topic Re: US Bank Cash+ in Credit Cards

US Bank Cash+

Anonymous — Sat, 04 Jan 2020 15:35:51 GMT

Hey, everyone.

Happy New Year !!

I was thinking of applying for the above card, even though I bank at Chase and will continue to do so( I guess that on Cash+ that means I can only do statement credits, since I don't do gift cards).

Two categories that interest me are 5% on TV and Internet and 5% on "fast foods." The 2 % categories are meaningless because I have citi DC.

I use AMEX BCP for 6% groceries and 3% gas, Target for 5% at Target, and Citi DC for 2% everywhere else.

I used to have the "grandfathered" 4% Savor, but I stupidly canceled it.

Wife has Costco Visa but only use for Costco gas and warehouse, since I do not like the "once a year" redemption (life's too short). I have Chase Freedom, but it sits in SD due to quarterly categories which are mostly categories (except restaurants, which they didn't even do last year) which do not align with our spending.

My ATT bill is about $204 monthly, but it bills as ATT. I wonder if that will qualify for the 5% category as "TV Services" (bill includes Direct TV but Internet, landline, and Direct TV code as "ATT&T."

We are eating lunch out more now, mainly at places like Panera Bread, Jersey Mikes, pizza delivery, and Buena Beef (Illinois only). We may spend $100 monthly in this area, plus or minus.

Would these categories, especially Panera, count as "fast food"? What are some of the other p[laces that are considered "fast food," in your experience?

Please let me know what are your experiences with this card, and whether this could be a good fit for me, based on above?

Re: US Bank Cash+

Appleman — Sat, 04 Jan 2020 15:50:06 GMT

I use my Cash+ 5% categories for Cell Phone (T-Mobile) and for utilities. Some of my utilities offer no fee credit card payments, otherwise some have 2.4% fee which still gives me 2.6% cash back.

I have been using my Uber card for restaurants and fast food because of the 4% cash back. Unfortunately, they are nerfing that in February.

I am not sure how ATT will code.

Re: US Bank Cash+

LittleSal — Sat, 04 Jan 2020 16:04:32 GMT

ATT is 5%. My home phone & internet are ATT and also get the 5%

Re: US Bank Cash+

M_Smart007 — Sat, 04 Jan 2020 16:14:05 GMT

ATT should code as 5%

Not all food places code as 5%, some code as restaurants and that would be a 2% cat.

but since your spend is minimal in that area, I would not worry to much. Not a deal breaker.

I use mine for Direct TV, Cell Phone Bill, Spotify Premium and occasional fast food.

Re: US Bank Cash+

CBartowski — Sun, 05 Jan 2020 01:25:03 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
Hey, everyone.

Happy New Year !!

I was thinking of applying for the above card, even though I bank at Chase and will continue to do so( I guess that on Cash+ that means I can only do statement credits, since I don't do gift cards).

Two categories that interest me are 5% on TV and Internet and 5% on "fast foods." The 2 % categories are meaningless because I have citi DC.

I use AMEX BCP for 6% groceries and 3% gas, Target for 5% at Target, and Citi DC for 2% everywhere else.

I used to have the "grandfathered" 4% Savor, but I stupidly canceled it.

Wife has Costco Visa but only use for Costco gas and warehouse, since I do not like the "once a year" redemption (life's too short). I have Chase Freedom, but it sits in SD due to quarterly categories which are mostly categories (except restaurants, which they didn't even do last year) which do not align with our spending.

My ATT bill is about $204 monthly, but it bills as ATT. I wonder if that will qualify for the 5% category as "TV Services" (bill includes Direct TV but Internet, landline, and Direct TV code as "ATT&T."

We are eating lunch out more now, mainly at places like Panera Bread, Jersey Mikes, pizza delivery, and Buena Beef (Illinois only). We may spend $100 monthly in this area, plus or minus.

Would these categories, especially Panera, count as "fast food"? What are some of the other p[laces that are considered "fast food," in your experience?

Please let me know what are your experiences with this card, and whether this could be a good fit for me, based on above?

I was actually considering the same. 5% for me would be utilities, in AZ the power bills can be 200-300/month during the summer. However, I really have no use for any of the other categories at all, even another 5%. My internet bill is only 55$/month.

Re: US Bank Cash+

Gmood1 — Sun, 05 Jan 2020 01:46:12 GMT

This is still one of my favorite CCs.
As others have already mentioned. ATT does code 5% cash back. At least it did when I had it.
Use mine for all utilities and cell phone bills.
That 5% adds up, especially over a one year stretch!

I opened a free checking account with US bank. And move the rewards into that account monthly.

Re: US Bank Cash+

JNA1 — Sun, 05 Jan 2020 04:01:25 GMT

This card is one of goal cards for that reason. I’m currently using my BBVA ClearPoints card and I’m getting 3% CB on utilities now, but I’d swap utilities to the Cash + and select Retail as the 3% category on the BBVA ClearPoints card, which I’ve found to be a pretty broad range.

Re: US Bank Cash+

K-in-Boston — Sun, 05 Jan 2020 12:22:34 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
We are eating lunch out more now, mainly at places like Panera Bread, Jersey Mikes, pizza delivery, and Buena Beef (Illinois only). We may spend $100 monthly in this area, plus or minus.

Would these categories, especially Panera, count as "fast food"? What are some of the other p[laces that are considered "fast food," in your experience?

Only Visa MCC Code 5814 will result in 5% back if you choose the Fast Food Category. Most restaurants will be set up as 5812 - Eating Places and Restaurants. (Most bars, even those that serve food, will be 5813.) This is completely dependent upon how each location's credit card merchant account was set up. You can use the VISA Supplier Locator to get MCC codes: https://www.visa.com/supplierlocator-app/app/#/home/supplier-locator

For comparison, here are screenshots of Panera, McDonalds, and a generic search for pizza here in Boston. You can see that one Panera was incorrectly set up as fast food, all of the McDonalds locations are set up correctly as 5814, and with pizza it's likely going to be all over the place. McDonalds, Burger King, Wendy's, Popeyes, Taco Bell, etc. you should be okay with. Restaurant chains in the quick service model rather than fast food (Panera, Chipotle, Qdoba, etc.) can be coded either way, but should be coded as 5812 and not as 5814 (Fast Food).

Re: US Bank Cash+

Anonymous — Sun, 05 Jan 2020 14:51:11 GMT

Anyone have TWO Cash+ cards? I am thinking about it.

I use my 5% categories on Utilities and Gym Memberships. This is good for about $15 a month in savings.

I can't see those categories changing. If I added another Cash+ card, I could use one slot for TV/Internet/Streaming and then one floating category. Maybe department stores in Q4 for Christmas shopping, etc. Cell phone would be a no brainer if they offered cell phone insurance.

Re: US Bank Cash+

simplynoir — Sun, 05 Jan 2020 15:19:59 GMT

According to the datapoints in the link below it's possible but I don't know about directly applying for another. Wouldn't hurt to try if someone would really like to

https://ficoforums.myfico.com/t5/Credit-Card-Applications/2nd-US-Bank-Cash-Plus/td-p/5265458

Re: US Bank Cash+

Anonymous — Sun, 05 Jan 2020 15:02:40 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
Anyone have TWO Cash+ cards? I am thinking about it.

I use my 5% categories on Utilities and Gym Memberships. This is good for about $15 a month in savings.

I can't see those categories changing. If I added another Cash+ card, I could use one slot for TV/Internet/Streaming and then one floating category. Maybe department stores in Q4 for Christmas shopping, etc. Cell phone would be a no brainer if they offered cell phone insurance.

Yes, quite a few of us have 2. I agree about cell phone. When I had more lines, 5% was very worthwhile, but now my kids moved to their own plans, getting a lower rate on another card but with insurance is better. Wish they did insurance!

Re: US Bank Cash+

MASTERNC — Sun, 05 Jan 2020 15:26:54 GMT

I use mine for utilities and my cable/Internet/cell phone. Strangely, Verizon Fios codes under the cell phone category (even though I do not have cell service with them), which works in my favor anyway.

Re: US Bank Cash+

SBR249 — Sun, 05 Jan 2020 17:04:11 GMT

Yes, it's possible to have more than 1 Cash+ cards.

I cold apped for the Cash+ and got it and then a few months later applied to set up a Gold package checking account (free for USBank CC holders) and in the process of that, they offered me another Cash+ with the same limit as my first. I didn't take it because I didn't want another HP.

Re: US Bank Cash+

Trudy — Sun, 05 Jan 2020 18:17:57 GMT

@K-in-Boston wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
We are eating lunch out more now, mainly at places like Panera Bread, Jersey Mikes, pizza delivery, and Buena Beef (Illinois only). We may spend $100 monthly in this area, plus or minus.

Would these categories, especially Panera, count as "fast food"? What are some of the other p[laces that are considered "fast food," in your experience?
Only Visa MCC Code 5814 will result in 5% back if you choose the Fast Food Category. Most restaurants will be set up as 5812 - Eating Places and Restaurants. (Most bars, even those that serve food, will be 5813.) This is completely dependent upon how each location's credit card merchant account was set up. You can use the VISA Supplier Locator to get MCC codes: https://www.visa.com/supplierlocator-app/app/#/home/supplier-locator

For comparison, here are screenshots of Panera, McDonalds, and a generic search for pizza here in Boston. You can see that one Panera was incorrectly set up as fast food, all of the McDonalds locations are set up correctly as 5814, and with pizza it's likely going to be all over the place. McDonalds, Burger King, Wendy's, Popeyes, Taco Bell, etc. you should be okay with. Restaurant chains in the quick service model rather than fast food (Panera, Chipotle, Qdoba, etc.) can be coded either way, but should be coded as 5812 and not as 5814 (Fast Food).

Interestings K-in-Boston. I don't eat fast food a lot and the only ones I could find in my USB history are below. For me, McDonalds was classified as Fast Food.

Re: US Bank Cash+

Anonymous — Sun, 05 Jan 2020 20:29:13 GMT

One of my favorite cards as I get back $40 in cash monthly.
You can absolutely get cash and not a credit. I do it every month and transfer to my savings with same bank. Can also transfer to checking with different bank.
They did change things and you can only see your cash back in the app now. Have to use desktop or laptop browser to fully access or can call number on Card.

Re: US Bank Cash+

Anonymous — Sun, 05 Jan 2020 20:30:33 GMT

SRP also falls into “utility” category

Re: US Bank Cash+

Anonymous — Sun, 05 Jan 2020 21:37:22 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
One of my favorite cards as I get back $40 in cash monthly.
You can absolutely get cash and not a credit. I do it every month and transfer to my savings with same bank. Can also transfer to checking with different bank.

Really? I only see the options for statement credit or transfer to US Bank account.

Re: US Bank Cash+

dlister70 — Sun, 05 Jan 2020 23:50:54 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
Anyone have TWO Cash+ cards? I am thinking about it.
Yes, quite a few of us have 2.

Wait, what? You can get two Cash+ cards for yourself? As in, not one for you and one for your spouse.. but two in your own name?

Interesting. I could certainly use another couple 5% categories in my life.

Re: US Bank Cash+

Anonymous — Mon, 06 Jan 2020 00:10:45 GMT

I’ve either transferred to my US Bank savings or to my checking without a problem. I used to do it through app but last 2 months I’ve called the number on card and the agent has taken care of it. Why they made it a bit difficult, I have no idea.

Re: US Bank Cash+

K-in-Boston — Mon, 06 Jan 2020 00:17:05 GMT

@MASTERNC wrote:
I use mine for utilities and my cable/Internet/cell phone. Strangely, Verizon Fios codes under the cell phone category (even though I do not have cell service with them), which works in my favor anyway.

I'm jealous. For me, Verizon FIOS coded on VISA as "Calls Placed Through the Use of Magnetic Stripe Reading Telephones" and did not trigger the 5% category. However, on American Express it has always triggered the Verizon Wireless or other cell phone bonuses. Their payment processing must be different by region and the MCC for Visa was set up incorrectly here.