My wife dragged me over to US Bank about two years ago for a normal checking account, and I couldn’t be happier with their service. And now I’ve got a shiny new points powerhouse, the U.S. Bank Altitude™ Reserve Visa Infinite® Card.
The US Bank 1-2 Punch – 63,500 Miles and Up To $300 Cash!
I just recently opened the US Bank Altitude Reserve card, which comes with 50,000 points after spending $4,500 in the first 90 days.
An almost unbelievable benefit of the card is that you’ll earn 3 points per $1 on eligible travel purchases and mobile wallet purchases (like Samsung Pay or Apple Pay).
I plan to complete that minimum spending entirely through mobile payment. So by the time I finish my spending, I’ll have 63,500 points (50,000 point sign-up bonus + 13,500 more points from meeting the spending requirement).
The convenient part about the points value with US Bank is that they have a fixed value of 1.5 cents per points. So with each mobile wallet or travel purchase, you will earn 4.5 cents per $1 in point value! The 63,500 points I’ll earn are worth roughly $950! With the large increase in stores accepting mobile wallet payment, I should have no trouble achieving this goal.
The largest change this has caused in my strategy is now I will no longer be using my Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi at Costco. While the Costco Anywhere card does offer great cash back categories, like 4% cash back on eligible gas (on the first $7,000 annually, then 1%) and 3% on eligible travel and restaurants, I’m now earning 4.5% of value in points. This is just part of my breakup with cash back cards and moving towards points & miles cards.
The US Bank Altitude Reserve card does have a $400 annual fee, but it also comes with a $325 annual travel credit. If you are able to use that each year (it’s effortless), your annual fee is essentially $75.
To make up that remaining $75, the card also comes with:
- Up to $100 statement credit for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry
- Special discounts on Silvercar
- Complimentary 12-month Priority Pass Select membership, which includes 4 free lounge visits per year for you and 1 guest.
Check out our full review of the US Bank Altitude Reserve here.
Before applying for this card, you do need to have an established relationship with US Bank (it can be another US Bank credit card). If you’re looking for a new bank, here’s an easy way to establish that relationship with Us Bank, and receive a $300 bonus to boot!
US Bank Checking Account Promotion
Banks are always fighting for our business. We regularly see bonus cash promotions for opening a checking or savings account, and I’m always on the prowl for them.
US Bank is currently offering a $300 bonus to those who open a Platinum Checking Package (through March 18, 2019), and complete the following activities:
- Open your account with at least a $25 deposit.
- Complete recurring direct deposits that total $2,000 within the first 60 days of account opening.
However, be warned that the Platinum Checking Package does come with a $24.95 monthly fee unless one of two conditions apply.
- You’ve got $25,000 in combined personal deposits, credit balances, and/or investments
- You’ve got a personal trust relationship with US Bank Wealth Management
Personally, I would take advantage of this offer, and once the bonus has deposited, transition to a lower monthly fee checking account. I have the “Easy” Checking Account with my wife, and we pay no fees with our qualifying direct deposits.
Bottom Line
If you were to go for this 1-2 punch of the US Bank Altitude Reserve and $300 banking bonus, you could earn over $1,200 in combined cash and points value after meeting minimum spend requirements! So if you are on the hunt for a new card & a new bank, I would highly recommend taking this approach.
Let me know what you think about this power combo! And if you want to stay on top of other miles & points deals, then subscribe to our newsletter:
[gravityform id=”3″ title=”false” description=”false”] The information for the Costco Anywhere Visa® has been collected independently by Million Mile Secrets. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.