Frequent Miler has just posted ‘US Bank Altitude Reserve Complete Guide‘, it looks like he was able to get his hands on the full guide to benefits or similar so we now have some more details (also readers you’re slacking – we’ve received no leaks on this card at all).
Most of this we already know and was covered in our previous posts on this card, but some of it is new. I’ll do a quick recap and then touch on the new items.
- Sign up bonus of 50,000 points after $4,500 in spend within 90 days of account opening.
- Card earns at the following rates:
- 3x on mobile payments (Apple Pay, Android Pay, Samsung Pay & Microsoft Wallet)
- 3x on travel purchases made directly with airlines, hotels, car rental companies, taxis, limousines, passenger trains and cruise line companies
- 1x on all other purchases
- Annual fee is $400 for the primary cardholder and $75 for authorized users. You can offset the annual fee with 35,000 points (1.14¢ per point)
- $325 annual travel credit. Can be used against purchases made directly from airlines, hotels, car rental companies, taxis, limousines, passenger trains and cruise lines.
- Priority Pass Select Membership. Limited to four visits and four guests visits each membership year.
- Gogo Pass. 12 complimentary passes each membership year (same as what is offered on other U.S. Bank cards)
- Visa Infinite Benefits. Does not come with $100 saving on round trip flight
- TSA PreCheck/Global Entry Reimbursement once every four year.
- Silvercar discount. Rent an Audi A4 with no lines or paperwork from airport locations in select cities and receive a discount of up to 30% on rentals of two days or more.
- GroundLink Black Car Service. 15% discount and $30 off first ride
- Metal card.
- No foreign transaction fees
Contents
New Information
- Card will be available May 1st & available online and in branch
- Will not come with the $100 saving on round trip flight benefit that is offered on some Visa Infinite cards.
- You can transfer FlexPerks to Altitude Points, but you cannot transfer Altitude Points to Flexperks
- Travel is defined in two seperate ways:
- Earning 3x points & using your $325 travel credit “travel” is defined as purchases made directly with airlines, hotels, car rental companies, taxis, limousines, passenger trains and cruise lines
- Using your points at a value of 1.5¢ per point “travel” is defined as airfare, hotel stays, and car rentals booked through US Bank’s Rewards Center
- Mobile Wallet’s have been defined:
- “Mobile Wallet” is defined as the method of paying for a transaction by use of a mobile device (in-store, in-app, or online) and includes Apple Pay, Android Pay, Samsung Pay, and Microsoft Wallet.
- Frequent Miler is unclear if MST or LoopPay transactions are counted, previously we were told they would not be.
- Authorized users:
- Do not get their own travel credit
- Do not get lounge access
- Primary car rental collision damage waiver for both primary and authorized users
Our Verdict
Biggest new detail is that the card will be available online as well as in branch. It’s also interesting that in app and online purchases will count for the 3x. Biggest unknown is still how MST (‘LoopPay’) transactions will code, this is huge for anybody that has access to Samsung Pay has it turns regular swipe terminals into ones that accept mobile wallets. We were originally told that they won’t earn 3x, but I guess we will wait until this card is actually launched for sure.
Overall I think this is a good card, the lounge access is weak but the annual fee is lower than other cards when you take into account the travel credit is larger than other cards offer. It will definitely be a keeper for some people and that number will rise significantly based on how the 3x codes for mobile payments.
View Comments (54)
Would it be of benefit to freeze the two smaller credit bureaus like suggest for the Flex Perks cards?
Maybe: https://www.doctorofcredit.com/whats-going-ars-u-s-bank-will-instantly-deny-frozen-report/
Why do you not value the travel credit the same as cash?
Because cash is more flexible and I can get travel at a deep discount normally?
This is what you want: https://www.doctorofcredit.com/how-much-are-flexperks-points-worth/
Had no relationship with USB. Tried to apply for CD but was declined (I didn't know that there is such a this as to be declined for CD;) because no USB in my state (NJ). So it looks like the offer is only for those who live close enough to USB branches... Meanwhile I had a trip planned for CA in May and was planning to use it as opportunity to open CC; however, if there is no way to start relationship with USB beforehand for those of us who have no USB branches in our state, so it looks like this CC will only be available for people who live close enough to USB branches ;(
FP is extensively written about all over the internet. expand ur search.
I wonder if it will have a minimum SL of $10K+ like CSR or City National Crystal. US Bank is known for giving lower initial credit limits and being a bit of a tough cookie to get in with.
Rumored to only be $5,000.
Four Priority Pass visits?
WutFace
Must be a lot cheaper than offering unlimited passes, for a lot of people that travel once a year that will be enough I guess.
Would you need to use the points before closing the card before the 2nd annual fee?
I imagine so, yes.
MSing will likely cause them to nerf the card, but for the time being it is an interesting proposition.
Not sure what you are trying to say here: "Visa Infinite Benefits. Does not come with $100 saving on round trip flights or not". Can you fix it?
Fixed, does not come with this benefit.