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.
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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
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 | Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority | U.S. Bank Altitude Connect Visa Signature Card |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $229 | $0 |
| Sign-up bonus | 60,000 points | 20,000 bonus points |
| Bonus value (est.) | $560 | $200 |
| Min spend to unlock bonus | $2,000 in 3 mo | $1,000 in 3 mo |
| Issuer | Chase | U.S. Bank |
| Card category | airline | travel |
| Best earning category (Southwest) | 4x | 1x |
| Transfer partners | None | None |
| Headline benefits |
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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: 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, Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority or U.S. Bank Altitude Connect Visa Signature Card?
- The Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority has the bigger bonus, 60,000 points, worth roughly $560, versus 20,000 bonus points (~$200) on the U.S. Bank Altitude Connect Visa Signature Card.
- 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 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.