Altitude Reserve Travel Credit: Maximizing Your Benefits

The U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite Card is a premium travel credit card with a $400 annual fee. The card offers a range of benefits, including a $325 annual travel and dining credit, up to $100 in application fee credits for TSA PreCheck and Global Entry, and airport lounge access. The card's rewards program offers 5x points on prepaid hotels and car rentals booked directly through the Altitude Rewards Center, 3x points on eligible travel and mobile wallet spending, and 1x points on all other purchases. While the card has no foreign transaction fees, it does not allow for the transfer of points to other travel programs.

The annual fee is offset by a huge statement credit of up to $325

The U.S. Bank Altitude® Reserve Visa Infinite® Card is a premium travel credit card with a $400 annual fee. However, this fee can be offset by a huge statement credit of up to $325 for eligible travel and dining purchases. This includes takeout and restaurant delivery, as well as purchases made directly with travel providers such as airlines, hotels, car rental companies, taxis, limousines, passenger trains, and cruise line companies.

For example, if you use the card to purchase a $425 round-trip domestic ticket with American Airlines, the travel credit will be applied to the purchase, resulting in a net cost of $100 for the ticket. This effectively reduces the annual fee to $75.

In addition to the travel credit, the U.S. Bank Altitude® Reserve Visa Infinite® Card also offers a sign-up bonus of 50,000 points, worth $750 in travel, after spending $4,500 in the first 90 days of account opening. This further offsets the annual fee and provides additional value for cardholders.

The card also offers a range of other benefits, including airport lounge access, TSA PreCheck or Global Entry statement credit, no foreign transaction fees, and various travel protections. Overall, the U.S. Bank Altitude® Reserve Visa Infinite® Card is a competitive option for those seeking a premium travel credit card, despite the high annual fee.

Earn 5X points on prepaid hotels and car rentals

The U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite Card is a premium credit card with a host of benefits. One of its key features is the ability to earn 5X points on prepaid hotels and car rentals booked directly in the Altitude Rewards Centre. This means that for every dollar spent on prepaid hotels and car rentals, you will earn five points.

The Altitude Rewards Centre is an online platform exclusive to U.S. Bank Altitude cardholders. It allows cardholders to book travel, earn bonus points, and redeem points for rewards. When booking prepaid hotels and car rentals through the Altitude Rewards Centre, U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve cardholders can earn 5X points on these purchases. This is a significant return on spending in these categories, and it is a valuable benefit of the card.

The value of these points can vary depending on how they are redeemed. When redeemed for travel through the Altitude Rewards Centre, each point is worth 1.5 cents, making the 5X points equivalent to a 7.5% return on spending. This is a very competitive rewards rate for prepaid hotels and car rentals.

It is important to note that prepaid car and hotel reservations booked through the Altitude Rewards Centre are not classified as travel category merchant transactions. As a result, they are not eligible for any additional bonus points associated with travel purchases. Additionally, the Altitude Rewards Centre may not always offer the best rates for prepaid hotels and car rentals, and it is worth comparing prices with other platforms or booking directly with hotels.

The ability to earn 5X points on prepaid hotels and car rentals is a significant benefit of the U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite Card. It provides cardholders with a simple way to earn a high rate of return on their travel spending. By utilizing this feature, cardholders can quickly accumulate points, which can be redeemed for valuable rewards, such as travel, merchandise, gift cards, or cash back.

Earn 3X points on eligible travel and mobile wallet spending

The U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite® Card is a premium credit card with a host of benefits that make it a worthy contender in the high-end travel card market. One of its key advantages is the ability to earn 3X points on eligible travel and mobile wallet spending.

With the Altitude Reserve Card, cardholders can earn 3X points on eligible travel purchases, which include transactions made directly with airlines, hotels, car rental companies, taxis, limousines, passenger trains, and cruise line companies. This means that every time you book a flight, stay at a hotel, or rent a car, you'll earn rewards points that can be redeemed for future travel or other benefits.

Additionally, the card offers 3X points on mobile wallet spending, which includes purchases made through Apple Pay®, Google Wallet, Samsung Pay, and LG Pay. This feature turns the card into an effective 4.5% rewards card for everyday spending, as most merchants and retailers now accept mobile wallet payments. By utilizing this payment method, cardholders can accelerate their point earnings and get closer to their next getaway.

It's important to note that there was a glitch affecting some cardholders in 2024, where transactions that previously earned the 3X mobile wallet bonus stopped doing so. U.S. Bank acknowledged this issue and is working on a fix. In the meantime, affected cardholders can try removing and re-adding their card to the mobile wallet to resolve the issue.

The ability to earn 3X points on eligible travel and mobile wallet spending with the U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite® Card makes it a compelling choice for individuals who frequently travel or make mobile wallet purchases. By maximizing these rewards, cardholders can enjoy significant savings and benefits on their future purchases.

Earn 1X points on all other eligible purchases

The U.S. Bank Altitude® Reserve Visa Infinite® Card is a premium credit card with a solid set of benefits. The card offers 1X points on all other eligible purchases. This means that for every dollar spent on eligible purchases, cardholders will earn one point. While this may not seem as lucrative as the bonus categories offered by the card, such as 3X points on eligible travel and mobile wallet spending, it is still a way for cardholders to earn rewards on their everyday spending.

The Altitude Reserve card is an excellent option for those who frequently make purchases that fall outside of the bonus categories offered by other credit cards. The 1X points earned on all other eligible purchases can be redeemed for valuable rewards, including travel, merchandise, statement credits, or cash back. This flexibility allows cardholders to maximize the value of their rewards based on their preferences and needs.

In addition to earning 1X points on all other eligible purchases, cardholders can also take advantage of the card's generous welcome bonus. New cardmembers can earn 50,000 bonus points, worth $750 towards travel, by spending $4,500 in eligible net purchases within the first 90 days of account opening. This welcome offer effectively covers the annual fee of $400 for nearly two years, making it a great choice for those seeking a high-value credit card with a rich rewards program.

The Altitude Reserve card also offers a range of benefits that enhance the overall value of the card. Cardholders can enjoy up to $325 in annual credits for eligible travel and dining purchases, making it easier to offset the annual fee. Additionally, the card provides complimentary Priority Pass™ Select membership, granting access to over 1,500 airport VIP lounges worldwide, as well as up to $100 in statement credits for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry application fees every four years.

With its competitive rewards structure, valuable benefits, and flexible redemption options, the U.S. Bank Altitude® Reserve Visa Infinite® Card is a compelling choice for individuals seeking a premium credit card that offers both high-value rewards and a diverse range of benefits.

Priority Pass airport lounge access (8 free visits per year)

Priority Pass airport lounge access is a benefit of the U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite Card. Cardholders can enjoy eight free visits per year to over 1,500 airport VIP lounges and experiences worldwide.

The Priority Pass app can be used to find and access lounges and experiences, navigate airports, manage accounts, and more. The lounges are quiet, connected spaces where travellers can relax or work, and enjoy complimentary pre-flight bites and drinks.

The U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite Card is a premium credit card with a solid set of benefits. It has a $400 annual fee, which can be offset by a huge statement credit. The card offers a lucrative rewards program, with 5X points on prepaid hotels and car rentals, 3X points on eligible travel and mobile wallet spending, and 1X points on all other purchases.

The Priority Pass Select membership is valid for 12 months and provides access to airport lounges worldwide. This benefit is available to one cardmember per account, including authorized users. The first eight visits are waived each Priority Pass Select membership year, and per-person lounge visit fees apply thereafter. Lounge benefits, services, and facilities differ by location and may only be available at an additional charge.

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