U.S. Bank Altitude Go vs. Altitude Reserve: A Tale of Two Cards for Two Different Audiences

In the fiercely competitive world of U.S. credit cards, U.S. Bank has quietly built a reputation for offering some of the most compelling and unique rewards programs on the market.

At the heart of its portfolio are two cards in the same family that couldn’t be more different: the U.S. Bank Altitude Go Visa Signature Card and the U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite Card.

These cards are a perfect case study in how an issuer can target completely different consumer segments with its products.

One is an everyday rewards powerhouse with a $0 annual fee, while the other is a premium travel card designed for high-spenders who value luxury perks and a unique rewards structure.

This article will be your comprehensive guide to understanding these two cards.

We’ll break down their rewards, analyze their benefits and fees, and ultimately help you determine which one offers a better fit for your personal spending habits and financial goals.

The U.S. Bank Altitude Go: The Everyday Rewards Powerhouse

The U.S. Bank Altitude Go is a fantastic choice for the average consumer who wants to maximize rewards on their common, daily spending without the burden of an annual fee.

It’s a great entry point into the Altitude ecosystem.

Annual Fee and Reward Structure

The most attractive feature of the U.S. Bank Altitude Go is its $0 annual fee. This makes it a no-risk addition to your wallet, ensuring you can earn rewards without having to justify an ongoing cost.

The card’s rewards structure is designed to reward spending in some of the most popular consumer categories:

4x points on dining, takeout, and food delivery. This is one of the highest earning rates on the market for these categories, making it a standout choice for foodies;

2x points on groceries, grocery delivery, streaming services, and gas stations/EV charging stations;

1x point on all other eligible purchases.

The points earned with the Altitude Go are relatively simple: they are worth 1 cent per point when redeemed for cash back, statement credits, or gift cards.

While there is no major boost in value for travel redemptions like with its premium sibling, the high earning rates in its bonus categories make it an excellent choice for accumulating easy cash back.

Key Benefits and Perks

For a card with a $0 annual fee, the Altitude Go comes with a few noteworthy benefits:

$15 Streaming Credit: You can receive an annual credit of up to $15 for streaming service purchases after 11 months of consistent streaming payments, which is a rare and valuable perk.

No-Fee Cash Back: The simplicity of redeeming your points for cash back at a rate of 1 cent per point is a major plus for consumers who prefer straightforward rewards.

Visa Signature Benefits: As a Visa Signature card, it comes with a basic suite of benefits, including extended warranty protection and roadside assistance.

It’s important to note that the Altitude Go has a foreign transaction fee of 2-3%, so it is not an ideal card for use outside of the U.S.

Ideal User Profile for the Altitude Go

The U.S. Bank Altitude Go is perfect for a consumer who:

Wants a high-earning card with a $0 annual fee;

Spends a significant amount on dining, takeout, and food delivery;

Prefers straightforward cash back or statement credits over complex travel rewards;

Needs a strong, no-fuss card for everyday expenses, or as a complementary card in a larger credit card strategy.

The U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve: The Premium Travel Expert

The U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve is in an entirely different league. It’s a premium, metal credit card for the high-spending, frequent traveler who wants to maximize rewards and enjoys exclusive travel benefits.

Annual Fee and Reward Structure

The first thing to consider is the significant $400 annual fee. This is a considerable cost that you must be able to offset with the card’s rewards and benefits to make it worthwhile.

The rewards structure is unique and strategic:

5x points on prepaid hotels and car rentals booked through the Altitude Rewards Center;

3x points on mobile wallet spending (Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay). This is the key feature. By using a mobile wallet, you can earn a high rewards rate on almost any purchase, including gas, groceries, and other in-store shopping where mobile payment is accepted;

1x point on all other eligible purchases.

The value of these points is what makes the card’s annual fee palatable. When you redeem points for travel through the Altitude Rewards Center, they are worth 1.5 cents per point. This means the 3x earning rate on mobile wallet spending is effectively a 4.5% return on travel, a phenomenal rate that is very difficult to beat.

Key Benefits and Credits

The Altitude Reserve justifies its high annual fee with a suite of premium credits and perks:

$325 Annual Travel and Dining Credit: This is the most valuable benefit. It’s an easy-to-use credit that is automatically applied to eligible travel and dining purchases, effectively bringing the annual fee down to just $75 per year for most users.

Airport Lounge Access: The card includes a Priority Pass Select membership, which gives you access to a global network of airport lounges.

Global Entry/TSA PreCheck Credit: You can get a credit of up to $100 every four years for a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee.

No Foreign Transaction Fees: Unlike the Altitude Go, this card has no foreign transaction fees, making it an excellent choice for international travel.

Ideal User Profile for the Altitude Reserve

The U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve is best for a consumer who:

Spends heavily and consistently uses a mobile wallet for most of their purchases;

Is a frequent traveler who will easily use the $325 travel and dining credit;

Values premium travel perks like airport lounge access;

Can justify the effective $75 annual fee for the high rewards rate on travel.

U.S. Bank Altitude Go vs. Altitude Reserve: Head-to-Head

The Ultimate Verdict: What’s Your Priority?

The choice between the U.S. Bank Altitude Go and the U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve is a classic case of balancing cost, rewards, and lifestyle.

There is no one-size-fits-all answer; the best card is the one that aligns with your spending and personal priorities.

• Choose the Altitude Go if… you are looking for an incredible card for daily spending that costs you nothing. Its 4x earning rate on dining is a top-tier benefit, and the fact that you can earn such a high rate of return with a $0 annual fee makes it a compelling option for almost any consumer.
• Choose the Altitude Reserve if… you are a frequent traveler and a high-volume spender who has embraced mobile wallet payments.
• The card’s generous $325 travel and dining credit effectively makes its annual fee very low, while its 4.5% return on travel from mobile wallet spending is a truly unique and valuable benefit that is unmatched by most competitors.

For some, the optimal strategy might even be to have both. The Altitude Go can handle your dining and grocery spending, while the Altitude Reserve serves as your go-to for all other mobile wallet purchases and travel perks. But for most, the decision is clear: choose the card that best fits your lifestyle, and let it serve as a powerful tool to complement your financial life.