US Bank Business Altitude Power Credit Card Review
Key Takeaways
Note that this card is no longer accepting new applications.
The U.S. Bank Business Altitude Power card offers a substantial welcome bonus but delivers limited ongoing value for its $195 annual fee. While it's a business card that won't count against your 5/24 status, U.S. Bank's other options provide better long-term value. The U.S. Bank rewards system ranks below competitors primarily because it lacks transfer partners, which maximizes redemption value. For those experienced with credit card rewards who are specifically seeking a U.S. Bank business card, the Business Leverage card generally presents a more compelling option with similar benefits and a lower, first-year-waived annual fee.
Why This Card Could Be Right For You
The U.S. Bank Business Altitude Power card offers a strong welcome offer and several benefits that might make it worthwhile for certain business owners:
- Strong Welcome Bonus: Earn 75,000 points after spending $10,000 in the first 120 days
- Solid Earning Structure: Get 2x points on all purchases with no spending caps, making it easy to accumulate rewards without tracking categories
Beyond the straightforward earning on everyday purchases, the card provides enhanced earning opportunities in select categories:
- Mobile Wallet Bonus: Earn 2.5x points on up to $5,000 in mobile wallet purchases, rewarding convenient payment methods
- Travel Booking Bonus: Receive 6x points when booking hotels or car rentals through the U.S. Bank Rewards Center
While the card carries a $195 annual fee, it can be valuable for business owners who primarily want a straightforward rewards card that won't affect their 5/24 status with Chase. The card allows redemptions through the U.S. Bank travel portal, a feature not available on all U.S. Bank cards. You can also redeem your rewards as cash back, statement credits, gift cards, or use their convenient Real-Time Rewards function for instant redemptions.
However, keep in mind that without transfer partners, your redemption value will be capped at 1 cent per point, which limits the overall potential value compared to cards with transferable points.
When The Usual Advice Doesn't Apply
Situations where this card might not be right for you:
- U.S. Bank offers no transfer partners to maximize point value, limiting you to 1 cent per point redemption
- The high annual fee doesn't include premium perks like lounge access or statement credits found on similarly priced cards
What to Know About U.S. Bank Rewards
U.S. Bank Rewards offers straightforward redemptions, but if you have an Altitude Reserve, you can unlock additional value through transfer partners.
- Most U.S. Bank rewards are worth 1 cent each when redeemed for eligible travel or cash back, although redemption options and values vary by card.
- The U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve offers transfers to a small group of airline and hotel partners, giving cardholders another way to use their points. Unfortunately the card remains closed to new applicants.
- U.S. Bank Rewards is best for travelers who value simple redemptions.
- Transfer partners add more upside for Altitude Reserve cardholders, but the program remains more limited than the major transferable points programs.
How The US Bank Business Altitude Power Credit Card Fits In The U.S. Bank Rewards Ecosystem
The U.S. Bank Business Altitude Power is no longer accepting new applications, but existing cardholders have several currently available U.S. Bank business cards worth comparing:
U.S. Bank Business Essentials Visa: This no-annual-fee card offers:
- A 50,000 welcome offer after spending $5,000 in the first 150 days
- 2% cash back on all purchases
- 6% cash back on prepaid hotels and car rentals booked through the U.S. Bank Travel Center
The Business Essentials is the closest replacement for the Altitude Power's simple 2x earning structure. It has the same earning rate on portal bookings but does not have the small extra boost on mobile wallet purchases, but you'll earn 2% back everywhere without paying an annual fee.
U.S. Bank Business Essentials Plus Visa Signature: This card charges a $295 annual fee but offers significantly more earning potential for businesses with substantial spending in one of its eligible categories. It offers:
- A 100,000 welcome offer after spending $15,000 in the first 150 days
- 5% cash back in your highest eligible spending category each month on up to $200,000 in annual purchases
- 2% cash back on all other purchases
- 10% cash back on prepaid hotels and car rentals booked through the U.S. Bank Travel Center
The Business Essentials Plus may be a better option if your business spends heavily in one of its 5% categories and can earn enough additional cash back to justify the annual fee.
U.S. Bank Business Altitude Connect: This card offers:
- A 60,000-point welcome offer after spending $6,000 in purchases within 180 days
- 5x points on prepaid hotels and car rentals booked through the U.S. Bank Travel Center
- 4x points on travel, gas, and EV charging stations on the first $150,000 in combined annual spending
- 2x points on dining, takeout, restaurant delivery, and cell phone service providers
The Business Altitude Connect may be a better fit if your business spends heavily on travel, gas, or EV charging. Its annual fee is waived the first year, then $95 thereafter.
U.S. Bank Triple Cash Rewards Business Card: This no-annual-fee card offers:
- A 50,000-point welcome offer, redeemable as cash back, after spending $4,500 in the first 6 months
- 3% cash back at gas stations, EV charging stations, office supply stores, cell phone service providers, and restaurants
- 5% cash back on prepaid hotels and car rentals booked through the U.S. Bank Travel Center
If you already hold the Business Altitude Power, there's no immediate reason to switch simply because the card is no longer accepting applications. Its unlimited 2x earning rate, 2.5x on up to $5,000 in mobile wallet purchases each quarter, and 6x on prepaid hotels and car rentals remain useful. Whether it's worth keeping will depend on whether those benefits provide enough additional value to justify its $195 annual fee compared with U.S. Bank's newer options.
Card Information
Historical Card Offers
{{ offerStats.averageFrequency != null ? Math.round(offerStats.averageFrequency) + ' Months' : 'N/A' }}
Average Frequency
{{ offerStats.averageOfferLength != null ? offerStats.averageOfferLength.toFixed(1) + ' Months' : 'N/A' }}
Average Offer Length
{{ offerStats.estimatedNextOffer ? (['Jan','Feb','Mar','Apr','May','Jun','Jul','Aug','Sep','Oct','Nov','Dec'][offerStats.estimatedNextOffer.getMonth()] + " '" + String(offerStats.estimatedNextOffer.getFullYear()).slice(-2)) : 'N/A' }}
Estimated Next Offer
