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U.S. Bank Shield Card basics
| Card type | Rewards, Balance Transfer |
| Credit card issuer | U.S. Bank |
| Annual fee | $0 |
| Rewards rate | 4% cash back on prepaid air, hotel and car reservations booked directly in the Rewards Center |
| Intro APR for balance transfers | 0% for 18 billing cycles (then 17.49% to 28.49% (variable)) |
| Intro APR for new purchases | 0% for 18 billing cycles (then 17.49% to 28.49% (variable)) |
| Recommended credit score | Excellent, Good |
| Foreign transaction fee | 3% |
Who should get the U.S. Bank Shield Card?
We think the U.S. Bank Shield Card makes the most sense for you if:
You have high-interest debt
The U.S. Bank Shield credit card stands out from most intro APR cards due to its exceptionally long promotional APR period for balance transfers. It gives you up to 18 billing cycles to pay down your balances without worrying about interest, making it one of the longest 0% APR offers we've found.
If you have a substantial amount of debt, this card could help you save money and pay off your debt more quickly by giving you less interest to contend with. You just need to make sure that you transfer whatever balances you need to transfer, whether from credit cards, loans, or both, within 60 days of account opening.
You're planning to make a large purchase
If you've been outside your house in the past year (or even if you haven't), you know how expensive everything is. Whether you have your heart set on that viral Costco sectional sofa or the latest piece of tech, these purchases can come at a steep price. That's another place where the U.S. Bank Shield card could come in handy.
While some credit cards only offer impressive intro APRs on balance transfers, the U.S. Bank Shield card also offers a 0% APR on new purchases for 18 billing cycles (then 17.49% to 28.49% (variable)). With two years to pay off your latest splurge interest-free, you can save without feeling the need to turn to Buy Now, Pay Later or other potentially costly forms of short-term borrowing.
You travel often
The U.S. Bank Shield Card may also be useful for those who travel often. It earns up to 4% cash back on prepaid air, hotel and car reservations booked directly in the Rewards Center, and you can redeem those rewards for statement credits or cash deposits to your U.S. Bank savings or checking account.
Let's say you and your partner go on a trip, and your hotel, flights, and rental car total $2,000. If you booked those through the U.S. Bank Travel Center, you could get $50 back.
Top benefits
Besides the extended 0% APR introductory offers, the U.S. Bank Shield card provides a few other useful travel and purchase perks.
- Cell phone protection: If you use your U.S. Bank Shield card to pay your cell phone bill, you'll automatically get cell phone protection. This benefit reimburses you up to $600 for stolen or damaged phones. Not many credit cards offer complimentary cell phone protection as a perk, but Wells Fargo was one of the first card issuers to offer this on several of its cards.
- Annual statement credit: As a cardholder, you can qualify for a $20 annual statement credit if you made at least one purchase for each billing cycle during the past 11 consecutive months. Even if it's not worth a ton, we don't know of many cards with a benefit like this.
- Auto rental collision damage waiver: If you turn down rental car coverage from a rental car company and use your card to cover the entire rental fee, you're automatically covered by this benefit, which will reimburse you for damages to the rental car if you're in an accident.
- Purchase security: Purchase security provides protection on new items, such as a new laptop or tablet, for 90 days from the date of purchase. You can get reimbursed up to $500 per claim. Many credit cards provide a benefit like this, and this amount of coverage is pretty standard.
- Extended warranty: If you use your U.S. Bank Shield Visa card to make a purchase, the card will automatically double the manufacturer's warranty (up to a maximum of one additional year on a three-year warranty). Again, this is a fairly typical perk, but it's still nice to have. You'll often see extended warranty and purchase protection offered together.
Who should skip this card?
Although the introductory APR offer on the U.S. Bank Shield card is quite generous, the card is less helpful if you don't need to transfer a balance or finance a large purchase in the immediate future. And, even if you do take advantage of the promotional APR, its usefulness drops off once the intro APRs expire. It does offer rewards, but they're very limited compared to the best no-annual-fee cash back cards.
The U.S. Bank Shield card also won't be suitable for you if you don't have the credit to qualify. While it's not unusual for the best balance transfer credit cards and cards with long intro APR offers to require at least good credit, it can be unfortunate for people working on repaying debt with imperfect credit.
Otherwise, if any of the following describe you, we'd suggest avoiding the U.S. Bank Shield.
You're looking for credit card rewards
With many of the best rewards credit cards, some spending categories offer a higher rewards rate. For example, you might earn 5% cash back on groceries or 3% cash back on gas, and generally at least 1% cash back on all other purchases. That's not the case with the U.S. Bank Shield card. You can earn 4% cash back on prepaid air, hotel and car reservations booked directly in the Rewards Center, but you won't earn any rewards on any other purchases.
Plus, the core redemption methods for the U.S. Bank Shield card are statement credits or deposits to a U.S. Bank checking or savings account. If you don't have a U.S. Bank checking or savings account, you cannot transfer your rewards to another bank account, so the card's functionality is limited. Other U.S. Bank credit cards provide more well-rounded rewards programs, although it is worth noting that earning rewards at all gives this card an edge over some 0% intro APR credit cards (the Wells Fargo Reflect, for example, doesn't earn any rewards).
You want extra travel perks
The U.S. Bank Shield card offers cell phone protection and some basic travel and purchase benefits, but it lacks the perks of other credit cards. If you're looking for a credit card that offers protections like travel interruption, baggage delay, or trip delay reimbursement, you'll need to look among the best travel credit cards. However, it's rare for these to also offer the best intro APRs.
You travel internationally
Like many cash back and 0% intro APR cards, the U.S. Bank Shield charges a 3% foreign transaction fee. If you travel outside of the U.S. often, that fee can add to your overall costs.
Although different cards entirely, the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card and the American Express® Green Card don't charge foreign transaction fees.
Other cards to consider
If the U.S. Bank Shield card isn't the right fit for you, consider these alternatives.
Citi Double Cash® Card
The Citi Double Cash is an excellent rewards card with a simple, valuable rewards structure. You can earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases; plus, earn 5% total cash back on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked with Citi Travel. The card has no annual fee, and you can take advantage of 0% APR on balance transfers for 18 months (after that, the APR is 17.99% - 27.99% (Variable)). This card is different from most for a few reasons, and it stands out for providing an above-average base earning rate on all spending alongside its pretty competitive intro APR on balance transfers.
However, the Citi Double Cash only offers a 0% intro APR offer on balance transfers, not purchases. If you need to make a new purchase, choose the U.S. Bank Shield over this one.
Read our full Citi Double Cash® Card review.
Wells Fargo Reflect® Card
If you want a long intro APR offer but more time to prepare before it starts, the Wells Fargo Reflect card offers a 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 21 months from account opening on qualifying balance transfers, then 17.99%, 24.49%, or 28.74% Variable. You can transfer your balances within 120 days of account opening, compared to the U.S. Bank Shield card's 60. It also offers a 0% intro APR on purchases for 21 months from account opening, then 17.99%, 24.49%, or 28.74% Variable APR.
The card has no annual fee, and it includes some benefits like cell phone protection and roadside dispatch. But it doesn't have a rewards program, so you won't earn cash back, points, or miles on purchases.
Read our full Wells Fargo Reflect® Card review.
FAQs
What's the minimum payment on the U.S. Bank Shield card?
For the U.S. Bank Shield card, your minimum payment is $40 or 1% of your balance, whichever is greater.
Is the U.S. Bank Shield credit card good?
With no annual fee, the U.S. Bank Shield card could be a good option if you need to finance a large purchase or want to work on paying off high-interest credit card debt faster.
What credit score do you need for a U.S. Bank Shield card?
Like many other U.S. Bank credit cards, the U.S. Bank Shield card is for those with good-to-excellent credit. According to Equifax, one of the major credit bureaus, that means you'll need a credit score of at least 670.
Bottom line
The U.S. Bank Shield card is a standout credit card thanks to its much-longer-than-usual 0% APR offers for both balance transfers and new purchases. It offers cell phone protection and other nice-to-have, if basic, perks without an annual fee.
But the card's rewards structure is sparse, so we wouldn't recommend it if you don't need to make a balance transfer or major purchase. Instead, another credit card with a more robust rewards program could allow you to earn more airline miles, points, or cash back on your purchases. Check out our picks for the best rewards credit cards to explore some options.
Current Offer
Extensive introductory APR period on purchases and balance transfers
Annual Fee
$0
Rewards Rate
4% cash back on prepaid air, hotel and car reservations booked directly in the Rewards Center
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