US Bank Business Leverage Credit Card Review
Key Takeaways
Note that this card is no longer accepting new applications.
The U.S. Bank Business Leverage card offers a 60,000 point bonus after spending $6,000 within the first 120 days, which is pretty good considering the annual fee is waived the first year. After the first year, the annual fee is $150. Because it’s a business card, it won’t affect your Chase 5/24 status. Like the rest of the U.S. Bank ecosystem, the biggest drawback is the lack of airline and hotel transfer partners. Points can still be redeemed through the U.S. Bank travel portal, for statement credits, or for cash back. For users looking to take a break from major issuers while continuing to earn signup bonuses, this can be a reasonable short-term option.
Why This Card Could Be Right For You
The U.S. Bank Business Leverage card offers several compelling benefits that make it worth considering for business owners looking to earn points from a different loyalty program:
- Generous Welcome Offer: Earn 60,000 points after spending $6,000 in the first 120 days
- Automatic Category Optimization: Unlike cards that require you to pre-select bonus categories, this card automatically gives you 2x points in your top two spending categories each month. This hands-off approach saves busy business owners valuable time while still maximizing rewards.
You'll also earn 5x points on prepaid hotels and car rentals when booked through the Rewards Center. As a business card, it won't affect your personal Chase 5/24 status. The $150 annual fee is waived the first year, making this a good option for trying out the U.S. Bank rewards ecosystem with minimal financial commitment.
Here are your redemption options with this card:
- Travel bookings through their portal
- Instant redemptions with Real-Time Rewards
- Cash back
- Statement credits
- Gift cards
While this card is best viewed as a short-term strategy for capturing the sign-up bonus before downgrading or canceling prior to the second-year annual fee, it delivers solid value during that initial period for businesses with regular expenses.
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 Leverage Credit Card Fits In The U.S. Bank Rewards Ecosystem
The U.S. Bank Business Leverage is no longer accepting new applications, but existing cardholders have several currently available U.S. Bank business cards worth comparing:
U.S. Bank Business Essentials Visa: This no-annual-fee card offers:
- A 50,000 welcome offer after spending $5,000 in the first 150 days
- 2% cash back on all purchases
- 6% cash back on prepaid hotels and car rentals booked through the U.S. Bank Travel Center
The Business Essentials may be a better option if you prefer earning a consistent 2% cash back on all purchases rather than relying on the Leverage card's top two spending categories.
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 in one of its eligible categories. It offers:
- A 100,000 welcome offer 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 may be a better option if your business spends heavily in one of its 5% categories and 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. Its annual fee is waived the first year, then $95 thereafter.
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
If you already hold the Business Leverage, there's no immediate reason to switch simply because the card is no longer accepting applications. Its automatic 2x points in your top two eligible spending categories each month can still be useful, particularly if your business spending changes from month to month. Whether it's worth keeping will depend on whether that earning structure provides enough additional value to justify its annual fee compared with U.S. Bank's newer options.
Card Information
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