Beta

Free during beta. Plus launches at $12/mo or $99/yr on July 1. Annual is locked for 12 months during beta.

Skip to content
RewardZ Travel
All credit cards
Side-by-side

Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority vs U.S. Bank Altitude Connect Visa Signature Card

Both are well-respected travel cards. The Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority comes from Chase at $229/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

For most people the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority is the stronger pick today, the sign-up bonus is meaningfully larger ($840 more in estimated value) than the U.S. Bank Altitude Connect Visa Signature Card's. Get the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority first; revisit the U.S. Bank Altitude Connect Visa Signature Card after you've earned that bonus.

FeatureSouthwest Rapid Rewards PriorityU.S. Bank Altitude Connect Visa Signature Card
Annual fee$229$0
Sign-up bonus60,000 points20,000 bonus points
Bonus value (est.)$840-
Min spend to unlock bonus$2,000 in 3 mo$1,000 in ? mo
IssuerChaseU.S. Bank
Card categoryairlinetravel
Best earning category (Southwest)4x1x
Transfer partnersNoneNone
Headline benefits
  • 7,500 anniversary points
  • $75 annual travel credit
  • 4 upgraded boardings/year
  • 4x on Southwest
    Read the full review
    Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority
    $229/yr · 60,000 points
    Read the full review
    U.S. Bank Altitude Connect Visa Signature Card
    $0/yr · 20,000 bonus points

    Editorial take: Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority

    If Southwest is your airline, this is the card to have. The anniversary points and $75 travel credit help offset the annual fee, and the 4x earning on Southwest is class-leading among airline cards.

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

    Common questions

    Which card has the bigger sign-up bonus, Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority or U.S. Bank Altitude Connect Visa Signature Card?
    The Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority has a public bonus (60,000 points, worth roughly $840), while the U.S. Bank Altitude Connect Visa Signature Card doesn't advertise one right now.
    Is the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority's $229 annual fee worth it compared to the U.S. Bank Altitude Connect Visa Signature Card?
    At $229/yr, the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority 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 Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority and U.S. Bank Altitude Connect Visa Signature Card?
    Yes, since they're from different issuers (Chase 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 Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority or the U.S. Bank Altitude Connect Visa Signature Card first?
    Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority: $2,000 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.