The 6 best U.S. Bank credit cards

Group of friends walking their bikes and discussing the best U.S. Bank credit cardsImage: Group of friends walking their bikes and discussing the best U.S. Bank credit cards
Editorial Note: Intuit Credit Karma receives compensation from third-party advertisers, but that doesn’t affect our editors’ opinions. Our third-party advertisers don’t review, approve or endorse our editorial content. Information about financial products not offered on Credit Karma is collected independently. Our content is accurate to the best of our knowledge when posted.

These offers are no longer available on our site: U.S. Bank Altitude® Connect Visa Signature® Card, U.S. Bank Cash+™ Visa Signature® Card

U.S. Bank has a variety of credit cards that compete with some of the best cards on the market, offering options for people interested in building credit and saving on interest — not to mention its cash back, everyday spending and travel options.

Here’s a look at our picks for the best U.S. Bank credit cards.

Best forU.S. Bank Card
Cash backU.S. Bank Cash+™ Visa Signature® Card
Everyday spendingU.S. Bank Altitude® Go Visa Signature® Card
Building creditU.S. Bank Secured Visa® Card
Low interestU.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card
Best for travelU.S. Bank Altitude® Connect Visa Signature® Card
Best for luxury travelU.S. Bank Altitude® Reserve Visa Infinite® Card

Best for cash back: U.S. Bank Cash+™ Visa Signature® Card

Here’s why: The U.S. Bank Cash+™ Visa Signature® Card will spoil you with cash back.

You’ll start off with a $200 rewards bonus after spending $1,000 on eligible purchases during the first 120 days from account opening.

But what really makes this card interesting is that unlike many credit card issuers, you get to choose your own bonus categories. You could earn 5% cash back on up to $2,000 spent (then 1%) in combined purchases in two categories that you must choose and activate each quarter. Available categories include …

  • TV, Internet and streaming services
  • Home utilities
  • Select clothing stores
  • Cellphone providers
  • Electronics stores
  • Fast food
  • Department stores

Plus, you’ll get 2% cash back on purchases spent on one everyday category of your choice: restaurants, grocery stores or gas stations.

Then, you get 1% back on all other eligible purchases. To redeem your cash back, you can have the money deposited directly into a U.S. Bank checking or savings account, receive a statement credit or get a rewards card.

Not to mention, there’s no annual fee eating away at the cash back you earn.

To learn more, check out reviews of the U.S. Bank Cash+™ Visa Signature® Card.

Best for everyday spending: U.S. Bank Altitude® Go Visa Signature® Card

From our partner

U.S. Bank Altitude® Go Visa Signature® Card

3.6 out of 5

From cardholders in the last year

See details, rates & fees

Here’s why: The U.S. Bank Altitude® Go Visa Signature® Card has your everyday purchases covered.

You’ll earn a nice 20,000 bonus points (worth $200) after spending $1,000 during the first 90 days after account opening.

Plus, you’ll get rewarded for common purchases.

  • 4 points for every $1 you spend on dining, takeout and food delivery
  • 2 points per $1 on groceries, gas, EV charging stations and streaming services
  • 1 point per $1 on all other purchases

Considering there’s no annual fee, it’s also cool that the card gives you a $15 statement credit after 11 months of streaming service purchases from Netflix, Spotify and others.

Check out reviews of the U.S. Bank Altitude® Go Visa Signature® Card to learn more.

Best for building credit: U.S. Bank Secured Visa® Card

Here’s why: The U.S. Bank Secured Visa® Card has no annual fee, but requires you to put down a deposit from $300-$5,000 to establish your credit line and begin building your credit. If you’re approved for the card, your credit limit will match your deposit.

This no-frills card offers few features and no rewards, but you’ll get your TransUnion credit score for free when you enroll your U.S. Bank account in online banking. And you can set up automatic payments and pick a preferred due date, which can help you avoid late payment fees.

Get more details via reviews of the U.S. Bank Secured Visa® Card.

Best for low interest: U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card

From our partner

U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card

1.9 out of 5

From cardholders in the last year

See details, rates & fees

Here’s why: The U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card could be a good option for people looking to manage interest payments with no annual fee.

The U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card offers an introductory 0% APR for 18 billing cycles on purchases and balance transfers made within 60 days of account opening. After that, the variable APR on both increases to 18.74% - 29.74%. That means you can make a new purchase and pay it off over 18 billing cycles without getting charged interest.

There’s also a balance transfer fee to factor into your decision. An introductory fee of either 3% of the amount of each transfer or $5 minimum, whichever is greater, for balances transferred within 60 days of account opening. After that, either 5% of the amount of each transfer or $5 minimum, whichever is greater. If you’re not sure this card is right for you, try using our balance transfer calculator to see what you could save.

Reviews of the U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card have more details.

Best for travel: U.S. Bank Altitude® Connect Visa Signature® Card

Here’s why: The U.S. Bank Altitude® Connect Visa Signature® Card may be a good fit for people who like to travel and want to earn points in numerous bonus categories.

Here’s how the rewards break down.

  • 5 points for every $1 you spend on rental cars and prepaid hotels when you book through the Altitude rewards center
  • 4 points per $1 spent on travel, gas and EV charging stations
  • 2 points per $1 spent on groceries, dining and streaming services
  • 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases

The U.S. Bank Altitude® Connect Visa Signature® Card has a $0 intro, then $95 after first year annual fee. And if you’re a new cardholder, you can earn 50,000 bonus points if you spend $2,000 on eligible purchases during the first 120 days after account opening.

You’ll also get a TSA PreCheck® or Global Entry® statement credit of up to $100 to cover the cost of your application fee every four years. Plus, you’ll get a $30 credit after using your card to pay for streaming services (including Netflix, Apple TV+, Spotify and others) for 11 consecutive months.

Check out reviews of the U.S. Bank Altitude® Connect Visa Signature® Card to learn more.

Best for luxury travel: U.S. Bank Altitude® Reserve Visa Infinite® Card

Here’s why: The U.S. Bank Altitude® Reserve Visa Infinite® Card offers exclusive travel perks, bonus points on mobile wallet purchases and other benefits.

The card’s annual fee will set you back $400. But new cardholders who spend $4,500 on purchases within the first 90 days of account opening will earn 50,000 bonus points, which are worth $750 when redeemed for travel. Additionally, the card’s $325 in annual credits can help counter the annual fee after you’re reimbursed for eligible travel, dining, takeout and delivery purchases.

The U.S. Bank Altitude® Reserve Visa Infinite® Card offers several travel perks, including access to 1,300 airport lounges with a 12-month Priority Pass™️ Select membership and a credit of up to $100 toward a TSA PreCheck or Global Entry application once every four years.

You can redeem most of your rewards instantly, and there are few bonus rewards categories, including …

  • 5 points per $1 spent on prepaid hotels and car rentals booked through the Altitude Rewards Center
  • 3 points per $1 spent on eligible travel purchases
  • 3 points per $1 spent using a connected mobile wallet like Apple Pay, Google Pay and others

Cardholders earn one point per $1 spent on all other purchases. If you’re interested in applying for this card, note that you’ll have to be a U.S. Bank customer first.

Get more details via reviews of the U.S. Bank Altitude® Reserve Visa Infinite® Card.


How we picked these cards

When selecting the best U.S. Bank credit cards, we chose categories with broad audiences, like people who want to cut down their interest payments or who want travel rewards.

We also tried to focus on ease of use and the simplicity of earning and redeeming rewards.

How to make the most of U.S. Bank cards

To maximize the value of these U.S. Bank cards, it’s worth understanding what your card does best.

If you have a card made for building credit or lowering your interest payments, it’s best to focus on that specific goal — don’t get sucked into spending more than you can afford.

If you have a rewards card, it’s best to look into the specifics of your rewards program to see how to earn and redeem points. U.S. Bank has several different systems for rewards, and the specifics of each can vary.

Having a bank account with U.S. Bank can also be helpful if your card offers access to online banking and credit monitoring features.


About the author: Tim Devaney is a personal finance writer and credit card expert at Credit Karma. He’s a longtime journalist who prides himself on being a good storyteller who can explain complex information in an easily digestible wa… Read more.