U.S. Bank Altitude Go Visa Signature Card Review

The card_name is an intriguing option among no-annual-fee credit cards, as it earns generous rewards in several popular categories. Plus, there is a welcome bonus, and your points never expire. It’s not for everyone, though—frequent flyers and those who prefer home-cooked meals will want to consider other options.

TIME's Take

The card_name is a great choice if you want big bonuses in categories such as dining, groceries, gas, and streaming. It’s an even better choice if you want those bonuses without paying an annual fee. However, some no-annual-fee cards earn better bonuses, and the U.S. Bank card’s lack of transfer partners makes it less than ideal for frequent travelers. U.S. Bank’s customer service record isn’t the best among credit card users. Still, it’s a good choice if you want to earn bonus points without paying an annual fee.

Pros and Cons

Rewards

The card_name rewards earning rates are excellent, especially for a card with no annual fee. Here’s what you can earn using this card:

• 4 points per dollar on dining, takeout, and restaurant delivery
• 2 points per dollar at grocery stores, grocery delivery, streaming services, gas stations, and EV charging stations
• 1 point per dollar on all other purchases

In addition to the 4 points per dollar on restaurant purchases, it’s also notable that this card earns 2 points per dollar on streaming services and EV charging.

The card_name is also eligible for shopping deals. Shopping online with your card_name card lets you earn more points.

Welcome bonus

You can bonus_miles_full. Because points are worth 1 cent each, the welcome bonus is worth $200 toward any of the redemptions available with this card.

Points redemption

You can redeem points by visiting the Rewards Center when you log in to your account on the U.S. Bank website. You can also log in to the mobile app and choose “redeem” or “view my rewards.” Lastly, you can call the 24-hour Rewards Center at 888-229-8864.

While you can earn unlimited rewards with this card, and the points never expire, you are limited in your redemption options. You can redeem them for cash or a statement credit, or deposit them into a U.S. Bank checking account. The latter requires at least 2,500 points. You can also redeem for gift cards, merchandise, or travel. You can also enroll in Real-Time Rewards, which lets you redeem points instantly via text message at participating retailers. This redemption appears as a statement credit on your monthly statement.

One of the downsides to this card is the lack of transfer partners. You can’t transfer points to airline or hotel partners; point values are capped at 1 cent each. There’s no way to increase their value.

Benefits

In addition to travel rewards, this card has a number of other benefits. Some of those are thanks to its status as a Visa Signature card, but it also adds some extra features:

• Streaming bonus: Get a $15 annual credit for streaming services, including Netflix, Apple TV+, and Spotify.
• ID Navigator from NortonLifeLock™: Gain access to tools that will alert you to threats that may affect your identity.
• Visa Signature Luxury Hotels: Enjoy special guest status at 900+ Visa Signature Luxury Hotel properties worldwide.
• Visa Signature rental car privileges: Get up to 25% off base rates from Budget and Avis, plus up to 15% off qualifying rentals from Audi on demand.
• Lounge access: Gain access to more than 1,300 airport lounges worldwide with Priority Pass.
• Zero liability: Includes Visa Zero Liability Policy, which means you won’t be held responsible for unauthorized transactions.
• Extended warranty protection: Extends your manufacturer’s warranty up to 1 year on eligible warranties of 3 years or less.
• Trip delay reimbursement: Receive up to $300 when you’re stuck for more than 12 hours due to a covered hazard.
• Cellphone protection: Pay your monthly wireless bill with your card and get reimbursed if your phone is damaged or stolen ($50 deductible).

Fine print

Interest rates:

• Regular purchase APR: reg_apr,reg_apr_type
• Regular balance transfer balance_transfer_rate
• Introductory purchase APR: intro_apr_rate,intro_apr_duration
• Introductory balance transfer APR: balance_transfer_intro_apr,balance_transfer_intro_duration

Fees:

• Annual fee: annual_fees
• Balance transfer fee: balance_transfer_fees
• Cash advance fee: cash_advance_fee
• Foreign transaction fee: foreign_transaction_fee

Application process

The card_name application is entirely online and should take about 5 minutes, according to U.S. Bank. The form requires you to fill in basic information, such as your name, email address, and phone number. While U.S. Bank doesn’t provide specifics about the credit score you will need to apply, it says its credit products are generally for those with established credit with a score in the good to excellent range.

Customer service

Customers who have used U.S. Bank’s credit products tend to give the company poor ratings for its customer service. Common customer complaints include long wait times, difficulty updating personal information, and unsatisfactory fraud resolution. One customer, who used the card_name, was asked to provide collateral even though they claim their credit score is over 800. Due to these frequent negative experiences, you may want to exercise caution if strong customer support is a priority.

Who is the card for?

This card is best for those who want to earn generous rewards without the annual fee often charged by rewards credit cards. For example, you will likely appreciate this card if you routinely order takeout and binge-watch your favorite shows. That scenario simultaneously taps into two of this card's best bonus categories: restaurants (4 points per dollar) and streaming (2 points per dollar).

This card is also a good option if you want a low introductory APR. It has a intro_apr_rate,intro_apr_duration and a balance_transfer_intro_apr,balance_transfer_intro_duration, provided you complete balance transfers within the first 60 days of account opening.

How to decide if the card is right for you

Consider its unique combination of perks and benefits. The previous section includes an example of a good match. The $15 annual streaming credit is also a nice perk that you’re unlikely to see often. In addition, if you can’t stomach annual fees, this card is worth considering.

While it also earns 2 points (or 2 cents) per dollar on groceries and gas stations, other no-annual-fee credit cards fare better in those categories. For instance, the card_name earns 3% cash back (or 3 cents per dollar) on up to $6,000 in combined purchases on groceries, gas, and online buying.

Why you might want a different card

While the card_name has some solid rewards, you might want a different card if you frequently fly or stay in hotels. This card does not earn bonus points for travel and doesn’t have transfer partners. In other words, you can’t increase the point valuation by transferring points.

The other reason you might want a different card is if you want the best rewards rates on gas and groceries. While 2 points per dollar are better than nothing, some credit cards earn 3 points—even more in some cases.

In addition, the base rate on this card is 1 point per dollar, meaning you won’t earn a bonus for any purchases that fall outside its bonus categories. Some credit cards earn 1.5 points or even 2 points per dollar on these purchases, but that isn’t the case for the card_name.

How Altitude Go Visa Signature Stacks Up

*Note: Earning cash back on purchases means that for every dollar you spend, you get a certain number of cents (usually one cent for each percentage cash back). For example, 4% cash back means you get 4 cents for every dollar spent on that category of purchases. card_name points are valued at one cent per point.

What Are the Best Cards to Complement This Card?

Ideally, you should pair this card with one or more that pick up the slack in some of its weaker areas. For example, you might pair it with cards that earn the following rewards:

Flexible travel rewards: Cards like the card_name and the card_name earn 5% cash back on travel booked through Chase Ultimate Rewards. You can transfer those points to Chase’s travel partners to earn potentially higher redemption rates.

High bonus rates: The card_name mentioned in the previous section earns 8% cash back per dollar on Capital One Entertainment purchases and 4% cash back per dollar on dining, entertainment, and streaming. Another card to consider is the card_name. It earns 6% cash back per dollar on up to $6,000 in grocery purchases per year. However, it has a annual_fees.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Can I transfer balances from other credit cards to the card_name?

Yes, this card supports balance transfers. There is a balance_transfer_intro_apr,balance_transfer_intro_duration APR. However, you must complete balance transfers in the first 60 days from account opening.

card_name vs. card_name — which is better?

The better choice depends on your spending habits, and there isn’t a clear winner between the two. For instance, the card_name earns 5% cash back on travel booked through Chase Ultimate Rewards, 3% on drugstore purchases, and 1.5% on all other purchases. While all these rates beat anything the card_name has to offer, it does earn 4 points per dollar on dining, plus 2 points on groceries, gas, and streaming. In these categories, the U.S. Bank card wins. Because the two cards have different strong points, they may be better as compliments to each other instead of as a choice between two cards.

Can I combine Altitude points?

You can combine Altitude points in some cases, but not all. For instance, if you have an Altitude Reserve credit card, you cannot combine those points with points from the card_name. You can only combine points from two Altitude Reserve cards.

Is card_name metal?

The card is partially made of metal. It features a metal layer between two plastic layers. This gives the card a thick, premium feeling.