U.S. Bank Altitude® Reserve Visa Infinite® Card: Premium Benefits at a Premium Price

CNET’S PICK Learn More U.S. Bank Altitude® Reserve Visa Infinite® Card 6.5/10 CNET Rating CNET rates credit cards by comparing their offers to those of their categorical competitors. Each card is individually evaluated through a formula which reflects the standards and expectations of the contemporary market. Credit card issuers have no say or influence in our ratings. How we rate credit cards Learn More Intro Offer 50,000 points Earn 50,000 points if you spend $4,500 in the first 90 days. Annual fee $400 APR 22.24% – 29.24% (variable) Recommended Credit A credit score is used to indicate an applicant’s credit worthiness and may provide guidance about account eligibility. It does not necessarily guarantee approval for any financial product. 800 – 850 Excellent Rewards rate 1x – 5x 5X points on prepaid hotels and car rentals booked directly in the Altitude Rewards Center; 3X points on eligible travel purchases and mobile wallet spending on Apple Pay®, Google Pay™ and Samsung Pay; 1X point on all other eligible purchases Rewards Rate 5x 5X points on prepaid hotels and car rentals booked directly in the Altitude Rewards Center 3x 3X points on eligible travel purchases and mobile wallet spending on Apple Pay®, Google Pay™ and Samsung Pay 1x 1X point on all other eligible purchases
At a glance
The U.S. Bank Altitude® Reserve Visa Infinite® Card* requires a hefty $400 annual fee, yet its numerous travel perks and the flexibility of its rewards make it easy to extract value. Not only does the card offer up to $325 in statement credits toward eligible travel and dining purchases each year (including takeout and delivery), but users get a fee credit toward Global Entry or TSA PreCheck membership and eight visits to Priority Pass airport lounges annually
New cardholders can also earn 50,000 points after spending $4,500 on new purchases within 90 days of account opening. This bonus can help you justify the card’s annual fee during year one.
Our Take
The U.S. Bank Altitude® Reserve Visa Infinite® Card makes it easy to maximize rewards if you spend a lot on travel or use a mobile wallet for most of your spending.
The flexibility of the points you earn will also be a major draw for some consumers. Cardholders can redeem points for travel, gift cards, live events and cash back. Points are also worth 1.5 cents each when redeemed for travel through the U.S. Bank travel portal. If you can earn it through normal spending, the card’s welcome offer of 50,000 points after spending $4,500 in the first 90 days would be worth $750 in travel.
However, there’s one area where the U.S. Bank card falls completely flat. Unlike premium travel credit cards from American Express, Capital One and Chase that charge high annual fees, this card doesn’t have airline or hotel transfer partners. Partner transfers often can lead to more value for premium cardholders.
Other premium travel credit cards also have broader airport lounge memberships with unlimited visits each year, whereas the eight Priority Pass visits you get with the U.S. Bank Altitude® Reserve Visa Infinite® Card could run out quickly for frequent travelers.
Pros and cons of the U.S. Bank Altitude® Reserve Visa Infinite® Card
Consider the advantages and disadvantages of the U.S. Bank Altitude® Reserve Visa Infinite® Card before you apply.
Pros Comes with up to $325 in annual credits for eligible travel and dining
Points are worth 1.5 cents each when redeemed for travel
Comes with premium travel benefits including albeit limited airport lounge access
Rewards are flexible Cons $400 annual fee
Can’t transfer points to airlines or hotels
Limited to eight airport lounge visits each year
Typically requires very good to excellent credit
Who’s the card best for?
Consumers who spend a lot on mobile wallet purchases. If you make a lot of purchases with Apple Pay, Google Pay or Samsung Pay throughout the year, earning 3X points on these purchases can increase your rewards quickly.
If you make a lot of purchases with Apple Pay, Google Pay or Samsung Pay throughout the year, earning 3X points on these purchases can increase your rewards quickly. People who spend a lot on travel. The U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite also earns 5X points on prepaid hotels and car rentals booked through U.S. Bank, plus 3X points on other eligible travel purchases.
The U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite also earns 5X points on prepaid hotels and car rentals booked through U.S. Bank, plus 3X points on other eligible travel purchases. Cardholders who prioritize rewards flexibility. This card’s flexible rewards program lets you redeem your points for travel, gift cards, live events and cash back.
Who should skip it?
Frequent travelers who want airline and hotel transfer partners. If you want access to airline and hotel partners, you’ll have to look at alternative cards like The Platinum Card® from American Express, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® or the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card*.
If you want access to airline and hotel partners, you’ll have to look at alternative cards like The Platinum Card® from American Express, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® or the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card*. Jetsetters who need unlimited airport lounge visits each year. If you fly more than eight times per year and stop in a lounge every time, you may be better off with a premium travel credit card that offers unlimited visits to airport lounges.
If you fly more than eight times per year and stop in a lounge every time, you may be better off with a premium travel credit card that offers unlimited visits to airport lounges. People with imperfect credit. U.S. Bank says the U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite is for people with a credit score in the good to excellent range, so it won’t work for everyone.
A closer look at the U.S. Bank Altitude® Reserve Visa Infinite® Card
If you’re on the fence about the U.S. Bank Altitude® Reserve Visa Infinite® Card, knowing its features and benefits could help you reach a decision. Let’s dive into the specifics of this card’s rewards program, perks and fees.
Rewards and redemption
Cardholders earn 5X points on prepaid hotels and car rentals booked directly in the Altitude Rewards Center, 3X points on eligible travel purchases and mobile wallet spending with Apple Pay, Google Pay and Samsung Pay, and 1X points on other purchases.
Points are worth 1.5 cents each when redeemed for airfare, hotels and other travel through U.S. Bank. Other redemption options include gift cards, live events and cash back.
This rewards program is hindered by the lack of point transfers. Oftentimes, cardholders can find a per-point value of 2 cents or more with other issuers by transferring their travel points to partner airlines or hotels. By not allowing point transfers, it’s almost guaranteed that another card would yield more value.
However, if you’re someone who doesn’t want to go through the extra hoops of transferring your points, this could be a simpler option that still provides an above-average per-point value for standard redemption options.
U.S. Bank travel partners
The U.S. Bank Altitude® Reserve Visa Infinite® Card doesn’t have any airline or hotel transfer partners, which puts it at a disadvantage when you compare it to other premium travel credit cards.
Welcome bonus
The U.S. Bank Altitude® Reserve Visa Infinite® Card starts new customers off with 50,000 points when they spend $4,500 on purchases within 90 days of account opening. This bonus is worth $750 in travel through U.S. Bank.
It’s on par with some of its competitors, but you could likely squeeze more value from another card’s bonus depending on how you redeem it.
Card fees
The U.S. Bank Altitude® Reserve Visa Infinite® Card doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees
Fees that can apply include:
Annual fee : $400
: $400 Balance transfer fees : 3% ($5 minimum)
: 3% ($5 minimum) Convenience check cash advance fees : 3% ($5 minimum)
: 3% ($5 minimum) Cash advance fees : 5% ($10 minimum)
: 5% ($10 minimum) Late payment fees : Up to $41
: Up to $41 Returned payment fees: Up to $41
Other card perks
While this card doesn’t have a ton of built-in perks or features, there are enough benefits to come close to covering the annual fee each year. Cardholders get:
Up to $325 in eligible travel and dining statement credits : These credits are automatically applied to your account when you make travel and dining purchases on your card, so they are easy to use.
: These credits are automatically applied to your account when you make travel and dining purchases on your card, so they are easy to use. Fee credit toward Global Entry or TSA PreCheck membership : This credit is available for cardholders every four years.
: This credit is available for cardholders every four years. Priority Pass visits : Cardholders get eight visits to more than 1,300 Priority Pass airport lounges each year.
: Cardholders get eight visits to more than 1,300 Priority Pass airport lounges each year. Visa Infinite benefits: Cardholders get Visa Infinite benefits like primary auto rental coverage, trip cancellation and interruption insurance, travel accident insurance, travel delay reimbursement, and lost luggage reimbursement.
Alternative credit cards
If you’re looking for a premium travel credit card that has travel benefits and flexible rewards, there are other options to consider.
Chase Sapphire Reserve®
The Chase Sapphire Reserve® has a higher $550 annual fee, but it comes with benefits like up to a $300 annual travel credit and a Priority Pass Select airport lounge membership with unlimited visits each year.
Points earned with this card are worth 1.5 cents each if you redeem them for travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards. However, cardholders can also transfer their points to Chase airline and hotel partners like British Airways, Southwest Rapid Rewards, Marriott Bonvoy and World of Hyatt where they could be worth more.
This card also features generous rewards for travel and dining, and new cardholders earn 60,000 points worth $900 in travel when redeemed through Chase after they spend $4,000 on purchases within three months of account opening.
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
The Capital One Venture X costs $395 per year, so it’s more affordable than the U.S. Bank Altitude® Reserve Visa Infinite® Card. It also comes with an up to $300 annual travel credit for bookings through Capital One, a fee credit toward Global Entry or TSA PreCheck membership, a Priority Pass Select membership with unlimited visits and access to Capital One airport lounges.
Members can also earn 75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 on purchases within three months of account opening. When it comes to redeeming miles, options include gift cards, merchandise, statement credits, travel through Capital One or mile transfers to Capital One airline and hotel partners.
The bottom line The U.S. Bank Altitude® Reserve Visa Infinite® Card is worth considering if you want a travel credit card with premium benefits and flexible rewards. However, you’ll have to give up the option to transfer your rewards to airline and hotel partners and redeem your points directly through U.S. Bank instead. While not having access to airline and hotel partners may be a deal-breaker for some, using points to book travel through a portal may be more convenient and flexible for others. In fact, credit card travel portals let you redeem your rewards with a large selection of airlines and hotels with no blackout dates. You also get to choose your redemption based on your preferences and the cost in points instead of being tied down to a specific program. The U.S. Bank Altitude® Reserve Visa Infinite® Card also gives you 50% more value when redeeming points for travel through its portal, which can help you get more bang for your buck. With the up to $325 in statement credits toward eligible dining and travel and Priority Pass visits you get each year, you should have no problem justifying the card’s $400 annual fee.
FAQs
Can you use point transfers to get a higher per-point value? The U.S. Bank Altitude® Reserve Visa Infinite® Card doesn’t have any transfer partners.
How much are U.S. Bank points worth? Points earned with the U.S. Bank Altitude® Reserve Visa Infinite® Card are worth 1.5 cents each when redeemed for travel with U.S. Bank. Other redemption options have a value of one cent per point.
Are there any perks that offset the U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve’s annual fee? Perks that offset the annual fee on the U.S. Bank Altitude® Reserve Visa Infinite® Card include up to $325 in statement credits toward eligible dining and travel each year, eight Priority Pass visits each year and a fee credit toward Global Entry or TSA PreCheck membership every four years.
*All information about the U.S. Bank Altitude® Reserve Visa Infinite® Card and the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card has been collected independently by CNET and has not been reviewed by the issuer.