U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card – 2025 Review

Quick Stats at a Glance

Card Overview & Positioning

With the U.S. Bank Cash+® you get to pick two 5% cash-back categories each quarter from a list (like TV/Internet, Department Stores, Home Utilities, or even Travel-related categories). Additionally, you can choose one 2% category from everyday spends such as groceries or gas. Everything else nets 1% back. This approach is extremely flexible, letting you pivot each quarter based on your upcoming plans (like a hotel if you’re traveling).

No annual fee and a moderate sign-up bonus make it popular among people who don’t mind a bit of quarterly category management for greater returns.

Rewards Structure in Detail

• 5% cash back:on your chosen two categories each quarter (up to $2,000 total spend). You must enroll each quarter to select them.
• 2% cash back: on one everyday category (like Gas Stations, Grocery Stores, or Restaurants—your choice).
• 1% cash back:on all other purchases with no limit.

The 5% categories can often include Hotels, making it a partial travel companion if you time your trips accordingly. Some quarters you might want to target extra travel/hospitality expenses if that category is available. Each 5% category can change quarterly, so plan your big expenses for optimum returns.

Redeeming Your Cash

U.S. Bank typically deposits your cash back directly into your U.S. Bank checking/savings account, or you can opt for a statement credit, mailed check, or Real-Time Rewards (for certain purchases). Redemptions often start at as little as $20 or $25. Some cardholders also link this card to U.S. Bank’s Smartly® Checking for a streamlined approach.

There’s no dedicated travel portal or miles program since this is pure cash back—but many appreciate the simplicity of direct statement credits.

Annual Fee & Ongoing APR

The U.S. Bank Cash+® card has no annual fee. That means every dollar you earn is net gain as long as you avoid interest by paying in full. The standard APR after any intro period is 19.74%–29.74% variable, so carrying a balance can get costly. There’s usually a 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and transfers, helpful if you want to finance a large expense or consolidate some debt.

Travel & Hotel Considerations

While not a travel card per se, one of the 5% categories each quarter can be Hotel or Car Rental(the categories may vary by quarter/availability). This means if you plan a big trip or a road vacation, you can select that category for the quarter in which you’ll do most of your booking/spending and earn a sweet 5% return—unusual for a no-fee card.

However, be aware of the 3% foreign transaction fee. If traveling abroad, you might want a separate no-FTF card for purchases in foreign currency. Domestically, though, it’s a nice synergy if you can line up your travel spend with the 5% category window.

Category Selection & Quarterly Enrollment

Every quarter, you’ll receive a reminder (via email or in your online account) to select or confirm your 5% categories and 2% category. If you forget, you may default back to 1% on everything. This is similar to rotating category cards (like Chase Freedom Flex℠) but with more freedom to choose your categories from a list. Some typical 5% categories might include:

• TV/Internet/Streaming Services
• Home Utilities
• Department Stores
• Electronics Stores
• Fast Food
• Furniture Stores
• Car Rentals
• Hotels

The 2% category is typically either Gas Stations, Restaurants, or Grocery Stores. Make sure to enroll on time each quarter to max out your potential $2,000 5% spend.

2025 Updates & Potential Enhancements

1. Digital Wallet Boost:Rumors that certain quarters may let you pick “Mobile Wallet” as a 5% category.
2. Longer 0% Intro APR:Some promotional offers could extend beyond 15 months for new sign-ups.
3. Expanded Travel Partnerships:Potential synergy with select hotel brands or bigger travel marketplaces for short bursts of extra cash back.
4. Higher Quarterly Cap: Rare, but keep an eye out if U.S. Bank raises the $2,000 limit in any promotional quarter.

Nothing is guaranteed, but watch official communications from U.S. Bank or targeted promotions in your online account.

Real-Life Example: Maximizing Hotel Stays

Suppose you plan a domestic trip with $800 in hotel expenses in one quarter. If “Hotel” is an available 5% category:

That’s $52 in one quarter without any annual fee, just by strategically selecting “Hotel” for the 5% category. If you also used the other 5% category for something else (like “TV/Internet”), you’d earn even more.

Limitations & Potential Downsides

• Quarterly Enrollment:Forgetting to pick your categories defaults you to 1% on everything.
• $2,000 Quarterly Cap:The 5% advantage stops after that combined spend—beyond it, 1% applies.
• 3% Foreign Fee:Not ideal for international travel/spend in foreign currency.
• No Travel Perks:Unlike dedicated travel cards, no lounge access, no trip insurance, etc.

If you prefer simplicity or no enrollment, you might want a flat-rate card. But for those okay with mild “set it once per quarter,” you can earn significantly more in key categories.

Pairing Cash+® with Other U.S. Bank Cards

Some cardholders also hold a U.S. Bank Altitude® card for travel redemption or a U.S. Bank Shopper for specialized categories. The Cash+® remains the best for flexible 5% categories, but if you want robust travel benefits (like lounge access or better travel protection), you might add the U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve® (with an annual fee, but strong perks).

Additionally, if you have a U.S. Bank checking account, redeeming your cash back is streamlined. Some promotional synergy might appear if you maintain certain balances, but it’s not as integrated as certain “relationship bonus” programs from other issuers.

Competitor Analysis

How does Cash+® fare among other rotating/flexible category cards?

Verdict: For those wanting two separate 5% categories each quarter, Cash+® is excellent. If you prefer “auto” top categories, maybe Citi Custom Cash℠ is simpler. But the ability to specifically choose a Travel or Hotel category can be a big plus for certain quarters in Cash+®.

International Travel Considerations

With a 3% foreign transaction fee, the U.S. Bank Cash+® is less suitable for foreign travel expenses. If you travel overseas frequently, consider a no-FTF card for day-to-day abroad purchases. However, you can still pick “Hotels” or “Car Rental” for domestic travel or if you’re booking flights/hotels from a U.S.-based site where the charge is in USD.

In that sense, it’s a decent domestic travel card, but not so great for spending internationally or with foreign-based airlines/hotel chains that charge in foreign currency.

Who Should Get the U.S. Bank Cash+® Card?

Potential Downsides

While strong, consider:

• Quarterly Enrollment:Forgetting to pick your categories defaults you to 1% on everything.
• $2,000 Cap/Quarter:The 5% advantage stops after that combined spend—beyond it, 1% applies.
• 3% FTF:Not suitable for frequent overseas usage.
• Lack of Premium Perks:No lounge access, no travel insurance—simply a cash-back card.

Advanced Tips for Maximizing Cash+®

1. Map Out Major Purchases:Plan your big Home Utilities or Hotel stays in the quarter you select them for 5%.
2. Enroll Early:Mark your calendar each quarter so you never forget to pick categories.
3. Combine with Another Card:Possibly hold a no-FTF travel card for foreign use or a premium travel card if you want lounge perks.
4. Monitor the 5% Category List:U.S. Bank can change offerings each quarter—Hotel might appear some quarters but not others.
5. Take Advantage of Intro APR: If you have big upcoming expenses, use the 0% for 15 months, then pay in full to avoid interest.

Another Real-Life Example: Quarterly Spend

Suppose you have these monthly expenses in a quarter:

That’s $35 per month in this scenario, or $105 over the quarter (3 months), purely from selecting your categories well. For no annual fee, that’s quite appealing—and if your spending is higher, you can earn even more (up to that $2,000 5% cap).

Should You Apply for the U.S. Bank Cash+® Card?

Bottom Line: Is the U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card Worth It?

Yes, if you’re willing to do a bit of quarterly category strategy. Getting two categories at 5% plus one everyday 2% category is quite lucrative for a no-fee card. The ability to choose categories like Hotels in relevant quarters can offset some travel costs, albeit with a 3% foreign fee if you go abroad. Overall, it’s a top pick for U.S. travelers who do most of their hotel/rental bookings in USD and want to maximize domestic spending on varied categories.

Disclaimer