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U.S. Bank Cash+ Visa Signature Review

The only card here that lets you choose your own 5% categories, on up to $2,000 a quarter. It rewards planning and punishes forgetfulness.

CSBy the CreditStepUp teamUpdated August 30, 2026
✓Edited by CreditStepUp editorial

We review cards on the terms issuers publish: APR, fees, rewards and eligibility. We do not accept payment for a favorable review.

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The verdict

Every other 5% card makes the issuer pick the categories and hopes they match your life. This one hands you the list. If your spending concentrates in a couple of narrow buckets, especially unusual ones like utilities or home utility bills, nothing else here earns more. It only works if you re-select every quarter.Jump to:Full review
See how to apply On U.S. Bank's site
U.S. Bank Cash+ Visa Signature Card
Regular APR17.99% – 28.24% variable APRissuer terms, checked Aug 30, 2026
Intro APR0% for the first 15 billing cycles on purchases and balance transfers
Annual fee$0
Foreign transaction fee3%
Welcome bonus$200 after $1,000 in the first 90 days
Credit neededGood to excellent credit, generally 690 or higher
Rewards5% on two chosen categories, 2% on one everyday category, 1% elsewhere

Rates and fees

  • No annual fee.
  • 0% intro APR for the first 15 billing cycles on purchases and balance transfers, then 17.99% to 28.24% variable.
  • Balance transfer fee of 3% of each transfer or $5, whichever is greater.
  • Foreign transaction fee of 3%.
  • Current rates and category list on U.S. Bank's site

More details

  • 5% back on the first $2,000 in combined purchases each quarter across two categories you choose from a list of twelve.
  • 2% back on one everyday category you choose each quarter, such as gas and EV charging, groceries or restaurants.
  • 5% on prepaid air, hotel and car bookings made through the Rewards Travel Center.
  • 1% on everything else, with no cap.
  • Selections take about three business days to activate and only apply to purchases made afterward.
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Pros and cons

Pros

  • You choose the 5% categories

  • 5% cap is $2,000 a quarter, higher than rivals

  • Extra 2% everyday category

  • No annual fee

  • 15 billing cycles at 0%

Cons

  • Three selections to make every quarter

  • Selections take three business days to kick in

  • Rewards structure is the most complicated here

  • 3% foreign transaction fee

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Full review

Rotating category cards are a gamble on whether the issuer's guess matches your spending. The Cash+ removes the gamble. Each quarter you pick two categories from a list of twelve and earn 5% on the first $2,000 in combined purchases across them, which is a third more headroom than the $1,500 cap most competitors use.

The list is what makes it interesting. Alongside the usual suspects it includes narrow, high-value buckets like utilities and home utility bills, categories that rarely appear on any 5% calendar. If a large recurring expense of yours lives in one of those, this card converts a bill you were paying anyway into meaningful cash back. On top of the two 5% picks you choose one everyday category for unlimited 2%.

The price of that control is upkeep. Three selections, four times a year, each taking about three business days to take effect, and purchases made before activation earn the base rate. Miss a quarter and the 5% categories pay 1%. If you know you will not keep up with that, the Freedom Flex asks for one click instead of three, and a flat-rate card asks for none.

» MORE: Compare all eight cards side by side

The basics

Best for: predictable spending in narrow categories

Annual fee: $0

Card network: Visa Signature

Credit needed: good to excellent, generally 690 or higher

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How it compares

U.S. Bank Cash+ Visa Signature
See how to apply
Regular APR17.99% – 28.24% variable APR checked Aug 30, 2026
Annual fee$0 annual fee
Intro APR0% for 15 billing cycles
Credit neededGood to excellent credit
Chase Freedom Flex
See how to apply
Regular APR18.24% – 27.74% variable APR checked Aug 30, 2026
Annual fee$0 annual fee
Intro APR0% for 15 months
Credit neededGood to excellent credit
Bank of America Unlimited Cash Rewards
See how to apply
Regular APR17.49% – 27.49% variable APR checked Aug 30, 2026
Annual fee$0 annual fee
Intro APR0% for 15 billing cycles
Credit neededGood to excellent credit

Published issuer terms, checked Aug 30, 2026. Your APR and credit limit are set by the issuer after review.

Compare before you applyEight cards, one page, same set of numbers for each.
See the comparison

Frequently asked questions

How many categories do I pick?
Three each quarter: two for the 5% rate and one for the 2% rate. All three reset every quarter.
What if I forget to select?
Those purchases earn the base 1%. Selections also take about three business days to activate, so choose early in the quarter.
Is the 5% capped?
Yes, at $2,000 in combined purchases across your two chosen categories each quarter. Above that they earn 1%.

About the author

CS

CreditStepUp Team

We compare credit cards on the terms issuers publish and update our pages when those terms change.