Chase Sapphire Preferred vs US Bank Altitude Connect
Side-by-side comparison across fees, rewards, welcome bonuses, and eligibility.
Chase Sapphire Preferred wins 2-1. First-time travel-rewards card, sweet-spot earn rates 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 Sapphire Preferred | US Bank Altitude Connect |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | · $95 | No annual fee |
| Joining fee | = None | = None |
| Top reward rate | 5% (travel) | · 4% (travel) |
| Base reward rate | = 1% | = 1% |
| Forex markup | = No FX fee | = No FX fee |
| Welcome bonus | = 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in first 3 months (~$750 in travel) | = 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 | 4.7/5 | · 4.4/5 |
Benefits compared
Chase Sapphire Preferred
- 5x points on travel booked through Chase Ultimate Rewards
- 3x on dining (incl. takeout & delivery)
- 2x on all other travel
- 25% more value when redeeming for travel via Chase Ultimate Rewards portal
- No foreign transaction fees
- Trip cancellation/interruption insurance, primary auto rental coverage
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 Sapphire Preferred vs US Bank Altitude Connect: which is better?
Chase Sapphire Preferred 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 Sapphire 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?
Chase Sapphire Preferred: 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in first 3 months (~$750 in travel). US Bank Altitude Connect: 50,000 points after $2,000 spend in 120 days.