U.S. Bank Altitude^® Connect Visa Signature^® Card — Full Review [2024]

Great Card If

• You’re looking for a solid no annual fee cash-back card.
• The bonus categories match your spending habits.

Don’t Get If

• You prefer a flat cash-back rate on all purchases.
• You would rather have a card that earns transferable travel rewards.

U.S. Bank Altitude Connect Card: Is It Worth It?

The U.S. Bank Altitude Connect card packs a lot of punch into a $0-annual-fee card. For starters, it earns 5x points on prepaid hotels and car rentals booked directly in the Altitude Rewards Center; 4x points on general travel; 4x points at gas stations and EV charging stations (on your first $1,000 each quarter); 2x points on dining, streaming services, and at grocery stores; and with 1x points on all other purchases.

All points on the card can be redeemed at a rate of 1 cent per point toward travel through U.S. Bank or as a deposit to an eligible U.S. Bank account.

Plus, the card offers perks like a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck statement credit, 4 complimentary visits to Priority Pass lounges each year, no foreign transaction fees, trip delay reimbursement, a 0% intro APR offer, and more.

U.S. Bank Altitude Connect Card Top Benefits

Many no-annual-fee credit cards don’t offer too much in the way of credit card benefits and perks, but the U.S. Bank Altitude Connect card is a notable exception. Here is a look at the perks it offers you.

• Airport Lounge Access: Get 4 free visits each year to over 1,600 Priority Pass lounges worldwide.
• Global Entry or TSA PreCheck: Receive up to $100 in statement credits toward your application fee once every 4 years.
• No foreign transaction fees: Use your card overseas to continue earning rewards without worrying about additional fees.
• 0% Intro APR Offer: 0% intro APR on Balance Transfers for the first 12 billing cycles, then a variable APR of 17.24% - 28.24%
• Complimentary GigSky Mobile Plans: Stay connected while traveling in 125 countries with complimentary 5 GB and 15-day data plans.
• Trip Delay Insurance: If your flight is delayed by 12 or more hours for a covered reason, you can receive up to $300 in coverage toward reasonable expenses.

Best Ways To Earn and Redeem Your Cash-Back Rewards

You won’t be surprised to learn that the best way to earn as much cash-back as possible with your card is to use it for as many purchases as you can. This is especially true for purchases that fall within the cards bonus categories of prepaid hotels and car rentals through the Altitude Rewards Center, general travel, gas stations and EV charging stations, dining, streaming services, and grocery stores.

U.S. Bank lets you redeem your points at a rate of 1 cent per point toward travel purchased through the Altitude Rewards Center, as a deposit to an eligible U.S. Bank account, or as merchandise, charity, or gift cards.

Alternative Card to the U.S. Bank Altitude Connect Card

Chase Freedom Unlimited^®

Those in the market for a great no-annual-fee, cash-back credit card should consider the Freedom Unlimited card, as well.

With it, you earn 5% cash-back on travel purchased through Chase Travel, 3% cash-back on dining and drugstores, and 1.5% cash-back on all other purchases.

It comes with perks like rental car insurance, purchase protection, extended warranty coverage, and the ability to pool your points with other Chase Ultimate Rewards-earning cards. Plus, it also comes with a 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 19.49% - 28.24%.

Chase Sapphire Preferred^® Card

If you’re looking for a good all-around travel rewards credit card, then the Chase Sapphire Preferred card might be better for you.

It earns 5x points on purchases made through Chase Travel; 3x points on dining purchases, online grocery purchases, and select streaming services; and 2x points on all other travel purchases. Plus, you earn bonus points equal to 10% of your total purchases made each year.

The card also comes with tons of great perks, like a $50 annual Chase Travel hotel credit, primary rental car insurance, trip delay insurance, baggage delay insurance, purchase protection, access to the Chase transfer partners, and more.