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Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite Card Review: Is This Premium Travel Card Worth It?
What Is the Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite Card?
The Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite Card is a premium travel rewards credit card offered by U.S. Bank. It's designed for frequent travelers who want to earn rewards on their travel and mobile wallet purchases. This card stands out for its generous earning rate on mobile wallet spending and its array of travel perks, including a sizable annual travel credit.
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Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite Card Pros & Cons
Pros:
- High earning rate on travel and mobile wallet purchases
- Substantial annual travel credit
- No foreign transaction fees
- Priority Pass Select membership for airport lounge access
- Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit
- Real-Time Rewards for flexible point redemption
Cons:
- High annual fee
- Limited transfer partners compared to other premium travel cards
- Requires a U.S. Bank relationship to apply
- Travel rewards are primarily focused on U.S. Bank's travel portal
Who Is the Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite Card For?
The Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite Card is ideal for:
- Frequent travelers who can take advantage of the annual travel credit and lounge access
- Tech-savvy consumers who frequently use mobile wallet payments
- Those who prefer flexible reward redemptions through Real-Time Rewards
- Existing U.S. Bank customers looking for a premium travel card
This card may not be the best fit for those who rarely travel or don't use mobile wallet payments often, as they may struggle to offset the high annual fee.
Comparing the Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite Card With Other Credit Cards
When considering the Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite, it's helpful to compare it with other popular options in the premium travel card category:
The Platinum Card® from American Express (rates & fees):
- Annual fee: $695
- Welcome offer: Substantial points bonus after meeting spending requirements
- Key rewards: 5X points on flights and prepaid hotels booked through Amex Travel
- Standout feature: Extensive airport lounge access and hotel elite status
Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card (rates & fees):
- Annual fee: $395
- Sign-up bonus: Large miles bonus after meeting spending requirements
- Key rewards: 10X miles on hotels and rental cars, 5X on flights booked through Capital One Travel
- Standout feature: Annual travel credit and 10,000 bonus miles each account anniversary
- Annual fee: $550
- Sign-up bonus: Substantial points bonus after meeting spending requirements
- Key rewards: 3X points on travel and dining
- Standout feature: $300 annual travel credit and 50% more value when redeeming points for travel through Chase Travel℠
Each card offers unique benefits tailored to different spending habits and preferences. Consider your personal financial goals when choosing the best card for you.
Key Takeaways:
- Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite excels in helping frequent travelers who want to earn rewards on their travel and mobile wallet purchases
- The Platinum Card® from American Express offers premium travel perks
- Capital One Venture X provides high rewards on travel bookings
- Chase Sapphire Reserve® features flexible travel credits and point redemptions
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Consider Using Kudos
While the Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite Card offers excellent benefits, maximizing your rewards across multiple cards can be challenging. This is where Kudos comes in. Kudos is a free AI-powered browser extension that helps you get the most out of your credit cards when shopping online.
With Kudos, you can:
- Receive personalized credit card recommendations for each purchase
- Earn rewards at over 15,000 stores
- Multiply your rewards up to 5X during exclusive "Flash Boost" events
- Discover new cards that align with your spending habits
By using Kudos alongside your Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite Card, you can ensure you're always using the best card for each purchase, potentially earning even more rewards than you would with the Altitude Reserve alone.
Our Expert Takeaway
The Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite Card is a solid choice for frequent travelers who regularly use mobile wallet payments. Its high earning rate on travel and mobile wallet purchases, combined with the annual travel credit and other perks, can provide significant value for the right user.
However, the card's value proposition depends heavily on your spending habits and travel preferences. If you're a U.S. Bank customer who travels often and embraces mobile payments, this card could be an excellent addition to your wallet. On the other hand, if you prefer more flexible redemption options or a wider array of transfer partners, you might want to consider alternatives like the Chase Sapphire Reserve.
Remember, to truly maximize your credit card rewards, consider using a tool like Kudos. It can help you navigate the complexities of multiple reward programs and ensure you're always using the best card for each purchase.
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Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite Card FAQ
What are the foreign transaction fees for the Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite Card?
The Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite Card does not charge foreign transaction fees, making it an excellent choice for international travel.
How does the Altitude Rewards Center work?
The Altitude Rewards Center is U.S. Bank's portal where cardholders can redeem their points for travel, cash back, merchandise, and more. Points are worth 1.5 cents each when redeemed for travel through this portal.
What is the annual fee for the Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite Card?
The annual fee for the Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite Card is $400.
How does the annual travel credit work?
Cardholders receive a $325 annual travel credit that automatically applies to eligible travel purchases such as airlines, hotels, car rentals, and cruise lines.
Can I transfer Altitude Reserve points to airline or hotel programs?
Unlike some other premium travel cards, the Altitude Reserve does not offer direct transfers to airline or hotel loyalty programs. Points can be redeemed through U.S. Bank's travel portal or with Real-Time Rewards.
What is the earning rate for mobile wallet purchases?
The Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite Card earns 3x points on mobile wallet purchases, including transactions made with Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay.
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Editorial Disclosure: Opinions expressed here are those of Kudos alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
