.S. Bank Cash+^® Visa Signature^® Card, a popular cash-back earning card that allows you to customize your bonus earnings.

While the card is strong on earning potential, we’ll look closer at all of the card’s key benefits.

Initial Benefits

1. Welcome Offer

The best credit cards come with a welcome offer that can be earned in the months following card approval. You can earn the U.S. Bank Cash+ Signature card’s welcome offer just by meeting minimum spending requirements.

Offers do change, however, so you’ll want to check out our current snapshot below for the most recent one:

U.S. Bank Cash+^® Visa Signature^® Card

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

This card was made for those looking to maximize and rotate their cash-back rewards across a large range of regular expenses.

U.S. Bank Cash+^® Visa Signature^® Card

This card was made for those looking to maximize and rotate their cash-back rewards across a large range of regular expenses.

Welcome Offer

Earn a $200 bonus after spending $1,000 in eligible purchases within the first 120 days of account opening.

$200

Annual Fee

$0

APR

0% Intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 billing cycles. After that, 19.49% - 29.74% (Variable).

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.

Good to Excellent (670-850)

Why We Like This Card

The U.S. Bank Cash+^® Visa Signature^® Card is a great card for those looking to maximize their cash-back rewards by earning up to 5% back from a variety of expense categories.

The cardholder gets to choose 2 categories every quarter. It’s also the best cash-back card to use for utility bills, a tricky expense to get solid rewards back for.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 5% cash-back across a large range of expense categories (you choose 2 categories every quarter), including utility bills (a rare perk for a credit card), home utilities, cell phone providers, fast food, TV, internet and streaming services, gym/fitness centers, and more
• 5% cash-back on prepaid air, hotel, and car reservations booked directly in the Rewards Center
• 2% cash-back on 1 everyday category, including grocery stores, restaurants, and gas stations

Cons

• Your 5% cash-back rewards on the top 2 categories of your choosing are limited to $2,000 in combined eligible purchases each quarter
• Cash-back for travel expenses must be made through the Rewards Center

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Card Highlights

• $200 bonus after spending $1,000 in eligible purchases within the first 120 days of account opening.
• 5% cash back on your first $2,000 in combined eligible purchases each quarter on two categories you choose
• 5% cash back on prepaid air, hotel and car reservations booked directly in the Rewards Center
• 2% cash back on one everyday category, like Gas Stations/EV Charging Stations, Grocery Stores or Restaurants
• 1% cash back on all other eligible purchases
• 0% Intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 billing cycles. After that, a variable APR currently 19.49 – 29.74%
• No Annual Fee
• Terms and conditions apply.

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 0% Intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 billing cycles. After that, 19.49% - 29.74% (Variable).
• Foreign Transaction Fees: 2% of each foreign purchase transaction or foreign ATM advance transaction in U.S. Dollars or 3% of each foreign purchase transaction or foreign ATM advance transaction in a Foreign Currency

2. No Annual Fee

Keep your U.S. Bank Cash+ Signature card as long as you desire as you’ll never have to pay an annual fee.

Bottom Line: The U.S. Bank Cash+ Signature card does not charge an annual fee and comes with a generous welcome offer. 

Earning Rewards

The U.S. Bank Cash+ Signature card has a robust cash-back earning structure that focuses on rewarding the purchases you make every day.

3. Earn Rewards on Every Purchase

Every purchase you make with the U.S. Bank Cash+ Signature card will earn unlimited 1% cash-back. However, bonus category purchases will earn much more.

4. Bonus Earnings on Your Choice of Categories

Each quarter, you can select the 2 bonus earning categories you prefer and earn 5% cash-back, up to $2,000 in purchases each quarter. Leave the 2 bonus categories in place, or change them each quarter, it’s up to you.

You’ll select from a changing list of categories, but here is a typical list of your options:

• Cell phone service providers
• Department stores
• Electronic stores
• Fast food
• Furniture stores
• Ground transportation
• Gym/fitness centers
• Utilities
• Movie theaters
• Select clothing stores
• Sporting goods stores
• TV, internet, and streaming services

Cash-back bonus categories are announced 45 days before the start of a new quarter. You can sign up for text or email alert reminders to select your upcoming bonus categories. Changes can be made to your selected categories up until 5 days before the new quarter starts. Thanks to the variability of bonus categories, the card is one of our top picks for the best credit cards for monthly bills.

Hot Tip: To learn more about U.S. Bank cash-back earning cards, be sure to check out our article with details on each available card option.

5. Bonus Earnings on Travel

Earn 5% cash-back on prepaid airfare, hotels, and car rentals booked via the U.S. Bank Rewards Center.

6. Cash-back on 1 Everyday Spending Category

Everyday purchases such as those at gas stations, EV charging stations, grocery stores, and dining earn 2% cash-back in 1 category you select. 

Bonus cash-back earnings are limited to a total of $2,000 in purchases each quarter for 5% and 2% cash-back categories combined.

Bottom Line: The U.S. Bank Cash+ Signature card earns 5% cash-back on your choice of 2 select categories, up to $2,000 in purchases each quarter, 5% cash-back on select travel via the U.S. Rewards Center, 2% cash-back on select everyday purchases, and 1% cash-back on all other purchases. 

Redemption Options

You’ll have a few choices at redemption time, but all are the equivalent of cash-back.

7. Redeem for Cash-back

Log in to your online card account and request that your rewards be transferred to an eligible U.S. Bank account.

8. Redeem for a Statement Credit

You can also redeem your cash rewards for a statement credit. A minimum of $25 in cash rewards is required to make the redemption.

9. Redeem for a U.S. Bank Rewards Card

If you prefer a prepaid card, you can redeem your cash rewards for a U.S. Bank Rewards card. You can get a minimum of $25 and add more in $5 increments.

10. Real-Time Rewards

Enroll in Real-Time Rewards and instantly redeem your cash rewards for an eligible purchase via your mobile device. You’ll receive a text whenever you make a qualifying purchase and you can decide whether to use your cash-back rewards toward that purchase. A minimum of $10 is required.

Bottom Line: The U.S. Bank Cash+ Signature card’s cash rewards can be redeemed for cash transferred to a U.S. Bank account, for a statement credit, redeemed for a U.S. Bank prepaid rewards card, or redeemed via Real-Time Rewards for qualifying purchases. 

Travel Protections and Benefits

The U.S. Bank Cash+ Signature card does not offer a lot of travel benefits, but since it’s a Visa Signature card, you’ll find a few useful features.

Here are some of the key travel protections and benefits:

11. Car Rental Insurance

Reserve and pay for your car rental with your U.S. Bank Cash+ Signature card, decline the rental agency’s CDW/LDW coverage, and receive secondary coverage for damage or theft of the rental car. Secondary coverage means that you must first file a claim with any other applicable insurance prior to card coverage kicking in.

12. Roadside Dispatch

For 1 set fee (currently $69.95), you can take advantage of roadside dispatch service 24/7, which can include tire changing, standard winching, limited towing, emergency fuel, jumpstart service, and lockout service.

13. Travel and Emergency Assistance

Whether you need translation services, a legal or medical referral, help to replace a lost passport, or need to arrange emergency transportation, 1 phone call can help you receive referral assistance 24/7 during your travels.

Bottom Line: The U.S. Bank Cash+ Signature card doesn’t offer a lot of travel benefits, but you will find secondary car rental coverage, roadside dispatch, and travel and emergency assistance. 

Shopping Protections and Benefits

Shopping protections can protect your eligible purchases, while benefits can save you money or help you earn additional cash-back. Here are the protections and benefits you’ll find on the U.S. Bank Cash+ Signature card:

14. Purchase Protection

Eligible items purchased with your card could receive extra protection for damage or theft up to 90 days from the purchase date. Coverage is limited to $10,000 per item, up to $50,000 per account.

15. Extended Warranty

Purchase an eligible item with your card, and extend the warranty for 1 additional year on items with manufacturer’s warranties of 3 years or less. Limits on coverage include $10,000 per item and $50,000 total per account.

16. Introductory 0% APR on Purchases

The card offers 0% Intro APR on purchases for the first 15 billing cycles. After that, a 19.74% - 29.74% (Variable) APR.

17. Rewards Center Earn Mall

Shop online via the Rewards Center Earn Mall and receive additional cash-back at over a thousand retailers. This cash-back is in addition to any bonus category cash-back earned on the card.

Bottom Line: The U.S. Bank Cash+ Signature card comes with shopping protections such as purchase protection and extended warranty. A 0% APR period for purchases made on the card may save you money on interest rate charges, and you may earn additional cash rewards via the Rewards Center Earn Mall.

Additional Benefits

18. Introductory 0% APR on Balance Transfers

If you have high-interest credit card balances you’d like to repay without incurring interest charges, you may save money by transferring these balances to the U.S. Bank Cash+ Signature card.

The card offers 0% Intro APR on balance transfers for the first 15 billing cycles. After that, a 19.74% - 29.74% (Variable) APR.

There is a fee for balance transfers of 3% of the transaction amount or $5, whichever is greater.

19. Pay Over Time

Purchases of $100 or more can be repaid over time with ExtendPay.

20. Authorized Users

You can add trusted family or friends to your card for no additional fee.

Everything Else You Need To Know

We’ve covered the key benefits of the U.S. Bank Cash+ Signature card but here is some additional information you need to know.

The card charges foreign transaction fees. You will be charged a 2% fee on foreign transactions that are processed in U.S. dollars and 3% of the amount of transactions in foreign currency.

You’ll need a good to excellent credit score to be approved for the U.S. Bank Cash+ Signature card. A good score starts at around 670, but the higher your score, the more likely you are to be approved.

U.S. Bank Cash+ Signature card cash rewards expire 36 months after the billing cycle in which the rewards were earned. The card account must be open and in good standing to earn or redeem cash rewards.

Final Thoughts

The U.S. Bank Cash+ Signature card is worth considering for an everyday purchasing card. If you don’t mind selecting your own bonus categories each quarter to ensure you’re maximizing the higher earning rates, you could earn as much as $400 each year in cash-back in just 5% categories alone — plus, you won’t pay an annual fee.

However, if you’re looking for a travel rewards card that will earn on travel purchases and allow you to redeem rewards for travel, you may be better served by a travel rewards credit card.

If the rewards structure of the U.S. Bank Cash+ Signature card matches your spending mix, you prefer cash-back rewards, and you don’t want to pay an annual fee, the card could be a keeper.