What U.S. Bank credit cards offer

U.S. Bank issues several credit cards, each built around a different spending pattern. The main ones are the U.S. Bank Cash+ Visa Signature, the U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve, and the U.S. Bank Secured Card. Each has different rewards, annual fees, and requirements — so the right card depends on what you spend money on and whether you already have an established credit history.

U.S. Bank is a large national bank, so you can manage your account online, through their mobile app, or at a branch. Their customer service is available by phone during business hours. If you already bank with U.S. Bank, you may see faster approval and easier account linking.

Key Takeaways

  • U.S. Bank's Cash+ card lets you pick the categories where you earn higher cash back (up to 5% in two categories you choose), rather than earning the same rate everywhere.
  • The Altitude Reserve is designed for frequent travelers and charges an annual fee, but includes travel credits that can offset part of that cost.
  • The Secured Card is for people rebuilding credit and requires a cash deposit, which becomes your credit limit.
  • All U.S. Bank cards report to the three major credit bureaus, so using one responsibly will help your credit score over time.

The Cash+ card: choosing your own rewards categories

The U.S. Bank Cash+ Visa Signature has no annual fee and earns cash back on purchases. What makes it different is that you pick two spending categories where you earn 5% cash back, and you can change those categories four times a year. Common choices are groceries, gas, internet, phone service, cable, streaming, or transit.

Outside your two chosen categories, you earn 1% cash back on everything else. The 5% rate has an annual cap — once you hit it, you drop to 1% in that category for the rest of the year. This means the card works best if you spend heavily in two categories and want to maximize rewards there, rather than if you have scattered spending across many areas.

Cash back posts to your account monthly and can be redeemed as a statement credit, transferred to a U.S. Bank checking or savings account, or deposited as a check. There is no minimum redemption amount.

The Altitude Reserve: travel rewards with an annual fee

The U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve is a premium card aimed at people who travel frequently or spend heavily on dining and entertainment. It charges an annual fee, but includes a travel credit that reimburses certain travel purchases each year — the credit amount varies and you should confirm the current terms before opening the card.

The card earns 4.5% cash back on dining, gas, and transit, and 3% on all other purchases. Like the Cash+ card, cash back can be redeemed as a statement credit or transferred to a bank account. The Altitude Reserve also includes travel protections like trip cancellation insurance and rental car damage coverage, which can be valuable if you book through the card.

This card typically requires good to excellent credit, so it is not a starting point if you are rebuilding your credit history.

The Secured Card: building credit from scratch

The U.S. Bank Secured Card is designed for people with no credit history or poor credit. It requires a cash deposit between $500 and $10,000, which becomes your credit limit. You use the card like any other — make purchases, pay your bill each month — and the deposit stays in a separate account earning interest.

The card has an annual fee. After a period of responsible use (typically 7 to 12 months of on-time payments), U.S. Bank may convert it to an unsecured card and return your deposit. This conversion is not automatic, so you will need to contact U.S. Bank to ask about it once you have built a track record.

The Secured Card reports to all three credit bureaus, so every on-time payment helps your credit score. This is the main reason to use it — the rewards rate is modest, so the card's value is in proving you can handle credit responsibly.

How U.S. Bank cards compare to other issuers

U.S. Bank's Cash+ card competes with cards like the Chase Freedom Flex and the Discover it Cash Back, which also let you earn higher rewards in rotating or chosen categories. The main difference is which categories each card offers and how the rewards structure works — some cards rotate categories quarterly, while U.S. Bank lets you choose and change them yourself.

The Altitude Reserve competes with premium travel cards from other banks, such as the Chase Sapphire Reserve or the American Express Platinum. These cards have higher annual fees but also higher travel credits and additional perks. Your choice depends on which airline you fly most, which hotels you prefer, and whether the specific credits and protections match your travel style.

For secured cards, U.S. Bank's offering is similar to the Capital One Secured Mastercard and the Discover Secured Card. All three require a deposit, report to the credit bureaus, and can graduate to unsecured cards. The main differences are the deposit range, annual fee, and how long the bank typically waits before offering conversion.

What happens after you open a U.S. Bank card

Once approved, your card arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days. You can set up it through the U.S. Bank website or app, or by calling the number on the back of the card. If you already have a U.S. Bank checking or savings account, the credit card account links automatically in the app.

Your first statement closes 25 to 30 days after you open the account. You will have a grace period (usually 21 days from the statement close date) to pay your balance in full without interest charges. If you carry a balance, interest accrues at the card's APR, which varies based on your creditworthiness and current market rates.

U.S. Bank reports your payment history and credit usage to Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion each month. Paying on time and keeping your balance low relative to your credit limit helps your credit score. Missing a payment or maxing out the card can hurt your score.

Fees and costs to know about

The Cash+ card has no annual fee. The Altitude Reserve and Secured Card both charge annual fees — the exact amounts vary, so check U.S. Bank's website for current terms. Both cards also charge late fees if you miss a payment and foreign transaction fees if you use them outside the United States.

If you carry a balance, you will pay interest at the card's APR. U.S. Bank does not charge balance transfer fees, but if you transfer a balance from another card, interest accrues when ready (there is no promotional 0% period). Cash advances also carry fees and start accruing interest right away.

If you close a U.S. Bank credit card, the account remains on your credit report for seven years. Closing a card also reduces your total available credit, which can temporarily lower your credit score.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my Cash+ categories whenever I want?

You can change your two chosen categories up to four times per year. Once you change them, the new categories take effect on the next billing cycle. If you hit the 5% annual cap in a category before you change it, you will earn 1% for the rest of that calendar year even after switching.

What credit score do I need to open a U.S. Bank card?

U.S. Bank does not publish minimum credit score requirements. The Cash+ card typically goes to people with good credit (670 and above), the Altitude Reserve to people with excellent credit (740 and above), and the Secured Card to anyone willing to make a deposit. The best way to know is to check your credit report and score before you explore.

Do I have to bank with U.S. Bank to get one of their credit cards?

No. You can open a U.S. Bank credit card without having a checking or savings account with them. However, if you do have a U.S. Bank bank account, the process process may be faster and you can link your accounts in the app for easier management.

What happens if I don't use my U.S. Bank card?

U.S. Bank may close inactive accounts after a period of no use (typically 12 months or longer). A closed account still appears on your credit report and still counts against your available credit. If you want to keep the account open, use it occasionally and pay the bill on time.

Can the Secured Card become a regular credit card?

Yes. After demonstrating responsible use (usually 7 to 12 months of on-time payments), you can contact U.S. Bank and ask about converting to an unsecured card. If approved, your deposit is returned to you and the card functions like any other U.S. Bank card. Conversion is not automatic, so you must request it.