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Side-by-side

TAP Miles and Go American Express Card vs U.S. Bank Altitude Connect Visa Signature Card

Both are well-respected travel cards. The TAP Miles and Go American Express Card comes from Cardless at $79/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

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.

FeatureTAP Miles and Go American Express CardU.S. Bank Altitude Connect Visa Signature Card
Annual fee$79$0
Sign-up bonus40,000 bonus miles20,000 bonus points
Bonus value (est.)--
Min spend to unlock bonus$2,500 in 3 mo$1,000 in ? mo
IssuerCardlessU.S. Bank
Card categoryairlinetravel
Best earning category (Tap_air_portugal)3x1x
Transfer partnersNoneNone
Headline benefits
  • 3x miles on TAP purchases
  • 2 Lisbon lounge passes per year
  • Free extra checked bag
  • Star Alliance redemptions
    Read the full review
    TAP Miles and Go American Express Card
    $79/yr · 40,000 bonus miles
    Read the full review
    U.S. Bank Altitude Connect Visa Signature Card
    $0/yr · 20,000 bonus points

    Editorial take: TAP Miles and Go American Express Card

    The only US co-branded card for a European Star Alliance carrier. Useful if you fly TAP to Lisbon or onward Europe several times a year, since the lounge passes, free extra bag, and Premium Boarding can each be worth more than the $79 annual fee on a single transatlantic trip.

    Editorial take: U.S. Bank Altitude Connect Visa Signature Card

    Common questions

    Which card has the bigger sign-up bonus, TAP Miles and Go American Express Card or U.S. Bank Altitude Connect Visa Signature Card?
    Neither card has a publicly advertised sign-up bonus today. Watch for limited-time offers from each issuer.
    Is the TAP Miles and Go American Express Card's $79 annual fee worth it compared to the U.S. Bank Altitude Connect Visa Signature Card?
    At $79/yr, the TAP Miles and Go American Express 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 TAP Miles and Go American Express 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 TAP Miles and Go American Express 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. TAP Miles and Go American Express Card: $2,500 spend in 3 months. U.S. Bank Altitude Connect Visa Signature Card: $1,000 in ? 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.