| Bonus Points | Minimum Spend | Point Value | Annual Value | Annual Fee | 1st Year Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20,000 | $1,000 | 1.0 ¢ | $1 | $0 | $211 |
| Best Value | Differentiating Perks | Rules |
|---|---|---|
| Cash Back, Gift Cards | 5% cash back on personally selected categories. | 5/24 , Citi 6/6 |
Spend Categories
1X points
1¢ Per Dollar Spent
5X points
5¢ Per Dollar Spent
5X points
5¢ Per Dollar Spent
2X points
2¢ Per Dollar Spent
2X points
2¢ Per Dollar Spent
5X points
5¢ Per Dollar Spent
2X points
2¢ Per Dollar Spent
5X points
5¢ Per Dollar Spent
5X points
5¢ Per Dollar Spent
5X points
5¢ Per Dollar Spent
5X points
5¢ Per Dollar Spent
Card Benefits
Point Transfer Options
Transfer To Spouse/Partner Yes
Transfer To Friends Yes
Travel Partner Transfers
Outside Point System Cash in Cents
Transfers In From
1:1 71% value retained
1:1 100% value retained
1:1 91% value retained
1:1 63% value retained
1:1 91% value retained
1:1 71% value retained
Bottom Line
Reading over testimonials for this particular card is a little confusing because they’re all over the map. Some people absolutely hate this card, while others gush about it. It’s a nice card if you can keep yourself highly organized and really want to maximize every spending category. For most people, though, it is just too much to keep track of.
Even though it’s a cash card, you still get little extras like rental car coverage, lost luggage reimbursement, and hotel upgrades when booked through Visa Signature Luxury Hotel Collection Properties. We would probably recommend this one to get your foot in the U.S. Bank door. And because of the $0 annual fee, it’s a nice card to keep around for building up your credit. It’s not a great card if you haven’t reached your Chase card limit yet, or for those with specific travel goals in mind.
Why You Might Want This Card
5% Cash Back
The thing that sets this cash card apart from the runners up is the 5% cash back on your first $2,000 in purchases made in 2 categories of your choice. You can change these categories quarterly based on where you spend the most money. Categories include:
1. TV, Internet, and Streaming Services
2. Home utilities
3. Cell phone providers
4. Electronic Stores
5. Gyms/Fitness
6. Fast food
7. Ground Transportation
8. Sporting goods
9. Department Stores
10. Furniture Stores
11. Movie Theaters
12. Select clothing stores
On top of that, you can choose to get 2% cash back on either grocery store or gas station purchases. This card also has a $150 bonus after spending $500 in the first 90 days of opening the account.
You Choose If It's Worth The Maintenance
Some would argue that trying to decide which category you'll spend the most money in every quarter is too tedious and time consuming. But remember that the 5% back in 2 categories is unique to this particular card if you are a planner. As an example, you could select Gym/Fitness one quarter and pay off the family's annual membership. Then select Furniture Stores and buy a new couch or mattress. Then Electronics Stores and buy a new TV. You get the point. Most people won't go through the work, but we wouldn't be doing our job if we didn't at least put the option out there.
Note that there is a foreign transaction fee on this card. And you have to be a member of U.S. Bank to get your hands on some of that cold, hard cash if that’s how you're trying to redeem, rather than a statement credit.
Exceptions To The Rule
About Cash in Cents
Most points have a 1 cent redemption value. Plus any 1X of 1.5X cash-back on spends are in cents, not dollars. So that we are comparing Apples to Apples, in terms of cash back vs. points, we use cents rather than dollars in representing cash bonuses.
