U.S. Bank has sent out a survey regarding possible changes to the U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve. According to MtM it looks like there were two main options:
- $400 annual fee card
- $325 in annual travel credits
- 12 Gogo inflight WiFi Credits
- $100 TSA Precheck Credit
- Card earns
- 3x points on travel
- 3x points on purchases made through mobile wallet
- Points worth 1.5¢ each towards travel
- Priority Pass membership (4 complimentary visits)
- $495 annual fee card
- $400 in annual travel credits, including:
- $250 rewards center credit
- $250 homestay credit (e.g VRBO & AirBnB)
- $100 Clear credit
- 12 Gogo inflight WiFi Credits
- Free Platinum status at Radisson Hotels
- Annual 30% discount at REI
- Free U.S. Bank Platinum checking account
- Unlimited Priority Pass visits
- Points worth 1¢ towards travel
- Card earns
- 5x points on dining & travel
- 2x points on purchases made through mobile wallet
- $400 in annual travel credits, including:
I personally think the $495 card is significantly worse, seems harder to use the travel credits and it’s a massive devaluation to the points earning through mobile wallet. U.S. Bank is releasing two new Altitude cards.
Seems it is very dangerous to keep the AR point. What’s the best way to cash out the point?
Last good premium rewards card left. Don’t mess with it
I wonder if US Bank is smart enough to match the customer profitability with the survey results? If all of the “unprofitable” customers choose the $400 option, that would give them more incentive to axe it.
I get that AR probably isn’t profitable, but I’d rather pay a higher AF on the current card setup than pay $495 for the new one. Don’t nerf it!
Anyone inclined to choose door 2: please lose your survey and go get an Amex Green. If the new Altitudes still come out without Reserve changes and you’re allowed to hold more than one, you can get 4x on dining for free with the Go. Even if they don’t, the current Altitude is the last bastion against credit cards propping up particular brands (well, Citi Prestige but who wants to deal with Citi).
If they’ve already decided to do something, anything: double the EAF to $150 and offer a choice of unlimited Priority Pass, 30% at REI, or Raddison status each year. I guarantee it still beats their new idea.
Amex green ..please…those points are worthless. Most of their partners are a joke with the exception of jetblue ( east coast mostly) and maybe 1 more …3x redemption for cash 1c..pathetic.
I suppose that depends on your use – I easily get 2c per point booking flights to Hawaii or international, but thats me. I guess it depends on what your trying to achieve – travel, cash back, etc?
The only joke here is your opinion 😀
Please, no one who has received the survey select option two. Jeesh, agree with the Doc it is worse.
The only thing they need to do is raise the fee to 450, make the Priority Pass unlimited and have few transfer partners. They will have more customers than they can extend credit to
Any idea when they could adjust the new rate? I am holding back on AR application now…
Was going to pull the trigger in April…
Current AR card holder here. Would absolutely cancel if the $495 plan was implemented. US Bank needs to know that we derive value from the 1.5 cent per point travel redemption, and many of us use the 3x mobile payment. If they want to raise the annual fee, that’s fine, but if they drop the core value of the AR, then I’m going to shift my spending back to CSR and Amex Plat.
The ONLY possible way this makes sense is if they are actively trying to lose business from those of us who realized just how darn phenomenal the card was. That is my fear. They were hoping for the ignorant with this card, and they got us; well, they will lose us if they do this.