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The Points Guy believes that credit cards can transform lives, helping you leverage everyday spending for cash back or travel experiences that might otherwise be out of reach. That's why we publish a variety of editorial content and card comparisons: to help you find a great card to turn your goals into reality.
Our site may earn compensation when a customer clicks on a link, when an application is approved, or when an account is opened with our partners, and this may impact how or where these products appear. While we don't cover all available credit cards, our editorial team creates and maintains all of the analysis of these cards, and our content is not influenced nor subject to review by any credit card company, bank or partner prior to (or after) publication. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
Reviews
U.S. Bank Altitude Connect Visa Signature Card review: Bonus rewards in multiple categories
Stella is a full-time writer with expertise in credit cards, points and miles, and all things travel. She is a journalism graduate of the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill and previously worked as a copywriter at JetBlue Airways and as a credit cards writer at LendingTree.
Credit card writer Danyal Ahmed is an avid traveler, averaging about 100,000 aeronautical miles per year. He regularly applies that knowledge and his expertise in credit cards to his role as a credit card writer at TPG.
also contributed to this story
March 28, 2025 • 8 min read
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Quick summary
A travel rewards card offers solid reward rates across multiple everyday categories and includes airport lounge access and a TSA PreCheck or Global Entry application fee credit every four years.
The card does not charge foreign transaction fees and provides standard travel protections such as trip cancellation and delay coverage.
Points earned are fixed in value, redeemable at 1 cent each for travel and at a lower rate for cash back or shopping, with no option to transfer to airline or hotel partners.
It is positioned as a strong choice for beginners or those seeking straightforward rewards without an annual fee.
What to consider
Redemption options are limited to fixed-value uses, with no transfer partners for potentially higher value.
There is a quarterly cap on earning rewards at gas and EV charging stations, after which the rate decreases.
The TSA PreCheck or Global Entry statement credit covers up to $100, which does not fully cover the current Global Entry application fee.
What you'll miss from the article
A detailed comparison of how this card stacks up against other popular travel and cash-back cards, including pros, cons and ideal user profiles.
Generated by AI with support from our editorial team.
U.S. Bank Altitude Connect Visa Signature Card overview
The U.S. Bank Altitude® Connect Visa Signature® Card is one of the issuer's travel rewards cards, offering solid reward rates, airport lounge access and a TSA PreCheck or Global Entry application fee credit every four years — all for no annual fee. Card rating*: ⭐⭐⭐½
*Card rating is based on the opinion of TPG's editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.
When U.S. Bank discontinued several of its credit cards a few years back, the issuer only had one travel rewards card left in its lineup. That changed with the introduction of the U.S. Bank Altitude Connect.
It offers great reward rates in five everyday purchase categories that will appeal to many, with no annual fee. We recommend applicants have a minimum credit score of 670 to increase their chances of approval.
Let's dive deeper to see what other perks and benefits the U.S. Bank Altitude Connect card offers cardholders.
The information for the U.S. Bank Altitude Connect has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
U.S. Bank Altitude Connect pros and cons
Pros
Cons
No annual fee
Valuable earnings rates
Decent travel perks
Limited redemption options
Cap on earning for gas and electric vehicle charging purchases
U.S. Bank Altitude Connect welcome offer
Depending on how you apply, we've seen Altitude Connect welcome bonuses ranging between 20,000 and 30,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 within the first 90 days of account opening.
That translates to roughly $333 in purchases per month, making the welcome bonus more attainable. Many cardholders can likely hit this spending requirement in just one month.
THE POINTS GUY
Since this card has no annual fee, you'll get decent value from the start. The U.S. Bank Altitude Connect lacks transfer partners, so this welcome offer can only be redeemed at a fixed rate of 1 cent per point for travel. That means it's worth between $200 and $300.
If you're already part of either trusted traveler program, you can easily charge your friend or family member's application to this card and still receive the reimbursement.
It's important to note that this statement credit won't cover the full cost of a Global Entry application at $120, but it will cover the cost of a TSA PreCheck application.
Still, this is an uncommon perk on a no-annual-fee card, so we can't complain (and it does cover the majority of a Global Entry application which we count as another win).
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The card comes with standard travel benefits and protections, such as trip cancellation/interruption insurance, trip delay reimbursement and more. You'll also get a complimentary Priority Pass Select membership, which gives you four free visits to over 1,600 airport lounges worldwide.
Finally, this card doesn't charge foreign transaction fees and offers contactless payment. It also features other perks through the Visa Signature program. That's an overall great set of benefits for a card with no annual fee.
Earning points with the U.S. Bank Altitude Connect
Most competing rewards cards offer, at most, a couple of (predictable) bonus categories. That's not the case with the U.S. Bank Altitude Connect.
You'll find that it's easy to rack up rewards, as you'll earn:
5 points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and car rentals booked directly in the Altitude Rewards Center
4 points per dollar spent at gas stations and EV charging stations (on your first $1,000 each quarter, then 1 point, excludes discount stores and wholesale clubs)
You'll also get 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases. This is the card for those who don't want to open multiple cards but still want to get value from their everyday purchases.
It can also be a great card for anyone who doesn't earn bonus points on gas or EV charging stations with another card, as long as you're comfortable with the card's lack of transfer partners.
Redeeming points with the U.S. Bank Altitude Connect
Depending on the type of traveler you are, you may (or may not be) a fan of the redemption options with this card. Although you'll earn points with this card, they're fixed-value points.
That said, your points are worth 1 cent each for travel and 0.8 cents each for cash back, shopping at Amazon and PayPal and via Real-Time Rewards.
According to U.S. Bank, "You’ll get the most value when you redeem points for Travel (including Real-Time Rewards for travel purchases), as a deposit to an eligible U.S. Bank account or as a cash donation to charity, at $0.01 per point—where 10,000 points are equal to $100."
U.S. Bank's Real-Time Rewards allows you to redeem your points as you make purchases. You'll receive a text message asking if you want to cover your purchase with your points.
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While these redemption options are still solid and offer simplicity for beginner award travelers, the U.S. Bank Altitude Connect acts more like a cash-back card in our eyes.
Meanwhile, a true travel rewards card lets you redeem your points for a fixed value and offers the ability to transfer your rewards to its airline and hotel partners. By knowing how to maximize your points, you'll find that you get way more than 1 cent per point of value, outclassing a card like the Altitude Connect.
If you prefer American Express: The American Express® Green Card offers a high earning rate on travel, restaurants and transit. Up to $199 Clear Plus and earns 3 points per dollar spent on travel, transit, and dining at restaurants. Enrollment is required; terms apply. Plus, Amex has more transfer partners than most other issuers and offers more transfer bonuses throughout the year.
If you want more perks: The (see rates and fees) offers higher earning rates on travel with 8 points per dollar on all Chase Travel℠ bookings and 4 points per dollar on flights and hotels booked directly (after the first $300 is spent annually on travel). The card also offers more valuable benefits like a $300 annual travel credit and airport lounge access. If you're willing to pay its $795 annual fee, it's a great addition to a traveler's wallet. To learn more, read our full review of the Sapphire Reserve.
The information for the American Express Green Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Given that the U.S. Bank Altitude Connect has no annual fee, it's worth considering if you're not in the practice of utilizing reward currency for transfer offers. It has strong earning potential and solid benefits. Avid travelers, in my opinion, are better off going with a travel card with transfer partners.
Bottom line
U.S. Bank does a great job of differentiating the U.S. Bank Altitude Connect by offering a robust rewards rate and useful benefits for travel beginners. It falls short when compared with some competitors but the U.S. Bank Altitude Connect can still offer value for travel beginners.
By commenting, you agree to our Community Guidelines to help create a positive space for conversation. The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser, our partners, or The Points Guy (“TPG”). They have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these parties. All responses are submitted by individual contributors, and neither the bank advertiser, our partners, nor TPG are responsible for ensuring that all posts and/or questions are answered.
