Updated September 28, 2026 · SumCue Editorial Team
Barclaycard vs U.S. Bank
Barclaycard
U.S. Bank
Higher score in this comparison
What sets them apart
| Compare | BarclaycardReviewSee alternativesSee alternatives | U.S. BankReviewSee alternativesSee alternatives |
|---|---|---|
| APR | 24.9% | 0%Lower |
| Rewards rate | Cashback at participating retailers | Unlimited 2% cash back on every purchase, plus up to an additional 2% on the first $10,000 in eligible Net Purchases each billing cycle when paired with a U.S. Bank Smartly Savings account and qualifying checking balances (total 2.5% / 3% / 4% by qualifying balance) |
| Balance transfer intro period | 36 monthsHigher | 12 months |
| Balance transfer fee | 3.15%Lower | 5% |
| Perks | 12 months Apple TV subscription on us, Barclaycard Entertainment tickets and event discounts, Purchase protection, Fraud protection 24/7, Free additional cardholder, 0% interest on purchases for 3 months, Up to 56 days interest free on purchases | Cash back deals from brands via the U.S. Bank Mobile App or online banking, Flexible cash back redemption: direct deposit, statement credit, rewards card, merchant gift cards, U.S. Bank ExtendPay Plan with a $0 fee offer for new cardmembers on plans opened in the first 60 days, Contactless chip payment on all U.S. Bank credit cards |
| Annual fee | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Currency conversion fee | 2.99% | Not confirmed |
| Credit needed | Not confirmed | Good |
| Cashback rate | Not confirmed | 2% |
Same on both: Rewards type (Cashback), Card kind (Credit).
We earn a commission when you sign up through links on this site. Partner status can affect where a brand appears in our rankings. Partners with a live offer in your country come first, then every other brand by score.
Key differences
- U.S. Bank scores higher overall: 9.4 vs 9.0.
- Barclaycard is licensed in 1 more country.
- Barclaycard is available in 1 more country.
- APR is lower at U.S. Bank: 0% vs 24.9%.
- Balance transfer fee is lower at Barclaycard: 3.15% vs 5%.
- Balance transfer intro period is higher at Barclaycard: 36 months vs 12 months.
- Perks: only Barclaycard offers 12 months Apple TV subscription on us, Barclaycard Entertainment tickets and event discounts, Purchase protection.
- Perks: only U.S. Bank offers Cash back deals from brands via the U.S. Bank Mobile App or online banking, Flexible cash back redemption: direct deposit, statement credit, rewards card, merchant gift cards, U.S. Bank ExtendPay Plan with a $0 fee offer for new cardmembers on plans opened in the first 60 days.
- Support channels: only Barclaycard offers Chat.
- Features: only U.S. Bank offers Secured.
Our verdict on each
Barclaycard
Barclaycard suits people comparing a balance transfer card with a long interest-free transfer period and cashback. Its balance transfer fee is 3.15%, while the standard APR is 24.9%.
U.S. Bank
U.S. Bank suits people who want a large US bank behind a rewards card that ranks 1 of 312 brands for annual fee. The same group also runs personal loans, savings and mortgages, so you can keep your money with one name across each product.
Score breakdown
| Area | Barclaycard | U.S. Bank |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 8.6The balance transfer offer combines 36 of interest-free balance transfers with a fee of 3.15%. | 9.2HigherPersonal loans carry an origination fee of 0 USD (no origination fees) and the checking account a monthly fee of $0. |
| Offer | 9.6HigherThe card offers cashback through Cashback at participating retailers, alongside listed benefits including purchase and fraud protection. | 8.9The card pays 2% cash back on every purchase, with more when paired with a Smartly Savings account. |
| Trust | Not confirmed | 9.9 |
Where they rank in our lists
| Ranking | Barclaycard | U.S. Bank |
|---|---|---|
| Credit and debit cards | 461 of 1594 | 202 of 1594 |
| Credit cards | 141 of 421 | 73 of 421 |
| Balance transfer cards | 18 of 32 | 6 of 32 |
Where each is licensed and available
| Country | Barclaycard | U.S. Bank |
|---|---|---|
| Ireland | IE_CBI PSD_PI IE_CBI!C155145 | Not confirmed |
| United Kingdom | Financial Conduct Authority 759676 | Not confirmed |
| United States | Not confirmed | FDIC FDIC cert 6548 |
Additional countries for Barclaycard: 2. Additional countries for U.S. Bank: 1.
Choosing between them
Pick Barclaycard if offer, balance transfer intro period, and balance transfer fee matter most.
Pick U.S. Bank if cost and apr matter most.
Where these facts come from
Barclaycard
- barclaycard.co.uk: 10 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- euclid.eba.europa.eu: 2 facts, checked September 26, 2026
U.S. Bank
- usbank.com: 15 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- banks.data.fdic.gov: 2 facts, checked September 26, 2026
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Barclaycard | U.S. Bank |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Not confirmed | No annual fee |
| Features | Rewards | Rewards, SecuredCovers more |
| Audience | Not confirmed | Business, Student, Kids |
| Legal entity | Barclaycard International Payments Limited | U.S. Bank National Association |
| Headquarters | Ireland | United States |
| Founded | Not confirmed | 1863 |
| Support channels | Phone, Chat, Help centreCovers more | Phone, Help centre |
Loans
| Fact | Barclaycard | U.S. Bank |
|---|---|---|
| Loan amount | Not confirmed | $1,000 to $50,000 |
| Term | Not confirmed | 12 to 84 months |
| Arrangement fee | Not confirmed | 0 USD (no origination fees) |
| Credit check | Not confirmed | Hard |
| Funding time | Not confirmed | 1 to 4 business days after loan closing, same day if eligible |
| Representative example | Not confirmed | Loan payment example: Monthly payments for a $10,000 loan at 12.60% APR with a term of 36 months would be $335.02. |
| Rate type | Not confirmed | Variable |
| Lender type | Not confirmed | Direct lender |
| Free early repayment | Not confirmed | Yes |
| Eligibility | Not confirmed | Credit approval and program guidelines; needs SSN, US home address and employment information; not all programs available in all states |
| Origination fee (%) | Not confirmed | 0% |
| Loan types | Not confirmed | Personal, Debt consolidation, Credit line, Car |
| Use cases | Not confirmed | Home improvement |
Savings
| Fact | Barclaycard | U.S. Bank |
|---|---|---|
| Headline rate | Not confirmed | 3.5% |
| Minimum deposit | Not confirmed | $25 |
| Deposit protection | Not confirmed | FDIC up to USD 250,000 |
| Access terms | Not confirmed | Easy access to funds: withdraw or transfer at thousands of U.S. Bank branches and ATMs; open with $25, no fixed term |
| Monthly fee | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Account kind | Not confirmed | Easy access |
Debit cards
| Fact | Barclaycard | U.S. Bank |
|---|---|---|
| Card type | Not confirmed | Debit |
| Card network | Not confirmed | Visa |
Mortgages
| Fact | Barclaycard | U.S. Bank |
|---|---|---|
| Initial rate | Not confirmed | 6.625% |
| APRC | Not confirmed | 6.794% |
| Fixed period | Not confirmed | 30 years |
| Maximum loan to value | Not confirmed | 75% |
| Purpose | Not confirmed | Purchase, Remortgage, First time buyer, Home equity |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | Barclaycard | U.S. Bank | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | Not confirmed | $0at the median | $0 |
| APR | 24.9%highest quarter | 0%lowest quarter | 11.635% |
| Currency conversion fee | 2.99%highest quarter | Not confirmed | 1% |
| Balance transfer intro period | 36 monthshighest quarter | 12 monthsat the median | 12 months |
| Balance transfer fee | 3.15%above the median | 5%highest quarter | 3% |
| Cashback rate | Not confirmed | 2%above the median | 1.5% |
Median across 486 listed providers.
Pros and cons
Barclaycard
Pros
- The balance transfer offer includes interest-free transfers for 36.
- The card offers cashback at participating retailers through Cashback at participating retailers.
- The listed benefits include purchase protection and fraud protection around the clock.
Cons
- The balance transfer fee is 3.15%, while the standard APR is 24.9%.
- The currency conversion fee is 2.99%, which is higher than Wise's 0%.
- Rewards are cashback at participating retailers through Cashback at participating retailers, so the benefit depends on retailer participation.
U.S. Bank
Pros
- Rewards are cashback, with flexible redemption from direct deposit to statement credit and gift cards.
- Savings deposits carry FDIC up to USD 250,000 of cover from an FDIC insured bank.
- Personal loans allow free early repayment, with borrowing of $1,000 to $50,000 over terms of 12 to 84.
Cons
- Support runs on phone and help centre only.
- Savings pay 3.5% at a variable rate, so the return can fall as well as rise.
- Loans expect good credit and a hard credit check, so approval is not automatic.
Who each suits
Barclaycard
Who it suits
- People moving a balance and comparing the cost of 3.15% against the interest-free period of 36.
- Cardholders who want cashback at participating retailers through Cashback at participating retailers.
- People who value phone, chat and help-centre support listed in phone, chat and help centre.
Who should look elsewhere
- Wise may be more suitable for currency conversion because its listed fee is 0%, compared with Barclaycard's 2.99%.
- Varo Believe Secured Credit Card may suit someone prioritising a different credit card structure, with an APR of 0%.
- Starling Personal Account Debit Card may suit someone seeking a debit card rather than this balance transfer card, with an APR of 15%.
U.S. Bank
Who it suits
- People already banking with U.S. Bank who want cash back on everyday spend from a card that pairs with a savings account.
- Borrowers with good credit who want to clear a personal loan early at no cost.
- Savers who want easy access at branches and ATMs, a variable rate and insured deposits.
Who should look elsewhere
- Starling Personal Account Debit Card, if you want a UK account and a card at £0 rather than a US bank that also lends.
- bunq, if a euro plan at €0 suits your spending better than a US dollar bank.
- Wise, if you want a card with an annual fee of £0 and no lending, savings or mortgage side.
Current offers
Barclaycard
Current offer
Free trial
Get 12 months Apple TV subscription on us: 12 months Apple TV subscription on us
Barclaycard Platinum up to 36 month balance transfer card; new customers only; apply before 10:00 on 20 October 2026; must not already subscribe to Apple TV; link sent within 90 days of approval and must be activated by 11:59 PM GMT on 5 June 2028; then renews at the current price unless cancelled
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Bonus
Exclusive GBP 20 cashback payment: GBP 20
Apply in the Barclays app before 10:00 on 20 October 2026; requires a Barclays personal current account; transfer a balance of at least GBP 2,500 within 60 days of account opening
Source, checked September 26, 2026
U.S. Bank
Current offer
Bonus
U.S. Bank Cash+ Visa Signature Card one-time cash back bonus (increased from $150 to $200): $200
Approved for a new Cash+ Visa Signature Card and $1,000 or more in eligible Net Purchases within 90 days of account opening; not combinable with other bonus offers; subject to credit approval.
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Bonus
U.S. Bank Altitude Connect Visa Signature Card welcome bonus: 20,000 points
Approved for a new Altitude Connect Visa Signature Card and $1,000 or more in total eligible Net Purchases within 90 days of account opening; previous cardmembers who received a bonus for this product in the last five years are not eligible.
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Bonus
U.S. Bank Altitude Go Visa Signature Card welcome bonus: 20,000 points
Approved for a new Altitude Go Visa Signature Card and $1,000 or more in total eligible Net Purchases within 90 days of account opening; previous cardmembers who received a bonus for this product in the last five years are not eligible.
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Country by country
| Country | Barclaycard | U.S. Bank |
|---|---|---|
| Ireland | Yes | No |
| United Kingdom | Yes | No |
| United States | No | Yes |
Questions about each
Barclaycard
What are the main costs and rewards for this balance transfer card?+
The standard APR is 24.9%. The balance transfer offer provides interest-free transfers for 36, with a balance transfer fee of 3.15%. The listed cashback is Cashback at participating retailers.
How much does a balance transfer cost?+
The balance transfer fee is 3.15%, and the introductory interest-free period lasts 36. The standard APR is 24.9%.
U.S. Bank
What does the U.S. Bank Smartly credit card cost to hold?+
The Bank Smartly Visa Signature card charges an annual fee of $0, and it is sold as no annual fee. The purchase APR is listed as 0%, so check how long any promotional period runs before relying on it. Support runs on phone and help centre.
How much cash back do I earn, and how do I use it?+
Every purchase earns 2% in cash back, and pairing the card with a U.S. Bank Smartly Savings account and qualifying checking balances adds more on the first eligible purchases each cycle. Rewards are cashback, and redemption is flexible across direct deposit, statement credit, a rewards card and merchant gift cards.
Other options to compare
Other matchups
Barclaycard
U.S. Bank