Editorial take: Blue Business Plus from Amex
The silent workhorse of the Amex MR ecosystem. 2x on everything up to $50k/year with no annual fee. Pair it with the Platinum or Gold to unlock transfers, and you have a powerful everyday earner.
All credit cards
Side-by-side
Blue Business Plus from Amex vs U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite
Both are well-respected travel cards. The Blue Business Plus from Amex comes from American Express at $0/yr; the U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite from U.S. Bank at $400/yr. Below: side-by-side specs, an opinionated verdict, and the FAQs people actually ask before applying.
Bottom line
These cards are close on the fundamentals (similar bonus value, similar fee). The right pick depends on which category you spend the most in and which transfer partners best fit your travel goals.
| Feature | Blue Business Plus from Amex | U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $0 | $400 |
| Sign-up bonus | 15,000 points | 50,000 points |
| Bonus value (est.) | $300 | $750 |
| Min spend to unlock bonus | $3,000 in 3 mo | $4,500 in 3 mo |
| Issuer | American Express | U.S. Bank |
| Card category | business | travel |
| Best earning category (All_purchases) | 2x | 1x |
| Transfer partners | amex-mr | None |
| Headline benefits |
|
|
Read the full review
Blue Business Plus from Amex
$0/yr · 15,000 points
Read the full review
U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite
$400/yr · 50,000 points
Editorial take: U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite
The hidden-gem premium card for mobile-wallet users — 5x on travel + dining via Apple Pay or Google Pay is the strongest single earning multiplier available. The $325 travel credit applies broadly (almost anything coded as travel or dining). Worth the $400 fee for anyone who taps to pay.
Common questions
- Which card has the bigger sign-up bonus, Blue Business Plus from Amex or U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite?
- The U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite has the bigger bonus — 50,000 points, worth roughly $750, versus 15,000 points (~$300) on the Blue Business Plus from Amex.
- Is the Blue Business Plus from Amex's $0 annual fee worth it compared to the U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite?
- The Blue Business Plus from Amex has no annual fee, so the question is whether the U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite's $400 fee is justified by its perks. If you'll use enough of the U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite's benefits to clear $400 in value annually, it's worth it; otherwise stick with the Blue Business Plus from Amex.
- Can I have both the Blue Business Plus from Amex and U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite?
- Yes, since they're from different issuers (American Express and U.S. Bank) the application rules don't conflict. Many points enthusiasts hold both — they pair well when one earns flexible bank points and the other earns a different currency.
- Should I get the Blue Business Plus from Amex or the U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite first?
- Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. Blue Business Plus from Amex: $3,000 spend in 3 months. U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite: $4,500 in 3 months. Pick the easier minimum spend if you're new to points; pick the larger bonus if you have planned big purchases coming up.
Card details on this page reflect the most recent data we've verified against the issuer's own site. Sign-up bonuses and fees can change at any time — confirm the current offer on the issuer's page before applying.