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U.S. Bank Split Card Review: Skip This BNPL Card (Get These Instead)
July 1, 2025
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Should you get the new U.S. Bank Split card? This review compares automatic payment plans against 0% APR cards and BNPL services to help you decide.
What Is the U.S. Bank Split World Mastercard?
The U.S. Bank Split™ World Mastercard® is a credit card that automatically converts every purchase into a "buy now, pay later" payment plan. Unlike traditional credit cards, where you choose whether to carry a balance, the Split card divides all purchases into installments by default.
Key Features:
- $0 annual fee
- No rewards or cash back
- Automatic 3-month payment plans on all purchases
- No interest or fees on 3-month plans
- Option to extend purchases $100+ to 6 or 12 months (with undisclosed monthly fees)
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How the U.S. Bank Split Card Works
Automatic Payment Plans
- For purchases $100 and over: Each purchase is immediately divided into 3 equal payments spread across 3 billing cycles with no interest or plan fees.
- For purchases under $100: All small purchases within a billing cycle are combined into one "Small Purchase Plan" and divided into 3 payments. These cannot be extended.
Extending Payment Plans
For purchases $100 or more, you can extend to 6- or 12-month payment plans through the U.S. Bank Mobile App or online banking. However, there's a catch: U.S. Bank charges a "small, fixed monthly plan fee" for extended plans, but doesn't disclose the fee amount until after approval.
Based on examples found in user forums, the plan fee appears to be approximately 9% of the purchase price (4.5% total for 6-month plans, 9% total for 12-month plans), though this may vary based on creditworthiness.
U.S. Bank Split Card vs. 0% Intro APR Credit Cards
The Split card's biggest weakness becomes obvious when compared to traditional 0% intro APR cards. While the Split card offers just 3 months interest-free on purchases (with fees kicking in if you extend to 6-12 months), competitor cards provide 12-21 months of 0% APR with no fees whatsoever.
More importantly, those competitor cards actually earn rewards - typically 1-5% cash back- while the Split card earns nothing. Traditional 0% APR cards also give you complete payment flexibility, allowing you to pay any amount above the minimum, while the Split card locks you into rigid fixed installments only.
Better Alternative: Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express (See Rates & Fees)
The Blue Cash Everyday demolishes the Split card on every metric. You get a full 15-month 0% intro APR on purchases compared to the Split's 3-month free period. During that time, you're earning 3% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 annually, then 1%), 3% on U.S. online retail purchases (up to $6,000 annually, then 1%), 3% at U.S. gas stations (up to $6,000 annually, then 1%), and 1% on everything else. The Split card earns zero rewards on any purchase category.
The payment flexibility difference is night and day. With the Blue Cash Everyday, you control your payments: pay your full balance, pay it off early, or spread payments across the intro period as you choose. The Split card forces you into predetermined payment schedules that you cannot adjust.
Example: A $1,200 grocery purchase paid over 12 months:
- Split card: $1,476 total ($225 in plan fees + $1,200 purchase) | $0 rewards
- Blue Cash Everyday: $1,200 total ($0 interest during intro period) | $36 cash back (3% on groceries)
Total difference: You save $276 and maintain complete payment flexibility.
Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.
Better Alternative: Chase Freedom Unlimited®
The Freedom Unlimited offers similar advantages with a 15-month 0% intro APR on purchases (then 18.74% - 28.24% Variable). You'll earn 5% on travel booked through Chase Travel℠, 3% on dining and drugstores, and 1.5% on everything else. Unlike the Split card's forced installments, you choose how much to pay each month. The Chase points also transfer to airline and hotel partners, potentially multiplying their value beyond simple cash back.
Example: A $1,200 purchase paid over 12 months:
- Split card: $1,476 total ($225 in plan fees) | $0 rewards
- Freedom Unlimited: $1,200 total ($0 fees during intro) | $18 in cash back minimum
Total difference: Save $243 minimum, with potentially more value if you transfer points strategically.
Better Alternative: Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card
For straightforward simplicity, the Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card offers a 15-month 0% intro APR (then 18.99% - 28.99% Variable) on purchases and earns 1.5% cash back on everything. No annual fee, no forced payment structure, and you earn rewards on every dollar spent. The Split card forces payment plans while earning nothing.
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U.S. Bank Split vs. Buy Now, Pay Later Services
How does the Split card compare to standalone BNPL services like Affirm, Klarna, and Afterpay?
The Split card works everywhere Mastercard is accepted, giving it universal merchant acceptance that BNPL services can't match, as those only work at select retailers. However, applying for the Split card requires a hard credit inquiry that temporarily impacts your score, while most BNPL services use soft inquiries or no credit check at all.
Payment flexibility heavily favors BNPL services. While the Split card restricts you to 3, 6, or 12-month plans, Affirm and similar platforms offer plans ranging from 4 payments up to 60+ months, depending on the merchant and purchase. Interest rates vary widely with BNPL - anywhere from 0% to 36% APR, depending on your creditworthiness and the merchant partnership. The Split card charges 0% for 3 months but then tacks on undisclosed monthly fees for longer terms.
Neither option offers meaningful rewards programs, though some BNPL services have started experimenting with loyalty benefits. The Split card earns nothing. One key difference: the Split card reports to all three credit bureaus as a traditional credit card, while BNPL services may or may not report your payment history, making the impact on your credit score inconsistent.
The verdict: BNPL services offer more flexible terms at participating retailers, while the Split card works everywhere but locks you into rigid payment schedules. For most people, neither option beats a rewards card with a 0% intro APR period.
U.S. Bank Split vs. U.S. Bank's Own Rewards Cards
Here's an irony: U.S. Bank's rewards cards with ExtendPay functionality are superior to the Split card in virtually every way.
US Bank Cash+ Visa Signature Card with ExtendPay
The Cash+ card earns 5% cash back on two categories you choose each quarter (up to $2,000 combined), 2% on one everyday category (groceries, gas stations, or restaurants), and 1% on everything else. You're earning substantial rewards on every purchase. The card also includes ExtendPay functionality for purchases $100 and above, offering payment plans up to 24 months—longer than the Split card's maximum 12 months. Some Cash+ cardholders report receiving periodic 0% fee ExtendPay promotional offers, making it even more valuable.
Example: That same $1,200 purchase:
- Split card: $1,476 total | $0 rewards
- Cash+ with ExtendPay: $1,200-$1,308 total (depending on ExtendPay fees if used) | $24-60 in cash back (depending on category bonus)
You get rewards and payment flexibility when needed, versus neither with the Split card. Why would U.S. Bank release the Split card when the US Bank Cash+ Visa Signature Card is objectively better? It's a puzzling product strategy that doesn't serve customers well.
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Who Might Actually Benefit from the U.S. Bank Split Card?
Despite the significant drawbacks, the Split card could work for a very specific audience:
Potential use cases:
Credit rebuilders who struggle with discipline: If you historically overspend and carry high-interest balances, the forced 3-month payment structure provides built-in guardrails. You can't accidentally carry a $5,000 balance accruing 25% APR because every purchase is automatically split into manageable chunks. However, a secured card focused on rebuilding credit might serve you better long-term.
People who don't qualify for 0% APR cards: If your credit score prevents approval for intro APR offers, the Split card's 3-month interest-free window beats paying 20-30% APR on a standard card. At least you get 3 months without interest charges, which is better than nothing. But you're still sacrificing all potential rewards earnings.
Those who prefer simplicity over optimization: If you value automatic payments over earning rewards and don't want to think about payment strategies, the Split card removes decision-making from the equation. Everything is automatically divided and paid. But you're leaving hundreds of dollars in rewards on the table annually.
However, even for these groups, alternatives likely exist that provide better value. A card like the Blue Cash Everyday offers autopay functionality while still earning rewards and providing a much longer interest-free period.
The Bottom Line: Skip the Split Card
For 99% of consumers, the U.S. Bank Split card offers inferior value compared to alternatives. If you want to finance purchases over time, choose a 0% intro APR card with rewards instead. If you need structured payment plans, BNPL services at checkout offer similar features without sacrificing rewards potential on other purchases.
And if you're already a U.S. Bank customer, its Cash+ card with ExtendPay functionality gives you 5% cash back in bonus categories plus the ability to create payment plans when needed. The Split card appears designed for consumers who don't understand their better options, which should raise concerns about whether U.S. Bank is truly acting in customers’ best interests with this product.
Kudos recommendation: Apply for the Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express, Chase Freedom Unlimited®, Citi Double Cash® Card, or even US Bank Cash+ Visa Signature Card instead. You'll get longer interest-free periods, earn valuable rewards, and maintain more control over your finances.
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Editorial Disclosure: Opinions expressed here are those of Kudos alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
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