U.S. Bank Altitude Credit Cards – How to Earn and Redeem Points

U.S. Bank, which is a subsidiary of U.S. Bancorp, is one of the largest banks in the U.S. With its fully-integrated suite of services, including banking, investment, mortgage, trust, and payment services, U.S. Bank has cemented itself as one of the largest legacy financial institutions out there.

So how does U.S. Bank’s loyalty program stack up to its major competitors? Compared to Citibank, Chase, and American Express, U.S. Bank has a more straightforward rewards program.

It can often be difficult to keep up with transferable partnerships, points valuations, and other nuances of your credit card rewards, but this is where U.S. Bank excels. For most of us out there, it’s too much work to optimize for premium cabin travel. Instead, having cash-back rewards or points that can be used toward travel bookings is much more appealing.

In this guide, we’ll be examining U.S. Bank’s major rewards currency: Altitude points. We’ll be looking at what types of rewards are possible with Altitude points, what credit cards offer Altitude points, and the best ways to redeem your Altitude points.

Let’s get started!

What are U.S. Bank Altitude Points?

U.S. Bank’s popular rewards system is Altitude points. It is possible to earn Altitude points with personal and business credit cards, and the earnings rate can be very good in a variety of categories, depending on the card.

Your points don’t expire as long as you have an active account in good standing, and there is reward, purchase, or balance activity on your account for 12 consecutive statement cycles (for points earned after April 14, 2025), and you can earn an unlimited number of points.

Let’s talk about all the credit cards you can use to earn U.S. Bank Altitude points!

U.S. Bank Altitude Credit Cards

In the past, it was difficult to earn U.S. Bank Altitude points because of the lack of card options. This has slowly changed as U.S. Bank has expanded its portfolio of Altitude cards. There are currently 2 personal and 2 business U.S. Bank Altitude credit cards that are open for applications. Arguably the most popular card, the U.S. Bank Altitude^® Reserve Visa Infinite^® Card, was closed to new applicants in November of 2024.

You can open U.S. Bank credit cards anywhere in the U.S. — you won’t be restricted by your specific geographic location, though U.S. Bank is most prominent in the Midwest and on the West Coast.

U.S. Bank Altitude^® Reserve Visa Infinite^® Card

The U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve card was the flagship U.S. Bank credit card and the ultra-premium Altitude points credit card, until it was closed to new applicants. However, those who had the card were able to keep it and can still use it today. It has undergone changes, though, like a decrease in its point redemption value from 1.5 cents per point to 1 cent per point for travel purchases, but it’s still a top card for mobile wallet purchases.

The U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve card has the following earnings structure:

• 10 Altitude points per $1 spent on prepaid hotels and car rentals booked directly in the U.S. Bank Travel Center
• 5 Altitude points per $1 spent on airfare booked directly in the U.S. Bank Travel Center
• 3 Altitude points per $1 spent on eligible travel purchases
• 3 Altitude points per $1 spent on mobile wallet spending, on up to the first $5,000 each billing cycle, then 1 point per $1
• 1 Altitude point per $1 spent on everything else

This card offers an incredible way to earn bonus points just by using mobile payments, regardless of which merchant you’re transacting with! As long as you’re using a mobile wallet app like Apple Pay, Google Pay, or Samsung Pay, you’ll earn 3 Altitude points per $1, no matter where you’re shopping, on up to $5,000 in spend each billing cycle.

So, how much are Altitude points worth? When you redeem them through the U.S. Bank online portal for travel, Altitude points are worth 1 cent each. This is also the value when you redeem them for a deposit to an eligible U.S. Bank account. For other redemptions, the value will vary.

Hot Tip:

The Costco Anywhere Visa^® Card by Citi only earns 2% on in-store or Costco.com purchases. If you use mobile payments with the U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve card in-store at Costco, you will earn 3%. That extra 1% puts $50 more in your pocket each billing cycle if you’re spending a total of $5,000. Mobile payments are not accepted at Costco.com or in the app.

Additional Benefits of the U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Card

This ultra-premium credit card comes with a $400 annual fee ($75 per authorized user), but it offers cardholders some phenomenal benefits.

• $325 Annual Travel Credit — receive up to $325 in statement credits annually for eligible travel purchases made in the U.S. Bank Travel Center
• Complimentary Priority Pass Select Membership* — 4 lounge entries or restaurant credits for yourself, plus 4 extra for guests every year (then $35 per person per visit)
• Global Entry or TSA PreCheck Credit — up to $120 in statement credits every 4 years
• Primary car rental insurance when you charge the entire rental amount to your card and decline the rental agency’s collision insurance (not offered in Israel, Jamaica, the Republic of Ireland, or Northern Ireland)
• Trip cancellation/trip interruption insurance, travel accident insurance, emergency roadside assistance, lost luggage insurance, trip delay reimbursement, and much more
• A one-time $30 GroundLink credit, plus 15% off the base rate for reservations booked and paid with your card
• Elite status at select Relais & Châteaux properties that affords you a VIP Welcome and complimentary breakfast for each guest (terms and conditions apply)
• No foreign transaction fees

*You must enroll in perks like Priority Pass Select to receive them.

Bottom Line:

Overall, the U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve card is a good travel rewards credit card, falling from its “one of the best” status because of the change in point redemption value. The card is still jam-packed with perks, though, and despite a hefty $400 annual fee, there are tons of ways to get way more value from it. That is, if you currently have it, since it remains closed to new applicants.

U.S. Bank Altitude^® Connect Visa Signature^® Card

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

U.S. Bank Altitude^® Connect Visa Signature^® Card

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

Earn big on travel, plus everyday earning on everyday purchases.

U.S. Bank Altitude^® Connect Visa Signature^® Card

Earn big on travel, plus everyday earning on everyday purchases.

Welcome Offer

Earn 20,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 in eligible net purchases within the first 90 days of account opening.

20,000 points

Annual Fee

$0

APR

0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 billing cycles, then a variable APR of 17.49% - 27.49% applies.

Why We Like This Card

The information regarding the U.S. Bank Altitude^® Connect Visa Signature^® Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.

The U.S. Bank Altitude Connect card is an excellent $0-annual-fee cash-back rewards card that offers 6 different bonus categories, airport lounge access, a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit, and more.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 5x points on prepaid hotels and car rentals booked directly in the Altitude Rewards Center
• 4x points on travel
• 4x points at gas stations and EV charging stations (on your first $1,000 each quarter)

Cons

• Does not earn transferable rewards
• Award redemptions are capped at 1 cent per point

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Earn 20,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 in eligible net purchases within the first 90 days of account opening.
• 5X points on prepaid hotels and car rentals booked directly in the Altitude Rewards Center.
• 4X points on travel.
• 4X points at gas stations and EV charging stations (on the first $1,000 each quarter).
• 2X points on streaming services.
• 2X points at grocery stores, grocery delivery, and dining.
• Receive up to $100 in statement credits for reimbursement toward your TSA PreCheck^® or Global Entry^® application fee once every four years.
• 1X points on all other eligible purchases.
• Points never expire.
• Pay over time by splitting eligible purchases of $100+ into equal monthly payments with a U.S. Bank ExtendPay™ Plan.
• Terms and conditions apply.

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 billing cycles, then a variable APR of 17.49% - 27.49% applies.
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

The U.S. Bank Altitude Connect card is a top cash-back card for travel purchases given its high earnings rate and travel protections with a $0 annual fee.

This card earns:

• 5 Altitude points per $1 spent on prepaid hotels and car rentals booked directly in the U.S. Bank Travel Center
• 4 Altitude points per $1 spent on travel purchases
• 4 Altitude points per $1 spent at gas stations and EV charging stations (on the first $1,000 spent each quarter)
• 2 Altitude points per $1 spent on dining, streaming services, and groceries
• 1 Altitude point per $1 on all other eligible purchases

Additional Benefits of the U.S. Bank Altitude Connect Card

The card features the following additional benefits:

• Up to $100 in TSA PreCheck or Global Entry application fee statement reimbursements every 4 years
• Priority Pass Select membership — includes 4 free visits per year
• Trip cancellation/interruption and trip delay insurance
• No foreign transaction fees
• Intro APR: 0% intro APR on purchases for the first 15 billing cycles, then a variable APR of 17.49% - 27.49%

Points are worth 1 cent each when redeemed for travel in the U.S. Bank Travel Center or as a deposit to an eligible U.S. Bank account, with a minimum redemption amount of 2,500 points (equal to $25). Other redemption options include charities, statement credit, gift cards, and merchandise, but the value may be less than 1 cent per point with these options.

U.S. Bank Altitude^® Go Visa Signature^® Card

U.S. Bank Altitude^® Go Visa Signature^® Card

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

The U.S. Bank Altitude Go card is a great no annual fee card options that rewards you for dining, grocery, gas, and streaming service spend.

U.S. Bank Altitude^® Go Visa Signature^® Card

The U.S. Bank Altitude Go card is a great no annual fee card options that rewards you for dining, grocery, gas, and streaming service spend.

Welcome Offer

Earn 20,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 in eligible net purchases in the first 90 days.

20,000 points

Annual Fee

$0

APR

0% Intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 billing cycles, then a variable APR of 17.49% - 27.49%.

Why We Like This Card

The U.S. Bank Altitude Go card is a good option for those looking for a card that rewards you for dining, grocery, streaming, and gas station purchases, with a $0 annual fee.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 4x points on dining, takeout, and restaurant delivery on your first $2,000 each quarter
• 2x points at grocery stores, gas stations, and EV charging stations
• 2x points on streaming services

Cons

• 4x on dining is limited to $2,000 in spend per quarter
• Limited upside on redemption options

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Earn 20,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 in eligible Net Purchases in the first 90 days.
• 4X points on dining, takeout and restaurant delivery on your first $2,000 each quarter
• 2X points at grocery stores and gas stations/EV charging stations (Excludes discount stores/supercenters and wholesale clubs)
• 2X points on streaming services
• 1X point on all other eligible purchases
• Get 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 billing cycles, then a variable APR of 17.49% - 27.49%
• Redeem points toward a deposit to an eligible U.S. Bank account, merchandise, gift cards, travel and more. Plus, redeem for charity and get a 100% match.
• Receive a new cardmember $0 fee offer on ExtendPay Plans opened in the first 60 days after account opening.
• Get a $15 credit for annual streaming service purchases like Netflix, Apple TV+, Spotify^® and more.

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 0% Intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 billing cycles, then a variable APR of 17.49% - 27.49%.
• Foreign Transaction Fees: 3%

The U.S. Bank Altitude Go card is effectively one of the most impressive rewards credit cards with a $0, particularly for dining.

The U.S. Bank Altitude Go card is another $0-annual-fee option in the overall Altitude card line-up — and in many ways, it reigns superior to the more premium options. You do not need an existing U.S. Bank relationship to apply for this card.

This credit card offers:

• 4 Altitude points per $1 spent on dining, takeout, and restaurant delivery (on up to $2,000 of purchases each quarter, then 1x)
• 2 Altitude points per $1 spent on streaming services
• 2 Altitude points per $1 spent at grocery stores, grocery delivery, gas stations, and EV charging stations
• 1 Altitude point per $1 spent elsewhere

Keep in mind that just like the U.S. Bank Altitude Connect card, these points can be worth 1 cent each. Also, the minimum redemption amount is 2,500 points.

Additional Benefits of the U.S. Bank Altitude Go Card

• $15 streaming credit per 12-month period applied to your account following 11 consecutive calendar months of eligible streaming service purchases (e.g., Netflix, Hulu, Spotify^®, Apple Music, Disney+, Max, and more)
• Intro APR: 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 billing cycles, then a variable APR of 17.49% - 27.49%

Bottom Line:

The U.S. Bank Altitude Go card is one of the best no-annual-fee cards for dining rewards. With the ability to earn 4 points per $1 (4% back on up to $2,000 a quarter) on dining with a $0 annual fee, this product is one of the best in its class! But note that it has a 3% foreign transaction fee if you use the card outside the U.S.

U.S. Bank Business Altitude^® Connect Visa Signature^® Card

The U.S. Bank Business Altitude Connect Visa Signature card is very similar to the personal version of the card, the U.S. Bank Altitude Connect card, except it has an annual fee of $95. It has a strong focus on earning cash-back on travel purchases, as well as other common business expenses.

The card earns:

• 5 Altitude points per $1 spent on hotel and car rentals booked directly in the U.S. Bank Travel Center
• 4 Altitude points per $1 spent on travel, up to $150,000 annually, then 1x
• 2 Altitude points per $1 spent on dining, takeout, and restaurant delivery
• 2 Altitude points per $1 spent on cell phone services
• 1 Altitude point per $1 spent on all other eligible purchases

Additional Benefits of the U.S. Bank Business Altitude Connect Visa Signature card

After 3 consecutive monthly taxi or rideshare transactions paid for with the card, cardholders receive a $25 statement credit. Other benefits include a complimentary Priority Pass Digital annual membership, access to U.S. Bank Spend Management, and no foreign transaction fees.

U.S. Bank Business Altitude^® Power Visa Signature^® Card

For business owners who appreciate simplicity, the U.S. Bank Business Altitude Power card is worth considering. The card earns 2 Altitude points per $1 spent on all purchases, with no cap on the amount of cash-back you can earn. However, it gets better when using a mobile wallet or virtual card number to make a purchase: the earnings are 2.5 Altitude points per $1 on up to $5,000 in combined purchases each quarter.

The card has an annual fee of $195, but employee cards do not have an additional fee.

Additional Benefits of the U.S. Bank Business Altitude Power card

• Complimentary Priority Pass Digital annual membership
• No foreign transaction fees
• Access to U.S. Bank Spend Management to monitor and manage business expenses

Options to Redeem Your Points

U.S. Bank Altitude points can be used for a variety of purposes. As you will discover, the value you get from your U.S. Bank points can fluctuate by up to 50%, depending on the credit card you redeem points from and what you’re redeeming your points for.

Let’s take a look at all the great ways to redeem U.S. Bank Altitude points.

Real-Time Rewards

All 3 personal Altitude cards are capable of using Real-Time Rewards. Real-Time Rewards is a U.S. Bank feature that allows you to redeem points on travel without having to use the U.S. Bank Travel Portal. There are other options besides travel, too, such as clothing and drug stores, grocery stores, and home improvement stores. This is only available with U.S. merchants.

This feature must be activated using the following steps:

1. Visit U.S. Bank’s website
2. Log in using your user ID and password.
3. Once logged in, click My Rewards
4. Click on Redeem Rewards & Access Card Benefits
5. Click on Card Benefits
6. Click on Real-Time Rewards
7. Click on Activate
8. Choose the categories you want to use Real-Time Rewards with
9. Every time you make a purchase that qualifies based on the categories you selected, you’ll get a text message asking you if you’d like to redeem points for it

Using Real-Time Rewards is much easier because you can make purchases and transactions without having to go through the U.S. Bank Travel Portal. You can shop around for the best price, use discounts and coupons, and even utilize a shopping portal to get the best value possible. Then, you will simply use your rewards via text message.

However, there is a minimum amount you must spend on lodging and car rentals to redeem points, which is disclosed when you sign up.

You will receive 1 cent per point in value with the U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve card on travel, and the value will vary with the U.S. Bank Altitude Go card and U.S. Bank Altitude Connect card.

Book Travel Via the U.S. Bank Travel Portal

Another way for U.S. Bank Altitude cardholders to redeem their Altitude points is to use the U.S. Bank Travel Center. Given the capabilities of Real-Time Rewards we described above, there aren’t a whole lot of situations in which you should use the U.S. Bank Travel Center.

Also, the U.S. Bank Travel Center has incredibly strict terms and conditions. For example, once you book travel through this portal using your Altitude points, you cannot get them back. You might be able to cancel the reservation and get a travel voucher, but you will not get your points back. Additionally, all rental car reservations are non-refundable and can’t be changed at all. In all other situations, the U.S. Bank Travel Center will follow the governing rules of the airline, hotel, or other travel company.

Here’s how to book travel using the U.S. Bank Travel Portal:

1. Visit U.S. Bank’s website
2. Log into your U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve card account
3. Click the button that says My Rewards under the My Accounts tab
4. Click Redeem Rewards & Access Card Benefits
5. From the top menu bar, click Travel
6. Select the type of travel you’d like to search and perform a search
7. On the Payment Options screen, you can choose to make purchases using all points, a mix of points and cash, or all cash
8. Complete the checkout process

Bottom Line: The only time it would make sense to use the U.S. Bank Travel Center is if your points redemption falls under the minimum Real-Time Rewards redemption for lodging and car rentals. However, you run the risk of not getting the best price and not being able to stack coupons or discounts on your travel. 

Get Cash Back

The next best thing to do is just to get straight cash back with a cash-back credit card. There are 2 ways to get cash back:

1. Statement credit to your credit card account
2. Deposit made to your U.S. Bank savings or checking account

You’d want to use the statement credit option if you have transactions you want to redeem points for, but the redemption value may be less than 1 cent. To get 1 cent per point, choose the deposit option and then make a payment for the amount on your card with that account.

Donate to Charity

If you cash out your Altitude points to donate to a charity (non-profit), U.S. Bank will match your contribution at 100%. This must be done in the Rewards Center. Eligible charities may include United Way, American Red Cross, Habitat for Humanity^®, United Negro College Fund (UNCF), Make-A-Wish^®, and more.

Buy Gift Cards

You can redeem your Altitude points for gift cards as well, with a flat 1 cent per point value. You’ll receive 1 cent per point regardless of which U.S. Bank Altitude card you have.

To do this, log into your online account, visit the Rewards Center homepage, and click Redeem Rewards on the Rewards Details page.

You can choose from lots of different merchants like Amazon, Best Buy, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Macy’s.

Purchase Merchandise

The last (and least preferred) way to redeem Altitude points is to purchase merchandise. You’ll receive the worst value of around 0.9 to 1 cent per point using this method.

It’s best to just use Real-Time Rewards or, at the very least, to redeem the points as a statement credit after you make your shopping purchase.

Final Thoughts

Overall, there’s a lot to like about the U.S. Bank Altitude rewards system, and with multiple cards to choose from, at least 1 may likely suit your needs.

Interestingly, these cards each have their strong suits, including unique bonus categories. Therefore, it might make sense to add more than 1 of these cards to create a comprehensive U.S. Bank Altitude points-earning portfolio machine.

There are also a lot of perks associated with each credit card beyond the bonus categories, so be sure to look into all of them in-depth!