| Rewards Rating: | 3.4 / 5 |
| Rewards Value: | 4.0 |
| Annual Percentage Rate: | 2.3 |
| Rewards Flexibility: | 3.9 |
| Features: | 2.0 |
| Issuer Customer Experience | 3.5 |
In a Nutshell:
The U.S. Bank FlexPerks Travel Rewards Visa Signature card is a good value for cardholders who want to redeem points for travel purchases, but its other redemption options aren’t nearly as lucrative. This offer is no longer available on our site.
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Average Yearly Rewards Value ($1,325 monthly spend) |  |
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Rewards Redemption
Cons
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U.S. Bank Customer Service Ratings
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Other Notable Features: $25 airline fee allowance, no foreign transaction fees, travel accident insurance, emergency assistance, baggage insurance, purchase protection, concierge service, ID theft expense reimbursement, Hideaway travel club, travel and hotel discounts
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For just $49 a year, the U.S. Bank FlexPerks Travel Rewards card offers a high redemption value for travel purchases, as well as a modest airline fee credit toward rewards-funded flights and a number of other premium perks. All of this makes it one of our favorite pieces of plastic for budget travelers. It offers some of the most valuable rewards at a lower price than comparable travel cards, but its point value is not as high on cash back redemptions.
Great airfare redemption value
This is a card for aspiring travelers who are focused on using points for flights, hotel stays and car rentals. For a card that costs less than half of what many comparable cards charge, the redemption value on these purchases is very good. When you use points for a flight, hotel stay or car rental, they are worth around 1.5 cents per point – the same value as the pricey Chase Sapphire Reserve®. U.S. Bank also doesn’t impose any blackout dates on flights, making the rewards even more valuable for cardholders who value a choice about when they fly.
When you use your points for anything else, however, they are only worth around 1 cent per point. This is still average among rewards cards, but makes it a less valuable option for cardholders who want to choose another redemption.
Competitive sign-up bonus
The U.S. Bank FlexPerks Travel Rewards card offers a generous sign-up bonus that puts a free domestic flight in easy reach for modest spenders, making it a good choice for people who do most of their shopping on just one card. If you spend an average of just $500 a month ($2,000 total) in the card’s first four months, you’ll receive 25,000 bonus points, worth around $375 in airfare.
Good value for the money
The FlexPerks Travel Rewards card also offers a number of premium travel perks that aren’t commonly found on credit cards with such a low annual fee. For example, cardholders who redeem points for air travel are awarded a $25 airline allowance for incidental fees and in-flight purchases. Cardholders are also given VIP event and entertainment access, concierge access and discounts on luxury hotels. One especially nice travel perk is the lack of a foreign transaction fee — you can freely use the card in foreign countries without racking up extra charges.
Bonus points for charitable giving
One of the most unusual features of the U.S. Bank FlexPerks Travel Rewards Visa is its altruistic rewards program. U.S. Bank encourages cardholders to be good Samaritans by granting two bonus points for every dollar spent on charitable donations. The card also offers double bonus points on more routine purchases, such as groceries, gas, dining and cellphone payments.
Why get the U.S. Bank FlexPerks Travel Rewards Visa Signature card?
- You want to earn free airfare but don’t want to pay a high annual fee.
- You regularly use your credit card to pay for groceries, gas and cellphone expenses.
- You spend enough money each month to claim the card’s generous sign-up bonus.
- You don’t mind spending a little time looking for a flight that maximizes your rewards spending.
How to use the U.S. Bank FlexPerks Travel Rewards Visa Signature card:
- Save your points and only redeem them for travel purchases. You’ll get less value from your spending if you redeem your points for other options, such as a statement credit.
- Use your card aggressively for the first four months so you can cash in on a free domestic flight.
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