U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Need to Know
Related: Here Is What U.S. Bank Is Telling Their Employees About Their New Altitude Reserve Premium Card
U.S. Bank is officially throwing their hat into the premium credit card game tomorrow with the Altitude Reserve card. In case you haven’t heard about it, here is everything you need to know to decide whether or not it makes sense to apply.
Card Basics
Bonus: 50,000 Altitude Points after $4,500+ spend in the first 90 days.
3X on Travel Uncapped: Earn 3X points per $1 spent on eligible net travel purchases made directly with airlines, hotels, car rental companies, taxis, limousines, passenger trains and cruise line companies.
3X on Mobile Wallet Purchases Uncapped: Earn 3x points per $1 spent on eligible net mobile wallet purchases using Apple Pay, Samsung Pay, Android Pay or Microsoft Wallet. Purchases can be made in person, in an app or online as long as they are processed through the Digital Wallet.
Altitude Points Value: Points can be redeemed for merchandise, cash back or gift cards at a value of 1 cent each. Points can be redeemed to book travel at a value of 1.5 cents each.
Annual Fee: $400 plus $75 for authorized user cards.
Metal: The Altitude Reserve will be an engraved stainless steel card.
What It Has
Travel Credit: $325 per cardmember year automatically applied to purchases made directly from airlines, hotels, car rental companies, taxis, limousines, passenger trains and cruise lines.
Lounge Access: Priority Pass Select membership with 4 free visits for the member and a guest each year.
TSA Precheck/Global Entry: Up to a $100 credit towards either service once every 4 years.
Other Benefits: 12 free Gogo passes per year, 30% off Silvercar, Benefits at Relais & Chateaux Boutique Luxury Hotels, Benefits at Visa Inifinite Luxury Hotel Collection properties, 15% off Groundlink Black Car Service.
What It Doesn’t Have
No $100 Visa Infinite Companion Discount: Some Visa Infinite cards have a $100 discount on airfare for two or more. This card will not have that benefit at launch.
No Transfer Partners: Unlike the Citi Prestige, Amex Platinum and Chase Sapphire Reserve, Altitude Reserve will not have points that are transferable to partners at launch.
No Authorized User Benefits: Authorized users do not get their own Global Entry credit, travel credit or lounge membership. It is hard to justify the additional $75 fee.
Applying
Who Can Apply: Only U.S. Bank customers will be able to apply initially, although it seems exceptions can be made. To qualify as a customer you need a checking, savings, mortgage, home equity loan (HELOC), car loan or credit card with U.S. Bank. If you open a new account you will need to wait at least a month to apply.
How to Apply: You will be able to apply online via the U.S. Bank website or in-branch.
Conclusion
This card looks attractive to me mostly because of the fairly easy travel credit and the 3X Mobile Wallet bonus category. I plan to apply for a card tomorrow and will make sure to share my experience with the Altitude Reserve.
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Any word on trip/baggage delay insurance? Rental car coverage?
Yes you can find the information in the linked post about what U.S. Bank is telling their employees. It has Visa Infinite coverage which is quite good and also includes primary CDW.
Which utility companies accept mobile wallet?
Im in SoCal
Do you have a list who accept digital wallet?
I think you can look at the various sites of each Mobile Wallet platform but most large businesses these days do. I am not sure if there is a centralized list.