US Bank Altitude Reserve vs Amex Delta SkyMiles Gold
Side-by-side comparison across fees, rewards, welcome bonuses, and eligibility.
EXPRESS
US Bank Altitude Reserve wins 3-2. Mobile-pay maximizers — 3x on Apple/Google/Samsung Pay transactions. Amex Delta SkyMiles Gold is still the right call if delta loyalists — free first checked bag pays for the fee with one round trip..
Side-by-side
| Criterion | US Bank Altitude Reserve | Amex Delta SkyMiles Gold |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | · $400 | $150 |
| Joining fee | = None | = None |
| Top reward rate | 5% (travel) | · 2% (travel) |
| Base reward rate | 1.5% | · 1% |
| Forex markup | = No FX fee | = No FX fee |
| Welcome bonus | = 50,000 points after $4,500 in first 3 months (worth $750 toward travel) | = 40,000 SkyMiles after $2,000 spend in 6 months |
| Fee waiver threshold | = No waiver | = No waiver |
| Min income | = — | = — |
| Min credit score | · 720 | 700 |
| Editorial rating | 4.6/5 | · 4.3/5 |
Benefits compared
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
Amex Delta SkyMiles Gold
- 2x miles on Delta + restaurants + US supermarkets
- $200 Delta flight credit annually
- Free first checked bag (worth ~$60 each way)
- Priority Boarding (Zone 5)
- 15% miles discount on award flights
FAQ
›US Bank Altitude Reserve vs Amex Delta SkyMiles Gold: which is better?
US Bank Altitude Reserve wins on more dimensions (3 vs 2). 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 US Bank Altitude Reserve for its best categories, Amex Delta SkyMiles Gold for its best categories. Just watch the combined annual fees against your spend.
›Which one has the better welcome bonus?
US Bank Altitude Reserve: 50,000 points after $4,500 in first 3 months (worth $750 toward travel). Amex Delta SkyMiles Gold: 40,000 SkyMiles after $2,000 spend in 6 months.