US Bank Altitude Reserve vs US Bank Cash+
Side-by-side comparison across fees, rewards, welcome bonuses, and eligibility.
US Bank Altitude Reserve wins 3-2. Mobile-pay maximizers, 3x on Apple/Google/Samsung Pay transactions. US Bank Cash+ is still the right call if 5% on 2 chosen categories + 2% on 1 chosen, fully customizable..
Side-by-side
| Criterion | US Bank Altitude Reserve | US Bank Cash+ |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | · $400 | No annual fee |
| Joining fee | = None | = None |
| Top reward rate | = 5% (travel) | = 5% (shopping) |
| Base reward rate | 1.5% | · 1% |
| Forex markup | No FX fee | · 3% |
| Welcome bonus | = 50,000 points after $4,500 in first 3 months (worth $750 toward travel) | = $200 statement credit after $1,000 spend in 120 days |
| Fee waiver threshold | = No waiver | = N/A (no fee) |
| Min income | = None stated | = None stated |
| Min credit score | · 720 | 670 |
| Editorial rating | 4.6/5 | · 4.4/5 |
Benefits compared
US Bank Altitude Reserve
- 5x on prepaid hotels and car rentals via US Bank Travel
- 3x on travel + mobile-wallet purchases
- 1.5x redemption rate when used for travel
- $325 annual travel credit
- Priority Pass Select (4 free visits/year)
- Up to $100 TSA PreCheck/Global Entry credit
US Bank Cash+
- 5% on 2 categories you choose ($2,000 quarterly cap)
- 2% on 1 chosen everyday category (gas, grocery, restaurants)
- 1% on everything else
- No annual fee
- Quarterly category swap
FAQ
›US Bank Altitude Reserve vs US Bank Cash+: which is better?
US Bank Altitude Reserve wins on more dimensions (3 vs 2). But the right answer depends on your specific spending pattern. Run your own monthly spend through the maximizer to see which one pays you more.
›Can I get both?
Yes, if your credit profile supports it, holding both is the optimal play. Use US Bank Altitude Reserve for its best categories, US Bank Cash+ for its best categories. Just watch the combined annual fees against your spend.
›Which one has the better welcome bonus?
US Bank Altitude Reserve: 50,000 points after $4,500 in first 3 months (worth $750 toward travel). US Bank Cash+: $200 statement credit after $1,000 spend in 120 days.