US Bank Altitude Go Credit Card Review
Key Takeaways
We do not recommend this card. It does not have any notable travel benefits and has a small welcome offer, which is to be expected as a no annual fee card. The U.S. Bank Rewards system does not have airline and hotel transfer partners, so it doesn't compare favorably to other reward programs. That alone significantly reduces redemption value, making this a poor use of a 5/24 slot.
Why This Card Could Be Right For You
This no-annual-fee card offers several attractive features for everyday spenders looking to earn rewards without complex redemption systems. The card starts with a welcome offer of 20,000 points after spending just $1,000 in the first 90 days.
Key earning categories include:
- 4x points on dining, takeout, and restaurant delivery (on the first $2,000 in purchases each quarter)
- 2x points on groceries, gas stations/EV charging stations, and select streaming services
- 1x points on all other purchases
These multipliers help boost your point total while working toward your sign-up bonus. Additionally, cardholders receive a $15 annual credit for streaming service purchases, covering most popular platforms.
Redemption options are straightforward through the U.S. Bank system. Unlike other U.S. Bank cash back cards, the Altitude Go allows you to redeem points for travel through their portal. Your points can be used for:
- Bank deposits
- Merchandise
- Gift cards
- Travel bookings
All redemptions are valued at 1 cent per point, meeting the minimum recommended value for point redemptions in today's market.
When The Usual Advice Doesn't Apply
Situations where this card might not be suitable:
- Despite good point multipliers, the welcome offer is relatively small, limiting overall rewards — especially considering it occupies a 5/24 position
- U.S. Bank lacks travel partners for point transfers, restricting you to a maximum 1 cent per point redemption (acceptable but far less valuable than transferring to hotel or airline partners)
What to Know About U.S. Bank FlexPerks
The U.S. Bank Loyalty System is a fixed-value travel program with limited upside.
- Points redeem at 1 cent per point toward travel when booked through the U.S. Bank portal (for those cards that allow portal redemptions).
- U.S. Bank does not currently have transfer partners. They announced that the U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve will gain partners starting in December 2025, but none have been named yet. The card is also closed to new applicants as of November 2024.
- U.S. Bank points are fine for travelers who want a simple rebate toward flights, but the program is not ideal for anyone aiming to maximize travel value or leverage complex award bookings.
How The US Bank Altitude Go Credit Card Fits In The U.S. Bank FlexPerks Ecosystem
The U.S. Bank Altitude Go card sits within a broader lineup of U.S. Bank rewards cards, though the overall ecosystem is limited by the lack of airline and hotel transfer partners. Here’s how it compares to other options:
- U.S. Bank Altitude Connect:
- Earn 20,000 points after spending $1,000
- 4x points on travel and gas/EV charging (up to $150,000 annually)
- 2x points on dining, streaming, and groceries
- No annual fee with added perks like Priority Pass (4 visits) and TSA PreCheck/Global Entry credit
- U.S. Bank Cash Plus:
- 20,000 points (redeemable as cash-back) after $1,000 in purchaes
- 5% back on up to $2,000 in quarterly spend across two selected categories
- 5% back on travel booked through the U.S. Bank portal
- 2% back on one everyday category of your choice
- U.S. Bank Shopper Cash Rewards:
- 25,000 points as cash back after spending $2,000
- 6% back on up to $1,500 in quarterly spend at two selected retailers
- 3% back on $1,500 in one everyday category
Both Altitude cards allow travel redemptions through the U.S. Bank portal, a feature not available with the cash-back cards. However, redemption value is capped at 1 cent per point across the entire system, limiting overall upside.
Card Information
Differentiating Perks
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Card Extras
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Historical Card Offers
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US Bank Altitude Go Application Rules
You will not be eligible for a signup bonus if you’re received the signup bonus for that card within the last five years
Card approval not subject to 5-personal-cards-in-24-months rule
You'll be declined if there are 6 or more hard inquiries on your credit report the past 6 months
