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U.S. Bank Altitude Connect Visa Card Review: Big Savings on Travel and Streaming Services

Review Updated
Lyle Daly
Nathan Alderman
Many or all of the products here are from our partners that compensate us. It’s how we make money. But our editorial integrity ensures that our product ratings are not influenced by compensation. Terms may apply to offers listed on this page.

OFFER STATUS

U.S. Bank Altitude® Connect Visa Signature® Card is unavailable on Motley Fool Money. All information was collected independently and not reviewed for accuracy or provided by the credit card issuer. Some items may be out of date.

The U.S. Bank Altitude® Connect Visa Signature® Card balances excellent benefits with a reasonable cost. It earns up to 5 points per $1 and offers multiple spending credits, including one for streaming services. The card also boasts no annual fee. Read our in-depth U.S. Bank Altitude® Connect Visa Signature® Card review to explore more of what it offers.

U.S. Bank Altitude® Connect Visa Signature® Card
Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
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= Excellent
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= Fair
= Poor
Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
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= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
Credit Score: Circle with letter I in it. Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.

Recommended Credit Score required for this offer is: Good/Excellent (670-850)
Credit Score Circle with letter I in it. Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.

Good/Excellent (670-850)

Intro APR Circle with letter I in it. 0% Intro APR on qualifying balance transfers for 12 billing cycles

Purchases: N/A

Balance Transfers: 0%, 12 billing cycles

Regular APR

17.49% to 28.49% (Variable)

Rewards Circle with letter I in it. Earn 5x points on prepaid hotels and car rentals booked in the Altitude Rewards Center, 4X points on travel, 4X points at gas and EV charging stations (up to your first $1,000 per quarter), 2X points at grocery stores (excluding warehouse clubs and discount stores/supercenters), grocery delivery, dining and streaming services, 1x points on other purchases

1x - 5x points

Annual Fee

$0

Welcome Offer Circle with letter I in it. 20,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 in eligible purchases within the first 90 days of account opening

20,000 points

  • Special travel perks can be yours with this U.S. Bank card. You can earn 5X points per $1 on travel booked through the Altitude Rewards Center, 4X points on other travel, and more, all with no annual fee. Plus, to enhance your travel experience, you can enjoy access to airport lounges worldwide with a 12-month Priority Pass Select membership, plus a credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck

    • Big welcome bonus
    • Robust rewards program
    • Airport lounge access
    • Travel protections
    • Can't transfer points
    • Intro Offer: Earn 20,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 in eligible purchases within the first 90 days of account opening. That's a $200 value redeemable towards travel and more.
    • 0% intro APR for 12 billing cycles on qualifying balance transfers (balances transferred within 60 days of account opening)
    • 5X points on prepaid hotels and car rentals booked directly in the Altitude Rewards Center.
    • 4X on travel
    • 4X on your first $1,000 spent each quarter at gas stations and EV charging stations (wholesale clubs and discount stores/supercenters excluded)
    • 2X on dining, streaming services and at grocery stores (discount stores/supercenters and wholesale clubs excluded).
    • Receive up to $100 in statement credits for reimbursement toward your TSA PreCheck® or Global Entry® application fee once every four years.
    • 1X point on all other eligible purchases.
    • Points never expire as long as your account is active.
    • Protection and assistance when traveling with Trip Cancelation/Interruption, Trip Delay Reimbursement and SmartDelay.
    • Complimentary Priority Pass™ Select membership gives you 4 free visits to over 1,500 airport VIP lounges and experiences worldwide.
    • Terms and conditions apply.
U.S. Bank Altitude® Connect Visa Signature® Card is unavailable on Motley Fool Money. All information was collected independently and not reviewed for accuracy or provided by the credit card issuer. Some items may be out of date.

Credit card comparison

We recommend comparing options to ensure the card you're selecting is the best fit for you. To make your search easier, here's a short list of standout credit cards.

Offer Our Rating Welcome Offer Rewards Program APR Learn More
Rating image, 5.00 out of 5 stars.
5.00/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
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Best for cash back on rotating categories
Discover will match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year. 1% - 5% Cashback Circle with letter I in it. Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places you shop each quarter like grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, and more, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.

Intro:

Purchases: 0%, 15 months

Balance Transfers: 0%, 15 months

Regular: 18.49% - 27.49% Variable APR *Rates as of December 12, 2024.

Rating image, 5.00 out of 5 stars.
5.00/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
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= Excellent
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Best for cash rewards on everyday spending
$200 cash rewards Circle with letter I in it. Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months. 2% cash rewards Circle with letter I in it. Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases.

Intro: Circle with letter I in it. 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers

Purchases: 0% intro APR, 12 months from account opening

Balance Transfers: 0% intro APR, 12 months from account opening on qualifying balance transfers

Regular: 19.24%, 24.24%, or 29.24% Variable APR

Rating image, 4.00 out of 5 stars.
4.00/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
Best for unlimited rewards on purchases
25,000 points Circle with letter I in it. 25,000 online bonus points after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening - that can be a $250 statement credit toward travel purchases 1.5 points per dollar Circle with letter I in it. Earn unlimited 1.5 points per $1 spent on all purchases, with no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees, and your points don't expire as long as your account remains open.

Intro: Circle with letter I in it. 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases. 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days. After the intro APR offer ends, 18.49% - 28.49% Variable APR on purchases and balance transfers will apply. A 3% fee for 60 days from account opening, then 4% fee applies to all balance transfers.

Purchases: 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases

Balance Transfers: 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days

Regular: 18.49% - 28.49% (Variable)

Full U.S. Bank Altitude Connect Visa Card review

This credit card is a good fit for: Travelers looking to collect bonus points in several spending categories and save on streaming services.

Top perks

You get quite a few nice features with the U.S. Bank Altitude® Connect Visa Signature® Card.

Earn 20,000 points

Spend $1,000 in the first 90 days after opening this credit card to earn 20,000 points. Points are worth $0.01 apiece, giving this bonus a value of $200.

This welcome offer is competitive with the very best sign-up bonuses. It combines a large number of points with a reasonable spending minimum. This card is a great choice for cardholders who aren't big spenders.

MORE OPTIONS: Best Credit Card Sign-Up Bonuses

Up to 5 points per $1

The U.S. Bank Altitude® Connect Visa Signature® Card earns:

  • 5X points on prepaid hotels and car rentals booked in the Altitude Rewards Center
  • 4X points on travel; also, gas stations and EV charging stations on your first $1,000 each quarter (wholesale clubs and discount stores/supercenters excluded)
  • 2X points on grocery stores (excluding discount stores/supercenters and wholesale clubs), grocery delivery, dining and streaming services
  • 1X points on other purchases

With so many bonus categories, earning rewards is another area where this card excels. You can earn extra points on a wide variety of spending, including several popular everyday categories.

0% intro APR on balance transfers for 12 billing cycles

U.S. Bank Altitude® Connect Visa Signature® Card does not offer 0% intro APR for purchases. But it does offer 0%, 12 billing cycles on balances transfered within 60 days of account opening. You'll pay a balance transfer fee for the privilege: Either 3% of the amount of each transfer or $5 minimum, whichever is greater. The regular APR of 17.49% to 28.49% (Variable) applies after the intro period.

Airport lounge access

The U.S. Bank Altitude® Connect Visa Signature® Card includes a complimentary 12-month Priority Pass Select membership. As a cardholder, you get four free visits to Priority Pass lounges, and there are more than 1,300 around the world. This is a nice perk for occasional travelers. If you travel quite a bit, you might be better served by other credit cards with airport lounge access that offer unlimited visits.

Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit

This card covers the membership fee for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck. You can get a statement credit of up to $100 every four years when using your card to pay the fee for either program.

Both of these trusted traveler programs are designed to speed up the airport security process. Of the two, Global Entry costs a bit more, but it also includes a TSA PreCheck membership. That makes it the better choice, especially when your credit card is covering the cost anyway.

Travel protection

The U.S. Bank Altitude® Connect Visa Signature® Card offers travel protections including trip cancellation and interruption insurance, travel accident insurance, and trip delay reimbursement. The card also provides SmartDelay; in the event of a flight delay, it gives you and up to three other travelers access to a network of more than 1,500 airport lounges in more than 500 airports worldwide.

Flexible reward redemptions

U.S. Bank provides several ways to redeem your points. Through the Altitude Rewards Center, you can choose from the following reward redemptions:

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

You get $0.01 per point with any of these options. The only issue with these options is that you need at least 2,500 points for cash back redemptions. Many popular rewards credit cards have eliminated redemption minimums entirely. U.S. Bank would make it easier on cardholders if it did the same. But that's just for cash back, and in fairness, there are redemptions available that don't have any minimum.

No foreign transaction fee

You won't incur any extra costs on spending outside the United States. Like most travel cards, this U.S. Bank card doesn't charge a foreign transaction fee.

READ MORE: Best No Foreign Transaction Fee Credit Cards

What could be improved

While the U.S. Bank Altitude® Connect Visa Signature® Card doesn't have any glaring weaknesses, there's one minor drawback to mention.

Can't transfer points

The nice thing about this card's points is that they're easy to use, because they're worth the same amount no matter what. The downside to that is there's no way to transfer points and score higher-value redemptions.

Several of the top travel credit cards let you transfer points to airline or hotel partners. This is often a way to get more from your rewards, especially on expensive travel bookings. You won't have this option with the U.S. Bank Altitude® Connect Visa Signature® Card.

Suggested credit score

A FICO® Score of 670 or higher is recommended to apply for the U.S. Bank Altitude® Connect Visa Signature® Card. The card is intended for applicants with good to excellent credit.

Your credit score isn't the only factor U.S. Bank uses when deciding on your application, and it doesn't guarantee approval or denial. Good credit does, however, make it more likely that your application is approved.

The U.S. Bank Altitude Connect Visa Card is right for you if:

You want an affordable travel card that offers big rewards and valuable benefits.

The great thing about the U.S. Bank Altitude® Connect Visa Signature® Card is how useful all its features are. Just about anyone can cash in a streaming credit and a Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit. Cellphone protection is always nice to have. To top it off, this card offers ample bonus opportunities.

Travelers interested in luxury perks or transferable points can look over other credit card reviews to find a match, but for everyone else, this card's value far exceeds its annual fee.

RELATED: Best U.S. Bank Credit Cards

Our credit card methodology

At Motley Fool Money, we rate credit cards on a five-star scale (1 = poor, 5 = best). Our rating criteria includes rewards rates, welcome bonuses, fees, and perks like travel credits and 0% intro APR offers to evaluate our ratings.

We combine these factors with an evaluation of brand reputation and customer satisfaction to ensure you're getting the best card recommendations. Learn more about how Motley Fool Money rates credit cards.

FAQs

  • The credit limit for the U.S. Bank Altitude® Connect Visa Signature® Card generally ranges from $1,000 to $15,000 or more. U.S. Bank sets your credit limit based on multiple factors that include your income and credit history.

  • No, the U.S. Bank Altitude® Connect Visa Signature® Card doesn't have foreign transaction fees.

  • The U.S. Bank Altitude® Connect Visa Signature® Card isn't the easiest card to get, but good credit could help. U.S. Bank can be one of the stricter card issuers, especially for consumers with multiple credit applications in the last six months to a year. There are reports that having a bank account with U.S. Bank makes an approval more likely.