Altitude Connect Visa Signature Card by U.S. Bank: The Ultimate Travel & Lifestyle Rewards Card

U.S. Bank Altitude Connect

Altitude Connect Visa Signature Card by U.S. Bank: The Ultimate Travel & Lifestyle Rewards Card

Star FUNDSamentally Rating 4.5 Stars

Altitude Connect Visa Signature Card

ANNUAL FEE: $0 intro for the first year, then $95

REWARDS RATES: 1x-5x points

INTRO OFFER: 20,000 points

RECOMMENDED CREDIT SCORE: 720-850 (Excellent)

Pros

  • Generous rewards
  • Travel Benefits
  • Annual Travel Credit
  • Points never expire

Cons

  • Annual fee after a year
  • High credit score
  • Limited travel partners

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.

U.S. Bank Altitude® Connect Visa Signature® Card: The Ultimate Travel & Lifestyle Rewards Card

Introduction to the U.S. Bank Altitude® Connect Visa Signature® Card

The U.S. Bank Altitude® Connect Visa Signature® Card is an excellent choice for frequent travelers, food lovers, and digital nomads looking for a rewards credit card with strong travel perks, elevated rewards on dining and gas, and valuable statement credits.

With 4X points on travel and gas stations, 2X points on dining and streaming services, and no annual fee for the first year, this card is a solid competitor to premium travel rewards cards—but at a lower cost. Additionally, it offers $30 in annual streaming service credits and TSA PreCheck/Global Entry reimbursement.

Let’s dive into everything this card has to offer!


Key Benefits of the U.S. Bank Altitude® Connect Visa Signature® Card

U.S. Bank Altitude Connect Visa Signature Card

✔ Welcome Bonus: 50,000 points after spending $2,000 in the first 120 days (worth $500 in travel)
✔ 4X points on travel and gas stations
✔ 2X points on dining, grocery stores, and streaming services
✔ 1X point on all other purchases
✔ $30 annual streaming credit (Netflix, Spotify, Hulu, and more)
✔ TSA PreCheck or Global Entry credit (up to $100 every four years)
✔ No foreign transaction fees
✔ Cell phone protection when you pay your bill with the card
✔ Annual fee waived the first year ($95 thereafter)

For frequent travelers and those who spend on gas, dining, and streaming, this card delivers excellent value.


Rewards & Earning Structure

Welcome Bonus

  • Earn 50,000 points after spending $2,000 in the first 120 days.
  • Potential Value:
    • $500 in travel, cash back, or gift cards
    • Even more if redeemed through U.S. Bank’s travel portal

Ongoing Earning Rates

  • 4X points per $1 on travel & gas stations
  • 2X points per $1 on dining, grocery stores, and eligible streaming services
  • 1X point per $1 on all other purchases

For travelers and commuters, the 4X points on gas and travel make this card stand out. If you spend a lot on flights, hotels, or road trips, you’ll rack up rewards quickly.


Best Ways to Redeem U.S. Bank Altitude Points

The U.S. Bank Altitude® Connect Visa Signature® Card earns U.S. Bank Altitude Rewards points, which are flexible and easy to redeem.

1. Travel Redemptions (Best Value)

✔ Book flights, hotels, rental cars, and more through U.S. Bank’s Travel Portal
✔ Points are worth 1 cent each (50,000 points = $500 in travel)

2. Statement Credits or Cash Back

✔ Redeem points for statement credits or direct deposit into a U.S. Bank account
✔ Value: 1 cent per point

3. Gift Cards & Merchandise

✔ Redeem points for gift cards to popular retailers
✔ Value: 1 cent per point (but sometimes promotions increase value)

💡 Pro Tip: Redeeming points for travel gives you the best return on your spending.


Extra Perks & Benefits

$30 Annual Streaming Credit

  • Get a $30 statement credit every year when you use your card to pay for eligible streaming services like:
    ✔ Netflix
    ✔ Spotify
    ✔ Hulu
    ✔ Disney+
    ✔ Apple Music

TSA PreCheck or Global Entry Credit

  • Get up to $100 in statement credit every 4 years when you use the card to pay for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry.

Cell Phone Protection

  • Pay your monthly phone bill with the card to get up to $600 in coverage (with a $25 deductible) against theft or damage.

Travel & Purchase Protections

✔ Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver (secondary coverage for rental cars)
✔ Travel Accident Insurance
✔ Trip Cancellation & Interruption Coverage
✔ Extended Warranty on Eligible Purchases


U.S. Bank Altitude® Connect vs. Other Travel Rewards Cards

FeatureU.S. Bank Altitude® ConnectChase Sapphire Preferred®Amex Gold
Annual Fee$0 first year, then $95$95$250
Welcome Bonus50,000 points60,000 points60,000 points
Best Earning Rate4X on travel & gas, 2X on dining & streaming3X on dining & travel4X on dining & groceries
Streaming Credit$30 per yearNo$120 per year
TSA PreCheck CreditYesNoNo
Foreign Transaction FeesNoneNoneNone
Point Value for Travel1 cent per point1.25 cents per point1 cent per point

The U.S. Bank Altitude® Connect stands out due to 4X on travel and gas, streaming credits, and TSA PreCheck reimbursement—all at a lower annual fee than competitors.


Who Should Get the U.S. Bank Altitude® Connect Visa Signature® Card?

✔ Frequent travelers who spend a lot on flights, hotels, and gas
✔ Commuters and road trippers who benefit from 4X on gas
✔ People who love streaming services and want an easy $30 credit
✔ Anyone who wants TSA PreCheck/Global Entry reimbursement
✔ Those looking for a premium travel card without a high annual fee


Bottom Line: Is the U.S. Bank Altitude® Connect Worth It?

The U.S. Bank Altitude® Connect Visa Signature® Card is a top-tier travel and lifestyle rewards card with:

✔ 50,000-point welcome bonus (worth $500 in travel)
✔ 4X points on travel and gas, 2X on dining and streaming
✔ $30 annual streaming credit
✔ TSA PreCheck/Global Entry credit
✔ Strong travel and purchase protections
✔ No foreign transaction fees

With no annual fee the first year ($95 after) and valuable perks for travelers and entertainment lovers, this card is a great mid-tier travel rewards option.

If you spend a lot on travel, gas, and dining, and want a solid alternative to the Chase Sapphire Preferred®, the U.S. Bank Altitude® Connect Visa Signature® Card is a great pick.