U.S. Bank Business Leverage® Visa Signature® Card Review 2022
Tricia has nearly two decades of experience in commercial and federal government lending. Her expertise is highlighted throughout small business loan content on Fit Small Business.
Nancy Fernandez is a Credit Card and Insurance Expert at Fit Small Business, specializing in business credit cards and business insurance.
This article is part of a larger series on Best Small Business Credit Cards.
The U.S. Bank Business Leverage® Visa Signature® Card allows you to earn 2x points on eligible purchases made in the top two categories where you spend the most each month. This small business credit card has no annual fee for the first year and offers a welcome bonus of $750 after you meet specific purchase requirements.
U.S. Bank Business Leverage® Visa Signature® Card
Fit Small Business's ratings are calculated by industry experts of our editorial team. Our grading rubric considers the type of credit card (such as cash back or travel), and the card's rates, fees, rewards, and additional features like insurance.
BEST FOR:
Expenses that shift from month to month
Intro APR
N/A
Regular APR
16.74 - 21.74% (Variable)
Annual Fee
No annual fee for the first year, $95 thereafter
Credit Needed
Good/Excellent
- Limited time offer: Earn $750 in rewards when you spend $7,500 in eligible purchases on the account owners' card within the first 120 days of opening your account.
- U.S. Bank Business Leverage® Visa Signature® Card
- Earn 2% back in the top two categories where you spend the most each month automatically.
- 1% cash per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Earn 5% cash back on prepaid hotels and car rentals booked directly in the Travel Rewards Center.
- No annual fee for the first year and $95 thereafter.
- No reward caps or limits on the total rewards your business can earn. Redeem for your choice of cash back, gift cards, merchandise and travel.
- Pay over time by splitting eligible purchases of $100+ into equal monthly payments with U.S. Bank ExtendPay ™Plan.
- Expense management tool VISA Spend Clarity is free to access and sync expenses, set employee card controls, generate reports, and more.
- Great Offer from U.S. Bank, a 2022 World's Most Ethical Company® - Ethisphere Institute, February 2022
- Terms and conditions apply
Pros
- Personalized ongoing rewards
- Large sign-up bonus
- Unlimited points
Cons
- Requires excellent credit
- No introductory 0% APR
- Rewards have expiration
- Extended warranty protection: The issuer will double an original manufacturer’s warranty up to an additional one year for warranties of three years or less. The coverage is limited to $10,000 per item.
- Purchase protection: Protection for items that are damaged or stolen within 90 days of purchase. Coverage is limited to $500 per claim and up to $50,000 per cardholder, per year.
Intro APR
N/A
Regular APR
16.74 - 21.74% (Variable)
Annual Fee
No annual fee for the first year, $95 thereafter
Credit Needed
Good/Excellent
- Limited time offer: Earn $750 in rewards when you spend $7,500 in eligible purchases on the account owners' card within the first 120 days of opening your account.
- U.S. Bank Business Leverage® Visa Signature® Card
- Earn 2% back in the top two categories where you spend the most each month automatically.
- 1% cash per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Earn 5% cash back on prepaid hotels and car rentals booked directly in the Travel Rewards Center.
- No annual fee for the first year and $95 thereafter.
- No reward caps or limits on the total rewards your business can earn. Redeem for your choice of cash back, gift cards, merchandise and travel.
- Pay over time by splitting eligible purchases of $100+ into equal monthly payments with U.S. Bank ExtendPay ™Plan.
- Expense management tool VISA Spend Clarity is free to access and sync expenses, set employee card controls, generate reports, and more.
- Great Offer from U.S. Bank, a 2022 World's Most Ethical Company® - Ethisphere Institute, February 2022
- Terms and conditions apply
Pros
- Personalized ongoing rewards
- Large sign-up bonus
- Unlimited points
Cons
- Requires excellent credit
- No introductory 0% APR
- Rewards have expiration
- Extended warranty protection: The issuer will double an original manufacturer’s warranty up to an additional one year for warranties of three years or less. The coverage is limited to $10,000 per item.
- Purchase protection: Protection for items that are damaged or stolen within 90 days of purchase. Coverage is limited to $500 per claim and up to $50,000 per cardholder, per year.
Do you want to compare the features of one card to another? We’ve made it easy for you to do that—check off up to three cards on this page to add them to your cart. This will allow you to view the details in a side-by-side comparison.
How We Evaluate Points Rewards Business Credit Cards
When grading points rewards business credit cards like the U.S. Bank Business Leverage® Visa Signature® Card, we consider both ongoing and introductory rewards first. We also consider the annual fee, introductory and ongoing annual percentage rates (APRs), and other card benefits.
Grading Criteria | Card Score | Highest Possible Score |
|---|---|---|
Ongoing Rewards | 20 | 30 |
Introductory Rewards | 20 | 20 |
Annual Fee | 10 | 15 |
Features | 15 | 15 |
Introductory APR | 0 | 10 |
Ongoing APR | 5 | 10 |
Total Score | 70 | 100 |
Who the U.S. Bank Business Leverage® Visa Signature® Card Is Best For
- Business owners with expenses in several categories: The U.S. Bank Business Leverage® Visa Signature® Card offers ongoing rewards in 48 eligible categories and lets you earn 2x points per dollar spent in the top two categories where you spend most.
- Business owners who need employee credit cards: The U.S. Bank Business Leverage® Visa Signature® Card offers free employee cards with no annual fee.
- Business owners interested in earning cash back rewards: You’ll get 2% cash back on purchases made in the top two categories you spend the most on per month. In addition, you can earn 5% cash back on prepaid hotels and car rentals booked directly through the Travel Rewards Center.
U.S. Bank Business Leverage® Visa Signature® Card Fees
- Introductory APR: None
- Ongoing APR: 16.74% to 21.74% variable, which will adjust with the prime rate
- Cash advance APR: 26.74%
- Cash advance fee: 5% of each advance amount or $15 minimum, whichever is greater
- Convenience check fee: 5% of each check amount or $5 minimum, whichever is greater
- Cash equivalent fee: 5% of each cash amount or $15 minimum, whichever is greater
- Annual fee: None for the first year—$95 thereafter
- Balance transfer fee: 5% of each transfer amount or $5 minimum, whichever is greater
- Minimum interest charge: $2
- Late and returned payments: $39 each
- Foreign transaction fee: None
U.S. Bank Business Leverage® Visa Signature® Card Rewards
- 5X points on prepaid hotels and car rentals when booked through the Travel Rewards Center
- 2X points on eligible net purchases in the top two categories where you spend the most each month
- 1X points on all other eligible purchases
- Welcome offer: New cardholders receive a one-time 75,000 bonus points reward if their net purchases total $7,500 or more within the first 120 days after opening an account
You can redeem your rewards as a statement credit or deposit them into your U.S. Bank business checking, savings, or money market account ($50 minimum deposit). You can also redeem them for tickets on more than 150 airlines (with no blackout dates) or as gift cards from hundreds of retailers. While you can accumulate unlimited points, they’ll expire five years from the date they were earned.
How to Make Payments on the U.S. Bank Business Leverage® Visa Signature® Card
- ATM: You can pay your credit card bills at any U.S. Bank ATM.
- Mail: Send a check or money order through either regular mail or overnight delivery using the following addresses:
Regular Mail | Cardmember Service PO Box 790408 St. Louis, MO 63179-0408 |
Overnight Delivery | St. Louis, MO 63179-0408 824 N. 11th St. St. Louis, MO 63101-1016 |
- Online banking: You can pay your bill online at usbank.com.
- U.S. Bank mobile app: Cardholders can also pay their credit card bills through the U.S Bank mobile app, available on the App Store and Google Play.
- Phone: Call the number found on the back of your card or call (800) 285-8585.
- Third party: There are several third-party payment methods accepted by U.S. Bank such as bill pay, wire transfers, and others.
U.S. Bank Business Leverage® Visa Signature® Card Features
Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver
You can receive auto rental coverage when you charge your entire rental amount to your U.S. Bank Business Leverage® Visa Signature® Card and decline the extra collision insurance (or loss damage waiver) from the rental company. You’re also covered if your rental car is damaged or stolen while traveling (specific terms and conditions may apply).
Purchase Security
Items purchased with your U.S. Bank Business Leverage® Visa Signature® Card are protected in cases of theft or damage for the first 90 days from the date of purchase. Purchase Security will replace, repair, or reimburse you for eligible items that were purchased with your credit card. Note that specific terms, conditions, and exclusions may apply.
Extended Warranty Protection
For eligible items purchased with the card, U.S. Bank Business Leverage® Visa Signature® Card will double the time of the original manufacturer’s warranty up to one additional year on warranties of three years or less (up to a maximum of $10,000 per claim).
Travel Accident Insurance
You’ll receive automatic accidental death and dismemberment insurance for both you and your family for trips purchased with the U.S. Bank Business Leverage® Visa Signature® Card. Specific terms, restrictions, and exclusions may apply.
Travel and Emergency Assistance Services
You can enjoy your trip with the knowledge that you’ll have a wide range of emergency services available 24 hours a day when you’re away from home. You can get help with medical, legal, and travel services when you need them. Note that you’ll be responsible for the cost of any services provided.
Roadside Dispatch
Cardholders can get emergency roadside assistance, with services such as towing, fuel delivery, and more, by calling (800) VISA-TOW or (800) 847-2869. Note that cardholders will be responsible for the service fees and that specific terms, conditions, and exclusions may apply.
Visa SavingsEdge®
This complimentary program allows you to save up to 15% on business purchases from participating merchants. These savings will appear as automatic credits on your account statement.
Visa Signature® Luxury Hotel Collection
Booking through the Visa Signature Luxury Hotel Collection site with your U.S. Bank Business Leverage® Visa Signature® Card lets you enjoy a unique set of VIP perks at select luxury hotels worldwide, such as a $25 food or beverage credit, room upgrade upon arrival (if available), and much more.
Pros & Cons of the U.S. Bank Business Leverage® Visa Signature® Card
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| Personalized ongoing rewards: With the U.S. Bank Business Leverage® Visa Signature® Card, you can automatically earn 2% cash back in the top two categories where you spend the most. This is advantageous for businesses that have expenses of different types from month to month. | Requires excellent credit: You need to have an excellent credit score to qualify for the U.S. Bank Business Leverage® Visa Signature® Card. If you have below-excellent credit, consider applying for other business credit cards such as the Capital One® Spark® Cash Select Good Credit card. |
| Large sign-up bonus: The U.S. Bank Business Leverage® Visa Signature® Card allows you to earn as much as $750 in signup bonuses after you meet the purchase requirements. | No introductory 0% APR: The U.S. Bank Business Leverage® Visa Signature® Card doesn’t offer a 0% introductory APR. This may be a disadvantage for those who plan to make a big purchase. |
| Unlimited points: With the U.S. Bank Business Leverage® Visa Signature® Card, you can accumulate an unlimited number of points. There are no caps or limits on the total rewards your business can earn. | Rewards expire: While you can earn unlimited rewards, your points will expire five years from their earned date. |
U.S. Bank Business Leverage® Visa Signature® Card Alternatives
Chase Ink Business Unlimited®
The Chase Ink Business Unlimited® is our choice for both best overall small business credit card and best card for new businesses with no credit history, as it offers straightforward cash back rewards with a fixed rate of 1.5% for every $1 spent on any business purchase. Like the U.S. Bank Business Leverage® Visa Signature® Card, it doesn’t limit the amount of cash back you can earn. You can also redeem rewards either as a statement credit or towards gift cards, travel, or Apple® products.
Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card
Fit Small Business's ratings are calculated by industry experts of our editorial team. Our grading rubric considers the type of credit card (such as cash back or travel), and the card's rates, fees, rewards, and additional features like insurance.
BEST FOR:
Pocketing 1.5% cash back on every single purchase
Intro APR
0% Intro APR on Purchases
Regular APR
13.49% - 19.49% Variable
Annual Fee
$0
Credit Needed
- Earn $750 bonus cash back after you spend $7,500 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
- Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase made for your business
- No Annual Fee
- Redeem rewards for cash back, gift cards, travel and more through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
- Earn rewards faster with employee cards at no additional cost. Set individual spending limits for greater control.
- With Fraud Protection your card transactions will be monitored for possible signs of fraudulent activity using real-time fraud monitoring.
- With Zero Liability you won't be held responsible for unauthorized charges made with your card or account information.
- 0% introductory APR for 12 months on purchases
Pros
- 0% introductory APR on purchases
- Unlimited cash back rewards on all purchases
Cons
- Introductory APR period doesn’t apply to balance transfers
- 5% balance transfer fee
- Charges foreign transaction fees
- Requires excellent credit to qualify
- Auto rental collision damage waiver: Coverage is primary—meaning it replaces any coverage your personal insurance might offer—when renting for business purposes; it provides reimbursement up to the actual cash value of the vehicle for theft and collision damage for most cars in the US and abroad
- Purchase protection: Covers your new purchases for 120 days against damage or theft up to $10,000 per claim and $50,000 per account per year
- Extended warranty protection: Extends the time period of the US manufacturer’s warranty by an additional year on eligible warranties of three years or less
Intro APR
0% Intro APR on Purchases
Regular APR
13.49% - 19.49% Variable
Annual Fee
$0
Credit Needed
Good, Excellent
- Earn $750 bonus cash back after you spend $7,500 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
- Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase made for your business
- No Annual Fee
- Redeem rewards for cash back, gift cards, travel and more through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
- Earn rewards faster with employee cards at no additional cost. Set individual spending limits for greater control.
- With Fraud Protection your card transactions will be monitored for possible signs of fraudulent activity using real-time fraud monitoring.
- With Zero Liability you won't be held responsible for unauthorized charges made with your card or account information.
- 0% introductory APR for 12 months on purchases
Pros
- 0% introductory APR on purchases
- Unlimited cash back rewards on all purchases
Cons
- Introductory APR period doesn’t apply to balance transfers
- 5% balance transfer fee
- Charges foreign transaction fees
- Requires excellent credit to qualify
- Auto rental collision damage waiver: Coverage is primary—meaning it replaces any coverage your personal insurance might offer—when renting for business purposes; it provides reimbursement up to the actual cash value of the vehicle for theft and collision damage for most cars in the US and abroad
- Purchase protection: Covers your new purchases for 120 days against damage or theft up to $10,000 per claim and $50,000 per account per year
- Extended warranty protection: Extends the time period of the US manufacturer’s warranty by an additional year on eligible warranties of three years or less
Capital One® Spark® Miles for Business
The Capital One® Spark® Miles for Business is a great card to consider if you travel frequently for business. This credit card is our pick for the best business card for travel and best overall business credit card for miles because you can earn 2x miles on every business purchase you make. Within the first three months of account opening, you can earn 50,000 miles―equal to $500 in travel―after spending $4,500.
Capital One® Spark® Miles for Business
Fit Small Business's ratings are calculated by industry experts of our editorial team. Our grading rubric considers the type of credit card (such as cash back or travel), and the card's rates, fees, rewards, and additional features like insurance.
BEST FOR:
Unlimited 2x miles with every swipe
Intro APR
N/A
Regular APR
21.24% (Variable)
Annual Fee
$0 intro for first year; $95 after that
Credit Needed
Excellent, Good
- Introductory reward worth $500 in travel after you spend $4,500 within the first three months
- 2x miles per $1 spent
- Issue employee cards for free
Pros
- No foreign transaction fees
- TSA Pre✓® or Global Entry application fee credit
Cons
- You’ll pay an annual fee after the first year
- Doesn’t offer interest-free financing
- Airport security screening reimbursement: Either a $100 statement credit for Global Entry or an $85 statement credit for TSA Pre✓® once every four years.
- Purchase assurance: Most purchases made entirely with your card are covered if damaged or stolen within 90 days from the date of purchase. Coverage is limited to $10,000 per claim and $50,000 per cardholder account per 12 month period.
- Extended warranty coverage: Doubles the original warranty time period and duplicates the coverage of the original manufacturer’s warranty up to a maximum of 12 months on most items you purchase.
- Travel medical emergency assistance: Provide referrals to medical services if you have a medical emergency while traveling. You’re covered if you’re 100 or more miles away from home and from the day you leave until midnight of the 60th day of your trip, or the day you return to your city of residence, whichever is sooner.
Intro APR
N/A
Regular APR
21.24% (Variable)
Annual Fee
$0 intro for first year; $95 after that
Credit Needed
Excellent, Good
- Introductory reward worth $500 in travel after you spend $4,500 within the first three months
- 2x miles per $1 spent
- Issue employee cards for free
Pros
- No foreign transaction fees
- TSA Pre✓® or Global Entry application fee credit
Cons
- You’ll pay an annual fee after the first year
- Doesn’t offer interest-free financing
- Airport security screening reimbursement: Either a $100 statement credit for Global Entry or an $85 statement credit for TSA Pre✓® once every four years.
- Purchase assurance: Most purchases made entirely with your card are covered if damaged or stolen within 90 days from the date of purchase. Coverage is limited to $10,000 per claim and $50,000 per cardholder account per 12 month period.
- Extended warranty coverage: Doubles the original warranty time period and duplicates the coverage of the original manufacturer’s warranty up to a maximum of 12 months on most items you purchase.
- Travel medical emergency assistance: Provide referrals to medical services if you have a medical emergency while traveling. You’re covered if you’re 100 or more miles away from home and from the day you leave until midnight of the 60th day of your trip, or the day you return to your city of residence, whichever is sooner.
American Express Blue Business CashTM
The American Express Blue Business CashTM card offers 2% cash back on all eligible purchases of up to $50,000 every calendar year, then 1% cash back after that. No minimum reward is needed to redeem it, and cash back is credited automatically to your account. This card is our top choice for the best cash back business credit card and one of our picks for the best business credit cards for nonprofits.
American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card
Fit Small Business's ratings are calculated by industry experts of our editorial team. Our grading rubric considers the type of credit card (such as cash back or travel), and the card's rates, fees, rewards, and additional features like insurance.
Intro APR
0% on purchases
Regular APR
13.99% - 21.99% Variable
Annual Fee
No annual fee
Credit Needed
Good, Excellent
- Earn a $250 statement credit after you make $3,000 in purchases on your Card in your first 3 months.
- Earn 2% cash back on all eligible purchases on up to $50,000 per calendar year, then 1% cash back earned is automatically credited to your statement.
- From workflow to inventory to floor plans, your business is constantly changing. That’s why you’ve got the power to spend beyond your credit limit with Expanded Buying Power.
- Just remember, the amount you can spend above your credit limit is not unlimited. It adjusts with your use of the Card, your payment history, credit record, financial resources known to American Express and other factors.
- 0.0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months from the date of account opening, then a variable rate, 13.99% - 21.99%, based on your creditworthiness and other factors as determined at the time of account opening.
- No Annual Fee
- Terms Apply
Pros
- 0% intro APR
- Welcome bonus
- Fixed rate rewards
- No annual fee
Cons
- Cash advance isn’t allowed
- Charges foreign transaction fees
- 2% cash back is capped at $50,000 in annual spending
- Expanded buying power: Enjoy flexible buying power, when your business needs it. Expanded buying power gives you the freedom to spend beyond your credit limit and help get business done. While the amount you can spend above your credit limit isn't unlimited, it adjusts with your use of the card, your payment history, credit record, financial resources known to us and other factors.
- Car rental loss and damage insurance: As a Card Member, You can be covered for damage to or theft of a rental vehicle in a covered territory when you use your eligible card to reserve and pay for the entire rental and decline the collision damage waiver at the rental company counter.
Intro APR
0% on purchases
Regular APR
13.99% - 21.99% Variable
Annual Fee
No annual fee
Credit Needed
Good, Excellent
- Earn a $250 statement credit after you make $3,000 in purchases on your Card in your first 3 months.
- Earn 2% cash back on all eligible purchases on up to $50,000 per calendar year, then 1% cash back earned is automatically credited to your statement.
- From workflow to inventory to floor plans, your business is constantly changing. That’s why you’ve got the power to spend beyond your credit limit with Expanded Buying Power.
- Just remember, the amount you can spend above your credit limit is not unlimited. It adjusts with your use of the Card, your payment history, credit record, financial resources known to American Express and other factors.
- 0.0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months from the date of account opening, then a variable rate, 13.99% - 21.99%, based on your creditworthiness and other factors as determined at the time of account opening.
- No Annual Fee
- Terms Apply
Pros
- 0% intro APR
- Welcome bonus
- Fixed rate rewards
- No annual fee
Cons
- Cash advance isn’t allowed
- Charges foreign transaction fees
- 2% cash back is capped at $50,000 in annual spending
- Expanded buying power: Enjoy flexible buying power, when your business needs it. Expanded buying power gives you the freedom to spend beyond your credit limit and help get business done. While the amount you can spend above your credit limit isn't unlimited, it adjusts with your use of the card, your payment history, credit record, financial resources known to us and other factors.
- Car rental loss and damage insurance: As a Card Member, You can be covered for damage to or theft of a rental vehicle in a covered territory when you use your eligible card to reserve and pay for the entire rental and decline the collision damage waiver at the rental company counter.
Bottom Line
The U.S. Bank Business Leverage® Visa Signature® Card offers rewards in various spending categories at a low annual fee. It also provides automatic bonus points in the top two categories that you spend in each month.
To find other cards that may be a better fit for your business needs, check out our Credit Card Marketplace.
