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Avianca LifeMiles American Express Elite Card vs U.S. Bank Altitude Connect Visa Signature Card
Both are travel travel cards. The Avianca LifeMiles American Express Elite Card comes from Cardless at $249/yr; the U.S. Bank Altitude Connect Visa Signature Card from U.S. Bank at $0/yr. Below: side-by-side specs, an opinionated verdict, and the FAQs people actually ask before applying.
Bottom line
If you're not sure you'll use premium perks, start with the U.S. Bank Altitude Connect Visa Signature Card, its annual fee is significantly lower and the bonus values are similar. Upgrade later if you find yourself using the higher-tier benefits.
| Feature | Avianca LifeMiles American Express Elite Card | U.S. Bank Altitude Connect Visa Signature Card |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $249 | $0 |
| Sign-up bonus | Not advertised | 20,000 bonus points |
| Bonus value (est.) | - | $200 |
| Min spend to unlock bonus | - | $1,000 in 3 mo |
| Issuer | Cardless | U.S. Bank |
| Card category | travel | travel |
| Best earning category (Airline) | 3x | 1x |
| Transfer partners | None | None |
| Headline benefits |
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Read the full review
Avianca LifeMiles American Express Elite Card
$249/yr ·
Read the full review
U.S. Bank Altitude Connect Visa Signature Card
$0/yr · 20,000 bonus points
Editorial take: U.S. Bank Altitude Connect Visa Signature Card
A no-annual-fee travel earner: 4X on travel and at gas and EV stations (on the first $1,000 per quarter) with a 20K welcome offer worth $200. Points are capped at 1 cent each, so treat this as cash-value travel earnings rather than transferable points.
Common questions
- Which card has the bigger sign-up bonus, Avianca LifeMiles American Express Elite Card or U.S. Bank Altitude Connect Visa Signature Card?
- The U.S. Bank Altitude Connect Visa Signature Card has a public bonus (20,000 bonus points, worth roughly $200), while the Avianca LifeMiles American Express Elite Card doesn't advertise one right now.
- Is the Avianca LifeMiles American Express Elite Card's $249 annual fee worth it compared to the U.S. Bank Altitude Connect Visa Signature Card?
- At $249/yr, the Avianca LifeMiles American Express Elite Card is in the mid-fee tier. Compare its specific perks (lounge access, travel credits, primary rental insurance) to the U.S. Bank Altitude Connect Visa Signature Card's, pick the one whose perks you'll actually use.
- Can I have both the Avianca LifeMiles American Express Elite Card and U.S. Bank Altitude Connect Visa Signature Card?
- Yes, since they're from different issuers (Cardless 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 Avianca LifeMiles American Express Elite Card or the U.S. Bank Altitude Connect Visa Signature Card first?
- Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. Avianca LifeMiles American Express Elite Card: no published min spend. U.S. Bank Altitude Connect Visa Signature Card: $1,000 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.