U.S. Bank Shopper Review: The Ultimate Cash Back Card for Retailers?

If you often shop at retailers like Amazon, Target and Walmart, the U.S. Bank Shopper Cash Rewards™ Visa Signature® Card is designed for you. It offers up to 6% cash back on two retailers of your choice and 3% on a selected everyday category, providing flexibility based on your spending habits. However, to maximize its benefits, you’ll need to manage the bonus categories (which have caps and require quarterly activation) and consider the $95 annual fee after the first year.

The U.S. Bank Shopper is designed for families who spend heavily on retail stores and other everyday purchases. With this card, you earn up to 6% cash back on purchases at two selected retailers (including Amazon, Target and Walmart) and 3% cash back on a chosen everyday category (such as gas stations or utilities). However, a $1,500 quarterly cap applies separately for the 6% and 3% categories. All other purchases earn 1.5% cash back.

Few cards offer a 6% cash back rate, and even fewer extend this high reward rate to wholesale clubs. The U.S. Bank Shopper Card provides better cash back than most store credit cards. Since the card allows you to choose which categories get bonus rates, you can customize the card based on your spending habits. If you’re able to maximize the 6% and 3% categories, you could earn up to $540 per year.

Note that the card has a $95 annual fee after the first year. Additionally, you need to activate the categories every quarter to get the bonus rates, which can be cumbersome if you prefer more straightforward rewards.

>>MORE: MoneyGeek's Best Cash Back Credit Cards

The U.S. Bank Shopper offers a robust rewards program tailored for consumers who frequently shop at retailers and want to maximize their cash back. You can earn 6% cash back on up to $1,500 in purchases each quarter at two retailers you choose.

Here are the eligible retailers:

• Ace Hardware
• Apple
• Amazon.com
• Anthropologie
• Bed, Bath, & Beyond
• Best Buy
• Chewy.com
• Crate and Barrel
• Disney
• Home Depot
• Ikea
• Kohl's
• Lowe's
• Lululemon
• Macy's
• Menards
• Nordstrom
• Pottery Barn
• QVC
• Restoration Hardware
• Target
• Walmart
• Wayfair.com
• Williams Sonoma

Additionally, you earn 3% cash back on up to $1,500 each quarter in a chosen everyday category, including options like wholesale clubs, gas stations, EV charging stations or home utilities. You also get 5.5% cash back for rental car and hotel reservations via U.S. Bank's rewards portal. All other purchases earn 1.5% cash back.

Note that you need to activate the retailers and category you choose every quarter before they become eligible for the increased cash back rate. This process may take up to three business days. Meanwhile, you'll earn 1.5% cash back on your purchases.

Cash rewards earned with this card stay active as long as the account remains open. Redemption options are versatile, allowing you to choose from a statement credit, direct deposit into a U.S. Bank account or merchant gift cards.

The U.S. Bank Shopper offers hard-to-beat cash back on common spending categories. Moreover, its customizable system lets you adjust the card based on your needs.

You could earn high cash back with the U.S. Bank Shopper, but consider these factors before applying for the card.

We compare the U.S. Bank Shopper with other cash back cards to help you decide if it is a good fit for your needs.

Pairing your cash back card with another card offering complementary benefits is a no-brainer, helping you maximize the rewards from your everyday spending. After analyzing the marketplace, we found a card that pairs beautifully with the U.S. Bank Shopper Card.

If you spend a lot at the same stores and they are on the list of retailers for the U.S. Bank Shopper Card, you're in luck. This card offers 6% cash back at two retailers of your choice (from a list of 24 options), but there’s a separate $1,500 spending cap. Additionally, you need to activate your selected retailers and categories each quarter to earn the increased cash back.

The card’s flexibility allows you to tailor the rewards to your spending habits, which can be highly beneficial for those who don’t mind managing their card to get higher rewards. However, it may be too much of a hassle for those who prefer a card they can set and forget. Additionally, the card comes with a $95 annual fee after the first year, which is something to consider if your spending isn’t enough to justify the fee.

Despite these considerations, few cards offer 6% cash back, and even fewer provide high rewards for retailers like Walmart and Target. It can offer significant savings if your spending aligns with the U.S. Bank Shopper’s bonus categories.

We reviewed 60 cards, including the U.S. Bank Shopper Card, focusing on the following criteria to generate our scores:

• Effective Reward Rate (50%): Measures how rewarding the card is based on different reward multipliers. A 5 rating indicates a highly rewarding card.
• Annual Fee (10%): Evaluates the cost of the card. A 5 rating means no annual fee.
• Offer Return on Investment (ROI) (10%): Assesses the return on investment from sign-up bonuses and other offers. A 5 rating indicates a high ROI.
• Intro Purchase (5%): Rates the 0% APR offer on purchases. A 5 rating means a long 0% APR period.
• Recommended Credit (5%): Indicates the credit score range required for approval. A 5 rating means the card is available to almost all credit scores.
• Issuer Satisfaction (5%): Based on J.D. Power issuer satisfaction study. A 5 rating indicates high customer satisfaction.
• Penalties (5%): Rates penalty rates and fees. A 5 rating means no penalty rates or fees.
• Regular APR (5%): Evaluates the card's regular APR. A 5 rating indicates a low APR.
• Foreign Transaction (5%): Rates the foreign transaction fees. A 5 rating means no foreign transaction fees.

By systematically ranking cash back credit cards, we provide comprehensive reviews that help you directly compare offerings to find the best option for your wallet.