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I Convinced Myself to Apply for This Card After Writing This Post – US Bank Altitude Reserve Benefits & Perks

  • Joseph Hostetler

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    You all know about the giant welcome bonus that comes with the US Bank Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite Card:   50,000 points (worth $750 in travel) after spending $4,500 on qualifying purchases within 90 days of account opening.

    But the US Bank Altitude Reserve goes WAYYYY beyond just an intro bonus.  In my opinion, it’s one of the most enticing cards out there, even with its $400 annual fee!

    That’s because it’s got a massive list of ongoing benefits, including $325 in free travel each year, up to 3X points for travel or mobile wallet purchases, airport lounge access, luxury travel discounts, top-grade travel insurance, and more!  Writing this post has actually stirred me to open the card in the near future.

    Here are the ongoing benefits of the US Bank Altitude Reserve.

    Use the US Bank Altitude Reserve bonus to make your wildest travel dreams come true (mine is visiting Salar de Uyuni)

    US Bank Altitude Reserve Benefits and Perks

    Apply Here:   U.S. Bank Altitude™ Reserve Visa Infinite® Card

    Read our review of the U.S. Bank Altitude™ Reserve Visa Infinite® Card

     

    US Bank doesn’t have application restrictions as tough as other banks, but in order to qualify for this card you will need to have an existing relationship with the bank.  That could be as simple as a checking or savings account, loan, or even another credit card.

    1.   Annual $325 Travel Credit

    This is the most attractive benefit of the card.

    US Bank will reimburse your for the first $325 you spend on travel each year.  That includes airfare, hotels, car rentals, trains, Uber, and lots more!  If you know you’ll spend $325 per year on travel, your annual fee is effectively $75 instead of $400 ($400 annual fee – $325 travel credit).

    If you think you’ll receive more than $75 from the rest of the card benefits, this is the card for you!

    2.   Some of the BEST Earning Rates of Any Credit Card

    This card earns:

    Each point is worth 1.5 cents toward travel, so when you earn 3 points per $1 you’re earning 4.5 cents per $1 toward travel!

    That’s an excellent return, but the crazy part is that you’ll earn 3 points per $1 every single time you use a mobile wallet, like Samsung Pay and Apple Pay!  Mobile payments like these are accepted almost everywhere nowadays.  So you can earn 4.5% back on nearly every purchase.

    Many stores and retailers accepts mobile wallet payments, making it easy to earn 3X points per $1!

    You can also opt to cash out your points at 1 cent each.  You’d then receive an effective return of 3% (instead of 4.5% towards travel).  Still a good deal, but clearly not the best option for a globetrotter.

    3.   Priority Pass Airport Lounge Membership

    The US Bank Altitude Reserve comes with a Priority Pass membership.  You’ll receive 4 free lounge visits per year for you and 1 guest.  After your fourth visit, you’ll be charged a discounted fee of $27 per person per visit.

    This is far from the best Priority Pass membership available with a card.  The Chase Sapphire Reserve® and The Platinum Card® from American Express have FAR better Priority Pass perks (enrollment required).  But if you’re not a lounge fiend like I am, this might be perfect for you.  You’ll still save a lot (if you use it).

    4.   TSA PreCheck/Global Entry

    The US Bank Altitude Reserve comes with a credit that reimburses you for your application fee to Global Entry ($100) or TSA PreCheck ($85).

    With TSA PreCheck, you won’t need to remove your toiletries or computer from your bag at security checkpoints.  You don’t even need to take off your jacket and belt!  And a Global Entry membership allows you to skip the lengthy immigration line when you return to the US from overseas.  Plus, it comes with TSA PreCheck!

    A membership to both of these programs lasts 5 years.  And the card will give you a new credit every 4 years, so you’ll always have a free membership.

    5.   Travel Insurance

    Trip Delay Reimbursement

    The US Bank Altitude Reserve has some of the best trip delay insurance in the biz!

    When your flight is delayed by 6+ hours or requires an overnight stay, you are entitled to reimbursement for “reasonable expenses” up to $500.  These expenses usually include:

    So if there’s inclement weather, or a mechanical issue with the plane, you’ve got nothing to worry about.  Just make sure you charge at least part of your ticket to your US Bank Altitude Reserve.

    I used Trip Delay Insurance to stay at the Grand Hyatt in Dallas when my flight was delayed

    Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver

    The US Bank Altitude Reserve gives you primary rental car insurance when you charge your entire rental amount to your card and decline the rental agency’s collision insurance (or loss damage waiver).  If you damage your car, the credit card will cover the cost, and your personal car insurance doesn’t have to know anything went awry!

    This is another amazing benefit that not enough cards offer.  It can save you $15+ per day on car rentals because you don’t have to pay for the in-house insurance offered by the rental agency.

    Trip Cancellation or Trip Interruption Insurance

    When you purchase your travel ticket with your US Bank Altitude Reserve, you’re covered in certain instances that your trip has to be canceled.  So even if your airfare is nonrefundable, you might be covered!

    This benefit includes:

    Visa Infinite cards cover a $2,000 per trip maximum.  Also, there are plenty of exclusions.  For example, you won’t be eligible for compensation if your trip is canceled because of:

    Lost Luggage Reimbursement

    When you purchase your trip with the US Bank Altitude Reserve you’ll be covered in the event that your checked luggage or carry-on baggage and its contents are lost from either theft or misdirection by the airline.

    You’ll be reimbursed the difference between the value of the amount you claim on the bag and the amount the airline gives you, up to $3,000 per trip (or if you live in New York $2,000 per bag).

    Waiting for luggage that’s just not coming?  The US Bank Altitude Reserve will compensate you if your crap goes missing

    6.   12 Complimentary In-flight Gogo Wi-Fi Sessions Per Year

    Gogo in-flight Wi-Fi is an internet provider that serves lots of popular airlines (like American Airlines, Air Canada, Alaska Airlines, Delta, and United Airlines).  The US Bank Altitude Reserve comes with 12 complimentary Gogo passes.  If you’ve ever looked at the price of internet on a flight, it’s astronomical, so this could save you if you’re inclined to surf the web during your flight.

    You need to register your card with Gogo prior to your flight to access your 12 passes.

    7.   No Foreign Transaction Fees

    Some cards charge a 3% fee for making purchases outside the country, called a foreign transaction fee.  The US Bank Altitude Reserve is a good card to take overseas, because it does not charge these silly fees.

    8.   Visa Infinite Benefits

    Visa Infinite credit cards are top of the line, and there aren’t many of them.  They come with unique benefits, including:

    Silvercar Discounts

    Visa infinite customers can receive up to 30% off Silvercar rentals.  Silvercar ain’t cheap, so that’s a LOT of money you’re saving.

    I’ve rented from Silvercar a couple times, and it’s an experience like no other. They pick you up and drop you off at the airport!

    GroundLink Car Service

    Visa Infinite customers also receive 15% off GroundLink chauffeur service when they use their US Bank Altitude Reserve.  Plus, you’ll get $30 off your first ride!

    Visa Infinite Luxury Hotel Collection

    You can receive VIP perks at lots of amazing 5-star hotels when you book your stay through the Visa Infinite Luxury Hotel Collection site.  That includes benefits like:

    9.   Shopping Benefits

    Extended Warranty Protection

    The US Bank Altitude Reserve will extend the original US warranty 1 additional year for warranties that last 3 years or less.  You’ll receive up to $10,000 per claim ($50,000 per cardholder).  Just remember to put your purchase on your card!

    Purchase Security

    When you use your US Bank Altitude Reserve for a purchase and that item is stolen or damaged within the first 90 days, you’re eligible for a replacement, repair, or straight up reimbursement of up to $10,000 per claim and $50,000 per year.

    One important detail is that you must file a police report within 48 hours of realizing your item was stolen.

    Return Protection

    If you purchase an item with your US Bank Altitude Reserve, and are dissatisfied with it and the merchant won’t except a return, you can be reimbursed up to $300 for purchases made within 90 days.  There is an annual maximum of $1,000 per account.

    Bottom Line

    I’m hyped to apply for this card.  Not only does it come with $750 in free travel after meeting the minimum spend requirement, but it also offer an onslaught of valuable perks each year:

    This is the least expensive card for the top-notch benefits it includes.  Any other card that offers anything near these perks cost $450 and above.

    Let me know what you think of the US Bank Altitude Reserve benefits and perks!  And apply for our newsletter for more in-depth explanations of credit card benefits:

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    Editorial Note: We're the Million Mile Secrets team. And we're proud of our content, opinions and analysis, and of our reader's comments. These haven’t been reviewed, approved or endorsed by any of the airlines, hotels, or credit card issuers which we often write about. And that’s just how we like it! :)