• Earn 5% cash back on your first $2,000 in net purchases each quarter on the combined two categories you choose like Restaurants or Department Stores.
  
• Earn 2% cash back on your choice of one everyday category like gas, groceries or drug store purchases.
  
• Earn 1% cash back on everything else.
• Earn a $25 Cash+ Bonus when you redeem $100 or more in a single redemption. Limit of 1 per calendar year.
• No limit on total cash back earned.

Make sure you choose your categories each quarter. If you do not choose your categories, all net purchases will still earn 1% cash back. Categories are subject to change quarterly. Pays me commission.

 It is hard to make a good side-by-side comparison with some other “keeper” cards because the categories on US Bank Cash Plus card rotate every few months and they don’t tell you ahead of time of the selection. At first glance, if you only have to pick one, this card is not as good IMO as Amex Blue Cash Preferred or Sallie Mae Barclaycard for family. CLICK  Why not?

Those cards provide fixed 6 and 5 percent back respectively on groceries year round. Also Sallie Mae gives 5 percent on gas and Amex gives 3 percent. For most middle-class families, those 2 categories are their largest expenses. At least that is the case for us. But that may not hold true for all families, so you may have to do your own math on this one.

But how does it compare to Chase Freedom card? I think it could easily beat it, depending on your pattern of expenses. That is because:

1) You can choose your categories, so you have some control. With Freedom, you have well, no “freedom” in that respect.

2) You have some categories that fall under 2 percent. With Freedom the rest of purchases only earn 1 percent. Sure, you have  a chance to transfer to Ultimate Rewards  if you have Chase Sapphire Preferred card. But I don’t value those high enough to be a swaying factor.

3) There is a 25 dollar bonus attached, when you redeem 100 dollars. It’s not much but it’s something. Though you can redeem Freedom’s cash back for discounted gift cards, so it’s probably a wash.

4) You get 5 percent back on certain categories on  2,000 dollars each quarter with US bank card. With Freedom it’s 1500. That could add up if you buy expensive items.

If you already have Freedom, I think this card could fill in the gap. That is because the rotating categories don’t usually match up. So I would say, it’s superior to Freedom. Should you apply for it? It depends.

I had a chance to convert it from Flexperks card over the phone, so there was no credit pull involved. I only apply for bonuses at this time, but not everyone is that way. If you have a US bank card like Flexperks, that you don’t need anymore, I would consider converting.

The conclusion: it is a good choice for a middle-class family, so I will update my list of best “keeper” cards.