Chase Freedom Unlimited vs US Bank Altitude Reserve
Side-by-side comparison across fees, rewards, welcome bonuses, and eligibility.
Chase Freedom Unlimited wins 2-1. No-fee everyday card; pairs perfectly with Sapphire Preferred US Bank Altitude Reserve is still the right call if mobile-pay maximizers — 3x on apple/google/samsung pay transactions..
Side-by-side
| Criterion | Chase Freedom Unlimited | US Bank Altitude Reserve |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | No annual fee | · $400 |
| Joining fee | = None | = None |
| Top reward rate | = 5% (travel) | = 5% (travel) |
| Base reward rate | = 1.5% | = 1.5% |
| Forex markup | · 3% | No FX fee |
| Welcome bonus | = $200 cash back after $500 spend in first 3 months + 5% gas/groceries on first $12K | = 50,000 points after $4,500 in first 3 months (worth $750 toward travel) |
| Fee waiver threshold | = N/A (no fee) | = No waiver |
| Min income | = — | = — |
| Min credit score | 670 | · 720 |
| Editorial rating | = 4.6/5 | = 4.6/5 |
Benefits compared
Chase Freedom Unlimited
- 5% on travel via Chase Ultimate Rewards
- 3% on dining (incl. takeout & delivery)
- 3% on drugstore purchases
- 1.5% on everything else
- No annual fee
- 0% intro APR for 15 months
US Bank Altitude Reserve
- 5x on prepaid hotels and car rentals via US Bank Travel
- 3x on travel + mobile-wallet purchases
- 1.5x redemption rate when used for travel
- $325 annual travel credit
- Priority Pass Select (4 free visits/year)
- Up to $100 TSA PreCheck/Global Entry credit
FAQ
›Chase Freedom Unlimited vs US Bank Altitude Reserve: which is better?
Chase Freedom Unlimited wins on more dimensions (2 vs 1). But the right answer depends on your specific spending pattern — see the calculator below.
›Can I get both?
Yes — if your credit profile supports it, holding both is the optimal play. Use Chase Freedom Unlimited for its best categories, US Bank Altitude Reserve for its best categories. Just watch the combined annual fees against your spend.
›Which one has the better welcome bonus?
Chase Freedom Unlimited: $200 cash back after $500 spend in first 3 months + 5% gas/groceries on first $12K. US Bank Altitude Reserve: 50,000 points after $4,500 in first 3 months (worth $750 toward travel).