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U.S. Bank Altitude Connect Visa Signature Card vs USAA Rewards American Express

Both are well-respected travel cards. The U.S. Bank Altitude Connect Visa Signature Card comes from U.S. Bank at $0/yr; the USAA Rewards American Express from USAA 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.

FeatureU.S. Bank Altitude Connect Visa Signature CardUSAA Rewards American Express
Annual fee$0$0
Sign-up bonus20,000 bonus points2,500 USAA Rewards points
Bonus value (est.)-$25
Min spend to unlock bonus$1,000 in ? mo$0 in 0 mo
IssuerU.S. BankUSAA
Card categorytravelrewards
Best earning category (Travel)4x1x
Transfer partnersNoneNone
Headline benefits
      Read the full review
      U.S. Bank Altitude Connect Visa Signature Card
      $0/yr · 20,000 bonus points
      Read the full review
      USAA Rewards American Express
      $0/yr · 2,500 USAA Rewards points

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

      Editorial take: USAA Rewards American Express

      Common questions

      Which card has the bigger sign-up bonus, U.S. Bank Altitude Connect Visa Signature Card or USAA Rewards American Express?
      The USAA Rewards American Express has a public bonus (2,500 USAA Rewards points, worth roughly $25), while the U.S. Bank Altitude Connect Visa Signature Card doesn't advertise one right now.
      Is the U.S. Bank Altitude Connect Visa Signature Card's $0 annual fee worth it compared to the USAA Rewards American Express?
      The U.S. Bank Altitude Connect Visa Signature Card has no annual fee, so the question is whether the USAA Rewards American Express's $0 fee is justified by its perks. If you'll use enough of the USAA Rewards American Express's benefits to clear $0 in value annually, it's worth it; otherwise stick with the U.S. Bank Altitude Connect Visa Signature Card.
      Can I have both the U.S. Bank Altitude Connect Visa Signature Card and USAA Rewards American Express?
      Yes, since they're from different issuers (U.S. Bank and USAA) 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 U.S. Bank Altitude Connect Visa Signature Card or the USAA Rewards American Express first?
      Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. U.S. Bank Altitude Connect Visa Signature Card: $1,000 spend in ? months. USAA Rewards American Express: $0 in 0 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.