Who Should Get The U.S. Bank Cash+ Visa Signature Card?

If you’re in the market for a cash back credit card, the U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card has a lot to offer. From customizable bonus categories to generous travel and everyday rewards, the U.S. Bank Cash+ card covers enough ground to make it a great fit for both supplemental rewards and as standalone option.

Still, it’s not for everyone. Here’s a look at where the card shines and where it falls short, which should help you get a better sense of whether it’s a good choice for you.

Who should apply for this card?

Like many bonus category credit cards, it’s not for everyone. Here’s who should consider the U.S. Bank Cash+ Visa Signature.

People who like customization and unique categories

Some of the best credit cards offer choose-your-own-adventure–style cash back programs, which let you pick what eligible bonus categories will earn bonus cash back. Not only can you typically choose at least one custom rewards category, but most cards like this also offer a consistent rate in everyday spending areas like dining or groceries to complement your selection. 

If your spending habits vary widely or enjoy strategizing over where and when to buy to get the best deal, this structure may be a great match. The U.S. Bank Cash+ card stands out in this genre for its variety of eligible bonus categories, including several that are especially hard to find on a rewards card. You can choose two of the following categories in which to earn 5 percent cash back.

Selections have included:

• TV, Internet and streaming services
• Home utilities
• Ground transportation
• Select clothing stores
• Cellphone providers
• Electronics stores
• Gyms and fitness centers
• Fast food
• Sporting goods stores
• Department stores
• Furniture stores
• Movie theaters

Electronics, sporting goods, department and furniture stores stand out as some of the hardest bonus categories to find on typical rewards cards. Home utilities is another relatively uncommon bonus category with high rewards potential (spending just $300 a month on utilities would earn you $15 back each month with this card). 

You’d usually have to stick with a flat-rate rewards card or a co-branded store card to earn more than 1 percent in these categories (or hope they pop up as categories on a rotating rewards card, which is far from guaranteed). 

“I love using the Cash+ to pay my utilities and other bills that wouldn’t earn such a high bonus with any other card,” says Ryan Flanigan, Certified Credit Counselor and Bankrate writer famous for his binder of over 50 rewards cards. “The mix of bonus categories is versatile enough to meet my ongoing needs, so I always try to max out that five percent cash back rate. I always set ‘Home utilities’ as one of my categories and pick the second category based on whatever spending I have at the time.”

Bankrate writer Brendan Dyer feels the same way about the home utilities category: “I don’t have any other cards that include that category,” he says. “So the Cash+ is a great way for me to maximize rewards on these recurring costs.” 

The mix of bonus categories is versatile enough to meet my ongoing needs, so I always try to max out that five percent cash back rate.

— Ryan Flanigan
Certified Credit Counselor, Bankrate credit cards writer

There are a couple of important caveats, though: You must select your categories each quarter. Otherwise, you’ll earn only 1 percent back. There’s also a limit to your top rewards rate: You’ll only earn 5 percent cash back each quarter on the first $2,000 you spend in the combined two categories you choose. After that, you’ll earn just 1 percent.

For some, that may be too many things to juggle.

Everyday value seekers

Along with earning 5 percent back in a bonus category of your choice each quarter, you can choose one “everyday” cash back category. The list of options includes three of the average person’s biggest expenses: groceries, dining and gas.

The card earns 2 percent on your choice of grocery stores, restaurants or gas and EV charging stations. The everyday category rounds out the card nicely, especially if you’re not sure you’ll always take full advantage of the 5 percent categories.

People who already have a flat-rate cash back card

The U.S. Bank Cash+ Visa Signature’s rewards structure is similar to most cards with bonus categories: boosted cash back in specific spending categories, plus 1 percent back on everything else. A problem with this type of card as your only credit card is that the bulk of your spending typically falls into the “everything else” category, only earning 1 percent cash back.

The trick is to use a different card for those general purchases: one that earns at least 2 percent cash back on all purchases. Then you can reserve your bonus category card for those purchases that earn a high rate of cash back.

If you already have a flat-rate cash back card, the U.S. Bank Cash+ Visa Signature may be the perfect complement, giving you lots of ways to boost your cash back earnings.

Frequent travelers

For a cash back card, the U.S. Bank Cash+ Visa Signature offers a surprisingly high rewards rate on travel purchases: 5 percent back on prepaid airfare, hotel stays and car rentals through U.S. Bank’s Rewards Travel Center. It’s not quite as flexible as the best travel rewards cards, which allow you to book flights with third-party services or directly with airlines, but it’s a small hoop to jump through in exchange for a solid cash back rate.

People who need to make a large purchase or transfer a balance 

Eliminating your debt might be priority No. 1 if you’re considering opening up a new card to take advantage of a balance transfer offer. With the U.S. Bank Cash+ Visa Signature, you can get 15 billing cycles of 0 percent intro APR on balances you transfer within the first 60 days (then 18.49% – 28.74% Variable APR).

That’s a solid offer, and you’ve got cash back opportunities to look forward to after your balance is paid, making this card useful long after your balance transfer.

“I used the card to buy a nice new office chair last year,” Dyer says. “With that purchase, I earned the welcome offer and got 5 percent back since it fell into the ‘Furniture stores’ bonus category … I’ve been whittling down that balance each month and the intro APR has helped me neutralize extra costs.”

Who should avoid the U.S. Bank Cash+ Visa Signature card?

If your credit card rewards strategy is to keep it simple, this may not be the card for you. You’ll end up earning a low 1 percent across the board if you neglect to choose your bonus categories each quarter. And on top of remembering to make your selections, you also have to remember which bonus categories you selected when you’re using the card.

If you like the idea of customizable bonus categories, you can find more hands-off options. The Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card, for example, allows you to change your category selection monthly, but there’s no selection requirement. If you don’t change your selection, it stays the same from month to month. The Citi Custom Cash® Card is another great option because it automatically awards you 5 percent back (on up to $500 each billing cycle, then 1 percent) on your top spend category.

The bottom line

The U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card is a great cash back card for those looking to maximize their rewards with a variety of customizable bonus categories, from everyday purchases to travel. It’s also a solid option for those considering a balance transfer. But if you’re looking for a simple, set-and-forget cash back program, this likely isn’t the card for you. If you’re not sold, check out Bankrate’s top cash back credit cards to compare your options.

Information about the U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card has been collected independently by Bankrate. Card details have not been reviewed or approved by the card issuer.