US Bank Cash Plus Credit Card Review
Key Takeaways
The biggest weakness of U.S. Bank’s cash-back cards is their limited redemption options. Unlike some competing cash-back programs, rewards earned on the Cash+ card cannot be redeemed through a travel portal, as U.S. Bank reserves those options for its Altitude cards. The bank also lacks airline and hotel transfer partners, which is where most points and miles enthusiasts gain outsized value from their points. With its low welcome offer and no standout benefits, this card is not worth using a 5/24 spot on. There are many other superior options available.
Why This Card Could Be Right For You
The main strength of the U.S. Bank Cash+ Signature card is its customizable cash-back structure:
- Customizable 5% cash-back categories: Choose two eligible categories each quarter and earn 5% back on up to $2,000 in combined purchases
- 5% back through the U.S. Bank Travel Portal: Earn elevated rewards on travel booked through the portal
- 2% back on one everyday category: Select one category like gas stations, grocery stores, or restaurants with no earning cap *
- No annual fee: Keep the card long term without an ongoing annual fee
- 20,000 (current special 25,000) point bonus (offered as cash back): Earn the bonus after spending $1,000 (currently $1,000) within the first 90 days
The customizable categories can work well if you have large planned purchases in eligible categories like furniture or electronics, though keep in mind the quarterly $2,000 cap on those 5% earnings.
Rewards can be redeemed as:
- Statement credits
- Rewards cards
- Direct deposits into eligible U.S. Bank accounts
Note: Purchases made at discount stores, supercenters like Walmart and Target, and wholesale clubs such as Costco and Sam’s Club only earn 1% back in grocery, gas, and EV charging categories.
When The Usual Advice Doesn't Apply
This card might not be suitable if:
- You want travel rewards, as this card only offers cash back
- You lack the organization or time to maximize the spending multipliers by tracking expenses and planning ahead
What to Know About U.S. Bank FlexPerks
The U.S. Bank Loyalty System is a fixed-value travel program with limited upside.
- Points redeem at 1 cent per point toward travel when booked through the U.S. Bank portal (for those cards that allow portal redemptions).
- U.S. Bank does not currently have transfer partners. They announced that the U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve will gain partners starting in December 2025, but none have been named yet. The card is also closed to new applicants as of November 2024.
- U.S. Bank points are fine for travelers who want a simple rebate toward flights, but the program is not ideal for anyone aiming to maximize travel value or leverage complex award bookings.
How The US Bank Cash Plus Credit Card Fits In The U.S. Bank FlexPerks Ecosystem
U.S. Bank offers numerous cash back and rewards cards. Here's how the personal card options compare:
U.S. Bank Shopper Cash Rewards
- 6% cash back on up to $1,500 in quarterly purchases at two retailers of your choice
- 3% cash back in one everyday spending category
- 1.5% back on all other purchases
- 25,000 point bonus (redeemable as cash back) after $2,000 in purchases within the first 120 days
- $95 annual fee is waived the first year
The U.S. Bank Altitude cards are the stronger U.S. Bank options because they allow travel redemptions through the U.S. Bank portal. Neither card has an annual fee.
- 20,000 point bonus after $1,000 in purchases within 90 days
- 4x points on dining, takeout, and delivery
- 2x points on streaming, groceries, gas stations, and EV charging
- $15 annual streaming credit
- 20,000 point bonus after $1,000 in purchases within 90 days
- 4x points on travel, gas, and EV charging
- Priority Pass membership with 4 complimentary lounge visits plus access to Priority Pass restaurants
- $100 TSA PreCheck/Global Entry credit
- Travel protections and insurance benefits
The biggest advantage of the Altitude cards is that rewards can be redeemed toward travel purchases at 1 cent per point through the U.S. Bank travel portal. The Cash+ card is limited to cashback-style redemptions only. Among U.S. Bank’s personal cards, the Altitude Connect is generally the strongest option for travelers because of its lounge access, TSA Precheck/Global Entry credit, and more flexible redemption options.
Card Information
Differentiating Perks
Rules
Historical Card Offers
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Estimated Next Offer
US Bank Cash Plus Application Rules
You will not qualify for this one-time bonus if you have had this card before
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
