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US Bank Shopper Cash Rewards Credit Card

Written by: Lenny Pappano

The U.S. Bank Shopper Cash Rewards card offers an attractive spending multiplier but falls short overall. Despite ranking highest among U.S. Bank personal cards, its limited redemption options and lackluster benefits make it difficult to recommend for serious rewards seekers.

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US Bank Shopper Cash Rewards Credit Card Review

Key Takeaways

The 6% spending multiplier offered by the U.S. Bank Shopper Cash Rewards card makes it intriguing as one of the highest points boosts available. While we rank this card highest among U.S. Bank personal cards, it remains low on our overall recommended cards list. The single spending multiplier doesn't compensate for the card's other limitations. The U.S. Bank Rewards system is not recommended because non-Altitude cardholders cannot use rewards on their travel portal. Your only travel redemption option is to receive cash back as a statement credit and use it for travel expenses. The welcome offer is modest but ranks highest among personal U.S. Bank cards (by only $50). Although the annual fee is waived for the first year, this card doesn't offer enough benefits to warrant using one of your 5/24 slots.

Why This Card Could Be Right For You

The U.S. Bank Shopper Cash Rewards Credit Card offers several compelling benefits that might make it worth considering for your wallet:

Industry-leading 6% cash back on the first $1,500 in combined eligible purchases each quarter with two retailers of your choice — one of the highest point multipliers on the market
Flexible retailer selection allows you to customize rewards to match your spending habits
Additional $90 in potential rewards from the 6% multiplier alone, enhancing your $250 sign-up bonus

Beyond the headline 6% rate, this card provides a well-rounded rewards structure:

3% back on the first $1,500 in eligible purchases in your choice of everyday categories including:
- Wholesale clubs (Sam's Club, Costco)
- Gas stations
- EV charging stations
- Bills and utilities

When traveling, you'll receive 5.5% back on hotels and car rentals booked through the U.S. Bank Travel Portal. For all other purchases, the card offers a solid 1.5% cash back rate.

The $95 annual fee is waived for the first year, making this an attractive option to try without immediate cost. This fee structure provides an opportunity to evaluate the card's benefits before deciding whether to keep, cancel, or downgrade it before the second-year fee applies.

One significant limitation to note is the lack of travel transfer partners. Unlike premium travel cards, you cannot transfer points to airline or hotel loyalty programs or redeem them directly through U.S. Bank's Travel portal unless you have an Altitude card. Your only option for travel redemption is to receive cash back as a statement credit and use those funds for travel expenses.

When The Usual Advice Doesn't Apply

This card might not be suitable if:

You're primarily seeking true travel rewards. U.S. Bank doesn't have transfer partners for their points, limiting your ability to extract maximum value from your rewards.

How The US Bank Shopper Cash Rewards Credit Card Fits In The US Bank Flex Perks Ecosystem

The U.S. Bank Shopper Cash Rewards card occupies a specific niche within U.S. Bank's card offerings. When comparing it to the three other personal U.S. Bank rewards cards, several key differences emerge:

U.S. Bank Cash Plus: Offers a $200 sign-up bonus after spending $1,000 in the first 90 days
- Features 5% back on your first $2,000 in quarterly purchases across two categories of your choice
- Provides 5% back on travel booked through their portal
- Allows 2% back on one everyday category each quarter that you select
- Like the Shopper Cash Rewards card, cannot be used for travel portal redemptions
U.S. Bank Altitude Connect: The best no-fee option in their lineup and one of only two U.S. Bank cards allowing travel portal redemptions
- Comes with a 20,000-point welcome bonus
- Offers valuable travel perks including Priority Pass Membership with 4 free lounge visits annually
- Provides statement credits for TSA Precheck or Global Entry
- Better suited for frequent travelers compared to the Shopper Cash Rewards card
U.S. Bank Altitude Go: Similar to the Connect card with a 20,000-point sign-up bonus after $1,000 in purchases
- Features stronger everyday spending categories with 4x points on dining, takeout, and restaurant delivery (on first $2,000 quarterly)
- Earns 2x points on streaming services, grocery stores, gas stations, and EV charging stations
- Includes a $15 streaming service credit after 11 months of streaming service payments
- Lacks the premium travel benefits of the Connect card

The Shopper Cash Rewards card stands out primarily for its 6% category selection, which exceeds the earning rates of its siblings. However, when considering the overall value proposition — including redemption options, travel benefits, and annual fee structure — it may not be the optimal choice for everyone, especially those prioritizing travel rewards or premium benefits.

Card Information

Bonus Points	Minimum Spend	Point Value	Annual Value	Annual Fee	1st Year Value
25,000	$2,000	1.1 ¢	$1	$0	$298

Best Value	Differentiating Perks	Rules
Cash Back, Gift Cards	6% cash back on personally selected categories.	5/24 , Citi 6/6

AWARD SYSTEM

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Reconsideration Phone 844.357.2015