The U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve has long been one of the more underrated premium travel cards on the market. Its strong mobile wallet rewards, generous travel credit, and Priority Pass access can hold their own against bigger-name competitors like the Chase Sapphire Reserve.
This review covers the card's rewards rates, fees, perks, and who should consider it in 2026.
Card Snapshot
As of May 2026, here are the key numbers on the U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite:
- Annual fee: $400
- Variable purchase APR: 21.74% to 28.74%
- Sign-up bonus: 50,000 points after $4,500 in spending in the first 90 days
- Foreign transaction fee: $0
Important note: U.S. Bank is no longer accepting new applications for the Altitude Reserve. Existing cardholders can keep using the card and renew it, but new applicants will need to look at the Altitude Connect or other premium options like the Chase Sapphire Preferred. Check U.S. Bank's website for any updates on availability.
Rewards Rate
The Altitude Reserve rewards mobile wallet spending more than most travel cards.
- 5x points on prepaid hotels and car rentals booked through the U.S. Bank Altitude Rewards Center
- 3x points on eligible travel and mobile wallet purchases made with Apple Pay, Google Pay, or Samsung Pay
- 1x point on everything else
That 3x category is the headline feature. If you tap to pay at most stores, you can earn 3x on groceries, gas, dining, and more, since those purchases qualify as mobile wallet transactions.
Sign-Up Bonus and Value
New cardholders earn 50,000 points after spending $4,500 in the first 90 days. The bonus is worth $750 toward travel through the Altitude Rewards Center, since points redeem at 1.5 cents each for travel.
That $750 redemption rate is higher than the 1 cent per point you would get for cash back. Travel-focused spenders get the most value here.
Annual Travel Credit
The card includes up to $325 in annual statement credits for travel and dining purchases. The credit applies automatically when eligible purchases hit your account.
For cardholders who spend at least $325 per year on travel or dining, this credit effectively reduces the $400 annual fee to $75. That is a significant discount on a premium card.
If your credit profile is still being built and you are not yet eligible for premium cards like the Altitude Reserve, the Self Visa® Credit Card can help. Self pairs a secured Visa card with a Credit Builder Account, reporting payments to all three major credit bureaus so you can establish history before applying for premium travel cards. Other credit-building bank accounts can also help you establish a positive payment record.
Lounge Access and Travel Perks
The Altitude Reserve includes a Priority Pass Select membership with 8 complimentary lounge visits per cardmember year. After the 8 free visits, additional visits cost about $35 each.
The 8-visit cap is lower than the unlimited Priority Pass access offered by some competitors, like the Amex Platinum, but it covers most occasional travelers.
Other travel perks include:
- Up to $100 in statement credit every four years for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry application fees
- Visa Infinite benefits, including travel and emergency assistance
- No foreign transaction fees, useful for international trips
- Auto rental collision damage waiver coverage
- Lost luggage reimbursement and trip cancellation protection
Foreign Transaction Fees
The card charges $0 in foreign transaction fees. That makes it a strong choice for international purchases, both in person and online with internationally-based merchants. See our list of credit cards with no foreign transaction fees for other options that skip the surcharge.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- 3x points on mobile wallet purchases captures most everyday spending
- $325 travel credit offsets most of the $400 fee
- Priority Pass with 8 free visits per year
- No foreign transaction fees
- Strong travel insurance package
Cons
- $400 annual fee is steep for casual travelers
- Card is no longer open to new applicants
- Priority Pass cap of 8 visits is lower than some peers
- Travel portal redemptions earn 1.5 cents per point, which is lower than transfer-partner options on competing cards like the Chase Sapphire Reserve
Who Should Apply
Since the card is currently closed to new applications, this section is mostly for existing cardholders deciding whether to keep the card.
Keep the Altitude Reserve if:
- You routinely use Apple Pay, Google Pay, or Samsung Pay for most purchases
- You spend at least $325 per year on travel or dining
- You use the Priority Pass benefit at least a few times per year
- You travel internationally and value no foreign transaction fees
Consider switching cards if:
- You rarely use mobile wallets
- You travel infrequently
- You want a lower annual fee or no fee at all
How to Maximize the Altitude Reserve
A few tips can squeeze more value from this card.
- Set Apple Pay, Google Pay, or Samsung Pay as your default at most stores to earn 3x on routine spending.
- Use the card for trip bookings to get the $325 travel credit fast.
- Book hotels and car rentals through the Altitude Rewards Center to earn 5x.
- Apply the TSA PreCheck credit before the four-year window resets.
- Plan trips to use all 8 Priority Pass visits before your cardmember year ends.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I still get the U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve?
As of May 2026, the Altitude Reserve is no longer accepting new applications. Existing cardholders can continue to use and renew their cards. If you want a similar premium U.S. Bank card, look at the Altitude Connect, which has no annual fee. Check U.S. Bank's website for any future updates.
What is the credit score needed for the Altitude Reserve?
U.S. Bank typically required excellent credit for the Altitude Reserve, generally a FICO score of 750 or higher. Income and debt-to-income ratio also factor into approval. New applications are not accepted right now, but these were the historical guidelines.
Is the $325 travel credit easy to use?
Yes. The credit applies automatically to eligible travel and dining purchases until you hit the $325 cap each cardmember year. You do not need to enroll or use a special booking portal. This makes the credit one of the simplest in the premium card space.
How do points redeem on the Altitude Reserve?
Points redeem at 1.5 cents each when used for travel through the Altitude Rewards Center, giving 50,000 points a value of $750. Cash back redemptions are worth 1 cent per point, so travel redemptions deliver the best value for cardholders.
