Unlike other travel rewards cards, U.S. Bank credit cards are rarely noticed. Their signature Altitude Points build up at a fixed value instead of being convertible or transferable to other travel partners. But don’t let that scare you off. Although there may be a point cap, there are no minute details to remember. More crucially, in some categories, you can get up to 4.5% back.
Priority one for the U.S. A decent kind of simplicity is offered by banks. Within their program, points accrue at a certain pace and can then be redeemed for travel or cash back. No limitations, ban dates, or challenging redemption processes are used to tease you. It has reliable earning rates and simple prizes that soon build up. If it seems like your kind of free travel, you should familiarize yourself with this program.
How To Earn U.S. Bank Altitude Points
Simply use your participating credit card to make a transaction to start collecting U.S. Bank Altitude points. There are a few suitable cards to pick from, but there are no more ways to gain points.
U.S. Bank provides Altitude-earning credit cards for both individuals and businesses, each with their own advantages and disadvantages. All of them make earning and redeeming straightforward, but each card has a different earning rate, bonus category, and annual fee so you may pick the one that works best for you.
As there are no earning restrictions, cardholders can continue to accumulate points for each purchase. As long as your account is open and in good standing, points never expire.
How To Use U.S. Bank Altitude Points
Altitude points can be redeemed for four different things: travel, statement credits (cash back), gift cards, or goods. Depending on the card you own and the sort of redemption you pick, each point is worth between 0.4 and 1.5 cents. Measurable redemptions often fall on the low end of the spectrum, whereas statement credits and gift cards are worth a fixed 1 cent per point.
Although the price varies by card, travel redemptions are also provided at a flat fee. USA and USA U.S. Bank Altitude Go and For one penny each, Bank Altitude Connect’s points can be redeemed for travel. But the top-tier U.S. When you book travel through the card’s website, Bank Altitude Reserve will raise the value of your points by up to 1.5 cents each. Altitude Reserve cardholders should choose this option to increase the value of each redeemable travel redemption by 50%.
There are no cutoff dates or capacity limitations to be concerned about while redeeming points for travel.
Exchange for Cash Back
Most cardholders will benefit from redeeming points for statement credits for maximum flexibility, unless they have the Altitude Reserve. The value of each Altitude point is one cent when they are redeemed as statement credits on your monthly payment. The minimum redemption amount for Altitude Go and Altitude Connect is 2,500 points ($25).
Statement credits will lower your card balance and typically appear in two to three business days, but they do not qualify as payments on your account. If there is still a balance on your statement, you might need to pay the minimum amount.
When you possess a U.S. You can also decide to deposit your rewards into your linked bank checking or savings account. Clients of other banks won’t have access to this choice.
Real-Time Mobile Reward Redeeming with Points
Cardholders can turn on real-time mobile rewards on their account for the utmost convenience. Next, whenever you make a qualifying transaction, U.S. Bank will text your connected mobile phone number to ask if you’d want to use points to pay for the purchase. For Altitude Reserve travel expenditures, rewards are offered at a set rate of 1.5 cents per point or 1 cent per point.
This option is ideal for customers who prefer to finish their purchase transaction directly with the seller, especially for travel-related transactions. You won’t be restricted to a particular airline or hotel, allowing you to completely tailor a vacation to your tastes for travel without being concerned about rewards partners. Also, it means that no black-out dates or other inconveniences must be overcome.
Before using this function, cardholders must turn it on. You may easily start the procedure in your online account’s “Card Benefits” area, but you’ll need to link your cell phone number and agree to receive automated text messages. You will receive a text when a qualified transaction is made, but you are not required to redeem prizes. You are free to do so.
You won’t need to visit the U.S. separately to shop once you’ve configured the option on your account. Website of the bank as long as you pay using a U.S. Card from a bank. By doing so, you can use any discounts, coupons, or vouchers that the retailer accepts and confirm that your booking directly with the company qualifies you for any loyalty or membership advantages.
Sadly, in order to be eligible for the real-time mobile rewards program, a hotel or rental car purchase must total at least $500 or $250. The reward process normally starts when an airline purchase is made, including several incidental costs, regardless of the transaction size.
Utilize the U.S. Bank Travel Website
Whether or not you are redeeming rewards, cardholders should become familiar with the specific travel portal. When making qualified, prepaid reservations, cardholders of the Altitude Connect and Altitude Reserve credit cards can receive 5 points for every dollar spent (worth 5% to 7.5%).
Although its booking engine functions similarly to well-known online travel firms that you’ve probably used previously, redeeming points for travel through it is simple. U.S. Bank, however, has rigid, severe terms and restrictions. All reservations for rental cars, as well as a large number of hotel or flight bookings, are nonrefundable; at most, you’ll receive a coupon (if you get anything at all). If your plans change, you won’t be able to get your points back.
This rigidity makes it preferable to make direct reservations with the supplier and use real-time mobile rewards. Only if you require a rental vehicle for less than $250 or a hotel room for less than $500—and are certain your plans won’t change—should you think about using a travel portal redemption.
While making reservations through the U.S., Altitude Reserve cardholders will receive 1.5 cents worth of value each point. Bank travel portal; 1 cent per point for all other cardholders.
Obtainable for Gift Cards
Moreover, U.S. Bank offers gift card redemptions and collaborates with dozens of distinct gift card companies, including national merchants and eateries in addition to standard establishments like gas stations and supermarkets. Usually gift cards are delivered through mail two to three weeks after being used.
Each Altitude point earned via a gift card is worth one cent, the same as if you had asked for a statement credit. To avoid long shipping times or brand restrictions, most cardholders would be better suited purchasing a gift card from their favorite retailer.
Purchasing merchandise
U.S.-based credit card incentive programs are common. You can use your points to buy certain items or event tickets through Bank. Yet since the value of a reward is often less than a penny per point, it’s more cost-effective to just buy what you need and then use real-time mobile rewards or a statement credit to make up the difference.
Conclusion
Although Altitude points cannot be transferred to travel companions, this does not imply that they do not have a practical application. Strategically applied, U.S. Without having to worry about the specifics of other programs or criteria, bank cards can give rewards of up to 4.5%, which is an excellent refund. Customers who wish to keep things simple without giving up competitive earnings will value this rewards program’s simple real-time redemptions and statement credits.
