Star FUNDSamentally Rating 4.5 Stars

At a Glance

	U.S. Bank Altitude Connect Visa Signature Card
Annual Fee	– $0 intro fee for the first year, then $95
Sign up bonus	– Earn 50,000 bonus points. Just spend $2,000 in the first 120 days. That’s a $500 value redeemable toward merchandise, gift cards, cash back, travel and more. And your points never expire.
Ongoing rewards	– 1x-5x Points
Foreign transaction fee	– None
APR	– 21.24% – 29.24% (based on your creditworthiness).
Value of points redeemed	-1 cent per point
Balance transfer fee	– 3% of each transfer amount, $5 minimum
Additional benefits	– $30 annual credit for eligible streaming service purchases such as Netflix and Spotify. – Up to $100 in statement credit every four years for reimbursement toward either your TSA Precheck or Global Entry application fees.

Detailed overview

Card type: Travel.

Annual fee: $0 intro for the first year, then $95.

Sign-up bonus: Earn 50,000 bonus points when you spend $2,000 in eligible purchases within the first 120 days of account opening. That’s a $500 value redeemable towards travel, gift cards, cash back, merchandise and more.

Ongoing rewards:

• 5 points per $1 spent on prepaid hotels and car rentals booked through the Altitude Rewards Center.
• 4 points per $1 spent on travel and at gas stations.
• 2 points per $1 spent at grocery stores (including grocery delivery), dining and on eligible streaming services.
• 1 point per $1 spent on all other eligible purchases.

U.S. Bank points are worth a penny each and can be redeemed for cash back, travel, merchandise and gift cards. Points don’t expire, and there’s no cap on the amount that you can earn.

APR: The ongoing APR is 21.24%-29.24% Variable APR.

Foreign transaction fee: None.

Balance transfer fee: Either 3% of the amount of each transfer or $5 minimum, whichever is greater.

Other benefits:

• $30 annual credit for eligible streaming service purchases such as Netflix and Spotify.
• Up to $100 in statement credit every four years for reimbursement toward either your TSA Precheck or Global Entry application fees.
• Cell phone protection.

Benefits and perks

Cellphone protection

By using your U.S. Bank Altitude® Connect Visa Signature® Card to pay your monthly wireless bill, you’ll enjoy complimentary cellphone protection. This coverage provides reimbursement of up to $600 for damage, theft, or loss of your eligible cellphone, with a $100 deductible and a maximum of one claim per year.

Flexible reward redemptions

U.S. Bank offers multiple avenues for point redemption. Utilize the Altitude Rewards Center to select from various reward redemption options, including:

• Travel bookings
• Cash back (with a minimum redemption amount of 2,500 points)
• Merchandise
• Gift cards
• Rewards cards

Each point is valued at $0.01 with all these choices. However, a drawback is the requirement of at least 2,500 points for cash back redemptions. Numerous rewards credit cards have eradicated minimum redemption thresholds. Simplifying the process for cardholders would be beneficial if U.S. Bank followed suit. Nonetheless, it’s worth noting that certain redemptions don’t entail any minimum requirement.

No annual fee for the first year

Finding a business travel card void of annual fee is uncommon, often requiring a minimum of $95 for perks and welcome bonuses. However, the U.S. Bank Business Altitude breaks this trend with a $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95. Despite this, you’ll still earn substantial rewards and receive an enticing welcome offer: Limited Time Offer: Earn 60,000 bonus points, valued at $600, upon spending $6,000 on the Account Owner’s card within the initial 180 days from account opening.

Airport lounge access

With the U.S. Bank Altitude® Connect Visa Signature® Card, you receive a complimentary 12-month Priority Pass Select membership. Enjoy four free visits to Priority Pass lounges, with over 1,300 locations worldwide. While a great perk for occasional travelers, frequent travelers might find other credit cards with airport lounge access more suitable, offering unlimited visits.

Drawbacks and consideration

Can’t transfer points

One advantage of this card’s points is their uniform value, making them straightforward to utilize. However, the drawback is the inability to transfer points for higher-value redemptions. Unlike numerous top travel credit cards allowing point transfers to airline or hotel partners, maximizing rewards for costly travel bookings, the U.S. Bank Altitude® Connect Visa Signature® Card doesn’t offer this feature.

Is this card right for you?

The U.S. Bank Altitude® Connect Visa Signature® Card stands out for its versatility. With benefits like streaming and Global Entry/TSA Precheck credits, along with cellphone protection, it offers substantial value. Plus, numerous bonus opportunities sweeten the deal. While those eyeing luxury perks or transferable points may explore other options, this card’s benefits far outweigh its annual fee for most travelers.