The U.S. Bank Altitude® Reserve Visa Infinite® Card is a premium travel rewards credit card that offers a unique combination of valuable benefits, including a $325 annual credit for travel and dining purchases, 3x points on mobile wallet spending, and 1.5 cents per point value when redeemed for travel, making it an attractive option for frequent travelers who prioritize flexibility and simplicity in their rewards program.
This credit card review will cover everything you need to know about this card to determine if you should add this card or a different card to your wallet. Let’s dive right in.
Welcome Bonus of U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Card
The Altitude Reserve currently offers the following welcome bonus:
Earn 50,000 Points after spending $4,500 in the first 90 Days. While this bonus may not be the most lucrative compared to some of its competitors, it’s still worth $750 when redeemed for travel through U.S. Bank’s portal.
Keep in mind that U.S. Bank has some specific application rules and restrictions. To be eligible for the Altitude Reserve, you must be an existing U.S. Bank customer. If you don’t already have a relationship with the bank, consider opening a free checking or savings account to meet this requirement. Additionally, U.S. Bank is sensitive to the number of new accounts and recent credit inquiries on your credit report, so it’s best to apply when you have a good to excellent credit score and haven’t been actively seeking new credit in the recent past.
Earning Points
One of the standout features of the Altitude Reserve is its unique earning structure, which rewards cardholders for both travel and mobile wallet purchases. Here’s how it breaks down:
- 5 points per dollar on prepaid hotels and car rentals booked directly in the Altitude Rewards Center.
- 3 points per dollar on eligible travel purchases.
- 3 points per dollar on mobile wallet spending (Apple Pay, Samsung Pay, Google Pay, etc.)
- 1 point per dollar on all other eligible purchases.
You can redeem points for 1.5 cents per point for travel, so:
- 5 points per dollar is equivalent to 7.5% cash back.
- 3 points per dollar is equivalent to 4.5% cash back.
- 1 point per dollar is equivalent to 1.5% cash back.
The 3x mobile wallet category is particularly noteworthy. It allows you to earn bonus points on a wide variety of in-store and online purchases, as long as you use a mobile wallet to pay. This includes everything from your morning coffee to your trip to Costco, making it easy to rack up points on everyday spending.
As for travel purchases, the Altitude Reserve delivers solid earning potential. While the 5x rate is limited to prepaid hotels and car rentals booked through U.S. Bank’s portal, you’ll still earn a respectable 3x on other eligible travel expenses like flights, cruises, passenger trains, and travel agencies. If you’re a frequent traveler, these bonus categories can quickly add up to significant rewards.
Annual Fee
The U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve has an annual fee of $400. While this may seem steep at first glance, the card offers several benefits that can help offset the cost.
The main way to offset the annual fee is with the annual $325 credit for eligible travel purchases and dining, takeout, and restaurant delivery purchases. This credit automatically applies to a wide range of expenses, effectively reducing your net annual fee to just $75 if you can maximize it.
Of course, $75 is still an out-of-pocket cost, so it’s important to consider whether the card’s other benefits and earning potential justify the expense for your particular situation. If you’re a frequent traveler who can take advantage of perks like Priority Pass lounge access and travel insurance protections, the Altitude Reserve may be worth the investment.
Altitude Reserve Benefits
The Altitude Reserve offers the following benefits:
$325 Annual Credit: The Altitude Reserve provides an annual statement credit of $325 for eligible travel purchases and dining, takeout, and restaurant delivery purchases. This includes many expenses, from flights and hotels to car rentals, dining out, and food delivery services. The credit is automatically applied to your account, so there’s no need to track or request reimbursement.
Priority Pass: Enjoy complimentary Priority Pass™ membership, granting you unlimited access to over 1,300 airport lounges worldwide upon enrollment. Escape the hustle and bustle of the terminal and relax in a comfortable lounge with amenities like free Wi-Fi, food, and drinks. The Altitude Reserve’s version of the Priority Pass offers only 8 free visits each year, unlike most other premium travel cards, which are unlimited. However, it is one of the few cards that offer access to Priority Pass Restaurants.
Global Entry / TSA PreCheck Credit: This card offers a credit for TSA PreCheck (expedited airport security) or Global Entry (expedited airport security and customs).
Primary Rental Car Insurance: When you rent a car and pay with this card, you’ll receive comprehensive coverage including damage and theft protection. Simply decline the rental company’s collision damage waiver and charge the entire rental to your card to activate coverage. This insurance covers damage, theft, and valid loss-of-use charges worldwide.
Trip Delay Insurance: When your trip is significantly delayed due to covered reasons like equipment failures or severe weather, this protection reimburses you for reasonable expenses including lodging, meals, toiletries, and medication. The coverage activates when you pay for travel with your card and extends to family members on the same itinerary, though you’ll need to seek reimbursement from the travel carrier first.
Trip Cancellation & Interruption Insurance: This protection reimburses you for non-refundable, prepaid travel expenses if you need to cancel before departure or cut your trip short due to covered situations like severe illness or weather events. Coverage activates when you pay for your trip with the card, but it’s important to note that reimbursement only applies for specific covered reasons rather than any cancellation.
Lost Luggage Reimbursement: Your checked luggage gets extra protection against loss, theft, or damage beyond the basic compensation offered by carriers when you pay for travel with this card.
Return Protection allows cardholders to receive a refund for purchased items within a certain timeframe for items that merchants may not accept for return.
Extended Warranty Protection: Your purchases gain an extra year of warranty protection when bought with this card, extending manufacturer warranties of three years or less without the inflated prices of store warranty plans.
90-Day Purchase Protection: Your new purchases are covered against damage and theft for 90 days when you use your card. This protection helps safeguard your eligible items right from the moment you buy them.
No Foreign Transaction Fees: You’ll save money on every purchase while traveling internationally since this card doesn’t add the typical 3% surcharge that many other cards impose.
Visa Infinite Concierge can help you with travel planning, buying tickets, booking reservations, and other tasks.
Visa Infinite Benefits: In addition to great travel and purchase protections, Visa Infinite offers other perks such as the Visa Infinite Luxury Hotel Collection, rental car discounts, and special memberships
Redeeming Altitude Reserve Points
One of the features of the U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve is the simplicity and flexibility of its rewards redemption process. Unlike some other premium travel cards that require you to navigate complicated loyalty programs or transfer points to airline and hotel partners, the Altitude Reserve allows you to easily redeem your points for statement credits towards eligible travel purchases.
When you use your Altitude Reserve card to make a qualifying travel purchase, such as booking a flight, hotel, rental car, or cruise, you can simply log in to your U.S. Bank account online or through the mobile app and redeem your points for a statement credit to offset the cost. Points are worth a fixed 1.5 cents each when redeemed this way, providing a straightforward and valuable redemption option.
To redeem your points for travel, the purchase must meet certain minimum thresholds: $250 for car rentals, $500 for hotels, and no minimum for other travel expenses like flights and cruises. This means you can use your points to cover smaller travel purchases as well as larger ones, giving you more flexibility in how you use your rewards.
In addition to travel redemptions, you can use your Altitude Reserve points for other options like cash back, merchandise, gift cards, and more. However, these redemption methods typically offer a lower value per point than travel statement credits, so it’s generally best to stick with using your points for travel if you want to maximize their value.
Pros of the Altitude Reserve
Let’s summarize some of the card’s main advantages:
- Strong Redemption Value: Points are worth a fixed 1.5 cents each when redeemed for travel through U.S. Bank’s portal, providing a solid return on your spending.
- Unique Mobile Wallet Category: The ability to earn 3x points on mobile wallet purchases is a standout feature that can quickly rack up rewards on everyday spending.
- Valuable Travel and Dining Credit: The $325 annual credit for travel, dining, takeout, and delivery can help offset the card’s annual fee if you maximize it each year.
- Comprehensive Travel Benefits: From Priority Pass lounge access to Global Entry/TSA PreCheck reimbursement and travel insurance protections, the Altitude Reserve offers a well-rounded set of perks for frequent travelers.
Cons of the Altitude Reserve
No credit card is perfect, and the Altitude Reserve has some potential drawbacks to consider:
- High Annual Fee: The card’s $400 annual fee may be a dealbreaker for some, especially if you’re not sure you can fully utilize the travel credit and other benefits.
- Limited Lounge Access: While the Priority Pass membership is a nice perk, the Altitude Reserve only includes eight complimentary visits per year, which may not be enough for frequent travelers.
- No Transfer Partners: Unlike some other premium travel cards, the Altitude Reserve doesn’t allow you to transfer points to airline or hotel loyalty programs for potentially greater value.
- U.S. Bank Relationship Required: To be eligible for the card, you must have an existing relationship with U.S. Bank, which may be inconvenient for some applicants.
Alternatives to the Altitude Reserve
Now that you know about this credit card’s various benefits and pros and cons, it’s time to see its alternatives.
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card (review) delivers both everyday value with unlimited 2x miles on purchases and premium comfort through comprehensive airport lounge access for you upon enrollment. You’ll also receive $300 in annual travel credits plus 10,000 anniversary bonus miles, creating substantial ongoing value. Welcome Bonus: bonus_miles_full Earning Rewards: 10x miles on hotels and rental cars and 5x miles on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel; 2x miles on all other purchases. Card Benefits: $300 annual credit for bookings through Capital One Travel, 10,000 bonus miles every account anniversary, airport lounge access (Capital One and Priority Pass) upon enrollment, Global Entry / TSA PreCheck credit, Hertz President’s Circle elite status, primary rental car insurance, trip delay insurance, trip cancellation insurance, and cell phone protection. Transfer Partners: Accor (2 to 1), Aeromexico, Air Canada Aeroplan, Air France-KLM Flying Blue, Avianca LifeMiles, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Choice Privileges, Emirates, Etihad, Finnair, I Prefer Hotels (1 to 2), Japan Airlines(2 to 1.5), JetBlue (5 to 3), Qantas, Qatar, Singapore KrisFlyer, TAP Air Portugal, Turkish Airlines, Virgin Red, and Wyndham Rewards.
American Express Platinum Card®
American Express Platinum Card® (review) offers the most comprehensive airport lounge network available, giving you access to premium Centurion Lounges plus thousands of other lounges worldwide. You can easily offset the card’s large annual fee through generous credits for Uber, hotels, digital entertainment, Resy dining, and lifestyle brands like lululemon. Earning Points: 5x on flights booked directly with airlines or through American Express Travel®, on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year; 5x points on on prepaid hotels booked on AmexTravel.com; 1x points on all other purchases. Card Benefits: Transfer Partners: Aer Lingus, AeroMexico, Air Canada Aeroplan, ANA, Avianca LifeMiles, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Choice Privileges, Delta, Emirates, Etihad, Air France – KLM Flying Blue, Hawaiian Airlines, Hilton, Iberia, JetBlue, Marriott, Qantas, Qatar Airways, Singapore KrisFlyer, and Virgin Atlantic.
Chase Sapphire Reserve®
The Chase Sapphire Reserve® (review) offers premium travel benefits including lounge access, hotel elite status, and multiple statement credits that can offset its $795 annual fee. With bonus earnings on travel and dining purchases plus the ability to transfer points to 14 airline and hotel partners, this card delivers strong value for frequent travelers who can maximize its benefits. Welcome Bonus: bonus_miles_full Earning Rewards: 10x points on Hotels (excluding The Edit) and car rentals and 5x points on flights through Chase Travel after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually; 10x points on Chase Dining purchases with Ultimate Rewards; 3x points on dining at restaurants, including eligible delivery services, takeout, and dining out; 3x points on other travel after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually; 1x points on other eligible spending. Card Benefits: $300 annual travel credit, Priority Pass airport lounge membership with unlimited visits, Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® or NEXUS application fee credit of up to $120 every four years, no foreign transaction fees, travel insurance (primary rental car, trip delay, trip cancellation, travel accident, lost luggage, and baggage delay), purchase protection, return protection, and extended warranty. Transfer Partners: Aer Lingus, Air Canada Aeroplan, British Airways, Emirates, Air France KLM Flying Blue, Hyatt, IHG, Iberia, JetBlue, Marriott, Singapore KrisFlyer, Southwest, United, and Virgin Atlantic.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum redemption amount for travel purchases?
To redeem points for car rentals, the charge must be at least $250, and for hotels, the charge must be at least $500. There is no minimum amount for other types of travel purchases like flights or cruises.
How do I book travel through the Altitude Rewards Center?
You can easily book travel through the Altitude Rewards Center online or via the U.S. Bank mobile app. Simply log in to your account, navigate to the rewards section, and follow the prompts to search for and book your desired travel.
Can I combine points from other U.S. Bank credit cards?
Yes, you can combine points earned from other eligible U.S. Bank rewards credit cards and redeem them with your Altitude Reserve account. This can be a great way to pool your rewards for maximum value.
Does the Altitude Reserve charge foreign transaction fees?
No, the Altitude Reserve does not charge any foreign transaction fees, making it an excellent choice for international travel.
Is the U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Visa Worth It?
As with most financial decisions, the answer depends on your circumstances, spending, and travel habits.
If you’re a frequent traveler who can take full advantage of the card’s $325 annual travel credit, Priority Pass lounge access, and other travel benefits, the Altitude Reserve can offer significant value and easily justify its annual fee. The card’s unique 3x mobile wallet category also makes it an attractive choice for those who prefer to pay with their phone or smartwatch, as it can rapidly accelerate your points earning on everyday purchases.
On the other hand, if you’re a more occasional traveler or don’t think you’ll be able to maximize the card’s benefits, you may be better off with a lower-fee travel rewards card.
Similarly, if you prefer the flexibility of transferring points to airline or hotel partners and unlimited airport lounge access, you may want to consider alternatives like the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card, or American Express Platinum Card®, which offer more versatile rewards programs.
For rates and fees of The Platinum Card® from American Express, please click here. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.
