Head-to-head · 🇺🇸 United States
US Bank Altitude Reserve vs Discover It Miles
Side-by-side comparison across fees, rewards, welcome bonuses, and eligibility.
US
Premium
US Bank
US Bank Altitude Reserve
VISA
Wins 2 of 10
US
Discover
Discover It Miles
Discover
Wins 2 of 10
Verdict
It's a true tie — neither dominates. Pick the one whose boost categories match where you actually spend.
Side-by-side
| Criterion | US Bank Altitude Reserve | Discover It Miles |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | · $400 | No annual fee |
| Joining fee | = None | = None |
| Top reward rate | 5% (travel) | · 1.5% (general) |
| Base reward rate | = 1.5% | = 1.5% |
| Forex markup | = No FX fee | = No FX fee |
| Welcome bonus | = 50,000 points after $4,500 in first 3 months (worth $750 toward travel) | = Discover doubles all miles earned in your first year (Mile Match) |
| Fee waiver threshold | = No waiver | = N/A (no fee) |
| Min income | = — | = — |
| Min credit score | · 720 | 670 |
| 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
Discover It Miles
- 1.5x miles on every purchase
- Discover Mile Match: doubles all miles earned in year 1
- Redeem against any travel purchase
- No annual fee, no foreign transaction fees
- Free FICO score
FAQ
›US Bank Altitude Reserve vs Discover It Miles: which is better?
It's a true tie — pick the one whose boost categories match your spend. US Bank Altitude Reserve wins on 2 criteria, Discover It Miles on 2.
›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, Discover It Miles 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). Discover It Miles: Discover doubles all miles earned in your first year (Mile Match).