US Bank Business Essentials Credit Card Review
Key Takeaways
The U.S. Bank Business Essentials Visa is a no-annual-fee option for business owners looking for simple cash-back rewards. Its main appeal is simplicity, with unlimited 2% cash back and a 50,000-point welcome offer, paid as cash back, after spending $5,000 in the first 150 days.
Why This Card Could Be Right For You
The U.S. Bank Business Essentials Visa is a straightforward option for business owners who want to earn a solid return on all of their spending without paying an annual fee. You'll earn unlimited 2% cash back on purchases, along with a 50,000 welcome offer (redeemable as cash back) after spending $5,000 in the first 150 days.
Cardholders can also earn:
- 6% cash back on prepaid hotels and car rentals booked through the U.S. Bank Travel Center
- 2.5% total cash back on the first $10,000 in eligible purchases each billing cycle when maintaining at least $10,000 in qualifying U.S. Bank business checking balances
The 2.5% earning rate sounds appealing, but we wouldn't move $10,000 to U.S. Bank solely to earn the extra 0.5%. Even if you spent the maximum $10,000 each billing cycle at the higher rate, you're only earning an additional $50 compared with the card's standard 2% rate. If you already keep at least $10,000 in a qualifying U.S. Bank business checking account, though, the additional cash back is a nice bonus.
The card also offers 0% intro APR on purchases for the first 12 billing cycles, which could be useful if your business has a large purchase coming up and you need additional time to pay it off.
When The Usual Advice Doesn't Apply
You probably shouldn't get this card if:
- You can earn significantly more value from a business card with bonus spending categories that match your business expenses.
- You want to earn transferable points or travel rewards rather than straightforward cash back.
What to Know About U.S. Bank Rewards
U.S. Bank Rewards offers straightforward redemptions, but if you have an Altitude Reserve, you can unlock additional value through transfer partners.
- Most U.S. Bank rewards are worth 1 cent each when redeemed for eligible travel or cash back, although redemption options and values vary by card.
- The U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve offers transfers to a small group of airline and hotel partners, giving cardholders another way to use their points. Unfortunately the card remains closed to new applicants.
- U.S. Bank Rewards is best for travelers who value simple redemptions.
- Transfer partners add more upside for Altitude Reserve cardholders, but the program remains more limited than the major transferable points programs.
How The US Bank Business Essentials Credit Card Fits In The U.S. Bank Rewards Ecosystem
U.S. Bank offers several business credit cards, with three other options worth comparing:
U.S. Bank Business Essentials Plus Visa Signature: This card charges a $295 annual fee but offers significantly more earning potential for businesses with substantial spending. It offers:
- A 100,000-point welcome offer (paid as cash back) after spending $15,000 in the first 150 days
- 5% cash back in your highest eligible spending category each month on up to $200,000 in annual purchases
- 2% cash back on all other purchases
- 10% cash back on prepaid hotels and car rentals booked through the U.S. Bank Travel Center
The Business Essentials Plus can be the better option if your business spends heavily in one of its eligible 5% categories and you can earn enough additional cash back to justify the annual fee.
U.S. Bank Business Altitude Connect: This card offers:
- A 60,000-point welcome offer after spending $6,000 in purchases within 180 days
- 5x points on prepaid hotels and car rentals booked through the U.S. Bank Travel Center
- 4x points on travel, gas, and EV charging stations on the first $150,000 in combined annual spending
- 2x points on dining, takeout, restaurant delivery, and cell phone service providers
The Business Altitude Connect may be a better fit if your business spends heavily on travel, gas, or EV charging rather than across a wide range of purchases.
U.S. Bank Triple Cash Rewards Business Card: This no-annual-fee card offers:
- A 50,000-point welcome offer, redeemable as cash back, after spending $4,500 in the first 6 months
- 3% cash back at gas stations, EV charging stations, office supply stores, cell phone service providers, and restaurants
- 5% cash back on prepaid hotels and car rentals booked through the U.S. Bank Travel Center
The Business Essentials stands out for simplicity. Its unlimited 2% cash back makes it a good option if your business spending doesn't line up particularly well with the bonus categories offered by U.S. Bank's other business cards.
Card Information
Differentiating Perks
Rules
Historical Card Offers
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US Bank Business Essentials Application Rules
This business card will not show on your personal credit report, so it won't count against your 5/24 status
You are ineligible for the signup bonus on certain U.S. Bank cards if you previously had that same card.
Card approval not subject to 5-personal-cards-in-24-months rule
You'll be declined if there are 6 or more hard inquiries on your credit report the past 6 months
