U.S. Bank Shield Visa® Card* vs. Wells Fargo Reflect® Card
The Wells Fargo Reflect® Card (rates & fees) also comes with a lengthy intro APR offer of a 0% intro APR for 21 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers. A 17.24%, 23.74%, or 28.99% variable APR applies thereafter. Balance transfers made within 120 days qualify for the intro APR and a balance transfer fee of 5%, min $5 applies. However, that’s less time than what the U.S. Shield card offers with a similar balance transfer fee so you won’t save any money there, either.
Neither card offers meaningful benefits like rewards, although the Wells Fargo Reflect® Card also offers cellphone protection of up to $600 if you pay your mobile bill with the card (subject to a $25 deductible). Apples to apples though, if you want the longest runway possible to pay off your debt, the Shield Card is the better choice.
U.S. Bank Shield Visa® Card* vs. Citi Simplicity® Card*
The Citi Simplicity® Card* is a frills-free card offering a 0% intro APR for 21 months on balance transfers from date of first transfer and 0% intro APR for 12 months on purchases from date of account opening. After that, the variable APR will be 18.24% to 28.99%. There is an intro balance transfer fee of $5 or 3% of the amount of the transfer, whichever is greater, for transfers made within 4 months of opening the account. After that, a balance transfer fee of either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater, applies. Once again, that’s less time than what you can get with the Shield, however the Simplicity does have a slightly lower balance transfer fee.
U.S. Bank Shield Visa® Card* vs. Citi Double Cash® Card
The Citi Double Cash® Card comes with a shorter intro APR offer of 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 18 months. After that, the standard variable APR will be 18.24% to 28.24%, based on creditworthiness. An intro balance transfer fee of either $5 or 3%, whichever is greater, applies to transfers completed within the first 4 months of account opening. After that, the fee will be 5% of each transfer (minimum $5). Even so, it may have the edge for some over the Shield card as it earns rewards of 2% cash back on all purchases—1% when purchases are made and another 1% when they’re paid off, and earn 5% total cash back on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked on the Citi Travel℠ portal through 12/31/25. This gives the card staying power long after the intro APR is gone.
However, the right card for you between the two will ultimately depend on your goals. If you can pay off your debt within the introductory period offered by the Citi Double Cash® Card, use it for your debt and keep it for the rewards. But if you can benefit more from the longer intro period on the U.S. Bank Shield Visa® Card*, go that route instead. The double-digit interest rate you’d pay on credit card debt will usually outweigh any rewards you can earn.