A no-annual-fee-card for foodies: U.S. Bank Altitude Go Visa Signature credit card review
Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers.
U.S. Bank Altitude® Go Visa Signature® Card Overview
The U.S. Bank Altitude® Go Visa Signature® Card is a solid no-annual-fee credit card with a fairly impressive reward structure — particularly for foodies. You’ll earn an impressive 4 points per dollar on takeout, food delivery, and dining. However, the points earned are only worth a fixed 1 cent each, which makes this card essentially a cash-back credit card. Plus, you won’t earn rewards on travel purchases — a major focus area for many TPG readers. Card Rating*: ⭐⭐⭐
*Card rating is based on the opinion of TPG’s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.
I have seven credit cards in my wallet right now and a wishlist of at least three more I’d like to add to it this year. But that’s not the case for everyone — especially beginners and busy families. For many, the goal is to find one (or maybe two) credit card with an affordable annual fee that will earn rewards across most, if not all, of their major spending categories.
The U.S. Bank Altitude Go Visa Signature Card is a solid credit card for anyone searching for a simple “one-and-done” rewards credit card. It has no annual fee and a recommended credit score of 670.
Let’s dive into the details.
The information for the U.S. Bank Altitude Go has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
U.S. Bank Altitude Go pros and cons
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U.S. Bank Altitude Go welcome offer
Currently, the card offers 20,000 bonus points after you spend $1,000 in the first 90 days from account opening. Points are worth a fixed 1 cent each, meaning this sign-up bonus is worth $200 toward gift cards, travel, statement credits, or cash back.
While this certainly doesn’t compete with the bonuses from top travel credit cards, it’s pretty much on par with other no-annual-fee cash-back credit cards.
U.S. Bank Altitude Go benefits
Since it doesn’t charge an annual fee, you shouldn’t expect a long list of perks to accompany this card.
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However, there is one unique benefit to highlight: a $15 annual streaming credit. When you use your U.S. Bank Altitude Go Card to pay for at least one of your monthly streaming service bills for 11 consecutive months, you’ll start earning a $15 annual statement credit to go toward your streaming service subscriptions. Eligible streaming services include Spotify, Netflix, Apple TV+ and more.
Of course, $15 per year isn’t anything to write home about and requiring 11 months of putting a streaming service on your card is a significant hoop to jump through in order to start receiving this benefit. But it’s still $15 a year that you wouldn’t have to pay toward streaming services if you don’t already have a card that earns more than 2% back on those purchases.
The card is also contactless and charges no foreign transaction fees. Plus, it’s a Visa Signature card, so you’ll get those benefits as well.
Related: Everything you need to know about Visa Signature card benefits
Earning points with the U.S. Bank Altitude Go
The highlight of this card is its earning structure. You’ll earn 4 points per dollar on dining (which includes takeout and delivery) and 2 points per dollar on groceries (including grocery delivery services), streaming services, and gas stations/EV charging stations. Discount stores, supercenters and wholesale clubs will be excluded from bonus categories effective September 9.
The card also earns 1 point per dollar on all other purchases.
This card hits many of the most common spending categories — dining, groceries, gas, streaming — with no annual fee or earning caps. Sure, you can find other cards that earn more in one or two of these categories (though many of those come with higher annual fees), but you’ll be hard-pressed to find a no-annual-fee credit card that earns more points in all of these categories at once.
The only big category missing is travel, but if you only take one or two trips a year or you are a budget traveler who only books a trip when you have the necessary rewards to cover at least part of the cost, the lack of a travel category isn’t a big deal.
If you’re looking for a one-and-done credit card that will earn across the majority of your everyday expenses, you’ve got it with the U.S. Bank Altitude Go Card.
Redeeming points with the U.S. Bank Altitude Go
Though the card earns points, they are fixed-value points. This makes this card closer aligned with a cash-back credit card than the points-earning cards that can be used to maximize travel purchases via various award charts.
You can redeem points at a 1-cent value for gift cards, merchandise, travel, a statement credit, or cash back — great if you’re like TPG writer Augusta Stone and prefer straightforward rewards. If you choose cash back, you can choose for the rewards to deposit into your U.S. Bank savings or checking account (2,500-point redemption minimum).
U.S. Bank also offers a program called Real-Time Rewards, where you can enroll and redeem your points in real time as you make purchases. Essentially, you’ll get a text message anytime you make a purchase with your card that meets your preferences set up through your account.
You can then reply to that text message with a “yes” to have the points needed to offset the purchase automatically applied to your account as a statement credit (assuming you have the points to cover the charge). You can opt in, opt out and update your preferences through your online account.
Which cards compete with the U.S. Bank Altitude Go?
There are plenty of cash-back cards that compete with the fixed-value redemption options of the U.S. Bank Altitude Go.
- If you want higher earning rates: The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express offers 6% back at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $6,000 of purchases per year, then 1% back), 6% back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions, 3% back on transit, 3% back at U.S. gas stations and 1% back on other purchases. However, it carries a $95 annual fee ($0 introductory annual fee for the first year; see rates and fees). For more information, check out our full review of the Blue Cash Preferred card.
- If you want more options for using your earnings: The Citi Double Cash® Card (see rates and fees) has no annual fee and earns 2 points per dollar on all purchases — 1 point when you purchase and another 1 point when you pay your bill. You can cash out these points or use them with hotel and airline programs for travel. For more information, check out our full review of the Double Cash Card.
- If you want flexible rewards and bonus categories: The Chase Freedom Flex℠ has no annual fee and earns 5% cash back on travel booked through the Chase Travel portal, 3% back on dining, 3% back on drugstore purchases and 1% back on other purchases. You’ll also earn 5% back on up to $1,500 on purchases in rotating categories each quarter you activate. You can redeem your earnings for cash back or turn these into points if you have certain travel cards from Chase. For more details, check out our full review of the Freedom Flex card.
For additional options, check out our full list of the best cash-back credit cards.
Related: Should you get the Blue Cash Preferred or Blue Cash Everyday card?
Is the U.S. Bank Altitude Go worth it?
The U.S. Bank Altitude Go Card offers solid earning categories, easy redemption options, and a decent sign-up bonus — all for no annual fee. This isn’t the card for you if you want travel rewards and benefits since it earns bonus points on almost every major spending category except travel, and points are only redeemable for 1 cent each. But if those bonus categories and redemption options sound good, the card is a worthy addition to your wallet.
Bottom line
If you’re a beginner to rewards or shopping for a busy family, having a one-and-done credit card like the U.S. Bank Altitude Go that charges no annual fee and offers rewards in most major spending categories could be a perfect fit for you. It’s a card that’s well worth applying for if you’re looking for simple rewards.
Related: The best no-annual-fee credit cards
For rates and fees of the Blue Cash Preferred, click here.
