US Bank Altitude Reserve vs Citi Premier
Side-by-side comparison across fees, rewards, welcome bonuses, and eligibility.
US Bank Altitude Reserve wins 3-2. Mobile-pay maximizers — 3x on Apple/Google/Samsung Pay transactions. Citi Premier is still the right call if travel + dining + groceries combined — broader 3x than sapphire preferred..
Side-by-side
| Criterion | US Bank Altitude Reserve | Citi Premier |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | · $400 | $95 |
| Joining fee | = None | = None |
| Top reward rate | 5% (travel) | · 3% (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) | = 60,000 ThankYou points after $4,000 in 3 months |
| Fee waiver threshold | = No waiver | = No waiver |
| Min income | = — | = — |
| Min credit score | · 720 | 700 |
| Editorial rating | 4.6/5 | · 4.4/5 |
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
Citi Premier
- 3x ThankYou points on travel (incl. gas)
- 3x on dining
- 3x on supermarkets
- Transferable to 16 airline partners
- $100 annual hotel credit
- No foreign transaction fees
FAQ
›US Bank Altitude Reserve vs Citi Premier: 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, Citi Premier 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). Citi Premier: 60,000 ThankYou points after $4,000 in 3 months.