PayPal Cashback Mastercard vs U.S. Bank Cash+®

PayPal Cashback Mastercard
VS
U.S. Bank Cash+®
The short answer: The U.S. Bank Cash+® delivers a bit more value for most spenders, but choose the PayPal Cashback Mastercard if you spend more on travel, everything else.

Side-by-side comparison

PayPal Cashback MastercardU.S. Bank Cash+®
Annual feeNo annual feeNo annual fee
Welcome offerNo current offer$250 rewards bonus
Dining1.5x2x
Groceries1.5x2x
Gas1.5x5x
Travel1.5x1x
Streaming1.5x5x
Everything else1.5x1x
Est. yearly rewards*$437$492
Points typeCash back onlyCash back only
NetworkMastercardVisa

*Estimated yearly rewards on typical household spending, every point valued at a flat 1 cent. Verified June 2026. See your own numbers in the calculator.

The verdict

On a typical year of household spending, the PayPal Cashback Mastercard earns about $437 a year in rewards and the U.S. Bank Cash+® about $492, valuing every point at a flat 1 cent. The PayPal Cashback Mastercard has no annual fee, so its rewards are all profit. The U.S. Bank Cash+® has no annual fee, so its rewards are all profit. Counting rewards and any credits, the U.S. Bank Cash+® delivers more total value, about $55 a year more for a typical spender, mostly because it earns more where you spend most, on gas and groceries. Neither leans on transferable points, so the deciding factors are the welcome offer, the card network, and which everyday perks you will actually use. On the sign-up bonus, the U.S. Bank Cash+® currently has the larger welcome offer. A welcome bonus is a one-time event, so weigh it apart from the ongoing rewards.

Pick the PayPal Cashback Mastercard if your spending leans toward travel, everything else. Pick the U.S. Bank Cash+® if your spending leans toward dining, groceries, gas.

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Frequently asked questions

Is the PayPal Cashback Mastercard or the U.S. Bank Cash+® better?
On typical household spending, the U.S. Bank Cash+® comes out ahead, by roughly $55 a year with every point valued at a flat 1 cent. But the PayPal Cashback Mastercard can be the better fit if your spending lines up with its stronger categories. Run both through the Cardocrat calculator to see your own numbers.
Can I have both the PayPal Cashback Mastercard and the U.S. Bank Cash+®?
In most cases yes, as long as you meet each issuer's approval rules (for example Chase's 5/24 rule). Many people hold complementary cards to cover more bonus categories, then pool or redeem the rewards together where the program allows.
Which has the better welcome bonus, the PayPal Cashback Mastercard or the U.S. Bank Cash+®?
As of June 2026, the PayPal Cashback Mastercard offers no current offer and the U.S. Bank Cash+® offers $250 rewards bonus. Welcome offers change often, so confirm the current offer on each card's page before applying.