Our Verdict
If you’re looking for the longest runway possible to pay off a big purchase or shed existing debt, the U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card* is one of the best choices you’ll find. The extra-lengthy 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 21 billing cycles, followed by a variable APR of 17.99% - 28.99%. Balance transfers made within 60 days qualify for the intro APR and a balance transfer fee of 5% or $5, whichever is greater, applies, is impressive. But beyond that, the card doesn’t have much else to offer.
Pros
- No penalty APR
- Long intro APR period
- Cellphone protection coverage
Cons
- Balance transfer fee applies
- No rewards program
- No welcome bonus
- Foreign transaction fee
Highlights
- Up to $600 cell phone protection (subject to $25 deductible) against damage or theft when you pay your monthly phone bill with your card. Terms, conditions, and exclusions apply
- Ability to choose a payment due date that fits your schedule
- No annual fee
- Introductory APR offer
Introduction
With no frills, rewards or other fripperies that have come to define the credit card space, there’s only one reason to get the U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card*—it comes with a whopping 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 21 billing cycles, followed by a variable APR of 17.99% - 28.99%. Balance transfers made within 60 days qualify for the intro APR and a balance transfer fee of 5% or $5, whichever is greater, applies.
If you’re looking to finance a large purchase or pay down existing debt, this card will give you a long time to do so. You won’t typically find a card with a lengthy 0% APR offer on both purchases and balance transfers. This makes the offer on the U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card* a standout and is the card’s biggest selling point.
However, if you have a balance you’re trying to pay off and you think this card is the gateway to accomplishing that goal, keep in mind that making any purchases on the card—even at that tempting 0% APR—will only add to your credit card debt.
Featured Partner Offers
Quick Facts
- $0 annual fee
- 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 21 billing cycles, followed by a variable APR of 17.99% - 28.99%. Balance transfers made within 60 days qualify for the intro APR and a balance transfer fee of 5% or $5, whichever is greater, applies
- Cellphone insurance coverage for damage or theft up to $600, with a $25 deductible, for up to two claims ($1,200) per 12-month period when you pay your bill with your U.S. Bank Visa Platinum Card
- Access your TransUnion credit score for free
- Choose your payment due date
U.S. Bank Visa Platinum Card 0% Introductory Rates
The U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card* offers a 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 21 billing cycles, followed by a variable APR of 17.99% - 28.99%. Balance transfers made within 60 days qualify for the intro APR and a balance transfer fee of 5% or $5, whichever is greater, applies. In order to benefit most from the introductory APR, you should aim to pay off your entire balance before the introductory period ends.
Be aware that with this card, you’ll have to pay a balance transfer fee if you choose to shift debt from another card: 5% of the amount of each transfer or $5 minimum, whichever is greater. For example, a $5,000 balance transfer would incur a $150 fee on top of the $5,000 you’re transferring, if you do the transfer within the first 60 days of opening the account. Otherwise the fee would be $250.
Other U.S. Bank Visa Platinum Card Benefits
- Cellphone protection. Pay your monthly cellphone bill with the U.S. Bank Platinum Visa and get damage or theft coverage up to $600, with a $25 deductible, for up to two claims ($1,200) per 12-month period. This applies to your primary cellphone line and any secondary, additional or supplemental lines.
- Free credit score. When you enroll in online banking, you’ll get your credit score for free through TransUnion and alerts whenever there’s a big change to your score.
Fine Print
Interest Rates
- Regular APR: 17.99% - 28.99% (Variable)
- Purchase intro APR: 0% intro APR for 21 billing cycles on purchases
- Balance transfer intro APR: 0% intro APR for 21 billing cycles on balance transfers
Fees
- Annual fee: $0
- Balance transfer fee: 5% of the amount of each transfer or $5 minimum, whichever is greater
- Foreign purchase transaction fee: 3% of each foreign transaction
How the U.S. Bank Visa Platinum Card Stacks Up
U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card* vs. Citi Double Cash® Card
If you’re looking for a card that will serve you well beyond a promotional balance transfer period, consider the no annual fee Citi Double Cash® Card. It offers generous rewards of 2% cash back on all purchases—1% when purchases are made and another 1% when they’re paid off, and earn 5% total cash back on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked on the Citi Travel℠ portal through 12/31/25.
It also offers a 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 18 months. After that, the standard variable APR will be 18.74% - 28.74%, based on creditworthiness. An intro balance transfer fee of either $5 or 3%, whichever is greater, applies to transfers completed within the first 4 months of account opening. After that, the fee will be 5% of each transfer (minimum $5). Although it doesn’t come with an intro offer on purchases like the U.S. Bank Platinum Visa, the rewards make this card one you’ll use long after any APR offer expires.
U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card* vs. Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card
You might also look to the Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card as an option. This card offers a 0% intro APR for 21 months on eligible balance transfers from date of first transfer and 0% intro APR for 12 months on purchases from date of account opening. After that, the variable APR will be 17.74% - 28.49%. Balance transfers must be completed within 4 months of account opening. A balance transfer fee of either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater, applies. Like the U.S. Bank Platinum Visa, the introductory APR period is the main event on the Citi Diamond Preferred.
U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card* vs. Wells Fargo Reflect® Card
The Wells Fargo Reflect® Card comes with a 0% intro APR for 21 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers. A 17.74%, 24.24%, or 29.49% variable APR applies thereafter. Balance transfers made within 120 days qualify for the intro APR and a balance transfer fee of 5%, min $5 applies. An added money-saving perk: When you pay your monthly cellphone bill with this card, you can receive up to $600 of protection (subject to $25 deductible) against covered damage or theft. Cardholders can make two claims per year.
Is the U.S. Bank Visa Platinum Card for You?
The U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card* offers a generous span of time to pay down existing debt or pay off a big purchase, but it lacks a reason to keep using it beyond the promo period. If you can pay off your debt in a slightly shorter time frame, choose a card that offers rewards and other perks alongside a promotional APR offer.
Find The Best Credit Cards For 2024
No single credit card is the best option for every family, every purchase or every budget. We've picked the best credit cards in a way designed to be the most helpful to the widest variety of readers.
Methodology
Forbes Advisor considers a variety of criteria when assigning credit cards a rating. Cards are graded based on numerous factors, including:
- Annual fees
- Welcome bonus offers
- Ongoing earning rates
- Value of individual rewards
- Included travel or merchant credits
- Additional cardholder benefits
Card features we expect cardholders to use the most often are weighted more heavily in our ratings. Altogether, the factors came together to provide a star rating for each individual card.
Read more. How Forbes Advisor Rates Credit Cards
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How do I get approved for the U.S. Bank Visa Platinum Card?
Ideally your credit is in good health. If you think you fit this criteria, you can apply by submitting your application online or through the U.S. Bank mobile app. The final decision on whether or not you will receive approval is determined by the bank and is based on many factors.
What credit score is needed for the U.S. Bank Visa Platinum Card?
There are many factors that issuers use to evaluate a credit application, such as payment history, income and debt-to-credit ratio. As such, there’s no exact number that will guarantee your application’s approval. That said, a safe bet is to assume that the card requires at least good credit, defined by Equifax as a score of 670 to 739.
How many transfer partners does the U.S. Bank Visa Platinum have?
The primary benefit of this card is its long intro APR period. The U.S. Bank Visa Platinum does not earn rewards and does not have any transfer partners.
What is the credit limit on the U.S. Bank Visa Platinum?
Your credit limit will be determined at the discretion of your issuer, based on their evaluation of the risk you pose as a borrower. However, it is possible to raise your credit limit through consistent, on-time payments. But again, this is done at the discretion of the issuer and is not a guarantee.
*The information for the following card(s) has been collected independently by Forbes Advisor: U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.