Ready to turn everyday pay habits into reliable travel value? The U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve centers on clear rewards that favor mobile wallet use and travel bookings. You’ll see how 3x earnings on Apple Pay, Google Wallet, and Samsung Pay add up fast.
The card offers elevated redemptions: issuer portal bookings can make your rewards worth 1.5 cents each, while instant redemptions typically yield about 1 cent. Factor in a $400 annual fee, and the practical $325 in annual travel and dining credits can neutralize much of that cost.
You’ll learn where this credit card shines — especially if you pay with a mobile wallet regularly and book prepaid hotels or car rentals through the rewards center. The product is closed to new applicants now, but product changes from existing U.S. Bank cards may still give you access.
Key Takeaways
- The card rewards mobile wallet spending with strong multipliers.
- Redeem via the issuer to reach about 1.5 cents per unit in travel value.
- $325 in annual credits helps offset the $400 annual fee.
- No foreign transaction fee and extra travel protections add practical value.
- Not open to new applicants; consider a product change if you hold another U.S. Bank card.
Overview: What You’re Getting With the U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Today
If you use Apple Pay or Google Wallet often, this card turns that habit into steady travel value.
Quick take: Strengths, drawbacks, and who this card fits
Strengths: You earn 3x on mobile wallet and eligible travel purchases and 5x on prepaid hotels and car rentals booked through the issuer portal. Up to $325 in annual statement credits helps offset the annual fee.
Drawbacks: The product is closed to new applicants and lacks transferable partners. Lounge access is limited to eight Priority Pass visits per year, then $35 per guest.
Who it fits: This is for you if you value simple, high-value redemptions and tend to pay with mobile wallets. It suits frequent travelers who want predictable issuer redemption rather than hunting transfer bonuses.
Editor’s context: Present status and availability
The card is not open for new applications, so there’s no welcome offer in current card offers. Existing u.s. bank customers can often request a product change by calling customer service.
| Feature | Benefit | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 3x mobile wallet & travel | Higher everyday earn | Best for in-app and in-store mobile payments |
| 5x prepaid hotels & car rentals | Strong portal value | Book via Altitude Rewards Center |
| $400 annual fee | Offset by credits | Up to $325 in travel & dining statement credits |
| Travel perks | Global Entry/TSA PreCheck, Priority Pass | No foreign transaction fees |
Core Specs and Fees: Annual Costs, Credits, and Key Terms
Look past the sticker price to see how recurring credits and protections trim the net yearly cost.
The card carries a $400 annual fee. You can offset most of that by using up to $325 in statement credits for travel and dining each year. Time those credits around big trips or heavy dining months to lower your effective annual cost.
$400 annual fee versus up to $325 in credits
Use the credits first, then decide if the card pays for itself.
- Offset strategy: Maximize the $325 credits to reduce the 400 annual expense.
- Timing tip: Align credits with your billing cycle so reimbursements post before renewal.
- Redemption focus: Credits apply to travel and dining, including takeout and delivery.
Global Entry/TSA PreCheck, foreign transaction fees, and protections
You get up to $120 toward Global Entry or TSA PreCheck every four years. That helps speed you through security and immigration with little out-of-pocket cost.
“Plan your credits and enroll in Global Entry to cut delays and justify the fee.”
The card charges no foreign transaction fees, which removes a common hidden expense when you travel. It also includes travel protections like trip cancellation/interruption, trip delay reimbursement, and lost luggage coverage.
| Feature | What it covers | Value note | Action |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $400 | Upfront cost | Weigh against credits |
| Statement credits | Up to $325 per year | Travel & dining, incl. delivery | Use yearly |
| Global Entry/TSA PreCheck | Up to $120 every 4 years | Faster security & customs | Apply when due |
| Protections & lounge | Trip protections, purchase coverage, 8 PP visits | Reduces travel risk | Review policies before claims |
How to act: Track your travel and dining spend early in the year. Use credits, enroll in Global Entry/TSA PreCheck when eligible, and rely on built-in protections for prepaid bookings.
Earning Engine: How to Rack Up Points With Mobile Wallet and Travel
Your payment method determines how fast balances grow on this card.
Use Apple Pay, Google Wallet, or Samsung Pay wherever possible to capture the higher earn rate. You get 3x on mobile wallet purchases in-store, in-app, and online. That includes many everyday buys and larger transactions when merchants accept tap-to-pay.
You also earn 3x on eligible travel—airlines, taxis, trains, cruises, and car rentals when booked directly with providers.
Portal boosts and when to prepay
Book prepaid hotels and car rentals in the Altitude Rewards Center to unlock 5x. That makes the rewards center the best route for planned lodging and ground transport.
- All other purchases earn 1x per dollar, so prioritize mobile wallet use.
- Large one-off buys can earn 3x when paid with a supported mobile wallet.
- Weigh 5x portal savings against flexibility and elite benefits before prepaying.
Redeeming for Maximum Value: Turning Points Into 1.5 Cents Each
When you match redemptions to travel charges, your rewards act like a discount on trips. The simplest route to strong value is using the issuer travel portal so redemptions post as statement credits against eligible travel purchases.
Travel portal redemptions that make rewards worth 1.5 cents
Redeem points through the issuer for flights, hotels, and car rentals to consistently realize 1.5 cents per point against qualifying travel purchases. That predictability helps plan trip budgets and compare cash fares directly.
When real-time rewards at 1 cent per point make sense
Real-time redemptions trade value for speed. Use the 1 cent per point option for small ride-share fares or last-minute incidentals when convenience beats maximum value.
Practical paths for flights, hotels, and car rentals
- Earmark major itinerary costs for issuer redemptions and keep incidentals for 1-cent uses.
- Confirm merchant coding and that charges qualify as travel purchases before you redeem points.
- Redeem in batches after refundable-booking confirmation to avoid losses from changes.
“Structure redemptions around big trip expenses to hit your ‘worth 1.5’ target and keep some liquidity for flash deals.”
Benefits That Matter: Lounge Access, Protections, and Travel Perks
How often you fly and who you travel with will determine how much value you extract from the card’s perks. The combination of lounge time and travel protections can save you stress and money when trips go off-script.
Limited lounge access versus full select membership
You get eight annual visits under priority pass select terms, with each visit covering one guest. After those eight, entries cost $35 per person per visit.
Compare that to cards that include a full pass select membership. If you travel with family or fly often, the limited model may feel restrictive.
Protections, fees, and practical use
The card includes trip cancellation/interruption, trip delay, lost luggage, emergency evacuation, purchase protection, return protection, and extended warranty.
No foreign transaction fees mean you can use the card abroad without extra charges. Combine portal-prepaid bookings and protections to centralize claims and coverage.
“Plan lounge use for long layovers and rely on protections for higher-risk travel.”
- Use visits for long waits or early arrivals to get the most from lounge access.
- Heavy travelers should assess whether a full priority pass is a better fit than this visa infinite card model.
us-bank-altitude-reserve-points: Valuations, Cent-Per-Point Math, and Sample Redemptions
Framing redemption math around 1.5 cents helps you plan how many units to spend on flights, hotels, or car rentals.
How “worth 1.5 cents” plays out on typical travel purchases
Redeemed through the issuer, each unit is worth 1.5 cents toward eligible travel purchases and posts as a statement credit.
Multiply the number you use by 0.015 to get the dollar offset. For example, 40,000 units offset $600 in travel purchases.
“Use issuer redemptions for big fixed charges and real-time redemptions for quick incidentals.”
Sample itineraries: Hotels, car rentals, and airline tickets
Compare choices before redeeming. A $300 round-trip flight equals ~20,000 units at 1.5 cents each. A weekend hotel plus a compact car costing $450 can be covered with a 30,000-unit redemption.
- Prepaid hotels car bookings in the portal earn higher rates, then you can redeem against that exact charge.
- Blend the 1.5 cents redemptions for major costs and 1 cent real-time for small items.
- Always confirm merchant coding so travel purchases qualify for the 1.5-cent credit.
| Example | Cash Cost | Units at 1.5¢ |
|---|---|---|
| Weekend hotel + car | $450 | 30,000 |
| Round-trip flight | $300 | 20,000 |
| Car rental weekend | $150 | 10,000 |
Strategy: set a points worth floor (1.5 cents) for major trips and wait to redeem until you hit that threshold.
Getting the Card in the Present Market: Product Change Path and Eligibility
Because new applications are closed, most cardholders reach the reserve via an internal product change.
Closed to new applicants: What that means for you today
The card is not available through public card offers. That means you cannot apply online or get a welcome bonus the normal way.
If you already hold a u.s. bank product, your path is usually internal. Expect to call customer service and ask about eligibility.
How to request a product change from another U.S. Bank Altitude card
Start by confirming account age and standing. Representatives check tenure, payment history, and internal risk models before approving a switch.
Ask these questions when you call:
- Will your credit line transfer and how will the annual fee and credits be timed?
- Do existing balances and rewards move seamlessly to the reserve card?
- Will reserve visa or reserve visa infinite labels and protections display correctly in online banking?
“Document timelines from request to completion and update your mobile wallet and recurring payments after the change posts.”
| Step | What to confirm | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Call customer service | Eligibility, account tenure | Determines approval odds |
| Ask about billing | Annual fee timing, credits | Affects net cost for the year |
| Verify benefits | Visa infinite protections, lounge labeling | Ensure coverage before travel |
| Update payments | Mobile wallet & recurring charges | Prevents missed payments and earning gaps |
Practical tip: Keep records of the rep’s name, request date, and expected completion window so you can plan bookings around the product change.
How It Stacks Up: Chase Sapphire Reserve and Capital One Venture X Alternatives
Put the Altitude Reserve beside Chase Sapphire Reserve and Capital One Venture X to see which fits your travel and daily habits best.
Annual fee, credits, and lounge access comparison
Annual fee differences matter. Chase charges $795 with a $300 travel credit. Venture X sits at $395 with $300 in portal credits. The bank altitude reserve posts a $400 annual fee with up to $325 in statement credits.
Priority access varies. Chase includes full priority pass select and access to Sapphire Lounges. Venture X offers Priority Pass plus Capital One lounges. The altitude reserve card gives eight Priority Pass visits per year, then $35 per guest.
When to choose Altitude Reserve for mobile wallet spend
If you tap Apple Pay, Google Wallet, or Samsung Pay every day, the 3x mobile wallet earn can out-earn cards with flat 2x returns.
Choose the altitude reserve card when:
- Your routine favors mobile wallet payments and prepaid hotel/car bookings via the rewards center.
- You prefer predictable issuer redemptions over transfer ecosystems.
- You only need limited lounge visits and value higher everyday earn rates.
“Map your lounge needs, annual credits, and daily spend to the card that returns the most net value after fees.”
| Card | Annual fee | Credits | Lounge access |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chase Sapphire Reserve | $795 | $300 travel credit | Full Priority Pass Select + Sapphire Lounges |
| Capital One Venture X | $395 | $300 travel credits | Priority Pass + Capital One lounges |
| Bank Altitude Reserve | $400 | Up to $325 statement credits | 8 Priority Pass visits, then $35 |
Conclusion
Before you decide, weigh how the card’s simple earn-and-redeem formula fits your travel and digital-pay habits. The u.s. bank altitude model converts everyday mobile wallet spend into a clear cent per point return, with practical redemptions that can be worth 1.5 cents when used against travel purchases. Redeem points strategically to target that 1.5-cent value and use real-time redemptions only for convenience.
The bank altitude reserve strengths—3x on mobile wallet and 5x for prepaid hotels and car rentals booked via the altitude rewards center—drive most of the upside. Factor the 400 annual fee against up to $325 in credits, Global Entry/TSA PreCheck reimbursement, Priority Pass Select visits, and visa infinite card protections when you do the math.
If you hold a u.s. bank product, request a product change to seek the reserve card. Compare lounge access, foreign transaction fees, and net annual value to decide whether this reserve visa infinite fits your travel rhythm.
FAQ
What does the Altitude Reserve card offer today?
The card targets frequent travelers who use mobile wallets. You get elevated earning on Apple Pay, Google Wallet, and Samsung Pay, premium travel credits that can offset the 0 annual fee, and travel protections like trip delay and purchase coverage. The card also includes a Priority Pass Select membership for lounge access and a Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit to ease airport entry.
Is the annual fee worth it given the travel credits?
That depends on how you use the statement credits. The 0 annual fee is offset if you regularly use the up-to-5 combined travel and dining credits and take advantage of the mobile-wallet bonus categories. If you frequently book prepaid hotels and car rentals through the issuer’s rewards center and use lounge access, you’re more likely to net positive value.
How do you earn rewards with this card?
You earn 3x on purchases made with Apple Pay, Google Wallet, and Samsung Pay, 3x on eligible travel, and 5x on prepaid hotels and car rentals booked via the Altitude Rewards Center. Everyday purchases earn 1x. Prioritize mobile-wallet and travel-category spend to maximize value.
How much are rewards worth when you redeem?
Redeeming through the travel portal or issuer redemption can make rewards worth about 1.5 cents per reward unit for travel bookings. You can also redeem at a standard rate near 1 cent per unit for statement credits or merchandise when you need convenience over maximum value.
Can you use the card internationally without foreign transaction fees?
Yes. The card has no foreign transaction fees, so you can make purchases abroad without added currency surcharges. That makes it a good wallet for international travel alongside the Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit for quicker arrivals.
What kind of lounge access is included?
The card includes Priority Pass Select membership, which grants access to participating airport lounges. Note that Select memberships sometimes limit guesting or access compared with fuller lounge programs from certain competitors, so check participating lounges before travel.
Are there protections for car rentals and trips?
Yes. You’ll find rental car coverage when you pay with the card and other travel protections such as trip delay and certain purchase protections. Coverage details and limits vary, so review the card’s benefit guide before relying on any specific protection.
How do prepaid hotels and car rental bonuses work?
When you book prepaid hotels and car rentals through the Altitude Rewards Center, those bookings can earn 5x rewards. That higher multiplier applies only to qualifying bookings made in the dedicated booking channel, not to reservations made directly with third-party sites.
Is the card open to new applicants now?
The product has been restricted for new applications at times. If you can’t apply, you may still be able to request a product change from another U.S. Bank Altitude card or check current availability directly with the issuer for updates to eligibility.
How does this card compare with Chase Sapphire Reserve and Capital One Venture X?
The card competes on elevated earning and mobile-wallet bonuses and has a lower or similar annual fee-to-credit tradeoff compared with some premium rivals. Chase Sapphire Reserve and Venture X offer broader lounge networks or hotel transfer partners, so choose this card if mobile-wallet spend and the issuer’s travel portal deliver your best value.
What’s the best way to maximize the cent-per-value on redemptions?
Book travel through the issuer’s portal or use the travel redemption option to achieve roughly 1.5 cents per reward unit. For short-term convenience, real-time statement credits at about 1 cent per unit work, but for top value focus on flights, hotels, and car rentals via the travel channel.
Are there any foreign or incidental fees to watch for?
The card does not charge foreign transaction fees. Still verify incidental fees with travel vendors, and use the card’s travel credits and Global Entry/TSA PreCheck reimbursement to reduce out-of-pocket costs tied to travel.
How do you redeem rewards for last-minute travel?
Use the travel portal or the rewards center for real-time bookings. If availability or convenience matters more than maximum cent-per-reward value, you can choose on-the-spot redemptions at about 1 cent per unit, which often allows immediate confirmation.
What should you check before requesting a product change?
Confirm eligibility, benefit differences, and whether any welcome offers or retention bonuses apply. Also review how a product change affects your rewards, annual fee, and access to credits, including travel and dining statement credits tied to the new product.
