Cash back credit cards are a great way to earn rewards on your everyday spending. Two of the top cash back cards in the market today are the U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card and Chase Freedom Unlimited. Both cards offer bonus cash back in specific spending categories, welcome bonus offers, intro APR on purchases and balance transfers, and no annual fee. But which one is the best option for you? Let’s compare the rewards, benefits, fees, and other details of these cards side-by-side.
How the Cards Stack Up
The U.S. Bank Cash+ Visa Signature Card and Chase Freedom Unlimited offer bonus cash back with no annual fee and lengthy 0% intro APR periods. Here’s how these two cash back cards compare:
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U.S. Bank Cash+ Visa Signature Card:
- Earn a $200 bonus after you spend $1,000 in eligible purchases within the first 120 days of account opening.
- 0% introductory APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers. After the intro period, a variable APR of 19.74% to 29.74% applies.
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Chase Freedom Unlimited:
- Earn a $200 bonus after you spend $1,000 in eligible purchases within the first 120 days of account opening.
- 0% introductory APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers. After the intro period, a variable APR of 20.49% to 29.24% applies.
Welcome bonus: Tie
Rewards
Both credit cards offer bonus cash back in multiple spending categories. Here’s how their reward structures compare:
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U.S. Bank Cash+ Visa Signature Card:
- 5% cash back on your first $2,000 in combined eligible purchases each quarter on two categories you choose, then 1% back.
- 5% cash back on prepaid air, hotel and car reservations booked directly in the Rewards Travel Center.
- 2% cash back on one everyday category.
- 1% cash back on all other eligible purchases.
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Chase Freedom Unlimited:
- 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards.
- 3% cash back on dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery services.
- 3% cash back on drugstore purchases.
- 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.
Both cards have their own set of bonus categories, but the U.S. Bank Cash+ Visa Signature Card offers more flexibility in choosing your bonus categories. However, Chase Freedom Unlimited offers more redemption options and rewards that never expire.
Rewards winner: Tie
Annual Fee
Neither the U.S. Bank Cash+ Visa Signature Card nor Chase Freedom Unlimited charge an annual fee.
Annual fee winner: Tie
APR
Both cards offer similar intro APR offers:
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U.S. Bank Cash+ Visa Signature Card:
- 0% intro APR for the first 15 billing cycles on purchases and balance transfers. After that, a regular variable APR of 19.74% to 29.74% applies.
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Chase Freedom Unlimited:
- 0% intro APR for the first 15 months on purchases and balance transfers. After that, a regular variable APR of 20.49% to 29.24% applies.
APR winner: Tie
Foreign Transaction Fee
Neither card charges a foreign transaction fee, making them great options for international travel.
Foreign transaction fee winner: Tie
Other Benefits
Both the U.S. Bank Cash+ Visa Signature Card and Chase Freedom Unlimited are Visa Signature cards, offering additional benefits through Visa. Here’s how their benefits compare:
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U.S. Bank Cash+ Visa Signature Card:
- Exclusive experiences, discounts, and customer service.
- Roadside dispatch and travel and emergency assistance services.
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Chase Freedom Unlimited:
- Purchase protection.
- Extended warranty protection.
- Trip cancellation/interruption insurance.
- Auto rental collision damage waiver.
- Partner benefits with DoorDash, Lyft, and Instacart.
- Free credit score access through Chase Credit Journey.
Other benefits winner: Chase Freedom Unlimited
Which Card Earns the Most
The earning potential of these cards depends on your spending habits. The U.S. Bank Cash+ Visa Signature Card offers more opportunities to earn 5% cash back in specific categories, but spending is capped each quarter. On the other hand, Chase Freedom Unlimited offers a higher cash back rate on non-bonus spending and has no earning restrictions. The best option for you depends on your spending habits and how much you can maximize the bonus cash back categories.
Our Recommendations
We recommend the Chase Freedom Unlimited card because it offers more straightforward rewards and a higher base rewards rate for spending outside bonus categories. It also provides more purchase and travel protections, partner benefits, and access to a free credit score through Chase Credit Journey.
However, if you have specific spending habits that align more closely with the bonus categories offered by the U.S. Bank Cash+ Visa Signature Card, it may earn you more cash back.
Time Stamp: Choose a card that aligns with your spending habits
Both cards come with similar intro APR and welcome bonus offers, and no annual fees. To choose the best card, consider how well their rewards structure aligns with your spending habits and needs.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
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What is the minimum credit limit for Chase Freedom Unlimited?
- Chase Freedom Unlimited offers either a Signature or Platinum Visa, which have minimum credit limits of $5,000 and $500, respectively.
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What is the credit limit for the U.S. Bank Cash+ Visa Signature Card?
- The credit limit for the U.S. Bank Cash+ Visa Signature Card varies based on creditworthiness and other factors, but the minimum credit limit is $300.
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What is a Visa Signature Card?
- A Visa Signature Card offers additional features and benefits beyond a standard Visa credit card. The specific perks included with a Visa Signature Card can vary depending on the card issuer and may include car rental privileges, partner benefits, concierge services, exclusive experiences, travel and purchase protections, and more.
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