If you have your eye on a U.S. Bank credit card, you probably want to be confident of an approval before you apply. The most important factor is having the right credit score for a U.S. Bank credit card. We've researched all of the card options from this credit card company, so keep reading to find out what credit score you need for each one.
What credit score do I need for a U.S. Bank credit card?
You need a FICO® Score of 670 or higher for most U.S. Bank credit cards, but its secured credit cards don't have a minimum credit score.
Credit card comparison
We recommend comparing options to ensure the card you're selecting is the best fit for you. To make your search easier, here's a short list of standout credit cards.
| Offer | Our Rating | Welcome Offer | Rewards Program | APR | Learn More |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Discover it® Cash Back | Rating image, 5.00 out of 5 stars. 5.00/5Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.5 stars equals Best.4 stars equals Excellent.3 stars equals Good.2 stars equals Fair.1 star equals Poor.We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs. | Discover will match all the cash back you've earned at the end of your first year.N/A | 1% - 5% CashbackEarn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places you shop each quarter like grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, and more, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases—automatically. | Intro: Purchases: 0%, 15 months Balance Transfers: 0%, 15 months Regular:17.24% - 28.24% Variable APR | |
Chase Freedom Unlimited® Apply Now for Chase Freedom Unlimited® OnChase'sSecure Website. | Rating image, 5.00 out of 5 stars. 5.00/5Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.5 stars equals Best.4 stars equals Excellent.3 stars equals Good.2 stars equals Fair.1 star equals Poor.We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs. | Up to $300 cash backEarn an extra 1.5% on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) — worth up to $300 cash back. That's 6.5% on travel purchased through Chase Travel, 4.5% on dining and drugstores, and 3% on all other purchases. | 1.5% - 5% cash backEnjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel, our premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more; 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and 1.5% on all other purchases | Intro:0% Intro APR on Purchases and Balance Transfers for 15 months Purchases: 0% Intro APR on Purchases, 15 months Balance Transfers: 0% Intro APR on Balance Transfers, 15 months Regular:20.49% - 29.24% Variable | Apply Now for Chase Freedom Unlimited® OnChase'sSecure Website. |
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card Apply Now for Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card OnChase'sSecure Website. | Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars. 4.50/5Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.5 stars equals Best.4 stars equals Excellent.3 stars equals Good.2 stars equals Fair.1 star equals Poor.We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs. | 75,000 bonus pointsEarn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's over $900 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠. | 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining and 2x on all other travel purchasesEnjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases, $50 Annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit, plus more. | Intro:N/A Purchases: N/A Balance Transfers: N/A Regular:21.49%-28.49% Variable | Apply Now for Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card OnChase'sSecure Website. |
The recommended credit score depends on the card
U.S. Bank has a large selection of credit cards. Its most popular cards are aimed at consumers with "good credit," and that means a FICO® Score of 670 and above. However, the card issuer also has cards that are open to anyone regardless of their credit score.
COMPARE TOP PICKS: Best U.S. Bank Credit Cards
We should mention your credit score isn't the only thing that matters when applying for a U.S. Bank card. Other factors, like your income and current debts, also play a part. And while there's usually a recommended credit score for a card, your credit score alone doesn't guarantee you'll be approved or denied.
U.S. Bank credit cards for good credit
The best credit cards are intended for consumers with a good credit score (670 or above), and that's true with almost every card issuer, including U.S. Bank. In most cases, you need a credit score either in that range or close to it to get approved. An excellent credit score (720 or higher) is even better, but it's generally not necessary to get the card you want.
Here are U.S. Bank cards that typically require good credit:
- U.S. Bank Altitude® Go Visa Signature® Card
- U.S. Bank Altitude® Connect Visa Signature® Card
- U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card
- U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card
- U.S. Bank Altitude™ Reserve Visa Infinite® Card
U.S. Bank credit cards for building and rebuilding credit
U.S. Bank offers secured credit cards for consumers who are working on their credit. A secured credit card requires a security deposit to open, so card issuers tend to be more flexible about approvals with this type of card.
You can get a U.S. Bank secured card if you're completely new to credit and don't have any activity on your credit report yet. These cards are also an option if you have a low credit score because of some credit issues in the past.
Here are U.S. Bank cards for building and rebuilding credit:
- U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa® Secured Card
- U.S. Bank Altitude Go Visa Secured Card
How to apply for a U.S. Bank credit card
Here's how to apply for a U.S. Bank credit card:
- Check your FICO® Score
- Choose the U.S. Bank credit card you want
- Fill out an application
Now, let's look at each step in a little more detail.
1. Check your FICO® Score
Your credit score determines which U.S. Bank credit cards you can get. Similar to most major credit card issuers, U.S. Bank looks at your FICO® Score when you apply for one of its cards. For that reason, we always suggest checking your FICO® Score so you'll have the most accurate information.
Experian CreditWorks℠ Basic is a free, online service you can use for this. Once you find out your credit score, it will help you decide on a card. With a score of 670 or higher, you can potentially qualify for any U.S. Bank credit card. If it's well below, you could get one of U.S. Bank's secured credit cards or focus on raising your credit score for the time being.
READ MORE: How to Build Credit Fast
2. Choose the U.S. Bank credit card you want
Review the U.S. Bank cards that fit your credit profile and pick the one you like the most. To choose the best credit card, I always suggest starting with one or two must-have features. For example, you could look for:
- Cash back rewards with bonus categories to fit your spending habits.
- Travel rewards and benefits to save money on your trips.
- A 0% intro APR on every purchase to finance big expenses.
- A balance transfer card to pay down credit card debt.
- A no annual fee card to build credit without any extra bills.
U.S. Bank has all types of credit cards, so choosing one depends on what's right for your financial situation.
LEARN MORE: How to Choose a Credit Card
3. Fill out an application
Select the "Apply Now" option on the credit card's page and fill out the application. U.S. Bank will ask you for the following information:
- Full name
- Email address
- Phone number
- Address
- Date of birth
- Social Security number
- Annual income
After you submit the application, there are a few things that can happen. The best-case scenario is U.S. Bank instantly approves your application, and you get your card in the mail within seven to 10 business days.
U.S. Bank could put your application in a pending status if it needs more time to come to a decision. You'll get a decision by mail within seven to 10 business days, and if you're approved, you'll receive your card within the same amount of time from approval.
Finally, there's the dreaded denial. While this is discouraging, it's not always final. If your application is denied, try calling U.S. Bank at 1-800-947-1444 and asking for a reconsideration. In some cases, a representative will reverse the decision and approve you for the card.
FAQs
U.S Bank uses an applicant's FICO® Score to check their creditworthiness. FICO® Score is the type of credit score that's most widely used by lenders.
The specific credit bureau that U.S. Bank uses to get an applicant's credit score will vary. Reports indicate U.S. Bank pulls credit scores and reports from TransUnion most often, but this isn't always the case. The card issuer also sometimes pulls credit scores from Equifax and Experian.
It's not hard to get a U.S. Bank credit card, but this depends on your credit score and the card you choose.
Most U.S. Bank credit cards are intended for consumers with good credit, which is a FICO® Score of 670 or higher. If your credit score isn't there yet, U.S. Bank also offers secured credit cards that don't have a minimum credit score requirement.
To be approved for a U.S. Bank credit card, you need a source of income and a U.S. address. Although U.S. Bank runs a credit check when you apply for a credit card, you don't need a specific credit score to be approved. You can qualify for a U.S. Bank secured card even if you have a low credit score or no credit history at all.
Our Credit Cards Experts
By:Lyle Daly
Writer
Lyle Daly is a personal finance writer who specializes in credit cards, travel rewards programs, and banking. He writes for The Ascent and The Motley Fool, and his work has appeared in USA Today and Yahoo! Finance. He was born in California but currently lives as a digital nomad with a home base in Colombia.
Fact CheckedEric McWhinnie
Eric McWhinnie has been writing and editing digital content since 2010. He specializes in personal finance and investing. He also holds a bachelor’s degree in Finance.
