U.S. Bank Launches New Card With Big Travel Rewards

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U.S. Bank introduced a new credit card Monday that offers a $325 annual travel credit and three points back for each dollar spent on travel and mobile wallet purchases. The card is available immediately to most existing customers only, but there is a way you can get the card if you aren’t a current customer (more on that in a minute).

The Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite is aimed at on-the-go professionals, John Steward, president of retail payment solutions for U.S. Bank, said in a press release.

High-End Travel Rewards

Like many high-end travel rewards cards, the Altitude Reserve also offers travel planning, TSA PreCheck and Global Entry application fee reimbursement, airport lounge access, free airplane Wi-Fi access and discounts on hotel rooms and car rentals. New cardholders receive a 50,000-point bonus, worth $750 in travel purchases if they spend $4,500 in their first 90 days of membership.

While travel and purchases made with Apple Pay, Samsung Pay, Android Pay and Microsoft Wallet earn three points per dollar, other purchases earn one point per dollar.

Cardholders get 12 free in-flight GoGo Wi-Fi sessions each year once they register their account on the U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve website. GoGo is available on AeroMexico, Air Canada, Alaska Airlines, American, Delta, Japan Airlines, United and Virgin America flights.

Cardholders also get a year of free Priority Pass Select membership, which allows access to more than 1,000 VIP airport lounges. Each cardmember and guest still has to pay a $27 lounge visit fee, though the fee is waived for the first four visits.

The card reimburses an $85 statement credit for a TSA PreCheck application or $100 for a Global Entry application, as long as the fee is charged to the card. Cardholders are eligible for a reimbursement every four years.

Cardmembers also get a 15% discount on reservations made with the Groundlink Black Car Service and a one-time $30 credit to be used for reservations.

The card also offers fraud protection, warranty service, rental car insurance and travel insurance.

What You’ll Pay

The Altitude Reserve is only available to U.S. Bank customers. If you’re not already a customer, you can apply for the card 35 days after opening an account or taking out a loan with U.S. Bank. The card comes with a $400 annual fee.

The card has a variable APR of 16.49% for purchases and balance transfers and 24.74% for cash advances. Cash advances also come with a 4% fee and a $10 minimum. The balance transfer fee is 3% with a $5 minimum.

The Altitude Reserve has no foreign transaction fees. Late payments cost up to $38; returned payments fees run up to $35.

Altitude vs. Sapphire

The Altitude Reserve’s rewards are similar to that of the Chase Sapphire Reserve (read our review here), which also offers a 50,000 point bonus, though for only $4,000 in purchases in three months. The Altitude Reserve has a higher annual travel credit and matches Sapphire Reserve with its three points per dollar travel rewards rate.

Both cards require solid credit scores. You can check two of yours free on Credit.com to see if you’ll qualify.

Image: danchooalex

Note: It’s important to remember that prices for products and services frequently change. As a result, rates, fees and terms cited in this article may have changed since the date of publication. Please be sure to verify current rates, fees and terms with the company directly.