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U.S. Bank runs a rewards program for Altitude credit cardholders that lets them use the points they earn in different ways. How much U.S. Bank Rewards Altitude points are worth depends on your card and the redemption method. For example, the U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Card offers a value of 1.5 cents per point when you redeem your points for travel. In most other cases, you get a value of 1 cent per point. Using your points to purchase merchandise tends to offer the lowest value.
Key Takeaways
The value of U.S. Bank Rewards Altitude points varies based on your card and redemption method.
Using the points you earn through the Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite Card for travel comes with the best value.
Redeeming your points for travel may offer a value of 1.5 cents per point, and you get 1 cent per point in most other cases.
Some of the links on this page will take you to one of our partner's sites, where you can compare and apply for a selected credit card.
How Much Are U.S. Bank Altitude Points Worth?
The Altitude credit card you have will impact the value you receive for your points, as will your redemption method. While there is no official U.S. Bank rewards redemption chart to refer to, determining the value of your points is relatively simple.
Value of U.S. Bank Altitude Points
Redemption Options | Value/Altitude Point |
---|---|
Overall | 1 cent to 1.5 cents per point |
Cash Back | 1 cent per point |
Travel | 1.5 cents per point with the Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite Card, 1 cent per point with the Altitude Connect Visa Signature Card and the Altitude Go Visa Signature Card |
Gift Cards | 1 cent per point |
Shopping | Less than 1 cent per point |
Real-Time Rewards | 1.5 cents per point for travel purchases with Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite Card, 1 cent per point for all other purchases |
The U.S. Bank Altitude Connect Visa Signature Card gives you the ability to earn Altitude points the fastest. You earn 5X points per dollar on car rentals and prepaid hotel bookings made through the Altitude Rewards Center. You get 4X points per dollar on other travel purchases and gas and EV charging station purchases. Spending on dining, groceries (including delivery) and streaming services earns 2X points per dollar. You get 1X points per dollar on all other purchases. If you spend $2,000 on purchases within the first 120 days, you get a bonus of 50,000 points. This card charges a $95 annual fee, which you don't have to pay for the first year.
Close on the heels of the Altitude Connect Visa Signature Card is the Altitude Go Visa Signature Card. This no-annual-fee card offers 4X points per dollar on dining purchases (including takeout and delivery). You get 2X points at grocery stores (including delivery), at gas and EV charging stations and on streaming services. All other purchases earn 1X points per dollar. This card comes with a spend-based welcome bonus of 20,000 points that you may earn by spending $1,000 on purchases within the first 90 days.
Which Credit Cards Earn U.S. Bank Altitude Points?
- U.S. Bank Altitude® Connect Visa Signature® Card
A good rewards card with multiple bonus categories
- 1–5 pointsRewards Rate
- 21.24% – 29.24% VariableAPR
- $95Annual Fee
- ExcellentRecommended Credit
- U.S. Bank Altitude® Go Visa Signature® Card
Solid dining rewards card with no annual fee
- 1–4 Points per $1Rewards Rate
- 18.24% – 29.24% VariableAPR
- $0Annual Fee
- ExcellentRecommended Credit
How U.S. Bank Altitude Points Compare to Other Credit Cards
The U.S. Bank rewards program for Altitude cardholders manages to hold its own when compared to most other popular credit card rewards programs, all the more so if you have the Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite Card and redeem your points for travel rewards.
U.S. Bank Altitude Points vs. Other Credit Cards
Credit Card Issuer | Average Value |
---|---|
U.S. Bank | 1 cent to 1.5 cents per point (depending on the card you have) |
American Express | 0.5 cents to 2 cents per point |
Chase | 1 cent to 1.5 cents per point |
Capital One | 0.5 cents to 1 cent per mile |
Citi | 0.5 cents to 1 cent per point |
Bank of America | 0.6 cents to 1 cent per point |
Discover | 1 cent per mile |
Wells Fargo | 1 cent per point |
How Much Are U.S. Bank Altitude Points Worth for Cash Back?
No matter which U.S. Bank Altitude credit card you have, you get a value of 1 cent per point when you redeem your points for cash back. This is on par with most other credit card rewards programs and is better than a few.
U.S. Bank Altitude Points Cash Back Value Compared to Other Credit Cards
Credit Card Issuer | Cash Back Value |
---|---|
U.S. Bank | 1 cent per point |
American Express | 0.6 cents per point |
Chase | 1 cent per point |
Capital One | 0.5 cents per mile |
Citi | 0.5 cents to 1 cent per point (depending on the card you have) |
Bank of America | 0.6 cents to 1 cent per point |
Discover | 1 cent per mile |
Wells Fargo | 1 cent per point |
If you wish to redeem your Altitude points for cash back, you need to log in to your U.S. Bank account and head to the rewards section. There, you can choose to redeem your points for a statement credit.
We feel the no-annual-fee U.S. Bank Cash+ Visa Signature Card is a great choice for earning cash back. There is no link between this card and the Altitude rewards program. The card offers 5% cash back on combined spending of up to $2,000 each quarter on two categories you choose. Your options include fast food, department stores, electronic stores, home utilities, cellphone providers, cable, internet and streaming services, movie theaters, ground transportation and more. You get 2% cash back on the category of your choice: either restaurant, grocery store or gas/EV charging station purchases. All other purchases earn 1% cash back. This card also comes with a spend-based welcome bonus and a low introductory APR offer.
How Much Are U.S. Bank Altitude Points Worth for Gift Cards?
When redeemed for gift cards, one U.S. Bank point is worth 1 cent. This is the same across all Altitude credit cards. Compared to other popular credit card rewards programs that offer gift cards as a redemption option, this is as good as it gets unless you get better value through promotional offers.
Value of U.S. Bank Altitude Points for Gift Card Redemption
Credit Card Issuer | Average Value |
---|---|
U.S. Bank | 1 cent per point |
American Express | 0.5 cents to 1 cent per point |
Chase | 1 cent per point, unless through a promotional offer |
Capital One | 0.5 cents to 1 cent per mile |
Citi | 1 cent per point, unless on sale |
Bank of America | 0.6 cents to 1 cent per point (depending on the card you have) |
Wells Fargo | 1 cent per point |
Discover | Cannot redeem miles for gift cards |
If you're wondering how to use U.S. Bank Rewards Altitude points for gift cards, know that you may do so by logging in to the bank's website or app. Once you log in to your account, go to the rewards section and select Gift Cards. Then, choose from the options on offer and pay for the ones you select using your points.
How Much Are U.S. Bank Altitude Points Worth for Travel?
When redeemed for travel through the Altitude Rewards Center or to cover a travel purchase through Real-Time Rewards, a U.S. Bank Rewards Altitude point's value varies based on the card you have, from 1 cent to 1.5 cents. This is on par with what you may expect through rewards programs run by other leading credit card issuers.
U.S. Bank Altitude Points Value When Redeemed for Travel
Credit Card Issuer | Average Value |
---|---|
U.S. Bank | 1 cent to 1.5 cents per point (depending on the card you have) |
American Express | 0.5 cents to 1 cent per point |
Chase | 1 cent to 1.5 cents per point (depending on the card you have) |
Capital One | 1 cent per mile |
Citi | 1 cent per point |
Bank of America | 1 cent per point |
Discover | 1 cent per mile |
Wells Fargo | 1 cent to 1.5 cents per point |
You need to log in to your U.S. Bank account to redeem U.S. Bank Rewards points for travel. While it's possible to add multiple items, such as a flight and a hotel stay, to one itinerary, you cannot add more than one flight to an itinerary.
You may also redeem your points for travel purchases through Real-Time Rewards. In this case, the bank sends you a text message after you make a purchase, and you need to reply indicating you wish to redeem your points to cover the purchase.
The U.S. Bank FlexPerks Gold American Express Card is a good alternative to Altitude credit cards and is best suited for travelers. It comes with an $85 annual fee. Rental cars and hotels booked through the FlexPerks Rewards Center earn 5X FlexPoints per dollar. You get 3X FlexPoints per dollar on dining purchases (including takeout and delivery). Airline, gas station and EV charging station purchases earn 2X FlexPoints per dollar. And all other purchases earn 1X FlexPoints per dollar. Spending $2,000 on purchases in the first four months comes with a bonus of 30,000 FlexPoints. Other benefits include no foreign transaction fees, complimentary Boingo Wi-Fi and TSA PreCheck/Global Entry fee credit.
How Much Are U.S. Bank Altitude Points Worth for Shopping?
The value of U.S. Bank Rewards Altitude points for shopping is usually less than 1 cent per point. As a result, you might be better off redeeming your points as a statement credit or in the form of Real-Time Rewards.
Value of U.S. Bank Altitude Points for Shopping
Credit Card Issuer | Average Value |
---|---|
U.S. Bank | Less than 1 cent per point |
American Express | 0.5 cents to 1 cent per point |
Chase | 0.8 cents to 1 cent per point (unless through promotional offers) |
Capital One | 0.8 cents to 1 cent per mile |
Citi | 0.8 cents per point |
Discover | 1 cent per mile |
Wells Fargo | 1 cent per point |
One way to use your points for shopping is by logging in to your U.S. Bank account, heading to the rewards section and making purchases through the bank's online shopping platform. Alternatively, you may enroll in the Real-Time Rewards program and use your points to offset the cost of purchases you make almost immediately.
How to Earn More Altitude Points From U.S. Bank
An easy way to earn a significant number of bonus points in one fell swoop is to meet your new credit card's spend-based requirement. For example, the U.S. Bank Altitude Connect Visa Signature Card offers 50,000 bonus points if you spend $2,000 on purchases in the first 120 days. The Altitude Go Visa Signature Card and the Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite Card come with similar welcome offers.
Bear in mind that it's not possible to redeem your Altitude points as a deposit into a U.S. Bank checking/savings account. If you want this feature, you may benefit by taking a look at what the U.S. Bank Cash+ Visa Signature Card and the U.S. Bank Shopper Cash Rewards Visa Signature Card have to offer.
U.S. Bank Rewards Altitude points are a solid pick as they have a fixed value, so consumers don’t have to worry about pesky redemption rates. However, it’s still just as important to spend your hard-earned points wisely.
— Brett Holzhauer, contributing expert for MoneyGeek
Earn Altitude Points Through U.S. Bank Partner Merchants
The U.S. Bank rewards program for Altitude credit cardholders does not have any partner merchants through which you may earn points faster. However, depending on the card you have, you stand to earn bonus points through category-based spending. Bonus categories include travel, dining, grocery stores and gas/EV charging stations.
Buying Altitude Points From U.S. Bank
U.S. Bank does not offer Altitude points for sale. The only way to earn them is by using Altitude credit cards.
How We Determined the Value of U.S. Bank Rewards Altitude Points
MoneyGeek experts have taken a close look at how the value of U.S. Bank Rewards Altitude points changes based on different redemption methods. They have also carried out in-depth market research to determine the worth of your points.
Other Questions You May Have About U.S. Bank Altitude Points
Take a look at answers to other commonly asked questions about the value of U.S. Bank rewards Altitude points to better understand which redemption method might work best for you.
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sources
- U.S. Bank. "How do I review and redeem my credit card rewards?." Accessed December 7, 2022.
- U.S. Bank. "How do I redeem Real-Time Rewards?." Accessed December 7, 2022.
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