How do I get the U.S. Bank Altitude Connect Visa Signature Card sign-up bonus?

The best U.S. Bank rewards card is the U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card because it rewards cardholders with 1 - 5% cash back on purchases, plus an initial bonus of $200 cash back for spending $1,000 in the first 120 days. U.S. Bank Cash+ also accepts applicants with good credit.

With the U.S. Bank Cash+, you can choose and activate new 5% and 2% categories each quarter. This allows you to maximize your rewards based on your spending habits. The 5% rewards rate only applies to the first $2,000 in eligible purchases made each quarter.... read full answer

Best U.S. Bank Rewards Cards for 2023

All in all, U.S. Bank rewards cards offer some excellent rewards rates and signup bonuses, if you can get approved. Applicants generally need at least good credit to qualify.

There are three different types of credit card rewards: points, miles and cash back. Rewards credit cards are also targeted to three main groups: students, small business owners and people with above-average credit.

Although there are differences between credit card rewards currencies and the ways in which credit card companies dole them out to different groups, the major types of credit card rewards all work pretty much the same way. You’ll earn rewards for every purchase you charge to the card – sometimes at a flat rate on all purchases, and other times with earning rates that vary by spending category. It’s also possible to earn rewards for doing things like spending a certain amount in the first few months, referring a friend or adding an authorized user.... read full answer

Co-branded cards are different from store cards, which are issued by banks but are not linked to any of the major card networks. This means store cards only let you make purchases and earn rewards with whichever retailer is associated with the card.

Types of Credit Card Rewards

Points

Credit cards with rewards points generally give at least 1 point per $1 spent. You can redeem points for hotel stays and other travel expenses, statement credits, gift cards or merchandise, depending on the card. Points cards are sometimes affiliated with hotel chains.

Miles

Credit cards with miles are travel oriented, often affiliated with a specific airline. Rewards typically start at 1 mile for every $1 you spend. Miles can be redeemed for airfare, other travel expenses, gift cards, cash or merchandise. Cards co-branded with a particular airline may reward you with seat or room upgrades, early boarding on flights, free checked bags and more.

Cash Back

Credit cards with cash back rewards return a portion of each purchase cardholders make, usually at least 1%. You can redeem cash rewards as a check, direct deposit to your bank account or statement credit, depending on the card. Some cash back rewards can also be redeemed for gift cards and merchandise through the issuer’s online rewards mall.

You’ll need good or excellent credit to qualify for the best rewards credit cards. Many also come with annual fees to offset the costs of their rewards programs. And some cards offer sign-up bonuses that require meeting a minimum initial spending requirement.

For more information, check out WalletHub’s Credit Card Rewards Guide.

The U.S. Bank categories for bonus credit card rewards are gas, grocery stores, and travel, depending on the card. When cardholders make purchases that qualify for their U.S. Bank card’s bonus categories, they earn extra rewards compared to the card’s base rewards rate.

U.S. Bank Credit Card Categories for Bonus Rewards... read full answer

• U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card: Your choice of one everyday category, like gas stations/EV charging stations, restaurants or grocery stores, and travel booked through the Rewards Travel Center
• U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite® Card: Eligible net travel purchases and mobile wallet spending
• U.S. Bank Altitude® Go Visa Signature® Card: Dining, takeout, restaurant delivery, streaming services, grocery stores, grocery delivery, gas stations/EV charging stations
• U.S. Bank Altitude® Connect Visa Signature® Card: Travel, gas stations/EV charging stations, streaming services, grocery stores, grocery delivery, and dining
• U.S. Bank FlexPerks® Gold American Express® Card: Travel booked directly through the FlexPerks Rewards Center, dining, takeout, restaurant delivery, gas stations/EV charging stations
• U.S. Bank Altitude® Go Visa® Secured Card: Grocery stores, grocery delivery, gas stations/EV charging stations, and streaming services
• U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa® Secured Card: Your choice of one everyday category, like gas stations/EV charging stations, restaurants or grocery stores, and travel booked through the Rewards Travel Center

Whether a purchase falls into a card’s bonus categories depends on “Merchant Category Codes,” which are assigned by the major credit card networks to merchants based on what kind of business they conduct. So, if a merchant has the MCC for “gas,” for example, purchases made at that merchant with cards that include “gas” as a bonus category will earn bonus rewards.

Ultimately, if you’re looking to get a U.S. Bank rewards credit card, you should pick one that offers bonus rewards in your most frequent purchase categories.