Chase Sapphire Preferred vs U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve: Which Is Better In 2025?

U.S. Bank Altitude® Reserve Visa Infinite® Breakdown

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Why We Like It

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This section breaks down the key reasons why the U.S. Bank Altitude® Reserve Visa Infinite® stands out to us.

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• Cardholders earn a high rate of 3x points on both travel and mobile wallet purchases, making it a strong choice for everyday spending.
• The card's $325 annual travel credit automatically applies to a wide range of travel purchases, significantly reducing the annual fee's impact.
• After using the full $325 travel credit, you only need to spend about $1,667 on travel and mobile wallet purchases to offset the remaining annual fee (publisher-formulated estimate).

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Pros

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• Offers a high earning rate on both travel and mobile wallet purchases.
• Includes a substantial annual travel credit and complimentary airport lounge access.
• Provides flexible redemption options, including the unique Real-Time Rewards feature that allows for instant point redemption on recent purchases.

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Cons

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• Features a high annual fee, which may be difficult for infrequent travelers to justify.
• Lacks direct point transfers to airline and hotel loyalty programs, limiting redemption flexibility.
• Applicants are required to have an existing relationship with U.S. Bank, creating a barrier for new customers.

U.S. Bank Altitude® Reserve Visa Infinite® vs Chase Sapphire Preferred®

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Categories

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When deciding which is better Chase Sapphire Preferred® or U.S. Bank Altitude® Reserve, it's crucial to understand the distinct categories where each card excels.

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• Chase Sapphire Preferred®: This card is a top choice in the entry-level travel category, ideal for frequent travelers seeking strong rewards and protections without a premium annual fee.
• U.S. Bank Altitude® Reserve Visa Infinite®: This is a premium travel rewards card designed for frequent travelers who are also tech-savvy consumers that frequently use mobile wallet payments.

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Redemption

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Chase Sapphire Preferred®: Points offer great flexibility, allowing you to transfer them to various airline and hotel partners or redeem them for travel through the Chase portal. You can also opt for cash back or gift cards.

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U.S. Bank Altitude® Reserve Visa Infinite®: Rewards can be redeemed for travel, merchandise, gift cards, or cash back at a fixed value. The redemption process is straightforward, especially for travel booked through their rewards center.

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Travel Perks

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• Travel Portal: With the Chase Sapphire Preferred®, you can book travel through the Chase Ultimate Rewards® portal for an increased point value. The U.S. Bank Altitude® Reserve offers a similar benefit through its U.S. Bank Rewards Center, providing an elevated redemption value for travel bookings.
• Foreign Exchange Fees: Both cards are strong choices for international travel, as neither imposes foreign transaction fees on purchases made abroad.
• Lounge Access: The U.S. Bank Altitude® Reserve provides a significant travel perk with a complimentary Priority Pass™ Select membership, granting access to a global network of airport lounges. The Chase Sapphire Preferred® does not include complimentary lounge access.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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To make an informed decision, you can use a tool like Kudos to compare top-rated cards based on your own spending habits.

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• Test drive credit cards: The ‘Test Drive’ feature lets you simulate how much you’d earn with any card using your real spending data, all before you apply and without impacting your credit score.
• Maximize rewards at checkout: Kudos autofills the best card to use for each purchase, ensuring you get the most rewards every time you shop.
• Personalized recommendations: Get matched with new credit cards that will earn you the most based on your actual spending history.
• Earn extra rewards: Receive Kudos Boost rewards when shopping at participating stores, which are earned on top of your regular credit card rewards.
• Comprehensive financial overview: Monitor all your credit cards, track your credit score, and view your spending from a single platform.

Who Should Choose the Chase Sapphire Preferred®?

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The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is an excellent choice for frequent travelers seeking a mid-tier rewards card that punches above its weight in value. It's particularly well-suited for individuals who spend regularly on dining and travel, as it offers accelerated points in these categories and has no foreign transaction fees. Ideal candidates typically have good to excellent credit and will benefit from the card's flexible redemption options and robust travel protections, such as trip cancellation insurance and an auto rental collision damage waiver.

Who Should Choose the U.S. Bank Altitude® Reserve Visa Infinite®?

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The U.S. Bank Altitude® Reserve Visa Infinite® card is best suited for frequent travelers who are already U.S. Bank customers, allowing them to leverage benefits like an annual travel credit and airport lounge access. It's also a strong choice for tech-savvy spenders who regularly use mobile wallets like Apple Pay or Google Pay, as they can maximize the card's high rewards rate on those purchases. Ultimately, this card delivers the most value to users whose spending habits in travel and mobile payments can easily offset the $400 annual fee, as detailed in a full card review.

Alternatives to Consider

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If the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card doesn't offer the premium travel perks you're looking for and the U.S. Bank Altitude® Reserve Visa Infinite® Card's mobile wallet focus doesn't fit your spending, other excellent options are available.

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Tips for Application Success

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Before You Apply

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• Check your credit score - Most premium travel cards require good to excellent credit for approval.
• Review issuer application rules - Many banks have unique restrictions on new accounts or welcome offers.
• Have a plan for the card - Know how you will meet the spending requirement and use the card’s benefits.

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Application Strategy

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• Know the issuer’s rules - Some cards require an existing bank relationship, while others have limits on recent new accounts.
• Time your application - Align your application with a planned large purchase to help meet the welcome offer spending requirement.
• Use a card comparison tool - A smart wallet or browser extension can help you find the best available public offer.

Our Methodology

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We evaluate nearly 3,000 credit cards across the U.S. market — far more than the ~150 cards commonly featured on sites that focus only on products tied to affiliate commissions. Our goal is to provide a comprehensive, unbiased view of the credit card landscape so you can make confident, data-driven decisions.

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Our editorial team combines deep industry experience with rigorous verification standards. While our experts surface the most relevant recommendations in our guides, you can also explore the full dataset yourself through our card explorer tool, which includes thousands of cards — more than 95% of which do not provide us with commissions.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Can I hold both the Chase Sapphire Preferred and U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve cards?

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Yes, since they are issued by different banks, you can hold both the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card and the U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve. This strategy allows you to maximize the distinct benefits and reward structures of each card.

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How do the travel credits on these cards work?

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The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card offers a $50 annual hotel credit on stays booked through the Chase travel portal. In contrast, the U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve features a broader credit of up to $325 that applies automatically to eligible travel and dining purchases.

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Which card offers more flexibility for redeeming points?

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The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card generally provides more flexibility through its extensive list of 1:1 airline and hotel transfer partners. The U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve's points are best used for travel booked via its portal at a fixed rate, as it does not have direct transfer partners.

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