American Express Graphite Business Cash Unlimited vs U.S. Bank Business Altitude Connect
Both are business travel cards. The American Express Graphite Business Cash Unlimited comes from American Express at $295/yr; the U.S. Bank Business Altitude Connect from U.S. Bank at $95/yr. Below: side-by-side specs, an opinionated verdict, and the FAQs people actually ask before applying.
For most people the American Express Graphite Business Cash Unlimited is the stronger pick today, the sign-up bonus is meaningfully larger ($1,500 more in estimated value) than the U.S. Bank Business Altitude Connect's. Get the American Express Graphite Business Cash Unlimited first; revisit the U.S. Bank Business Altitude Connect after you've earned that bonus.
| Feature | American Express Graphite Business Cash Unlimited | U.S. Bank Business Altitude Connect |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $295 | $95 |
| Sign-up bonus | $1,500 cash back | 75,000 bonus points |
| Bonus value (est.) | $1,500 | - |
| Min spend to unlock bonus | $50,000 in 6 mo | $6,000 in 6 mo |
| Issuer | American Express | U.S. Bank |
| Card category | business | business |
| Best earning category (Amex_travel_flights_prepaid_hotels) | 5x | 1x |
| Transfer partners | None | None |
| Headline benefits |
Editorial take: U.S. Bank Business Altitude Connect
Common questions
- Which card has the bigger sign-up bonus, American Express Graphite Business Cash Unlimited or U.S. Bank Business Altitude Connect?
- The American Express Graphite Business Cash Unlimited has a public bonus ($1,500 cash back, worth roughly $1,500), while the U.S. Bank Business Altitude Connect doesn't advertise one right now.
- Is the American Express Graphite Business Cash Unlimited's $295 annual fee worth it compared to the U.S. Bank Business Altitude Connect?
- At $295/yr, the American Express Graphite Business Cash Unlimited is in the mid-fee tier. Compare its specific perks (lounge access, travel credits, primary rental insurance) to the U.S. Bank Business Altitude Connect's, pick the one whose perks you'll actually use.
- Can I have both the American Express Graphite Business Cash Unlimited and U.S. Bank Business Altitude Connect?
- 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 American Express Graphite Business Cash Unlimited or the U.S. Bank Business Altitude Connect first?
- Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. American Express Graphite Business Cash Unlimited: $50,000 spend in 6 months. U.S. Bank Business Altitude Connect: $6,000 in 6 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.
