US Bank Cash+

Pros

• 5% cash back on two user-selected categories, including utilities, cell phones, and fast food.
• Broad utility coverage including water, sewage, garbage, gas, and electric.
• Transit category includes rideshares (Uber/Lyft), taxis, and subways.
• 5% reward rate often exceeds the convenience fees charged by utility companies for credit card payments.
• Potential for instant approval for existing US Bank customers.

Cons

• Requires manual re-activation of 5% categories every single quarter to earn rewards.
• Application and resolution process can be slow, with some users reporting a heavy reliance on snail mail over digital communication.
• Sub-optimal 2% rewards for high-spend categories like gas and groceries compared to competitors.
• Product changes from other US Bank cards are not always guaranteed and may be denied.

Caveats

• The 5% reward rate is capped at $2,000 in spending per quarter.
• Utility coding is merchant-dependent; some providers may not code correctly to trigger the 5% bonus.
• Using the card for federal taxes via third-party processors (like ACI) for 5% rewards is reported to be inconsistent and requires verification.

Best for

• Automating monthly utility and cell phone bill payments for high cash back.
• Existing US Bank customers looking to expand their rewards ecosystem.
• Users who spend significantly on niche categories like gyms or transit.

Avoid if

• You prefer a 'set it and forget it' card without quarterly maintenance.
• Your primary spending is on gas and groceries.
• You are looking for a streamlined, fully digital application and support experience.