US Bank Altitude Go now charging Foreign Transaction fee and change in points

[mikecintel]

Hi Everyone,

I just want to let everyone know who has the US Bank Altitude Go that starting today Sept 9, 2024 they will start charging  3% Foreign Tranacation fee. Before it was FREE.  Also the points will be chagning.  Dinning will be 4x, Streaming will be 2x, Grocery stores will still be 2x but discountcount will be 1x.  I called US bank rep and they states YES now we are charging for current users and new users.  The rep said it was "just updated" 19 hrs ago meaning today Sept 9,2024.  Here is the link:

https://applications.usbank.com/oad/termsSimpleApply.controller?locationCode=18569&offerId=HQWRM3D57...

Here is another link reguarding about this card:

https://www.thepointcalculator.com/us/travel/usbank/us-bank-altitude-go-visa-card-calculator

Card Fees

Annual Fee

The Altitude Go Visa has no annual fee.

Authorized User Fee

There is no fee to add authorized users to the Altitude Go Visa Card.

Foreign Transaction Fee

The Altitude Go Visa has a 3% foreign transaction fee. This means that you will be penalized when making purchases outside of the United States.

I hope everyone is aware of this will not be shocked.  I think I will drop the US bank soon after I redeeme my cash back or points and I will get another credit card that has cash back and no FTF.

[NoHardLimits]

Welcome @mikecintel , and thanks for the heads up!  I had been thinking about product changing one of my US Bank cards to the Altitude Go, but I definitely won't be doing that now.

[longtimelurker]

I wonder how much revenue issuers get from a FTF.   In my card collection we have

Paypal MC: adding it

Fidelity: removing it

which suggests a mixed picture of issuer-perceived value.   But since FIdelity is Elan, I hope it doesn't go the way of Altitude Go!

[ElvisCaprice]

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@longtimelurker wrote:

I wonder how much revenue issuers get from a FTF.   In my card collection we have

Paypal MC: adding it

Fidelity: removing it

which suggests a mixed picture of issuer-perceived value.   But since FIdelity is Elan, I hope it doesn't go the way of Altitude Go!

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I wish Fidelity would pick up their game and offer more value to their account members.  Not owning a bank may come to bite them down the road.

[mikecintel]

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@NoHardLimits wrote:

Welcome @mikecintel , and thanks for the heads up!  I had been thinking about product changing one of my US Bank cards to the Altitude Go, but I definitely won't be doing that now.

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Thank you! I am glad I can help you.  Yes this my 2nd time produt change. First I had TD Bank Cash Visa card in 2016 and I applied for it.  Then in 2021 they start charging a FTF.  Then I let it "auto-close" and then I found US Bank altitude Go where they don't charge FTF when I first applied.  Then just change when they change the point AND THEY DON'T TELL  you that they will charge a FTF.  I got an notification in May of this year and I did call CS and they said Yes the FTF willl stay intact and we will not charge you a FTF.  Well that lie.  Anyway fine I will just choose another Visa card until they charging a FTF again.  I am wondering if Visa is the one who makes a determination and tells the bank to charge a FTF or is it the bank decision to charge the FTF. Hmmm.

[mikecintel]

Me too.  I am just afraid all credit issuer using Visa will do that at some point.  Then we are all screwed.   I know they are business but still why do this?

[mikecintel]

I called US Bank and they said that you can do a PC to connect and all your points will transer to connect card.  I am not doing that and I will leave US Bank and just choose another Visa card. I will get all my cash reward and just let it close.

[cjesser15]

I was worried the rumored changes would be worse.  This card only has a spot in my wallet for the 4x on dining.  Glad that's not changing.  Don't think this changes anything for me.  Appreciate the information.  

[mikecintel]

Yes I understand your concern.  Yes thank goodness that is not changing.  I guess it depends indiviual user what they needs and what is the most important to them.  For me it is the FTF and they will charge so now I will get another Visa card.  I have Capital One QuickSilver Master Card and that doesn't have a FTF and no annual fee so that is good.  So I just look for a Visa card now.  My Discover card is good no annual fee and no FTF.  Before I knew Discover card has a FTF and then they changed it.  I am glad I can help you

[CreditOnion]

For me, the main attraction of this card is the 4% dining rewards, so I'm glad that isn't going away. Truthfully cards without FTF are relatively common so this isn't a huge deal to me personally, I'll just use another of my cards for FTF eligible transactions.