What the NFL Extra Points Visa Card is and who issues it

The NFL Extra Points Visa Card is a co-branded credit card issued by U.S. Bank in partnership with the National Football League. It functions as a standard Visa credit card — you use it to make purchases, pay a monthly bill, and build credit history — but it rewards you with points on spending that you can redeem for NFL-related merchandise, experiences, and travel.

U.S. Bank handles the account management, billing, and customer service. The NFL branding means the card's design features team logos or league imagery, and the rewards program ties directly to NFL partnerships. This is not a debit card, a prepaid card, or a gift card — it is a revolving credit account that reports to the three major credit bureaus.

Key Takeaways

  • The NFL Extra Points Visa is a rewards credit card issued by U.S. Bank that earns points on purchases, redeemable for NFL merchandise, tickets, and travel.
  • You earn a set number of points per dollar spent in different categories — typically higher rates on gas, groceries, and dining, lower rates on other purchases.
  • The card carries an annual fee, which varies; U.S. Bank publishes the current fee on the card's product page and in your cardholder agreement.
  • Points do not expire as long as your account remains open and in good standing, but closing the account may forfeit unused points.
  • Redemption happens through the U.S. Bank rewards portal, where you can browse available NFL experiences, merchandise, and travel options.

How points are earned and what the earning rates are

Every time you use the card to make a purchase, you earn points based on the category of that purchase. The earning structure typically includes bonus rates in categories like gas stations, grocery stores, and restaurants, with a lower base rate on all other purchases. The exact points-per-dollar rate depends on the specific version of the card and can change, so you should check the current terms on U.S. Bank's website or in your cardholder agreement.

Points accumulate in your account automatically — you do not have to do anything to earn them beyond using the card. Some versions of the card also offer a one-time bonus of points when you open the account and meet a minimum spending threshold within a set timeframe (usually three to six months). That bonus is separate from the ongoing earning rate and can represent a meaningful chunk of points early on.

Unlike some rewards cards, points earned on the NFL Extra Points Visa do not expire as long as your account is active and you remain current on your payments. However, if you close the account, you typically forfeit any unused points, so it is worth redeeming or keeping the account open if you have a balance you want to use.

What you can redeem points for

Points can be redeemed through the U.S. Bank Rewards Center, an online portal where you log in with your card account credentials. The redemption options include NFL merchandise (jerseys, hats, collectibles), tickets to NFL games, travel bookings, and sometimes exclusive experiences like meet-and-greets or stadium tours. The specific items and experiences available change seasonally and depend on partnerships U.S. Bank has in place.

Redemption rates vary — some items may cost 5,000 points, others 25,000 or more. Travel redemptions often allow you to transfer points to airline or hotel partners, or you can book directly through the portal. The portal shows you the point cost of each item before you redeem, so you can compare value and decide whether to save up for a higher-cost item or redeem smaller amounts as you go.

Annual fees and other costs to know about

The NFL Extra Points Visa carries an annual fee that U.S. Bank charges once per year, usually on your account anniversary. The amount varies depending on the card version and can change over time. U.S. Bank discloses the current annual fee in the Pricing and Terms section of the card's product page and in any cardholder agreement you receive.

Beyond the annual fee, the card works like any other credit card: if you carry a balance month to month, you pay interest at the card's variable APR (annual percentage rate). If you pay your full statement balance by the due date each month, no interest charges explore. Late payments incur a late fee, and if you go over your credit limit, an over-limit fee may explore (though many cards now decline transactions that would exceed your limit).

The annual fee is a real cost to weigh against the rewards you expect to earn. If you spend enough in bonus categories to earn points worth more than the fee, the card makes financial sense. If you do not use the card regularly or do not redeem your points, the fee becomes a net loss.

How to open an account and what information you need

You can open an NFL Extra Points Visa account online through U.S. Bank's website, by phone, or at a U.S. Bank branch if you have one nearby. The online process is the fastest route and takes about 10 to 15 minutes.

You will need to provide your Social Security number, date of birth, current address, employment information, and annual income. U.S. Bank will run a hard inquiry on your credit report, which temporarily lowers your credit score by a few points. The bank uses this information to decide whether to approve you and what credit limit to offer.

Approval decisions usually come within minutes if you explore online. If approved, your physical card ships within 7 to 10 business days. You can often use a temporary digital card number when ready for online purchases while you wait for the physical card to arrive. If you are denied, U.S. Bank will send you a notice explaining the reason, and you can reapply after addressing the issue (such as building credit or lowering existing debt).

Managing your account and accessing the rewards portal

Once your account is open, you manage it through U.S. Bank's online banking portal or mobile app. You can view your balance, make payments, set up automatic payments, read statements, and access your rewards balance. The rewards section shows your current point total and displays available redemption options.

To redeem points, log into the Rewards Center, browse the available items or experiences, and select what you want. You can redeem in real time — points are deducted from your balance when ready, and physical merchandise ships within the timeframe listed (usually 5 to 10 business days). For travel or experiences, you may need to complete additional steps, such as selecting dates or confirming details with a partner vendor.

U.S. Bank also sends statements monthly, either by mail or email depending on your preference. Your statement shows all purchases, payments, fees, interest charges, and your current rewards balance. Keeping an eye on your statement helps you catch fraud early and track whether you are on pace to earn enough points to justify the annual fee.

How the card affects your credit and what happens if you close it

Opening the card creates a new account on your credit report, which lowers your credit score slightly in the short term (usually 5 to 10 points) due to the hard inquiry and the new account itself. Over time, as you use the card responsibly — making on-time payments and keeping your balance low relative to your credit limit — the card helps your credit score by adding to your payment history and lowering your overall credit utilization ratio.

If you close the account, the card stops reporting to the credit bureaus, and your credit score may drop because you lose the account's payment history and your utilization ratio may increase (if you still carry balances on other cards). The drop is usually temporary and recovers within a few months. Any unused points are forfeited when you close, so redeem them before you cancel if you want to use them.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my NFL Extra Points Visa outside the United States?

Yes, Visa is accepted in most countries worldwide. However, U.S. Bank typically charges a foreign transaction fee (usually 1 to 3 percent of the purchase amount) for transactions made outside the U.S. Check your cardholder agreement for the exact rate, and consider whether the fee is worth it for your travel plans.

Do points expire if I do not use them?

Points do not expire as long as your account is open and in good standing. However, if you close the account, any unused points are forfeited. Keep the account active if you plan to redeem points later, even if you are not using the card for purchases.

What happens if I miss a payment?

A missed payment is reported to the credit bureaus and damages your credit score. U.S. Bank will charge a late fee and may increase your APR to a penalty rate. If you miss a payment, contact U.S. Bank as soon as possible to bring your account current and discuss options for avoiding further damage.

Can I transfer my points to another person or account?

Points are tied to your account and generally cannot be transferred to another person. However, you can redeem points for merchandise or experiences and give those as gifts. Check U.S. Bank's redemption policy for any exceptions or special options.

What if I want to downgrade to a different U.S. Bank card?

You can contact U.S. Bank to downgrade to a different card product, though the bank may close your current account and open a new one. Downgrading typically forfeits any unused points, so redeem them before you downgrade. Ask U.S. Bank whether a downgrade or a new process would be better for your situation.