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If you want a 5% cash back card and the ability to choose your spending categories, the U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card could be a good fit. It comes with a $0 annual fee and a great 0% intro APR on purchases for the first 15 billing cycles, followed by a 19.49% - 29.74% (Variable) APR. The spending cap for the 5% cash back is very high at $2,000 per quarter (up to $8,000 per year) in categories like department stores, fast food and home utilities.
But bear in mind that the 5% cash back is only in two categories, and that these tend to be more minor spending categories, like fast food and movie theater purchases. Some cardholders may find it difficult to maximize the card’s 5% bonus. Cards like the Citi Custom Cash® Card and Chase Freedom Flex℠ include major categories like restaurants, groceries and gas that make it easier to reach the cap on the 5% cash back rate.
→ See other top cash back credit cards
Earn 5% cash back on two categories of your choice
With the U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card, you can earn 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 and EV Charging Stations, Grocery Stores or Restaurants. 1% cash back on all other eligible purchases.
This is a high spending cap for a card that offers 5% cash back. Similar cards, like the Chase Freedom Flex℠, cap the 5% rate at $1,500 in purchases per quarter.
You’ll need to do a little work with the U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card, since you have to enroll in the categories every quarter to earn that higher rewards rate. By comparison, the Citi Custom Cash® Card automatically applies its 5% cash back rate to your highest spending category each month.
While the spending cap for the U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card is high, it only covers two categories from a very limited set of choices. You will need to evaluate your spending habits to make sure that you’re likely to spend enough in the card’s categories to make it worth it.
5% cash back categories include:
Because the U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card’s bonus categories are limited, its potential earnings are much lower than some 5% cash back cards. We estimate that the Citi Custom Cash® Card can earn much more because its categories include restaurants, gas and dining, and you get automatically enrolled in the highest spending category. Chase Freedom Flex℠ also has the edge with better 5% categories, plus a better bonus and additional categories like 3% on restaurants and 5% on Chase travel.
Rewards earned per $1 spent*
→ For more options, see Best Rewards Cards
Earn a sign-up bonus
You’ll earn a $200 rewards bonus after you spend $1,000 in eligible purchases within the first 90 days of account opening. This is a very good intro offer that is similar to other 5% cash back cards. Cash back can be redeemed in the form of a statement credit or deposited into your U.S. Bank savings, checking or money market account.
Intro APR
There is a 0% intro APR on purchases for the first 15 billing cycles, then a 19.49% - 29.74% (Variable) APR applies. This is a very long intro period, which makes it a great option to help you to finance new purchases or do balance transfers.
The 5% categories are subpar
The 5% categories for the U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card include fitness, streaming, fast food and other categories. But it does not include major everyday categories of spend, like groceries, gas, or other types of restaurants. Unless you spend a larger-than-average amount on items like fast food and gym subscriptions, you may find that the rewards on this card fall short of other 5% cash back cards.
Other credit cards that offer 5% cash back include major spending categories such as groceries, gas and restaurants. The Citi Custom Cash® Card includes all of these categories every month and automatically chooses the best one for you.
| Types of categories | Activation required? | Spending cap | |
|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature Card | Fast food, TV, internet and streaming, etc. | Yes | Up to $2,000 per quarter, then 1% cash back |
| Citi Custom Cash® Card | Major spend categories, including groceries, gas and restaurants | No | Up to $500 per billing cycle, then 1% cash back |
| Discover it® Cash Back | Major spend categories, including groceries, gas and restaurants | Yes | Up to $1,500 per quarter, then 1% cash back |
| Chase Freedom Flex℠ | Major spend categories, including groceries, gas and restaurants | Yes | Up to $1,500 per quarter, then 1% cash back |
→ For more options, see Best Credit Cards
Rewards expire after 36 months
As a downside, cash rewards earned with the U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card will expire 36 months after the billing cycle in which they were earned. If you aren’t careful to redeem your rewards on a regular basis, you will lose them. This is a serious disadvantage, as the majority of cash back cards, including the Citi Custom Cash® Card, Discover it® Cash Back and Chase Freedom Flex℠, do not have expiration dates for their rewards.
Foreign transaction fees
If you use your U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card to make purchases outside of the U.S., you will be subject to foreign transaction fees of 3% of each foreign transaction.
It is worth noting that while other cash back cards often charge a foreign transaction fee, you can find a few that don’t, including the Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card (see rates & fees).
| Credit Cards | Our Ratings | Welcome Offer | Rewards Rate | Annual Fee | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card*
|
Earn a $200 rewards bonus after you spend $1,000 in eligible purchases within the first 90 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 and EV Charging Stations, Grocery Stores or Restaurants. 1% cash back on all other eligible purchases. | $0 | ||
Citi Custom Cash® Card
 Apply Now
on Citibank's secure site Rates & Fees |
Earn $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This bonus offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back. | Earn 5% cash back on purchases in your top eligible spend category each billing cycle, up to the first $500 spent, 1% cash back thereafter. Also, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases. Special Travel Offer: Earn an additional 4% cash back on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked on Citi Travel℠ portal through 6/30/2026. | $0 |
Apply Now
on Citibank's secure site Rates & Fees |
|
Discover it® Cash Back*
|
Unlimited Cashback Match for all new cardmembers – only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year! There’s no minimum spending or maximum rewards. You could turn $150 cash back into $300. | 5% cash back at different places each quarter up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. 1% unlimited cash back on all other purchases - automatically | $0 | ||
Chase Freedom Flex℠*
|
Earn a $200 bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. | 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate. Enjoy new 5% categories each quarter. Plus, earn 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, 3% on dining and drugstores, and 1% on all other purchases. | $0 |
If you want a 5% cash back card with no annual fee and an intro APR for the first 15 months, then the U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card is a good option. It has a large cap on its 5% categories, not to mention a decent rewards rate on restaurants.
However, the U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card only lets you choose two categories that are generally minor spending categories like fast food and fitness.
If you would prefer a card with broader spending categories, like restaurants and gas, the Citi Custom Cash® Card, Chase Freedom Flex℠ and the Discover it® Cash Back cards are much better choices.
To see rates & fees for American Express cards mentioned on this page, visit the links provided below:
For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the benefits may be provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply.
The information related to the U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card, Chase Freedom Flex℠, Discover it® Cash Back and U.S. Bank Cash+ Visa Secured Card has been collected by LendingTree and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this card prior to publication. Terms apply.
The content above is not provided by any issuer. Any opinions expressed are those of LendingTree alone and have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any issuer. The offers and/or promotions mentioned above may have changed, expired, or are no longer available. Check the issuer's website for more details.
