How to pick the best U.S. Bank credit card
Here's how to find the best U.S. Bank credit card for you:
- Decide which type of credit card you want.
- Select U.S. Bank credit cards in that category.
- Compare cards and pick your favorite.
You can narrow down your options by choosing a type of card first. Here are the types of credit cards U.S. Bank offers:
If you're unsure which type of card is right for you, think about why you're getting a new credit card.
Do you want to earn rewards on eligible purchases? Cash rewards credit cards and travel reward cards are both good options. Are you trying to build credit? A secured credit card, which requires a security deposit to open, is usually easy to get, even if you have no credit history.
Looking for a good credit card APR? Start with a card that offers a 0% introductory APR.
After you've chosen a type of card, you can compare the U.S. Bank credit cards that fit your needs. See what they offer, and choose the one you like the most. To quickly compare multiple credit cards, use The Ascent's credit card comparison tool.
LEARN MORE: How to Choose a Credit Card
What credit score do you need for a U.S. Bank credit card?
The credit score needed for a U.S. Bank credit card varies depending on the card. U.S. Bank offers credit cards for consumers in every credit range, including those with low credit scores or no credit history. Getting approved for a credit card is mainly about finding the card that's right for your situation.
The easiest credit cards to get with U.S. Bank are its secured credit cards. To open a U.S. Bank secured card, you must pay a security deposit equal to the starting credit limit. This type of card is the best choice if your credit score is under 600 or you don't have much credit history yet.
LEARN MORE: Secured vs. Unsecured Credit Cards: Which Should You Get?
If you have a higher credit score, then you might qualify for a U.S. bank card with more features. The card issuer's best cards typically require a credit score of at least 670.
How to maximize rewards from a U.S. Bank credit card
Here are a few tips to help you maximize rewards from your U.S. Bank credit card.
Pick the right card
Each U.S. Bank rewards card has bonus categories where it earns more back. You can find cards that earn extra on dining, travel purchases, and even in bonus categories you choose. Pick a card with a bonus category (or multiple categories) where you usually have high monthly spending to earn more rewards.
Get a sign-up bonus
Several U.S. Bank cards have valuable sign-up bonuses. A sign-up bonus is a special offer for new cardholders, such as 50,000 points for spending $2,000 in the first 120 days from account opening. Choose a card with a good bonus, and make sure you spend enough to qualify for it.
Put every purchase on your U.S. Bank card
You're earning rewards on your purchases, so take full advantage. Use your U.S. Bank rewards card for all your spending. Avoid using your debit card or cash because you won't earn points or cash back this way.
Pay your credit card bill in full
It's great to earn rewards but to make those rewards worth it, you also need to avoid any credit card interest charges. Pay the entire statement balance every time you pay your credit card bill. If you do that, you won't incur any interest charges on your purchases.
READ MORE: If I Pay Off My Credit Card, Will My Credit Score Change?
Redeem rewards for maximum value
Learn how you can use your card's rewards and how much value they offer. This is straightforward enough with a cash back card. You can redeem that as a statement credit on your credit card bill or as a direct deposit to a U.S. Bank bank account. If you have a card that earns rewards points, there may be several redemption options.
A final strategy that works well for maximizing credit card rewards is getting more than one credit card. If you have multiple U.S. Bank credit cards, you can get more sign-up bonuses and earn bonus rewards in more spending categories.
Managing multiple credit cards is more challenging than managing just one. If you think carrying multiple cards could tempt you to spend more, or that you might miss payments, it's better to stick with one. But if you're confident it won't be a problem, you may want to consider adding another U.S. Bank card to your wallet.