Which card earns more rewards, the Birch Lane Mastercard or U.S. Bank Smartly Visa Signature Card?

The Birch Lane Mastercard has a higher base earn rate (1X vs 0X), but both cards have different bonus categories where they excel.

Should I get the Birch Lane Mastercard or the U.S. Bank Smartly Visa Signature Card?

Both cards have the same $0/yr fee. Choose based on which bonus categories match your spending — check the earn rate comparison above.

Which card earns more rewards, the Birch Lane Mastercard or U.S. Bank Smartly Visa Signature Card?

The Birch Lane Mastercard has a higher base earn rate (1X vs 0X), but both cards have different bonus categories where they excel.

Should I get the Birch Lane Mastercard or the U.S. Bank Smartly Visa Signature Card?

Both cards have the same $0/yr fee. Choose based on which bonus categories match your spending — check the earn rate comparison above.

Which card earns more rewards, the Birch Lane Mastercard or U.S. Bank Smartly Visa Signature Card?

The Birch Lane Mastercard has a higher base earn rate (1X vs 0X), but both cards have different bonus categories where they excel.

Should I get the Birch Lane Mastercard or the U.S. Bank Smartly Visa Signature Card?

Both cards have the same $0/yr fee. Choose based on which bonus categories match your spending — check the earn rate comparison above.

CardRewards

Editorial disclosure: CardRewards.ai is an independent comparison service. Our analysis is based on publicly available card data and is reviewed regularly by our editorial team. Card issuers do not influence our rankings or content. Last updated: May 2026.

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Birch Lane Mastercard vs U.S. Bank Smartly Visa Signature Card

Both cards cost $0/yr. The Birch Lane Mastercard is better for wayfair brands, while the U.S. Bank Smartly Visa Signature Card wins on everyday spending. Here's how they compare.

Birch Lane Mastercard

Citi

U.S. Bank Smartly Visa Signature Card

U.S. Bank

Fees & Welcome Offer

Annual Fee

Welcome Bonus

—

Earn Rates

Category	Birch Lane Mastercard	U.S. Bank Smartly Visa Signature Card
Wayfair Brands	7X	1X
Grocery Stores	3X	1X
Online Shopping	2X	1X
Everything Else	1X	1X

Benefits & Features

Network

MASTERCARD

VISA

Key Benefits

None

Pros & Cons

Pros

—

+Up to 4% cash back on all purchases with full U.S. Bank relationship
+No annual fee even at highest earning tier
+$250 welcome bonus after $1,000 spend in 120 days
+Visa Signature benefits including extended warranty, purchase protection, and rental car CDW
+Simple flat-rate structure eliminates category tracking

Cons

—

−Requires U.S. Bank Smartly Checking + Savings accounts to earn maximum 4% rate
−Base 2% rate without relationship bonuses is below best flat-rate competitors
−$50,000 annual cap on bonus earning rates, then drops to 1%
−3% foreign transaction fee limits international utility
−Must maintain multiple U.S. Bank accounts to maximize value

Category-by-Category Winner

The Birch Lane Mastercard wins in 3 of 3 categories. The U.S. Bank Smartly Visa Signature Card leads in 0.

Wayfair Brands

Birch Lane Mastercard earns 7X vs 1X

Grocery Stores

Birch Lane Mastercard earns 3X vs 1X

Online Shopping

Birch Lane Mastercard earns 2X vs 1X

Which Card Is Right for You?

Get the Birch Lane Mastercard if you:

+Do most of your spending at grocery stores

Frequently Asked Questions

Which card earns more rewards, the Birch Lane Mastercard or U.S. Bank Smartly Visa Signature Card?: The Birch Lane Mastercard has a higher base earn rate (1X vs 0X), but both cards have different bonus categories where they excel.
Should I get the Birch Lane Mastercard or the U.S. Bank Smartly Visa Signature Card?: Both cards have the same $0/yr fee. Choose based on which bonus categories match your spending — check the earn rate comparison above.

Explore More

Birch Lane Mastercard — Full Review All Citi Cards

U.S. Bank Smartly Visa Signature Card — Full Review All U.S. Bank Cards

Browse all comparisons →Browse all card categories →

Official issuer pages: Citi cards · U.S. Bank cards

Editorial disclosure: The analysis on this page is based on publicly available card data and is updated regularly. CardRewards.ai is an independent comparison service. Card issuers do not influence our rankings or editorial content. Last updated: May 2026.

Birch Lane Mastercard vs U.S. Bank Smartly Visa Signature Card

Both cards cost $0/yr. The Birch Lane Mastercard is better for wayfair brands, while the U.S. Bank Smartly Visa Signature Card wins on everyday spending. Here's how they compare.

Birch Lane Mastercard

Citi

U.S. Bank Smartly Visa Signature Card

U.S. Bank

Fees & Welcome Offer

Annual Fee

Welcome Bonus

—

Earn Rates

Category	Birch Lane Mastercard	U.S. Bank Smartly Visa Signature Card
Wayfair Brands	7X	1X
Grocery Stores	3X	1X
Online Shopping	2X	1X
Everything Else	1X	1X

Benefits & Features

Network

MASTERCARD

VISA

Key Benefits

None

Pros & Cons

Pros

—

+Up to 4% cash back on all purchases with full U.S. Bank relationship
+No annual fee even at highest earning tier
+$250 welcome bonus after $1,000 spend in 120 days
+Visa Signature benefits including extended warranty, purchase protection, and rental car CDW
+Simple flat-rate structure eliminates category tracking

Cons

—

−Requires U.S. Bank Smartly Checking + Savings accounts to earn maximum 4% rate
−Base 2% rate without relationship bonuses is below best flat-rate competitors
−$50,000 annual cap on bonus earning rates, then drops to 1%
−3% foreign transaction fee limits international utility
−Must maintain multiple U.S. Bank accounts to maximize value

Category-by-Category Winner

The Birch Lane Mastercard wins in 3 of 3 categories. The U.S. Bank Smartly Visa Signature Card leads in 0.

Wayfair Brands

Birch Lane Mastercard earns 7X vs 1X

Grocery Stores

Birch Lane Mastercard earns 3X vs 1X

Online Shopping

Birch Lane Mastercard earns 2X vs 1X

Which Card Is Right for You?

Get the Birch Lane Mastercard if you:

+Do most of your spending at grocery stores

Frequently Asked Questions

Which card earns more rewards, the Birch Lane Mastercard or U.S. Bank Smartly Visa Signature Card?: The Birch Lane Mastercard has a higher base earn rate (1X vs 0X), but both cards have different bonus categories where they excel.
Should I get the Birch Lane Mastercard or the U.S. Bank Smartly Visa Signature Card?: Both cards have the same $0/yr fee. Choose based on which bonus categories match your spending — check the earn rate comparison above.

Explore More

Birch Lane Mastercard — Full Review All Citi Cards

U.S. Bank Smartly Visa Signature Card — Full Review All U.S. Bank Cards

Browse all comparisons →Browse all card categories →

Official issuer pages: Citi cards · U.S. Bank cards

Birch Lane Mastercard vs U.S. Bank Smartly Visa Signature Card

Both cards cost $0/yr. The Birch Lane Mastercard is better for wayfair brands, while the U.S. Bank Smartly Visa Signature Card wins on everyday spending. Here's how they compare.

Birch Lane Mastercard

Citi

U.S. Bank Smartly Visa Signature Card

U.S. Bank

Fees & Welcome Offer

Annual Fee

Welcome Bonus

—

Earn Rates

Category	Birch Lane Mastercard	U.S. Bank Smartly Visa Signature Card
Wayfair Brands	7X	1X
Grocery Stores	3X	1X
Online Shopping	2X	1X
Everything Else	1X	1X

Benefits & Features

Network

MASTERCARD

VISA

Key Benefits

None

Pros & Cons

Pros

—

+Up to 4% cash back on all purchases with full U.S. Bank relationship
+No annual fee even at highest earning tier
+$250 welcome bonus after $1,000 spend in 120 days
+Visa Signature benefits including extended warranty, purchase protection, and rental car CDW
+Simple flat-rate structure eliminates category tracking

Cons

—

−Requires U.S. Bank Smartly Checking + Savings accounts to earn maximum 4% rate
−Base 2% rate without relationship bonuses is below best flat-rate competitors
−$50,000 annual cap on bonus earning rates, then drops to 1%
−3% foreign transaction fee limits international utility
−Must maintain multiple U.S. Bank accounts to maximize value

Category-by-Category Winner

The Birch Lane Mastercard wins in 3 of 3 categories. The U.S. Bank Smartly Visa Signature Card leads in 0.

Wayfair Brands

Birch Lane Mastercard earns 7X vs 1X

Grocery Stores

Birch Lane Mastercard earns 3X vs 1X

Online Shopping

Birch Lane Mastercard earns 2X vs 1X

Which Card Is Right for You?

Get the Birch Lane Mastercard if you:

+Do most of your spending at grocery stores

Frequently Asked Questions

Which card earns more rewards, the Birch Lane Mastercard or U.S. Bank Smartly Visa Signature Card?: The Birch Lane Mastercard has a higher base earn rate (1X vs 0X), but both cards have different bonus categories where they excel.
Should I get the Birch Lane Mastercard or the U.S. Bank Smartly Visa Signature Card?: Both cards have the same $0/yr fee. Choose based on which bonus categories match your spending — check the earn rate comparison above.

Explore More

Birch Lane Mastercard — Full Review All Citi Cards

U.S. Bank Smartly Visa Signature Card — Full Review All U.S. Bank Cards

Browse all comparisons →Browse all card categories →

Official issuer pages: Citi cards · U.S. Bank cards