US Bank Altitude Reserve vs Chase Sapphire Reserve Card Review and Comparison

If you're considering two of the most popular premium credit cards in the US, the US Bank Altitude Reserve and the Chase Sapphire Reserve, you're in the right place. The US Bank Altitude Reserve offers a 50,000-point bonus after spending $2,500 in the first 90 days.

The Chase Sapphire Reserve, on the other hand, offers a 50,000-point bonus after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months. Both cards have a high annual fee, with the US Bank Altitude Reserve at $325 and the Chase Sapphire Reserve at $450.

The US Bank Altitude Reserve has a 3x points earning rate on dining, takeout, and delivery, as well as on gas stations.

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If you're considering the U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve, you may also want to look into other options. The Chase Sapphire Reserve is one card that competes with the Altitude Reserve in terms of annual fee, statement credits, earning rates, and benefits.

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The Chase Sapphire Reserve has a higher annual fee of $550 and offers a $300 annual travel credit that can be applied to various purchases. Its earning rates are 5 points per dollar on flights booked through Chase Travel℠, 3 points per dollar on most travel purchases and dining, and 1 point per dollar on everything else.

Cardholders also get a full Priority Pass Select membership and access to Sapphire lounges. If you're a fan of Chase, this card might be worth considering.

If you prefer a different issuer, the Capital One Venture X Credit Card is another option. It has a lower annual fee of $395 and provides access to Priority Pass and Capital One lounges.

This card earns a simple 2 miles per dollar on all purchases and offers $300 in credits for eligible purchases made through the Capital One Travel portal each year. If you're looking for a lower annual fee, the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is a good choice, with an annual fee of just $95.

The Venture Rewards card offers a simple earning structure of 5 miles per dollar on hotels, vacation rentals, and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, and 2 miles per dollar on all purchases. Its rewards can also be transferred to 15-plus airline and hotel partners for greater redemptions.

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Here's a quick comparison of the three cards:

The US Bank Altitude Reserve is looking to shake things up in the premium credit card market, but can it compete with the Chase Sapphire Reserve? The Altitude Reserve has a much more restrictive definition of travel, but it makes up for it with a potentially amazing bonus category - earning 3X on mobile payments.

This opens up a lot of potential for earning with the Altitude Reserve, and you can earn 3X when using mobile payment apps both in-store and online. The Altitude Reserve has the potential to be a gamechanger, but the Sapphire Reserve is still the current king of the block.

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The Sapphire Reserve is a gamechanger, introducing new features and benefits that put pressure on Amex to change their premium offerings. It's the current king of the block.

Chase made waves with the Sapphire Reserve's launch, setting a new standard for premium credit cards. This card has been a benchmark for others to follow.

The Altitude Reserve is looking to get on board with its own premium card, introducing new features and benefits to compete with the Sapphire Reserve. It has amazing potential, but it's got some big shoes to fill.

The Sapphire Reserve has been a standout since its launch, and it will be interesting to see how the Altitude Reserve stacks up against it.

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The Sapphire Reserve is the clear winner when it comes to earning points that can be transferred to travel partners, with a bonus that may be higher than the Altitude Reserve's, currently 50K compared to the Altitude Reserve's potential bonus category.

Sapphire Reserve earns Ultimate Rewards, which can be transferred to travel partners, giving you more flexibility and value, unlike U.S. Bank's points which have a limited value outside of travel redemptions.

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The Ultimate Rewards earned on a Sapphire Reserve can be used for a wide range of travel and redemption options, making it a more valuable points currency than the Altitude Reserve's points.

Altitude Reserve makes up for its restrictive definition of travel with a potentially game-changing bonus category, earning 3X on mobile payments in-store and online.

The U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve offers a statement credit of up to $325 for travel purchases and dining, including takeout and restaurant delivery purchases, each year.

This benefit automatically applies to purchases from airlines, hotels, car rentals, taxicabs, limousines, trains, and cruise lines, as well as dining purchases.

Cardholders also get up to $100 in statement credits every four years to cover the application fee for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck.

The Altitude Reserve card includes 8 free visits to Priority Pass lounges annually, valid for one person per visit.

After the free visits, cardholders can expect to pay $35 per person per visit, which is a significant drawback considering the $400 annual fee.

The card offers various other benefits, including trip cancellation and interruption coverage, trip delay reimbursement, lost luggage reimbursement, and emergency evacuation and transportation coverage.

Cardholders also receive a free Shipt membership until Dec. 31, offering free same-day delivery on orders of $35 or more from various retailers.

The Altitude Reserve card has no foreign transaction fees, similar to many other travel credit cards.

The U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve and Chase Sapphire Reserve are both high-end credit cards with impressive benefits. The U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve has an annual fee of $525, while the Chase Sapphire Reserve has a slightly higher annual fee of $550.

The U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve offers a $325 annual travel credit, which can be applied to purchases on flights, hotels, ride-hailing services, and parking fees. In contrast, the Chase Sapphire Reserve offers a $300 annual travel credit with a more flexible application process.

Here's a comparison of the two cards' benefits:

The U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve earns 3X points per dollar on dining and takeout, while the Chase Sapphire Reserve earns 3 points per dollar on most travel purchases and dining.

The annual fee for credit cards can be a significant expense, but it's essential to understand what you're getting in return. The U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite Card comes with a pricey $400 annual fee.

However, this fee is largely made up for by the statement credits you can earn, making it a worthwhile investment for those who value travel rewards. To put this into perspective, the card issuer recommends a credit score of 750 or higher to get approved for this card.

For those considering the U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve, it's worth noting that additional cardholders will incur an extra $75 fee per year. This can add up quickly, but may be a small price to pay for the benefits that come with this premium travel rewards card.

Here's a comparison of the annual fees for the U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve and the Chase Sapphire Reserve:

While the Sapphire Reserve has a slightly higher annual fee, it offers more flexible points and additional benefits like unlimited lounge access. Ultimately, the decision to pay the annual fee will depend on your individual needs and preferences.

Consider reading: Chase Sapphire Reserve Annual Fee

Traveling abroad can be expensive, but some credit cards can help minimize the costs. The US Bank Altitude Reserve is a good card to take overseas because it does not charge foreign transaction fees.

Some cards charge a 3% fee for making purchases outside the country, which can add up quickly. The US Bank Altitude Reserve is a great option to avoid this extra charge.

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