Chase Freedom Unlimited vs US Bank Altitude Connect
Side-by-side comparison across fees, rewards, welcome bonuses, and eligibility.
Chase Freedom Unlimited wins 4-1. No-fee everyday card; pairs perfectly with Sapphire Preferred US Bank Altitude Connect is still the right call if no-fee 4x travel — rare combination of no fee + premium earn rate..
Side-by-side
| Criterion | Chase Freedom Unlimited | US Bank Altitude Connect |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | = No annual fee | = No annual fee |
| Joining fee | = None | = None |
| Top reward rate | 5% (travel) | · 4% (travel) |
| Base reward rate | 1.5% | · 1% |
| 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 $2,000 spend in 120 days |
| Fee waiver threshold | = N/A (no fee) | = N/A (no fee) |
| Min income | = — | = — |
| Min credit score | 670 | · 700 |
| Editorial rating | 4.6/5 | · 4.4/5 |
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 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
›Chase Freedom Unlimited vs US Bank Altitude Connect: which is better?
Chase Freedom Unlimited wins on more dimensions (4 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 Connect 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 Connect: 50,000 points after $2,000 spend in 120 days.