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U.S. Bank Business Platinum review

Robin Saks Frankel  in  Business How we rate our cards  | 

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U.S. Bank Image

Recommended Credit Score

Excellent (740 - 850)

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Annual Fee:
$0*
Purchase Intro APR:
0%* for 20 billing cycles on purchases
Balance Transfer Intro APR:
0%* for 20 billing cycles on balance transfers
Regular APR:
9.99% - 17.99%* (Variable)
Terms and Restrictions Apply

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The information about the U.S. Bank Business Platinum has been collected independently by Bankrate.com. The card details have not been reviewed or approved by the card issuer.

The plain-vanilla card Business Platinum Card offered by U.S. Bank is about as stripped down as it gets. There’s no annual fee and also no rewards. What is does offer is the Visa Savings Edge program, which gives discounts ranging typically from 1% to 5% at select merchants along with a generous introductory APR on purchases and balance transfers.

Review

It’s challenging to find a reason to pick the Business Platinum card over one of U.S. Bank’s other business cards.

Each of the four cards offers a discount on select retailers through the Visa Savings Edge Program. Visa’s program has a wide range of retailers but how much of an advantage it is comes down to the merchants you typically use. If you spend big on hotels, MailChimp or gas stations, for example, then this program might be right for you.

But unlike the Business Platinum Card, the other U.S. Bank Business cards all offer rewards on spending.

One thing that the Business Platinum has is a 0% APR offer on purchases and balance transfers for 20 billing cycles (9.99% – 17.99% variable after that). Other small business cards may have a slight edge over the Business Platinum Card, like sign-up bonuses, no foreign transaction fees and higher rewards rates but this generous and lengthy intro APR offer cannot be overlooked, especially for a business card.

We judge this card pretty harshly, but only because it doesn’t stand up to most business credit cards on the market today. Business owners with good credit have come to expect a card that offers a good combination of APR and rewards/sign-up bonus. This card isn’t it.

Who should own this card

Someone who spends a lot at one of the discounted merchant categories and would like a long break on interest charges for purchases and balance transfers may benefit from this card.

Advantages

  • This card comes with an introductory 0% APR offer on purchases and balance transfers for the first 20 billing cycles. After that it’s a variable 9.99% to 17.99%*.
  • This card is part of the Visa Savings edge program, which gives automatic discounts at select retailers including hotels, computer supplies, gas stations and mailing services.
  • Additional employee cards are free.

Disadvantages

  • You’ll earn no rewards.
  • There’s no sign-up bonus.
  • Balance transfers will be assessed a 3% fee ($5 minimum).

Fees and APR

  • Enjoy 0% APR for the first 20 billing cycles on purchases and balance transfers.
  • After the intro period expires, your regular APR will be a variable 9.99% to 17.99%.
  • You’ll pay a 3% fee (or $5 minimum) on balance transfers.
  • You’ll be charged a 3% foreign transaction fee on all purchases made outside the U.S.
  • If you pay late or miss a payment, you may be subject to a variable 29.99% penalty APR, which will apply for a minimum of six months, plus a late payment fee of up to $39.

Extras and perks

The card offers online access to a breakdown of your spending by category.

You may enroll in Visa Savings Edge discounts, which offers savings at dozens of partners, including hotels, rental cars, dining and technology services.

There are no points or rewards with this card.

 

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