Warning
This card is no longer being offered by U.S. Bank. To see other cards that might be a good fit for you, check out our list of the best travel credit cards.The U.S. Bank FlexPerks® Travel Rewards Visa Signature® Card comes with valuable perks for cardmembers who are looking to save money on upcoming trips. This card’s welcome bonus alone is worth hundreds of dollars in travel.
And with a low annual fee of $49 (waived first year), it seems like this card would offer a ton of value. U.S. Bank combines the protections and perks of a Visa Signature card with other travel perks afforded through its FlexPerks rewards program. However, FlexPerks isn’t the easiest credit card rewards program to understand and use.
How does the U.S. FlexPerks Travel Rewards Visa Signature credit card stack up to the competition? Should you consider this card, or are there better options for frequent travelers?
Who should get this card?
For people who love to travel but aren’t tied to a particular airline, the U.S. Bank FlexPerks Travel Rewards Visa is worth a look. It offers 2X FlexPoints on airline purchases, and there’s no need to worry about airline loyalty programs or blackout dates.
Consumers who spend in certain categories will also find value in the U.S. Bank FlexPerks Travel Rewards Visa. This card gives 2X rewards for purchases at gas stations, grocery stores, cellular providers, and on qualifying charitable donations.
If you don’t fly regularly or want the freedom of transferring points to a travel partner for a higher redemption rate, this probably isn’t the card for you. The same thing goes for those who don’t spend in categories that earn 2X rewards; other credit cards may be a better fit in that case.
Card Basics
Card Type | Travel |
Annual Fee | $49 (waived first year) |
Intro Bonus | Earn 25,000 bonus FlexPoints after spending $2,000 in the first 4 months |
Recommended Credit Score | Excellent, Good |
Foreign Transaction Fee | None |
Top Card Benefits
- Generous welcome offer: New U.S. Bank FlexPerks Travel Rewards Visa cardmembers can earn 25,000 bonus flexpoints after spending $2,000 in the first 4 months. This bonus is worth $375 in travel rewards.
- Mobile payment option: This card can connect to popular mobile payment platforms, such as Apple Pay, Samsung Pay, Google Pay, Fitbit Pay, and Garmin Pay, making it a convenient option for cardmembers who use these platforms regularly.
- Rental car discounts: Cardmembers enjoy discounted rates from National Car Rental, Enterprise Car Rental, and Alamo Rent a Car.
- In-flight perks: Cardmembers get reimbursed up to $25 for qualifying in-flight purchases when using the FlexPerks Travel Rewards card. This offer is only valid on flights where 10,000 FlexPoints were used for roundtrip airfare.
- Visa Signature protections: Because the U.S. Bank FlexPerks Travel Rewards Visa is part of the Visa Signature family, cardmembers gain access to program protections, including auto rental collision damage waiver, travel and emergency assistance, Visa Signature Concierge services, and more.
Earning & Redeeming
Best ways to earn
The FlexPerks program from U.S. Bank allows cardmembers to earn 2X FlexPoints at gas stations, grocery stores, charities, airlines, and cellular providers. Spending in these categories is the quickest way to earn. The catch is that you only earn 2X points in one category per month — whichever one has the highest total spending.
This card offers rewards for everyday spending too. Cardmembers earn 1X FlexPoints per dollar spent on other eligible purchases.
Maximizing your redemptions
No matter how many FlexPoints you earn, the best way to maximize your redemptions is by booking flights directly through the FlexPerks portal. Not only are there no blackout dates to worry about, but cardmembers can also earn frequent flyer miles on flights booked with FlexPoints.
It’s also worth it to redeem your points for hotel stays and rental cars. FlexPerks is a versatile program, with over 150 partner airlines, hotel chains, and rental car companies.
Lesser value redemptions include gift cards, merchandise, and cash back in the form of statement credits. Minimum redemption starts at 1,000 FlexPoints.
Common Questions
How much are U.S. Bank FlexPerks points worth?
There is no set point value assigned to points by U.S. Bank. For travel redemptions, points are worth approximately 1.5 cents each.
Do U.S. Bank FlexPerks points expire?
Yes, FlexPerks points expire five years from the end of the calendar quarter in which they were earned.
How do you use FlexPerks points to book flights?
To book flights, cardmembers must log in to their U.S. Bank online banking account. They can then search for flights by date, destination, and airline. Flights will display FlexPerks needed to redeem. Because you aren’t tied to one particular airline, there are no blackout dates. Any available flight on participating airlines should show up in your search.
Do I get a free TSA precheck with my U.S. Bank FlexPerks Travel Rewards Visa Signature Card?
The U.S. Bank FlexPerks credit card does not come with free TSA precheck.
Other Cards to Consider
Fans of U.S. Bank should also consider the U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card. This card comes with a $0 annual fee and new cardmembers can earn a $200 bonus after spending $1,000 in eligible purchases within the first 90 days of account opening. Also, there’s a chance to earn up to 5% cash back in two categories you choose (up to $2,000 in combined eligible purchases each quarter).
Another credit card that’s good for everyday spending is the Chase Freedom Flex®. This card earns 5% cash back in rotating quarterly categories you activate (on up to $1,500 spent) and travel purchased through Chase Travel℠. New cardmembers can earn a $200 bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening of account opening.