U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Credit Card Review and Comparison

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The U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Credit Card is a top-notch option for travel enthusiasts and everyday spenders alike. It offers 3X points on travel and dining purchases, with no rotating categories or spending limits.

This card has a $95 annual fee, which is relatively low compared to other premium credit cards. The points you earn can be redeemed for travel, gift cards, or cash back, with no blackout dates or restrictions.

The card also offers a $100 credit towards Global Entry or TSA PreCheck, which can save you time and hassle at the airport. Plus, you'll get a free checked bag on Delta flights, which can be a huge perk for frequent flyers.

Overall, the U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Credit Card is a solid choice for those who want to earn points on travel and dining purchases, with a range of redemption options and travel benefits to boot.

Benefits and Perks

The U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve credit card offers a range of benefits and perks that make it a valuable addition to your wallet. One of the most significant benefits is its annual travel and dining credit of up to $325, which can be used on eligible purchases such as airfare, hotel stays, and restaurant bills.

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You can earn 5 points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and car rentals booked directly in the Altitude Rewards Center, making it an excellent choice for frequent travelers. Additionally, you'll earn 3 points per dollar spent on eligible travel and mobile wallet spending.

The card also offers a generous sign-up bonus of 50,000 points worth $750 on travel, which can be earned after spending $4,500 in the first 90 days of account opening. This bonus can essentially pay for nearly two years of annual fees.

In addition to these benefits, the Altitude Reserve card offers a range of travel perks, including lost luggage reimbursement, trip cancellation and interruption insurance, and trip delay reimbursement. You'll also have access to Priority Pass airport lounge access, with 8 free visits per year.

Here are some of the key benefits and perks of the U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve credit card:

  • Annual travel and dining credit of up to $325
  • 5 points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and car rentals
  • 3 points per dollar spent on eligible travel and mobile wallet spending
  • 50,000-point sign-up bonus worth $750 on travel
  • Lost luggage reimbursement
  • Trip cancellation and interruption insurance
  • Trip delay reimbursement
  • Priority Pass airport lounge access (8 free visits per year)
  • Rental car perks with National, Avis, and Hertz
  • Roadside dispatch
  • Extended warranty protection
  • Return protection

Overall, the U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve credit card offers a range of benefits and perks that make it an excellent choice for frequent travelers and those who want to earn rewards on their everyday purchases.

Rewards Program

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The U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve credit card has a lucrative rewards program that's worth taking advantage of. You can earn 5 points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and car rentals booked directly in the Altitude Rewards Center.

The card offers a triple points bonus on eligible travel and mobile wallet spending, making it a great option for those who use services like Apple Pay, Google Pay, or Samsung Pay. This is a terrific rewards rate on categories of spending that few other cards can match.

You can redeem your points for travel, such as flight tickets and hotel stays, through the U.S. Bank online portal. Points are worth 1.5 cents each when redeemed for travel, making it a high redemption rate.

Here's a breakdown of the rewards rates:

  • 7.5% on prepaid hotels and car rentals booked directly in the Altitude Rewards Center.
  • 4.5% on eligible travel and mobile wallet spending.
  • 1.5% on everything else.

The card doesn't limit the number of points you can earn, so if you use your phone frequently, you may be surprised by how much you collect.

Fees and Charges

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The U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve credit card has a $400 annual fee, which can be mitigated by a huge statement credit of $325 towards dining and travel expenditures.

The APR for purchases and balance transfers is a variable 21.74% to 28.74%, and a balance transfer fee of 3% of the amount transferred (minimum $5) applies. There is also a late payment fee and a returned payment fee of up to $41. This card has no foreign transaction fees.

You can earn serious points using this card, but be aware that the balance transfer fee is higher compared to other cards, and the APR is on the higher side.

Annual Fee Offset by Large Credit

If you're considering a credit card with an annual fee, it's essential to know how the fee can be offset. The annual fee can be mitigated by a huge statement credit, making it more manageable.

For instance, the U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite Card offers a $325 annual travel credit that can be applied to dining and travel expenditures. This credit can essentially erase a significant portion of the annual fee.

Curious to learn more? Check out: Late Fee Bank of America Credit Card

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Using the card to buy a round-trip domestic ticket at American Airlines for $425, $325 of that amount will be erased by the travel credit, costing you a net $100 for the ticket. This is a significant saving, especially for frequent travelers.

The sign-up bonus can also make the annual fee more palatable. The Altitude Reserve Card offers an enrollment bonus of 50,000 points worth $750 on travel, which can be earned by spending $4,500 in the first 90 days of account opening.

The $325 annual travel credit can also be seen as a saving on the annual fee, making it easier to justify the cost of the card. This is especially true for those who can fully use the credit, effectively reducing the annual fee to $75.

Balance Transfer Fee

The balance transfer fee is an important aspect to consider when choosing a credit card. It's a fee charged when you transfer an existing balance from another credit card to a new one.

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For the U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve, the balance transfer fee is $5 or 3% of the amount transferred, whichever is greater, with a minimum of $5. This fee can add up quickly if you're transferring a large balance.

The Chase Sapphire Reserve, on the other hand, charges a balance transfer fee of either $5 or 5% of the amount of each balance transfer, whichever is greater.

Foreign Transaction Fees

The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card has an annual $300 travel credit for booking through Capital One Travel, which can help offset its $395 annual fee. This makes it a potentially more affordable option than some other cards.

The annual fee of the Capital One Venture X is $395, but the $300 travel credit can help reduce that cost.

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Features and Options

The U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite Card has some fantastic features that make it a great option for travelers. You can earn 5X points on prepaid hotels and car rentals booked directly in the Altitude Rewards Center.

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One of the standout benefits of this card is the ability to earn 3X points on every $1 spent on eligible travel and mobile wallet spending on Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay. This can really add up over time, especially if you use your phone to pay for travel expenses.

The card also comes with a generous sign-up bonus: earn 50,000 bonus points (worth $750 on travel) after spending $4,500 in your first 90 days of account opening. This is a great incentive to get started with the card.

Here are the key benefits of the U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite Card at a glance:

  • 5X points on prepaid hotels and car rentals booked directly in the Altitude Rewards Center
  • 3X points on every $1 on eligible travel and mobile wallet spending on Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay
  • 50,000 bonus points (worth $750 on travel) after spending $4,500 in your first 90 days of account opening

The annual fee for this card is $400, which is a significant investment. However, if you can take advantage of the benefits and rewards, it may be worth the cost.

How to Use

To get the most out of the U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve card, maximize your rewards earnings by linking it to your mobile wallet and paying with your phone as much as possible.

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Use your card for all your travel purchases to take advantage of the card's travel benefits and maximize your earning rate.

To avoid interest payments, pay your bill in full each month to protect your savings.

By following these simple steps, you can make the most of your U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve card and earn rewards while traveling.

Pros and Cons

The U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Credit Card has its advantages and disadvantages.

The card offers a high rewards rate of 3X points on all purchases in your top everyday category, such as gas or dining. This can add up quickly, especially if you use the card for regular expenses.

However, the card's rewards points have a limited redemption value. You can redeem points for travel, gift cards, or cash back, but the value is capped at 1 cent per point. This can be frustrating if you're looking to maximize your rewards earnings.

Despite this, the card's annual fee is waived for the first year, making it a more affordable option for new cardholders.

Our Take

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So you're considering this credit card, and you want to know the good stuff. One of the best perks is the Global Entry/TSA PreCheck application fee credit, which can save you a significant amount of money.

The credit card also offers up to $325 in travel and dining credits per year, which can be a huge help if you travel frequently or enjoy trying new restaurants. That's a lot of free money!

You'll also get a great return on mobile wallet purchases, which can add up quickly if you use your phone to pay for things regularly.

A unique perspective: Mahila Money

Lounge Access Poor

One of the main drawbacks of the Altitude Reserve card is its limited lounge access. The card's annual fee is already a significant $400.

While the card promises access to thousands of airport lounges through the Priority Pass Select program, this offering is actually quite limited. Most premium cards offer unlimited Priority Pass lounge access, but the Altitude Reserve only provides a year of access.

If free lounge access is a top priority for you, you're likely better off with a different premium card. Some cards offer unlimited Priority Pass access, making them a better choice for frequent travelers.

Pros and Cons

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The pros and cons of certain credit cards can be a real mixed bag. Some cards offer amazing rewards, but come with limitations that might not be worth it.

One con is that some cards have no transfer partners, making it difficult to pool points with other loyalty programs. This can be especially frustrating for frequent travelers.

Another con is that some cards have high minimum redemption amounts, such as $150 for car rentals and hotels. This can make it hard to get any real value out of your rewards.

In some areas, no-fee gift cards are always out of stock, making them not very useful.

Some cards also have limited flexibility, requiring you to book travel reservations directly with the hotel, airline, or car rental company to get the rewards bonus and travel credit.

A notable con of one card is its $400 annual fee, which might not be justified for some users.

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Pros

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One of the standout features of this credit card is the ability to earn 3X points on mobile wallet purchases, which can be redeemed for cash back or used to book travel.

You can earn 3X points on travel purchases too, making it a great option for frequent travelers.

The card also offers a Real-time mobile rewards program, which allows you to redeem points for 1.5 cents per point. This can be a particularly good option for those looking to book U.S. car rentals, as you can pay directly with your card and redeem points for the purchase through the program.

Here are some of the key benefits of the Real-time mobile rewards program:

  • Redeem points for 1.5 cents per point
  • Minimum redemption amount for car rentals is $150

Additionally, the card offers up to $325 in travel and dining credits per year, which can be used to offset the cost of your travels.

You can also earn a Global Entry/TSA PreCheck application fee credit, which can save you money on security fees.

Comparison and Decision

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The Altitude Reserve card is a solid choice for those who want basic airport lounge access without breaking the bank. It's an excellent mid-tier travel credit card that offers lounge access for $75, which is a rare perk on cards with sub-$100 annual fees.

If you spend around $27 a month on dining and travel, you'll max out the $325 travel and dining credit and effectively only pay $75 of the annual fee. This makes it a great option for those who frequently dine out and travel.

The Altitude Reserve also offers 3X points on mobile wallet purchases, which can be redeemed for a 4.5% return toward travel expenses. Each Altitude Reserve point is worth 1.5 cents in travel.

The insurance coverage on the Altitude Reserve is better than most mid-tier cards, providing additional peace of mind for travelers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is US Bank Altitude Reserve discontinued?

The US Bank Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite Card is no longer accepting new applications, but existing cardholders can continue to use their cards. If you're an existing cardholder, you may want to explore replacement card options.

Is the US Bank Altitude Reserve hard to get?

The US Bank Altitude Reserve Card has a high approval bar, requiring a credit score of 750+ for best chances of approval. If you have excellent credit, you may be eligible for this card.

Ruben Quitzon

Lead Assigning Editor

Ruben Quitzon is a seasoned assigning editor with a keen eye for detail and a passion for storytelling. With a background in finance and journalism, Ruben has honed his expertise in covering complex topics with clarity and precision. Throughout his career, Ruben has assigned and edited articles on a wide range of topics, including the banking sectors of Belgium, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands.

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