The U.S. Bank Smartly™ Visa Signature® Card makes it simple to earn rewards on everyday spending, delivering a flat 2% cash back on every purchase with no annual fee. Cardholders who also hold a U.S. Bank account with a qualifying balance can earn even more — up to double the cash back on their spending.

Card overview

• Annual fee: $0
• Introductory purchase APR: 0% intro on purchases for 12 billing cycles
• Ongoing purchase APR: 18.24%–28.24% variable
• Introductory balance transfer APR: 0% intro on balance transfers for 12 billing cycles
• Ongoing balance transfer APR: 18.24%–28.24% variable
• Rewards rate: Unlimited 2% cash back on every purchase, plus up to an additional 2% cash back on the first $10,000 in eligible purchases each billing cycle when paired with a U.S. Bank Smartly® Savings account and qualifying balances in a U.S. Bank Smartly® Checking and/or Safe Debit account
• Benefits: Extra cash back on purchases when paired with qualifying U.S. Bank savings and checking accounts; cash back can be deposited directly into a U.S. Bank checking or savings account, applied as a statement credit, or redeemed for a rewards card, merchant gift cards and more (terms and conditions apply)

How to earn rewards

Earning rewards with this card is straightforward: every purchase earns a flat 2% cash back. There is no cap on earnings, and there is no need to track spending categories or purchases.

The most lucrative path is the Smartly Earning Bonus. Cardholders can earn up to 4% cash back if they already have or open a U.S. Bank Smartly Savings account and maintain a qualifying balance in a U.S. Bank Smartly Checking account or Safe Debit account. Earnings by qualifying balance:

• 2.5% cash back with a qualifying balance between $10,000 and $49,999
• 3% cash back with a qualifying balance between $50,000 and $99,999
• 4% cash back with a qualifying balance of $100,000 or more

Unlike most flat-rate cash-back cards, which set rewards by spending category, the bonus rate here is determined by the deposit balance held at U.S. Bank — the highest earning tiers are unlocked through the banking relationship itself rather than by shifting where the card is used.

The bonus rate applies to up to $10,000 in purchases each billing cycle. Any spending above that threshold still earns the standard 2% cash back. A cardholder in the 4% tier who spends $15,000 in a cycle, for example, earns 4% on the first $10,000 and 2% on the remaining $5,000, so the effective rate drifts back toward 2% as spending rises — a cap worth watching for heavy spenders.

Certain purchases are excluded from the Smartly Earning Bonus, although they continue to earn the standard 2% rate. Exclusions include education and school expenses, gift cards, insurance, taxes, business-to-business transactions such as advertising services (even when the purchase is not for a business purpose), and transactions made through a third-party bill payment service.

How to redeem rewards

Cash back can be redeemed at full value either as a deposit into a U.S. Bank account or as a statement credit to the card account.

Rewards do not expire as long as the account remains active, meaning at least one purchase, reward, or balance activity must occur on the account every 12 billing cycles.

Who the card is best for

The U.S. Bank Smartly Visa Signature is a natural fit for U.S. Bank customers whose balances are high enough to qualify for the Smartly Earning Bonus. Most flat cash-back cards cap rewards at 2%, so even the lowest bonus tier — 2.5% cash back with a qualifying balance between $10,000 and $49,999 — can multiply cash-back earnings considerably over time.

For a cardholder spending roughly $20,000 per year on various purchases made with the card, annual rewards at each level would be:

• Standard 2% cash back: $400
• 2.5% cash back: $500
• 3% cash back: $600
• 4% cash back: $800

The Smartly Earning Bonus exclusions are worth weighing against individual spending patterns. Taxes, for example, are excluded from the extra earnings, and paying taxes with a credit card usually carries a fee higher than 2% — so without the bonus, the rewards likely would not make up the payment fee.

Even without an eligible U.S. Bank account, the card's regular 2% cash back rate remains a strong option for most everyday spending and ranks among the highest rewards rates available from flat cash-back cards today. Whether used as a standalone card to maximize every purchase or alongside higher-earning travel or rewards cards, the U.S. Bank Smartly Visa Signature can serve as a solid addition to a wallet at no added cost.

Pros

• No annual fee. There is no annual fee to own this card.
• Introductory APR. The card offers an introductory APR on both new purchases and balance transfers, which can work well for earning cash back on an upcoming purchase or paying down existing debt. After the intro period ends, the card can continue to be used to earn cash back on regular spending. Once the 12 intro billing cycles run out, the ongoing variable APR of 18.24%–28.24% applies, and interest at those rates would exceed the 2%–4% cash back earned on the same spending — so the value of the 0% offer depends on paying the balance down before the intro period ends.
• Flat 2% cash-back rewards. Unlimited 2% rewards on every purchase help build solid savings on frequent spending, with no categories or multipliers to track — a simple approach to rewards.

Cons

• Few added benefits. The card offers little beyond its rewards over the long term. Cardholders seeking annual credits or travel perks may want to consider other rewards cards.
• High balance required for bonus rewards. The bonus program is worth up to 4% cash back on up to $10,000 in spending each billing cycle, but earning the maximum requires at least $100,000 in an eligible U.S. Bank account. Customers who do not bank with U.S. Bank or do not have enough savings to qualify for the Smartly Earnings Bonus will find it difficult to maximize this benefit.
• No welcome bonus. Despite strong ongoing rewards, the card offers no welcome bonus. Many other cash-back credit cards offer cash welcome bonuses worth $150 to $250 or more after meeting a minimum spending requirement.

Where the card can be used

The U.S. Bank Smartly Visa Signature is a Visa card, so it can be used at most places that accept credit cards; Visa is one of the most widely accepted card networks worldwide.

The card does carry a 3% foreign transaction fee. When used internationally, that fee exceeds the rewards earned unless the cardholder is in the highest Smartly Earning Bonus tier. The card can still be used abroad, but frequent travelers may prefer a card with no foreign transaction fees.

How to make a payment

• Online or mobile app: Payments can be made through the online account or U.S. Bank's mobile app. In the app, select "Transfer & pay," choose the credit card bill, and then select the checking or savings account to pay from.
• By mail: Cardmember Service, PO Box 790408, St. Louis, MO 63179.

Customer service

• Customer service is available 24/7.
• Phone: 800-285-8585, or the number on the back of the card.
• Online: navigate to the "Help center" through the online account, or choose "Help & services" and then "Contact us" within the U.S. Bank mobile app.
• In person: visit a U.S. Bank location during business hours.
• Account access is available through the U.S. Bank Smartly Visa Signature login page.

Alternative cards to consider

The U.S. Bank Smartly Visa Signature offers strong rewards and a 0% APR offer with no annual fee, but several other cash-back cards are worth comparing before applying.

Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express

• Annual fee: $0
• Welcome offer: Earn as high as $200 cash back after spending $2,000 within the first 6 months (welcome offers vary and cardholders may not be eligible for an offer; cash back is received as Reward Dollars, redeemable for a statement credit or at amazon.com checkout)
• Introductory purchase APR: 0% on purchases for 15 months
• Ongoing purchase APR: 19.49%–28.49% variable
• Introductory balance transfer APR: 0% on balance transfers for 15 months
• Ongoing balance transfer APR: 19.49%–28.49% variable
• Rewards rate: 3% cash back at U.S. supermarkets, 3% on U.S. online retail purchases, and 3% at U.S. gas stations (each on up to $6,000 per year in eligible purchases, then 1%), plus 1% cash back on all other purchases; cash back is received as Reward Dollars redeemable as a statement credit or on Amazon.com at checkout
• Benefits: Generous intro APR on purchases and balance transfers; up to a $7 monthly statement credit after using the enrolled Blue Cash Everyday® Card for a subscription purchase, including a bundle subscription purchase, at DisneyPlus.com, Hulu.com, or Stream.ESPN.com U.S. websites (subject to auto-renewal)
• Why it stands out: The Blue Cash Everyday from Amex helps maximize everyday spending with 3% back (up to limits) across multiple categories, including U.S. supermarkets, U.S. gas stations, and U.S. online retailers — an uncommon cash-back category. It also has no annual fee, a long intro APR offer on purchases and balance transfers, and a cash welcome bonus for new cardholders.

Chase Freedom Unlimited®

• Annual fee: $0
• Welcome offer: $200 bonus after spending $500 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
• Introductory purchase APR: 0% intro APR on purchases for 15 months
• Ongoing purchase APR: 18.24%–27.74% variable
• Introductory balance transfer APR: 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 15 months
• Rewards rate: 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠; 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service; 1.5% on all other purchases
• Benefits: No minimum to redeem for cash back — points can be redeemed for cash through an account statement credit or an electronic deposit into an eligible Chase account located in the U.S.; Chase Credit Journey helps monitor credit with free access to the latest score, alerts and more; generous intro APR on purchases and balance transfers
• Why it stands out: The no-annual-fee Chase Freedom Unlimited is a flat cash-back card earning 1.5% back on everything, with elevated rates in select bonus categories, including 5% on travel booked through Chase Travel and 3% at drugstores and restaurants. It also offers a welcome bonus and an introductory APR on new purchases and balance transfers.

Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card

• Annual fee: $0
• Welcome offer: $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 within the first 3 months
• Intro APR: 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on qualifying balance transfers (balance transfers made within 120 days qualify for the intro APR and intro balance transfer fee; 18.49%, 24.49%, or 28.49% variable APR after that)
• Purchase APR: 18.49%, 24.49%, or 28.49% variable APR
• Ongoing balance transfer APR: 18.49%, 24.49%, or 28.49% variable APR
• Rewards rate: Unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases
• Benefits: Up to $600 of cell phone protection against damage or theft ($25 deductible applies); pay-per-use 24/7 roadside dispatch assistance; auto rental collision damage waiver coverage
• Why it stands out: Simple cash-back rewards are the main benefit of the Wells Fargo Active Cash Card. Like the U.S. Bank Smartly Visa Signature, it earns a flat 2% cash back on every purchase, with no annual fee, an introductory APR for new purchases and balance transfers, and a solid cash welcome bonus.

Editorial note

The information in this article has not been reviewed or approved by any advertiser. All opinions belong solely to Yahoo Finance and are not those of any other entity. Details on financial products, including card rates and fees, are accurate as of the publish date, and all products or services are presented without warranty; readers should check the bank's website for the most current information. The source site does not include all currently available offers, and a credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any financial product.

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