U.S. Bank is shaking up its Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite Card rewards program with significant changes taking effect December 15, 2025. The biggest news? You’ll finally be able to transfer your Altitude Reserve points to airline and hotel loyalty programs.
Cardholders (including myself) received an email detailing these updates, which address one of the card’s most glaring weaknesses. Until now, you were stuck redeeming points through U.S. Bank’s own portal or for statement credits. The new transfer partnerships give you much more flexibility to maximize your points for premium travel redemptions.
Transfer Partners Change Everything (But Details Are Scarce)
The ability to move points to other loyalty programs transforms how you should think about the Altitude Reserve. You can now potentially squeeze more value from your points by transferring to partners with sweet spots for business class flights or luxury hotel stays.
The email mentions both airline and hotel loyalty programs as transfer options. However, U.S. Bank hasn’t revealed which specific airlines and hotels will be partners yet. The timing suggests they’re serious about competing with Chase and American Express, both of which have extensive transfer partner networks.
Earning Changes Create Winners and Losers
The card’s earning structure is getting a complete makeover. Mobile wallet spending will earn 3X points on your first $5,000 each billing cycle, then drop to 1X. This applies to Apple Pay, Google Wallet, and Samsung Pay purchases.
You’ll see the biggest earning boost when booking through U.S. Bank’s Travel Center. Hotel and car rental bookings will earn 10X points, while flights earn 5X points. These rates only apply to Travel Center bookings, not direct purchases with airlines or hotels.
Travel purchases made directly with airlines, hotels, and other travel companies will continue earning 3X points. All other purchases earn 1X points.
Annual Credit Gets More Restrictive
The current $325 annual credit works for both travel and dining purchases. Starting December 15, you’ll only earn credits for travel booked through the Travel Center.
This change makes the credit much harder to use. You’ll need to book flights, hotels, or car rentals through U.S. Bank’s portal rather than directly with airlines or hotel chains.
Redemption Values Take a Hit
Point values are dropping across the board for most redemptions. Currently, 10,000 points equal $150 when redeemed for travel. After December 15, those same points will only be worth $100.
The new structure values points at 1 cent each for travel redemptions and deposits to U.S. Bank accounts. Other redemption options like statement credits and gift cards may have different values that can change over time.
New Perks Add Some Sweetness
U.S. Bank is adding several new redemption options to soften the blow. You can now redeem points for charitable donations, with U.S. Bank matching your contribution 100%.
Amazon integration lets you use points for purchases on Amazon.com, including Amazon Fresh grocery orders. You’ll also get discounts up to 5% on gift cards from dozens of retailers.
The bank is also upgrading its cash-back deals platform with better search and filtering options through the mobile app.
The Verdict
These changes represent the most significant overhaul of the Altitude Reserve since its launch. Transfer partners finally give the card competitive redemption flexibility, but the reduced point values and more restrictive annual credit create some trade-offs.
You have until December 14 to redeem points at current values if you want to cash out before the changes hit. After that, the new program rules take effect permanently.
