Chase United Explorer vs US Bank Altitude Connect
Side-by-side comparison across fees, rewards, welcome bonuses, and eligibility.
US Bank Altitude Connect wins 3-0. No-fee 4x travel — rare combination of no fee + premium earn rate. Chase United Explorer is still the right call if united loyalists — free checked bag + lounge passes..
Side-by-side
| Criterion | Chase United Explorer | US Bank Altitude Connect |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | · $95 | No annual fee |
| Joining fee | = None | = None |
| Top reward rate | · 2% (travel) | 4% (travel) |
| Base reward rate | = 1% | = 1% |
| Forex markup | = No FX fee | = No FX fee |
| Welcome bonus | = 60,000 miles after $3,000 spend in 3 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 | · 4.2/5 | 4.4/5 |
Benefits compared
Chase United Explorer
- 2x miles on United + dining + hotel stays
- 1x on everything else
- Free first checked bag (saves ~$70/round trip)
- 2 United Club one-time passes annually
- Priority Boarding
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 United Explorer vs US Bank Altitude Connect: which is better?
US Bank Altitude Connect wins on more dimensions (3 vs 0). 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 United Explorer 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 United Explorer: 60,000 miles after $3,000 spend in 3 months. US Bank Altitude Connect: 50,000 points after $2,000 spend in 120 days.