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While it may not be the most well-known card issuer, U.S. Bank has built a roster of quality credit cards. The best U.S. Bank credit cards offer everything from big rewards to lengthy 0% intro APR periods, so it's all a matter of choosing one with the benefits you're looking for. Our experts have outlined the best U.S. Bank credit cards and their most notable features below.
U.S. Bank Altitude? Go Visa Signature? Card
Great for: Dining and streaming perks with no annual fee
Good/Excellent (670-850)
Intro APR 0% on purchases and balance transfers for the first 12 billing cycles on purchases billing cycles, and after that 18.24% - 29.24% (Variable)
Purchases: 0%, 12 billing cycles on purchases
Balance Transfers: 0%, 12 billing cycles
Regular APR
18.24% - 29.24% (Variable)
Rewards 4x points on dining, 2x points on groceries, gas, and streaming services, 1x points on other purchases
1x - 4x points
Annual Fee
$0
Welcome Offer 20,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 in eligible purchases within the first 90 days of account opening
20,000 bonus points
A great pick that offers lucrative rewards (up to 4x points), a big bonus, and a competitive 0% intro APR offer, all with no annual fee.
U.S. Bank Visa? Platinum Card
Great for: Long 0% intro APR
Good/Excellent (670-850)
Intro APR 0% on purchases and balance transfers for the first 21 billing cycles on purchases billing cycles, and after that 18.74% - 29.74% (Variable).
Purchases: 0%, 21 billing cycles on purchases
Balance Transfers: 0%, 21 billing cycles
Regular APR
18.74% - 29.74% (Variable)
Rewards
N/A
Annual Fee
$0
Welcome Offer
N/A
With a generous intro APR offer for both balance transfers and purchases, this is one of the best low interest credit cards we've come across.
U.S. Bank Altitude? Connect Visa Signature? Card
Great for: Big bonus rewards
Good/Excellent (670-850)
Intro APR N/A
Purchases: N/A
Balance Transfers: N/A
Regular APR
21.24% - 29.24% (Variable)
Rewards Earn 5x points on prepaid hotels and car rentals booked in the Altitude Rewards Center, 4X points on travel and at gas stations, 2X points at grocery stores, grocery delivery, dining and streaming services, 1x points on other purchases
1x - 5x points
Annual Fee $0 intro for the first year, then $95
$0 intro for the first year, then $95
Welcome Offer 50,000 bonus points when you spend $2,000 in eligible purchases within the first 120 days of account opening
50,000 points
A quality choice with bonus rewards in a variety of areas, including groceries, dining, and travel. It also has some great extra perks, including an annual streaming credit.
U.S. Bank Cash+? Visa Signature? Card
Great for: Flexible cash back bonus categories
Good/Excellent (670-850)
Intro APR 0% on purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 billing cycles on purchases billing cycles, and after that 19.49% - 29.74% (Variable).
Purchases: 0%, 15 billing cycles on purchases
Balance Transfers: 0%, 15 billing cycles
Regular APR
19.49% - 29.74% (Variable)
Rewards 5% cash back back on up to $2,000 of quarterly spending in two categories of choice and for travel booked directly in U.S. Bank's Rewards Travel Center, unlimited 2% back in one "everyday" category of choice, 1% back on other purchases
1% - 5% back
Annual Fee
$0
Welcome Offer Earn a $200 bonus after spending $1,000 in eligible purchases within the first 120 days of account opening.
$200
The high cash back rate, big welcome offer, and flexibility to choose what purchases earn bonus cash back make this a compelling offer -- as long as the bonus categories work for you.
U.S. Bank Altitude? Reserve Visa Infinite? Card
Great for: Premium travel benefits
Good/Excellent (670-850)
Intro APR
Purchases: N/A
Balance Transfers: N/A
Regular APR
22.24%-29.24%, variable
Rewards 5x points on prepaid car rentals/hotels booked through Altitude Rewards Center, 3x points for eligible travel and mobile wallet spending, 1x points on other purchases
1x - 5x points
Annual Fee
$400
Welcome Offer 50,000 points after spending $4,500 in the first 90 days of account opening
50,000 points
The lucrative bonus and rewards program are among the best you'll find. But there are some hurdles to consider, including the annual fee, limited travel redemption options, and cash back redemption minimum.
Here's how to find the best U.S. Bank credit card for you:
You can narrow down your options by choosing a type of card first. Here are the types of credit cards U.S. Bank offers:
If you're unsure which type of card is right for you, think about why you're getting a new credit card.
Do you want to earn rewards on eligible purchases? Cash rewards credit cards and travel reward cards are both good options. Are you trying to build credit? A secured credit card, which requires a security deposit to open, is usually easy to get, even if you have no credit history.
Looking for a good credit card APR? Start with a card that offers a 0% introductory APR.
After you've chosen a type of card, you can compare the U.S. Bank credit cards that fit your needs. See what they offer, and choose the one you like the most. To quickly compare multiple credit cards, use The Ascent's credit card comparison tool.
LEARN MORE: How to Choose a Credit Card
The credit score needed for a U.S. Bank credit card varies depending on the card. U.S. Bank offers credit cards for consumers in every credit range, including those with low credit scores or no credit history. Getting approved for a credit card is mainly about finding the card that's right for your situation.
The easiest credit cards to get with U.S. Bank are its secured credit cards. To open a U.S. Bank secured card, you must pay a security deposit equal to the starting credit limit. This type of card is the best choice if your credit score is under 600 or you don't have much credit history yet.
LEARN MORE: Secured vs. Unsecured Credit Cards: Which Should You Get?
If you have a higher credit score, then you might qualify for a U.S. bank card with more features. The card issuer's best cards typically require a credit score of at least 670.
Here are a few tips to help you maximize rewards from your U.S. Bank credit card.
Each U.S. Bank rewards card has bonus categories where it earns more back. You can find cards that earn extra on dining, travel purchases, and even in bonus categories you choose. Pick a card with a bonus category (or multiple categories) where you usually have high monthly spending to earn more rewards.
Several U.S. Bank cards have valuable sign-up bonuses. A sign-up bonus is a special offer for new cardholders, such as 50,000 points for spending $2,000 in the first 120 days from account opening. Choose a card with a good bonus, and make sure you spend enough to qualify for it.
You're earning rewards on your purchases, so take full advantage. Use your U.S. Bank rewards card for all your spending. Avoid using your debit card or cash because you won't earn points or cash back this way.
It's great to earn rewards but to make those rewards worth it, you also need to avoid any credit card interest charges. Pay the entire statement balance every time you pay your credit card bill. If you do that, you won't incur any interest charges on your purchases.
READ MORE: If I Pay Off My Credit Card, Will My Credit Score Change?
Learn how you can use your card's rewards and how much value they offer. This is straightforward enough with a cash back card. You can redeem that as a statement credit on your credit card bill or as a direct deposit to a U.S. Bank bank account. If you have a card that earns rewards points, there may be several redemption options.
A final strategy that works well for maximizing credit card rewards is getting more than one credit card. If you have multiple U.S. Bank credit cards, you can get more sign-up bonuses and earn bonus rewards in more spending categories.
Managing multiple credit cards is more challenging than managing just one. If you think carrying multiple cards could tempt you to spend more, or that you might miss payments, it's better to stick with one. But if you're confident it won't be a problem, you may want to consider adding another U.S. Bank card to your wallet.
Card | Rating | Great For |
---|---|---|
Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
|
Great For: Dining and streaming perks with no annual fee |
|
Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
|
Great For: Long 0% intro APR |
|
Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
|
Great For: Big bonus rewards |
|
Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
|
Great For: Flexible cash back bonus categories |
|
Rating image, 4.00 out of 5 stars.
4.00/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
|
Great For: Premium travel benefits |
The credit limit for a U.S. Bank credit card could be anywhere from $300 to over $25,000, depending on your creditworthiness and the card you choose. U.S. Bank sets your credit limit using your income, credit score, and other factors when it approves you for a credit card.
U.S. Bank credit cards aren't hard to get, although the difficulty depends on the specific card and your creditworthiness. The best U.S. Bank credit cards are typically only available to consumers with good or excellent credit. However, U.S. Bank also offers secured credit cards that you can get with a lower credit score.
Yes, a U.S. Bank credit card can help you build credit. U.S. Bank reports card activity to the three consumer credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion). If you demonstrate good financial habits with your U.S. Bank card, including paying your bill on time and not using too much of your credit line, that can improve your credit.
Our Credit Cards Experts
We're firm believers in the Golden Rule, which is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers. The Ascent does not cover all offers on the market. Editorial content from The Ascent is separate from The Motley Fool editorial content and is created by a different analyst team.
The Motley Fool owns shares of and recommends Visa.