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Discover it Cash Back vs U.S. Bank Smartly Visa Signature
Side-by-side comparison of fees, rewards, benefits, and more.
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Feature Comparison
| Feature | Discover it Cash BackDiscover | U.S. Bank Smartly Visa SignatureU.S. Bank |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.4/5 | 4.2/5 |
| Annual Fee | $0 | $0 |
| APR | 17.49% - 26.49% | 17.49% - 27.49% |
| Signup Bonus | Cashback Match — unlimited dollar-for-dollar match of all cash back earned in first year | None publicly listed |
| Rewards Rate | 5% on rotating quarterly categories (up to $1,500/quarter, activation required), 1% on everything else | 2% cash back on every purchase, up to 4% with qualifying U.S. Bank Smartly Savings balance |
| Credit Score | good | good |
| Pros | First-year Cashback Match doubles all rewards $0 annual fee 5% rotating categories can be very lucrative | 2% unlimited cash back with no annual fee — matches Citi Double Cash Up to 4% back with qualifying U.S. Bank Smartly Savings balance 0% intro APR for 15 billing cycles on purchases and balance transfers |
| Cons | Must activate quarterly categories $1,500 quarterly cap on 5% categories Discover not accepted as widely as Visa/Mastercard | Best rates (3-4%) require U.S. Bank banking relationship with large balances No signup bonus publicly listed Limited to U.S. Bank ecosystem for maximum value |
| View Details → | View Details → |
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Verdict
Our Pick: Discover it Cash Back
With a 4.4/5 rating, the Discover it Cash Back edges out the U.S. Bank Smartly Visa Signature (4.2/5). No annual fee makes it easy to justify. Discover it Cash Back is the best starter rewards card. The first-year Cashback Match effectively gives you 10% on rotating categories and 2% on everything else. Hard to beat for year one.