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Side-by-side

United Explorer Card vs U.S. Bank Altitude Go Visa Signature Card

Both are well-respected travel cards. The United Explorer Card comes from Chase at $150/yr; the U.S. Bank Altitude Go 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 United Explorer Card is the stronger pick today, the sign-up bonus is meaningfully larger ($840 more in estimated value) than the U.S. Bank Altitude Go Visa Signature Card's. Get the United Explorer Card first; revisit the U.S. Bank Altitude Go Visa Signature Card after you've earned that bonus.

FeatureUnited Explorer CardU.S. Bank Altitude Go Visa Signature Card
Annual fee$150$0
Sign-up bonus70,000 miles + 10,000 AU bonus20,000 bonus points after $1,000 spend in 90 days
Bonus value (est.)$1,040$200
Min spend to unlock bonus$3,000 in 3 mo$1,000 in 3 mo
IssuerChaseU.S. Bank
Card categoryairlinecashback
Best earning category (United)2x1x
Transfer partnersNoneNone
Headline benefits
  • Free checked bag
  • 2 United Club passes/year
  • Priority boarding
  • 25% back on inflight purchases
    Read the full review
    United Explorer Card
    $150/yr · 70,000 miles + 10,000 AU bonus
    Read the full review
    U.S. Bank Altitude Go Visa Signature Card
    $0/yr · 20,000 bonus points after $1,000 spend in 90 days

    Editorial take: United Explorer Card

    Solid for United flyers. The free checked bag and 2 United Club passes per year add up, and the 70k + 10k AU bonus is a great starting point for domestic award flights. $0 intro annual fee, then $150.

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

    Common questions

    Which card has the bigger sign-up bonus, United Explorer Card or U.S. Bank Altitude Go Visa Signature Card?
    The United Explorer Card has the bigger bonus, 70,000 miles + 10,000 AU bonus, worth roughly $1,040, versus 20,000 bonus points after $1,000 spend in 90 days (~$200) on the U.S. Bank Altitude Go Visa Signature Card.
    Is the United Explorer Card's $150 annual fee worth it compared to the U.S. Bank Altitude Go Visa Signature Card?
    At $150/yr, the United Explorer Card is in the mid-fee tier. Compare its specific perks (lounge access, travel credits, primary rental insurance) to the U.S. Bank Altitude Go Visa Signature Card's, pick the one whose perks you'll actually use.
    Can I have both the United Explorer Card and U.S. Bank Altitude Go 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 United Explorer Card or the U.S. Bank Altitude Go Visa Signature Card first?
    Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. United Explorer Card: $3,000 spend in 3 months. U.S. Bank Altitude Go 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.