Head-to-head · 🇺🇸 United States
Amex Blue Cash Preferred vs US Bank Altitude Connect
Side-by-side comparison across fees, rewards, welcome bonuses, and eligibility.
US
American Express
Amex Blue Cash Preferred
AMERICAN
EXPRESS
EXPRESS
Wins 2 of 10
US
US Bank
US Bank Altitude Connect
VISA
Wins 2 of 10
Verdict
It's a true tie — neither dominates. Pick the one whose boost categories match where you actually spend.
Side-by-side
| Criterion | Amex Blue Cash Preferred | US Bank Altitude Connect |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | · $95 | No annual fee |
| Joining fee | = None | = None |
| Top reward rate | 6% (shopping) | · 4% (travel) |
| Base reward rate | = 1% | = 1% |
| Forex markup | · 2.7% | No FX fee |
| Welcome bonus | = $250 statement credit after $3,000 in 6 months | = 50,000 points after $2,000 spend in 120 days |
| Fee waiver threshold | = No waiver | = N/A (no fee) |
| Min income | = — | = — |
| Min credit score | = 700 | = 700 |
| Editorial rating | 4.5/5 | · 4.4/5 |
Benefits compared
Amex Blue Cash Preferred
- 6% cashback on US supermarkets (up to $6K/year, then 1%)
- 6% on streaming subscriptions
- 3% on US gas stations + transit
- 1% on everything else
- 0% intro APR for 12 months
US Bank Altitude Connect
- 4x on travel + gas + EV charging stations
- 2x at restaurants + grocery + streaming
- 1x on everything else
- $30 annual streaming credit
- No annual fee, no foreign transaction fees
- Cell phone protection
FAQ
›Amex Blue Cash Preferred vs US Bank Altitude Connect: which is better?
It's a true tie — pick the one whose boost categories match your spend. Amex Blue Cash Preferred wins on 2 criteria, US Bank Altitude Connect on 2.
›Can I get both?
Yes — if your credit profile supports it, holding both is the optimal play. Use Amex Blue Cash Preferred for its best categories, US Bank Altitude Connect for its best categories. Just watch the combined annual fees against your spend.
›Which one has the better welcome bonus?
Amex Blue Cash Preferred: $250 statement credit after $3,000 in 6 months. US Bank Altitude Connect: 50,000 points after $2,000 spend in 120 days.