How to Turn a $100 Software Credit into Real Profit with the U.S. Bank Triple Cash Card

If you run a small business or even a side hustle, you already know how quickly software subscriptions add up. But what if you could turn one of those monthly bills into a nice little profit? That's exactly what the U.S. Bank Triple Cash Rewards Visa Business Card does with its $100 software credit. It's not a gimmick—it's a legit perk that can put money back in your pocket, especially if you choose the right service.

What Exactly Is This Software Credit?

The U.S. Bank Triple Cash card comes with a built-in annual benefit: a $100 statement credit for recurring software subscription expenses. The catch? You need to use the card for 11 consecutive months on eligible software purchases. After that, the $100 credit lands on your account within a couple of billing cycles. It's not a one-time deal—you can earn it again each year as long as you keep up the monthly charges.

The key is that the purchase must be made directly with a software service provider and must code under merchant category code 5734 (Computer Software Stores). That means no buying gift cards or going through third-party resellers.

Making It Profitable: The BitWarden Example

Here's where it gets interesting. There's no minimum monthly spend required to qualify for the credit. So if you can find a cheap monthly subscription that codes correctly, you can actually come out ahead. The most popular example right now is BitWarden's Teams plan. It costs just $5 per month, or $60 over the course of a year. You'll get the $100 credit, so that's a $40 profit. Not bad for a password manager you'd probably use anyway.

Other services that have been reported to work include 1Password, Adobe Creative Cloud, ChatGPT, Claude, Cloudflare, Fastmail, Kagi Search, Midjourney, Mullvad VPN, Shopify, and Xero. But always double-check—merchant codes can change without warning.

How to Check If a Purchase Will Count

Before you sign up for anything, it's smart to verify the merchant category code. You can do this by downloading a CSV of your transactions from your U.S. Bank account. Open the file and look for the memo column—the last four digits in that column are the MCC. If it's 5734, you're golden. If it's anything else, don't count on the credit.

Also, keep in mind that U.S. Bank reserves the right to decide which purchases qualify. So even if a merchant uses the right MCC, there's always a small risk the credit won't apply. Stick with services that have a proven track record from other cardholders.

Things to Watch Out For

First, the credit only applies to purchases made directly with the software provider. Buying through a retailer like Amazon or a discount store won't work. Second, if you cancel your subscription before the 11 months are up, you reset the clock. You need those 11 consecutive months of charges. Third, if your account is closed or not in good standing when the credit is supposed to post, you won't get it.

Also, be aware that some services that used to work no longer do. Protonmail and CrashPlan are examples that have fallen off the list. Always check recent data points before committing to a new subscription.

Bottom Line

• The $100 software credit is renewable annually, so it's a long-term perk.
• No minimum monthly spend means you can profit from a cheap subscription like BitWarden Teams ($5/month).
• Always verify the MCC (5734) before relying on a purchase to trigger the credit.
• Avoid third-party resellers—purchases must be made directly with the software provider.
• Keep your account open and in good standing for the full 11 months to receive the credit.

Common Questions