The U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve card is a powerful tool to keep in your virtual wallet thanks to increased earnings on mobile wallet spend. It is also a solid travel card that can be handy to keep around for lodging, trains, and other in-the-moment travel spend, though the travel insurance limitations make it less useful for booking flights and lodging for expensive trips. Still, easy-to-use and easy-to-understand rewards can make this a great card for qualifying travel redemptions.
U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Complete Guide
| Card Offer |
|---|
50K points ⓘ Non-Affiliate 50K after $4.5K spend in 90 days$400 Annual Fee Information about this card has been collected independently by Frequent Miler. The issuer did not provide the details, nor is it responsible for their accuracy. |
U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Review
The U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve is a terrific card for everyday spend anywhere mobile wallet is accepted (mobile wallet means Apple Pay, Google Pay, or Samsung Pay). That’s because the Altitude Reserve card earns 3x on mobile wallet spend and those points can then be used to cover select travel purchases at a value of 1.5c per point. It is pretty easy to turn this into a card that earns 4.5% cash back everywhere mobile wallet is accepted — and these days, that includes most places where you would spend money in-person and also some places where you can use mobile payment online. This can be especially good for purchases that ordinarily wouldn’t earn strong category bonuses on other cards, like at warehouse clubs such as Costco, Sam’s Club, or BJ’s Wholesale. In our opinion, this card is a must-have for those who spend a lot at places where mobile wallet is accepted and that wouldn’t otherwise earn a category bonus.
- Annual Fee: $400
- Authorized User Annual Fee: Free
- Annual credits: $325 in automatic credits for travel and dining purchases
- Foreign Transaction Fee: None
- What points are worth: 1.5c for real-time mobile rewards travel purchases or for travel purchases made through the US Bank travel portal. Only 1c per point for many other types of real-time mobile rewards redemptions (like grocery or restaurant redemptions). Points can alternatively be used for a statement credit at a $0.01 per point.
- Best Use for Points: You can get 1.5c per point in value when redeeming points for paid travel through Real-Time Mobile Rewards. Note that officially, Real-Time Mobile Rewards only works with US-based travel providers and rental car and hotel redemptions have a minimum redemption amount of $150 (most other redemptions have a minimum of $10). \
- Earning Categories:
- 5x prepaid hotel & car rental through Altitude Rewards Center
- 3X travel and mobile wallet payments
- 1X everywhere else
- Travel Protections:
- Auto Rental Coverage: Primary auto rental CDW (collision damage waiver). Provides reimbursement for theft and collision damage for rental cars in the U.S. and abroad.
- Travel Interruption Insurance: Kicks in with delays of longer than 6 hours or overnight, good for up to $500 per ticket.
- Baggage Delay Insurance: This card does not feature baggage delay insurance
- Trip Cancellation Insurance: Covers up to $2,000 per traveler up to a maximum of $2,000 per trip when you use your card or rewards associated with your card. Note the low overall cap and the requirement to have purchased your ticket with this card or rewards associated with it. See our guide to Ultra-Premium Credit Card Travel Protections.
- Purchase Protections:
- Extended Warranty: One additional year, on eligible warranties of three years or less (US warranties only).
- Damage and Theft Protection: Covers new purchases for 90 days against damage or theft up to $10,000 per claim/$50,000 per account.
- Who’s this card for? Anyone that spends a fair amount on mobile wallet purchases.
- Is the U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve card a keeper? Given the very easy (and automatic) reimbursements for up to $325 in annual travel and restaurant purchases, this card feels close to a net $75 annual fee. For that price, most people would likely find the effectively uncapped 4.5% back toward travel purchases to be a compelling return on otherwise unbonused spend in situations where mobile wallet can be used..
U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Pros and Cons
Pros
- 3X points anywhere mobile wallet can be used, which is almost anywhere in-person through Apple Pay, Google Pay, or Samsung Pay
- 3X travel
- Ability to redeem points for 1.5c per point through Real-time mobile rewards. This can be a particularly good option for those looking for a way to get good value out of points toward U.S. car rentals since you’ll pay directly with your card and redeem points for the purchase through real-time mobile rewards. Just keep in mind the minimum redemption amount for car rentals is $150.
Cons
- No transfer partners
- Not particularly useful for using the physical card (outside of travel purchases)
- No real ability to get outsized value out of rewards (beyond 1.5c per point)
- Can not combine points across cards to increase value
- Minimum real-time mobile rewards redemption for car rentals and hotels is $150 (most other redemptions start at $10)
- Travel cancellation insurance only covers up to $2,000 per trip, which could make it an impractical choice for booking flights
Related Cards
U.S. Bank points-earning Consumer Cards
| Card Offer and Details |
|---|
50K points ⓘ Non-Affiliate 50K after $2K spend in 120 days$0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $95 Information about this card has been collected independently by Frequent Miler. The issuer did not provide the details, nor is it responsible for their accuracy. FM Mini Review: This card offers decent return on gas station and travel spend and it features no foreign transaction fees. However, return on most other spend is relatively weak. Earning rate: 4X travel and gas stations ✦ 2x take out, food delivery (including apps like GrubHub, UberEATS, etc), dining, grocery (including meal kit delivery) and streaming services Card Info: Visa issued by USB. This card has no foreign currency conversion fees. Noteworthy perks: $30 credit for annual streaming services ( after 11 months of consecutive streaming service charges, the 12th month will get the $30 credit) ✦ Mobile phone insurance when you pay your bill in full with the card ($25 deductible, up to $600 in coverage) |
25K points ⓘ Non-Affiliate 25K after $1K spend in 90 daysNo Annual Fee Information about this card has been collected independently by Frequent Miler. The issuer did not provide the details, nor is it responsible for their accuracy. FM Mini Review: This card offers solid return on dining - including takeout & delivery - and no annual or foreign transaction fees. That makes it a great option for those who prefer cash back. Earning rate: 4X take out, food delivery (including apps like GrubHub, UberEATS, etc), and dining ✦ 2X grocery (including meal kit delivery), gas stations, and streaming services Card Info: Visa issued by USB. This card has no foreign currency conversion fees. Noteworthy perks: $15 credit for annual streaming services ( after 11 months of consecutive streaming service charges, the 12th month will get the $15 credit) |
75K points ⓘ Non-Affiliate 75K after $10K spend in 120 days$195 Annual Fee Information about this card has been collected independently by Frequent Miler. The issuer did not provide the details, nor is it responsible for their accuracy. FM Mini Review: This card offers an excellent signup bonus. For ongoing use, it's effectively a 2% cashback card that increases to 2.5% for the first $5K in mobile wallet spend per quarter. Earning rate: 6x prepaid hotel & car rental through Altitude Rewards Center ✦ 2.5X mobile wallet payments (on up to $5,000 spend per quarter) Card Info: Mastercard World Elite issued by USB. This card has no foreign currency conversion fees. Noteworthy perks: Real Time Mobile Rewards (redeem points at full value at time of purchase) ✦ No foreign transaction fees ✦ Free authorized user cards |
60K points ⓘ Non-Affiliate 60K after $6K spend in 180 days$0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $95 Note that only spend on the Account Owner's card (not including purchases made on employee cards) counts toward minimum spending requirements. Information about this card has been collected independently by Frequent Miler. The issuer did not provide the details, nor is it responsible for their accuracy. FM Mini Review: This card offers decent return on gas station and travel spend and it does feature no foreign transaction fees. However, the return on most other spend is relatively weak. Earning rate: 5x hotels and car rentals when booked through US Bank Portal ✦ 4X travel, gas stations and EV charging ✦ 2x take out, food delivery (including apps like GrubHub, UberEATS, etc), dining and streaming services Card Info: Visa issued by USB. This card has no foreign currency conversion fees. Noteworthy perks: $25 statement credit after every three consecutive monthly taxi or rideshare transactions paid for with your card. 4x Priority Pass lounge visits per year. |
75K Points ⓘ Non-Affiliate 75K (worth $750 as a statement credit) after $7500 spend in first 4 months$0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $95 FM Mini Review: Since the points are worth 1c each, this card isn't terribly rewarding for ongoing spend. Note that points can not be combined with the Altitude Reserve. Earning rate: 2x on top two categories where you spend the most each month. Base: 1% Other: 2% Card Info: Visa Signature Business issued by USB. This card has no foreign currency conversion fees. Noteworthy perks: Earn 2x in the two categories in which you spend the most each month. Full list of categories can be found here. |
$750 Cash Back ⓘ Non-Affiliate $750 cash back after $6000 spend on the account owner's card in first 150 daysNo Annual Fee Keep in mind that only spend on the Account Owner's card counts toward minimum spending requirements, spend on employee cards does not count. Information about this card has been collected independently by Frequent Miler. The issuer did not provide the details, nor is it responsible for their accuracy. FM Mini Review: Nice welcome bonus. Useful for its 3% categories, but you can do much better for spend outside of those categories. Earning rate: 3% cash back on eligible purchases at gas stations and EV charging stations, office supply stores, cell phone service providers and restaurants ✦ 1% back everywhere else ✦ Note: purchases of gaoline greater than $200 will not be deemed to be a purchase of automotive gasoline and will therefore earn only 1%. Base: 1% Dine: 3% Gas: 3% Phone: 3% Office: 3% Card Info: Visa World Elite issued by USB. This card imposes foreign transaction fees. Noteworthy perks: Earn an annual $100 statement credit for recurring software subscription expenses such as FreshBooks or quickbooks. |
$250 Cash Back ⓘ Non-Affiliate $250 back as a statement credit after $1000 spend in 120 daysNo Annual Fee Information about this card has been collected independently by Frequent Miler. The issuer did not provide the details, nor is it responsible for their accuracy. FM Mini Review: Useful for its 5% categories, but you can do better for all other spend. Earning rate: Each quarter, choose two 5% cash back categories (capped at $2K spend per quarter combined) and one 2% category (uncapped). 1% cash back everywhere else. 5% Categories: Home Utilities ✦ Ground Transportation ✦ Select Clothing Stores ✦ Cell Phone Providers ✦ Electronic Stores ✦ TV, Internet & Streaming Services ✦ Gyms/Fitness Centers ✦ Fast Food ✦ Sporting Goods Stores ✦ Department Stores ✦ Furniture Stores ✦ Movie Theaters. 2% Categories: Gas Stations ✦ Restaurants ✦ Grocery Stores Base: 1% Travel: 5% Dine: 2% Gas: 2% Grocery: 2% Shop: 5% Phone: 5% Other: 5% Card Info: Visa Signature issued by USB. This card imposes foreign transaction fees. |
$300 cash back ⓘ Non-Affiliate $300 after $2K spend in 120 days$0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $95 Information about this card has been collected independently by Frequent Miler. The issuer did not provide the details, nor is it responsible for their accuracy. FM Mini Review: This is a niche choice for 6% cash back at certain retailers that some may find rewarding. Otherwise this card is not particularly exciting. Earning rate: 6x on first $1,500 in purchases each quarter with two retailers you choose ✦ 3x on first $1,500 in purchases per quarter on one everyday category (like wholesale clubs, gas and EV charging stations, bills and utilities) Base: 1.5% Gas: 2% Other: 6% Card Info: Visa Signature issued by USB. This card imposes foreign transaction fees. |
Visa
The post U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Credit Card Review (2024) appeared first on Frequent Miler. Frequent Miler may receive compensation from CHASE. American Express, Capital One, or other partners.