U.S. Bank Altitude® Go Visa Signature® Card Review: Reward Rates Foodies Will Love [2024]

CREDIT CARDS - TRAVEL CREDIT CARDS
Find out why some people consider the U.S. Bank Altitude Go Visa Signature Card to be one of the best no-annual-fee cards around.
Updated Nov. 5, 2024
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The U.S. Bank Altitude® Go Visa Signature® Card is not your typical $0-annual-fee credit card. While credit cards with this annual fee often lack high reward rates, the U.S. Bank Altitude Go enables you to earn elevated rewards on several spending categories.

Using the U.S. Bank Altitude Go, you can earn 4X points on dining, takeout, and restaurant delivery. And that's only the beginning of this card's perks.

Learn more in our U.S. Bank Altitude® Go Visa Signature® Card review and explore how to earn and redeem its rewards points.

Impressive Rewards on Food Delivery & Dining

U.S. Bank Altitude® Go Visa Signature® Card
4.2
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U.S. Bank Altitude® Go Visa Signature® Card

Current Offer

Earn 20,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 in eligible purchases within the first 90 days of account opening

Annual Fee

$0

Rewards Rate

4X points on dining, takeout, and restaurant delivery; 2X points on streaming services, grocery stores, and gas stations/EV charging stations (discount stores/supercenters and wholesale clubs excluded); and 1X points on all other eligible purchases

Benefits and Drawbacks
Card Details

In this U.S. Bank Altitude® Go Visa Signature® Card review

Key takeaways

  • The U.S. Bank Altitude Go Visa Signature has excellent rewards rates for a $0-annual-fee card, particularly on dining.
  • Foodie cardholders can earn 4X points for every dollar spent on dining, takeout, and restaurant delivery. That’s higher than some premium credit cards.
  • The U.S. Bank Altitude Go Visa Signature has a decent welcome bonus. Earn 20,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 in eligible purchases within the first 90 days of account opening.

Who should get the U.S. Bank Altitude® Go Visa Signature® Card?

The U.S. Bank Altitude Go Visa Signature Card is ideal for individuals with excellent credit who want to earn rewards for everyday spending for a $0 annual fee. It’s also a foodie’s dream credit card because of its high dining rewards rate. And if you already have an account with U.S. Bank, this is one of the best U.S. Bank credit cards

The credit card earns extra points on spending in popular bonus categories such as dining, takeout, and restaurant delivery, as well as streaming services, grocery stores, and gas stations/EV charging stations (discount stores/supercenters and wholesale clubs excluded). It’s an excellent option for those who spend money on streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, Spotify, Amazon Music, Apple Music, and more. In addition to earning bonus points, it comes with an annual credit for eligible streaming service purchases.

Along with its impressive rewards rates, the Altitude Go card also offers a 0% introductory APR on purchases for 12 billing cycles (then 17.74% - 28.74% (Variable)) and a 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 12 billing cycles (then 17.74% - 28.74% (Variable)). 

Some of the best balance transfer cards come with promo periods longer than the U.S. Bank Altitude Go's, but it's still a decent card for consolidating debt or planning out big purchases. Keep in mind that, like with other balance transfer credit cards, you'll have to pay a balance transfer fee if you move other credit card balances over to the Altitude Go. 

The U.S. Bank Altitude Go Visa Signature Card won't work for people with less-than-stellar credit. There are other no-annual-fee cards that might be a better fit if that describes you.

Credit card basics

Card type Travel/Cash Back
Credit card issuer U.S. Bank
Credit card network Visa
Annual fee $0
Intro bonus Earn 20,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 in eligible purchases within the first 90 days of account opening
Reward rate 4X points on dining, takeout, and restaurant delivery; 2X points on streaming services, grocery stores, and gas stations/EV charging stations (discount stores/supercenters and wholesale clubs excluded); and 1X points on all other eligible purchases
Recommended credit score Excellent
Intro APR 0% APR for 12 billing cycles on purchases, then 17.74% - 28.74% (Variable)
0% APR for 12 billing cycles on balance transfers, then 17.74% - 28.74% (Variable)

Foreign transaction fee 3% of each foreign transaction

Why we like the U.S. Bank Altitude® Go Visa Signature® Card: benefits and perks

  • Generous welcome offer (for a $0-annual-fee card): Earn 20,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 in eligible purchases within the first 90 days of account opening.
  • $0 annual fee: The U.S. Bank Altitude Go Visa Signature Card carries a $0 annual fee, so having this card won’t cut into the value of the rewards you earn each year.
  • Great rewards rate on dining: This U.S. Bank card earns an impressive 4X points for every dollar spent on dining, takeout, and restaurant delivery.
  • Annual streaming services credit: The U.S. Bank Altitude Go Visa Signature Card comes with a $15 yearly credit for streaming service purchases. That's pretty low for an annual amount, but it's still a nice perk for this level of credit card. 
  • Real-Time Rewards: Your U.S. Bank card gives you access to Real-Time Rewards. This feature sends you a text message any time you make a qualifying purchase that’s eligible for a statement credit. You have the option to claim a statement credit for the purchase right away rather than waiting until the end of the billing cycle like most other rewards cards.
  • Earns rewards for EV charging: The U.S. Bank Altitude Go earns 2X points per dollar spent on streaming services, grocery stores, and gas stations/EV charging stations (discount stores/supercenters and wholesale clubs excluded). Many credit cards earn rewards on gas purchases, but the Altitude Go's rate for EV charging is a nice addition. 

What we don't like about the U.S. Bank Altitude® Go Visa Signature® Card

  • No rewards on travel spending: The U.S. Bank Altitude Go Visa Signature Card rewards many types of spending, but it doesn’t reward travel purchases.
  • Likely requires excellent credit: Individuals likely need excellent credit scores to qualify for the U.S. Bank Altitude Go Visa Signature Card (and there are no guarantees). For context, an excellent FICO score is a score of 800 or higher.

Earning & redeeming points

Potential earnings in years one and two

Here's a look at how your points can add up with the U.S. Bank Altitude Go Visa Signature Card. To calculate these values, we used a point valuation of 1 cent per point.

Remember, this is an estimation. The actual value will be determined by how much you spend and in which categories you spend.

Year one earnings: $1,000

Year two earnings: $800

These values are based on the FinanceBuzz Credit Card Rewards Valuation Model which takes a look at points earned via spending, the sign-up bonus, and the annual fee. The totals do not include the annual streaming credit, so if you take advantage of that perk your earnings will be even higher.

Best ways to earn

You can earn tons of U.S. Bank Altitude points by using your U.S. Bank Altitude Go Visa Signature Card for your everyday spending.

Categories Rewards rate
Dining, takeout, and restaurant delivery 4X
Streaming services, grocery stores, and gas stations/EV charging stations (discount stores/supercenters and wholesale clubs excluded) 2X
All other eligible purchases 1X

Don’t forget the U.S. Bank Altitude Go Visa Signature Card comes with a decent welcome bonus with a low spend requirement. It’s an easy win that you can turn into a host of redemption options. You’ll earn 20,000 bonus points after you spend $1,000 on new purchases in the first 90 days after opening the account. This one-time welcome bonus is only for new cardholders who’ve never had a U.S. Bank Altitude Go Visa Signature card.

Maximizing your redemptions

Points earned with your U.S. Bank Altitude Go Visa Signature Card are worth one cent each regardless of redemption option, similar to a cashback card. Altitude points are redeemable for:

  • Merchandise
  • Gift cards
  • Cash back
  • Travel

Cardholders can redeem Altitude points by heading to the U.S Bank’s online rewards center in their online account and mobile app. There’s also a travel portal where you can book flights and hotels directly using points, but, unlike some cards, you don't get a higher redemption rate on travel. 

Cashback rewards come in the form of a statement credit or a deposit to a linked U.S. Bank savings or checking account. If you don't have a U.S. Bank account, then plan to stick with statement credits if you don't want to use the online rewards center. U.S. Bank points never expire as long as your account is active.

The U.S. Bank Altitude Go Visa Signature also gives you access to its Real-Time Rewards program. With Real-Time Rewards, U.S. Bank texts you anytime you make a purchase in select spending categories. You will then have the option to respond with the text “REDEEM” and receive a statement credit for the qualifying purchase within three business days (assuming you have enough points banked to cover it). 

Enrollment is required to participate in Real-Time Rewards, which is done through your U.S. Bank online account and not available via mobile banking.

U.S. Bank Altitude® Go Visa Signature® Card FAQ

Is the U.S. Bank Altitude Go Card metal?

No, the U.S. Bank Altitude Go Visa Signature Card is made of recycled plastic. If you're looking for a metal credit card, you can check out our list of the best metal credit cards.

How do I redeem my U.S. Bank Altitude points?

You can redeem U.S Bank Altitude points through the online rewards center within your U.S. Bank online account and the mobile app. Altitude points are redeemable for merchandise, gift cards, cash back, or travel. You'll need a U.S. Bank checking or savings account if you want to transfer cashback redemptions to your bank account, but you can get statement credits regardless. 

Does U.S. Bank give instant approval?

Like most card issuers, U.S. Bank sometimes offers instant approval on their credit cards. There are also cases where more time is required for U.S. Bank to verify the information the applicant provided, which can take up to seven to 10 business days.

What is the difference between a Visa card and a Visa Signature card?

Visa Signature cards come with extra perks and benefits. The specific benefits available are at the discretion of the card issuer, so they vary between different cards but can include additional travel perks, emergency travel assistance, extended warranty protection on eligible purchases, cell phone protection, and more.

Other cards to consider

The U.S. Bank Altitude Go Visa Signature Card’s rewards structure is so good that it makes our list of the best no annual fee credit cards. But if this card doesn’t appear to be a smart fit for you, there are other credit card offers for you to check out.

You might want to consider the Chase Freedom Unlimited® if you're looking for a card that is basically a cashback and a travel rewards card. It’s another top $0-annual-fee credit card with a longer intro APR offer on purchases. Where the Chase Freedom Unlimited card excels is higher cashback earnings: 6.5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 4.5% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service and 3% cash back on all other purchases (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year). After your first year or $20,000 spent, earn 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases. Additionally, if you have one of the Chase Sapphire cards, you can transfer your cashback earnings as Chase Ultimate Rewards to your Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card or Chase Sapphire Reserve® account where they gain even more value.

If the bulk of your spending is on groceries instead of dining out, you might be better off with the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express card. This Amex card earns 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (for first $6,000 per year, after that 1%) and on select U.S. streaming services, 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations and on eligible transit, and 1% cash back on other eligible purchases. Instead of points, you earn Reward Dollars you can redeem as a statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout. The card also features some extra benefits not found with the U.S Bank Altitude Go, such as return protection on select card purchases and secondary car rental insurance. This card has a $0 intro annual fee for the first year, $95 per year thereafter

Impressive Rewards on Food Delivery & Dining

U.S. Bank Altitude® Go Visa Signature® Card
4.2
info

U.S. Bank Altitude® Go Visa Signature® Card

Why We Like It

Earn 20,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 in eligible purchases within the first 90 days of account opening

See how these cards compare:

Chase Freedom Unlimited®
Chase Freedom Unlimited®
  • High base rewards rate of 1.5%
  • $0 annual fee
  • Valuable welcome bonus for new cardholders
  • Intro APR offers for purchases and balance transfers
Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
  • High cashback rates at U.S. supermarkets, U.S. gas stations, eligible transit, and U.S. streaming subscriptions (cash back is in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit)
  • Introductory APR for purchases and balance transfers
  • $7 monthly statement credit toward an eligible Disney bundle subscription (subject to auto renewal) of $9.99 or more (enrollment required)
  • See rates and fees | Terms Apply

U.S. Bank Altitude® Go Visa Signature® Card: bottom line

The U.S. Bank Altitude Go Visa Signature Card is a great choice for people who qualify, regardless of whether or not you’re an existing U.S. Bank customer. Despite having a $0 annual fee, this card has an exceptional rewards rate on dining and also has some decent perks for streaming services.

If you want to check out other credit cards that might work for you, then read our best credit cards page.

Author Details

Kevin Payne Kevin Payne is a freelance writer specializing in student loans, credit cards, personal finance, and travel. He is a regular contributor to Club Thrifty, Millennial Money, and Student Loan Planner. As the budget and family travel expert behind FamilyMoneyAdventure.com, Kevin recently turned his writing side hustle into his full-time career. He lives in Cleveland, Ohio, with his wife and four kids.