U.S. Bank Cash+ Secured Visa Card review: Earn 5% in two spending categories of your choosing

Citi is no longer accepting applications for the Citi Custom Cash® Card product as of May 28, 2026. 

Personal and small business cards issued by Discover are currently not available on CNBC Select and links have been redirected to our credit card marketplace where you can review offers from other issuers like American Express or Chase. You can also check out our list of best credit cards for alternative options.

The U.S. Bank Cash+® Secured Visa® Card is a rare credit-builder card that lets you earn up to 5% cash back in two spending categories. If you're working on building credit and want a secured card that pays you back generously, this is a strong contender.

While the card requires a security deposit and hard credit check, it has no annual fee and reports payment activity to all three major credit bureaus, helping you establish a positive credit history. CNBC Select reviews the rewards, benefits and fees of the U.S. Bank Cash+® Secured Visa® Card to determine whether it's a good fit for your wallet.

Compare credit repair options

Like many secured credit cards, the U.S. Bank Cash+ Secured Visa Card does not offer a welcome bonus.

The U.S. Bank Cash+ Secured Visa Card stands out for its competitive rewards and credit-building features. The card requires a $300 minimum security deposit that acts as your line of credit. U.S. Bank will report your payment activity to all three major credit bureaus, which can help build your credit score over time.

The U.S. Bank Cash+ Visa Secured comes with a few extra conveniences, including:

• Flexible payment dates: U.S. Bank lets you choose your payment due date (some restrictions may apply)
• Zero fraud liability: You won't be responsible for unauthorized transactions if your card is lost or stolen.
• Autopay: Allows you to set up automatic payments for your card to help prevent missed payments and late fees.

While these are pretty standard benefits, they can help you develop good financial habits. Additionally, if you make on-time payments and manage your account responsibly, you may be eligible for an automatic upgrade to the U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card after 12 months, at which point your security deposit will be returned.

Earning

The U.S. Bank Cash+ Secured Visa Card offers generous returns for a secured card. With this card, you'll earn:

• 5% cash back on your first $2,000 in combined eligible purchases each quarter in two categories you choose (then 1%)
• 5% cash back on prepaid air, hotel and car reservations booked directly in the Rewards Travel Center
• 2% cash back on eligible purchases in your choice of one everyday category
• 1% cash back on all other eligible purchases

Enrollment is required each quarter to earn the 5% cash back in your chosen categories. U.S. Bank offers 12 different 5% cash-back categories to select from, including home utilities, sporting goods stores and ground transportation. To continue to get the most value, you'll need to remember to change your categories as your spending evolves.

Redeeming

To redeem your U.S. Bank Cash+ Secured Visa Card rewards, you will need a minimum of $25. U.S. Bank provides a few redemption options, including a statement credit, direct deposit to your U.S. Bank account, a U.S. Bank rewards card (similar to a prepaid Visa card), a gift card or an applicable annual fee reimbursement.

The U.S. Bank Cash+ Visa Secured Card does not have an annual fee. The card has a variable APR of 29.24% and a foreign transaction fee of 3%. Late or returned payments could result in a fee of up to $41.

U.S. Bank Cash+ Secured Visa Card vs. Discover it® Secured Credit Card

The Discover it® Secured Credit Card could be appealing if you prefer a simpler rewards structure that doesn't require quarterly activations and a clear path to upgrade to an unsecured card starting at seven months. It earns a fixed 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter, automatically. Plus, 1% back on all other purchases. As a welcome bonus for new cardmembers, Discover will match all the cash back you've earned at the end of your first year with no limit.

The Discover it Secured Credit Card requires a minimum security deposit of $200. There is no minimum requirement for redeeming your cash-back rewards (except for gift cards which start at $5), and can be applied as a statement credit to your account, a deposit to an eligible checking or savings account, spent as a charitable donation or you can pay with Cashback Bonus at select merchants.

The U.S. Bank Cash+ Visa Secured Card offers higher earning potential, but if convenience is your priority or you prefer a slightly lower minimum security deposit, the Discover it Secured Credit Card might be a better fit.

Learn more: Discover it® Secured Credit Card

U.S. Bank Cash+ Visa Secured Card vs. Citi Custom Cash® Card

If your credit is strong enough to be approved for an unsecured card, the Citi Custom Cash® Card is worth considering. It offers 5% back on your top eligible spending category each billing cycle (up to $500, then 1% back) without needing to activate any bonus categories. You'll also earn an additional 4% cash back on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked on Citi Travel℠ portal through 6/30/2026. As a welcome bonus, you can earn $200 cash back after spending $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening.

With the Citi Custom Cash card, your rewards are issued as Citi ThankYou® Points. These points are more flexible than straight cash back and can be redeemed in many ways, including statement credits, gift cards, travel or Amazon.com purchases. They can also be transferred to a limited number of travel partners, albeit at sub-par transfer ratios, unless you pair it with a card like the Citi Strata Premier^® Card (see rates and fees).

Learn more: Citi Custom Cash® Card

The U.S. Bank Cash+® Secured Visa® Card is a generous secured credit card, earning up to 5% cash back in two spending categories. While the card requires quarterly activation of bonus categories and a security deposit, its high rewards potential, straightforward redemption options and path to upgrade to an unsecured card make it appealing if you're building credit and want to earn cash-back rewards.

At CNBC Select, our mission is to provide our readers with high-quality service journalism and comprehensive consumer advice so they can make informed decisions with their money. Every credit card review is based on rigorous reporting by our team of expert writers and editors with extensive knowledge of credit card products. While CNBC Select earns a commission from affiliate partners on many offers and links, we create all our content without input from our commercial team or any outside third parties, and we pride ourselves on our journalistic standards and ethics. See our methodology for more information on how we choose the best credit cards.

Catch up on CNBC Select's in-depth coverage of credit cards, banking and money, and follow us on TikTok, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter to stay up to date.

For rates and fees of the Discover it® Secured Credit Card, click here.

Information about the U.S. Bank Cash+ Secured Visa Card has been collected independently by Select and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of the card prior to publication.