U.S. Bank Cash+® Review
Overview
The U.S. Bank Cash+ is one of the more flexible no-fee cash-back cards out there, because you get to pick two categories that earn 5%, plus a third everyday category at 2%. You choose where the bonus lands, which is rare and genuinely useful.
For a free card, being able to point 5% at your two biggest categories, up to a generous cap, makes this a strong pick if you are willing to set it up each quarter.
Think twice if: you want set-and-forget simplicity, since you have to pick your categories every quarter for the 5% to apply.
Our 4.0 out of 5 rating
Each score weighs the rewards rate, value after the annual fee, welcome offer, points flexibility, and perks, with every point valued at a flat 1 cent. This is our editorial assessment to help you compare cards, not a guarantee of approval or of the value you will get.
Rewards: how it earns
You get 5% back on two categories you choose, up to a combined $2,000 in spend per quarter, plus 2% on one everyday category like gas or groceries, and 1% on everything else, with no annual fee. The ability to steer the 5% at your own biggest categories is what sets it apart, though you do have to remember to select them each quarter.
| Category | Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Gas | 5x | Bonus category |
| Streaming | 5x | Bonus category |
| Dining and restaurants | 2x | Bonus category |
| Groceries | 2x | Bonus category |
| Travel | 1x | Base rate |
| Everything else | 1x | Everything else |
Brand and bonus rates: beyond the everyday categories above, this card also earns:
- 5% cash back on prepaid air, hotel, and car reservations booked via Rewards Travel Center
Every point and mile above is valued at a flat 1 cent, the same honest standard we use for every card. Run your own spending through the calculator to see what this card would actually return for you.
Pros and cons
- No annual fee
- Choose your own two 5% categories
- Plus a 2% everyday category
- Easy $250 welcome bonus
- You must select categories each quarter
- 5% is capped at $2,000 combined per quarter
- Cash back only, no transfer upside
The welcome bonus
The welcome bonus is easy: a $250 rewards bonus after $1,000 in 90 days. Nice value for a free card.
Is it worth the annual fee?
There is no annual fee, so there is nothing to justify. Choose-your-own 5% for free is a strong deal, as long as you keep up with the quarterly selection.
First-year value vs ongoing value
| Welcome bonus | $250 rewards bonus |
| To earn it | $1,000 in 90 days |
| Est. first-year value* | $742 |
| Est. ongoing value / yr* | $492 |
The welcome bonus makes year one the high point: roughly $742 in value once you count the bonus, this card’s rewards, and its credits, minus the no fee. After that, the honest figure is about $492 a year, so judge whether it earns its keep on the ongoing number, not the first-year headline.
*First-year value counts the welcome bonus, estimated rewards, and annual credits, minus the annual fee; ongoing value is a typical year after. Every point at a flat 1 cent, on average spending.
Benefits and protections
Beyond the rewards, the perks and protections worth knowing about include:
- Choose your 5% categories each quarter, options include fast food, home utilities, TV/streaming, cell phones, electronics stores, gyms & sporting goods, furniture, and department stores
- No foreign transaction fees
Statement credits
This card does not come with recurring statement credits. Its value is in the rewards rate and welcome offer.
Who should get it, and who should skip it
If you have two categories where you spend heavily and want to earn 5% on them for free, the Cash+ is one of the best tools for the job, the flexibility to choose is a real edge over fixed-category cards.
The only downside is the quarterly selection, if you will not bother, a flat-rate card is easier. But for the effort of a few clicks, the payoff is strong.
Frequently asked questions
Best-card guides featuring this card
Offer details verified against issuer sources as of July 2026. Editorial opinions are our own. Cardocrat values all points at a flat 1 cent and never inflates redemptions.
