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As subject title reads. Thanks to Doctor of Credit for the source. US Bank Altitude Reserve has a new rewards cateogry: 5x on prepaid hotels and car rentals booked directly in the Altitude Rewards Center. There is no hike in the annual fee at the present time but I'm speculating that when the two new cards are released that will change
Also, with Flexperks card going away US Bank will add two new Altitude-branded cards in the future. Presumption is they're going all in on this reward system and are trying to emulate AMEX/Chase/etc in a rewards program where it is some customer's benefit to nab one or both cards to maximize reward potential
https://www.doctorofcredit.com/us-bank-to-launch-two-new-altitude-cards/
Personally, as long as the mobile wallet category is always there with the Altitude Reserve I'm going to find it really hard to justify getting any other card with Socks Bank even if they do increase the AF on the card itself. I guess we'll see soon enough 🤷♂️
I was reading that on DoC too, and I was almost getting excited about the extra points. Then I realized I never book prepaid hotels or car rentals and the fine print says that those bookings through their travel portal do not fall under the travel category. So, does that mean that if you were planning to use points to offset the purchases, RTR wouldn't be triggered because they won't code as travel and you're not booking directly with a hotel or car rental agency? Plus, you can always use a shopping portal for extra points, take advantage of loyalty discounts, etc. I really don't see much or any use for it, TBH.
I do want to see how they restructure their rewards program with the new Altitude cards, and maybe they'll add more benefits to the AR.
@imaximous wrote:I was reading that on DoC too, and I was almost getting excited about the extra points. Then I realized I never book prepaid hotels or car rentals and the fine print says that those bookings through their travel portal do not fall under the travel category. So, does that mean that if you were planning to use points to offset the purchases, RTR wouldn't be triggered because they won't code as travel and you're not booking directly with a hotel or car rental agency? Plus, you can always use a shopping portal for extra points, take advantage of loyalty discounts, etc. I really don't see much or any use for it, TBH.
I do want to see how they restructure their rewards program with the new Altitude cards, and maybe they'll add more benefits to the AR.
At the minimum I expect the AR to finally get an increase in the annual fee because of this "added perk" they did. They can give it the AMEX Platinum treatment and I'll still pay for it as long as the mobile wallet category is there. For me like you I don't see the point of the new rewards category when cashback portals offer more but I'm willing to bet it's to get those customers who rather go through one website to get everything for their travel needs
For the AR itself I don't see how they can add more benefits that are beneficial and at the same time add cards that compliment the AR. What I would like to see is getting the Cash+ cashback convert to points to be added to the AR point pool like Citi did with the DC or Chase's Freedom card. If they have to release a new card in the Altitude family that is a copy of Cash+ except it's a point earner I would consider that for sure
@simplynoir wrote:As subject title reads. Thanks to Doctor of Credit for the source. US Bank Altitude Reserve has a new rewards cateogry: 5x on prepaid hotels and car rentals booked directly in the Altitude Rewards Center. There is no hike in the annual fee at the present time but I'm speculating that when the two new cards are released that will change
Also, with Flexperks card going away US Bank will add two new Altitude-branded cards in the future. Presumption is they're going all in on this reward system and are trying to emulate AMEX/Chase/etc in a rewards program where it is some customer's benefit to nab one or both cards to maximize reward potential
https://www.doctorofcredit.com/us-bank-to-launch-two-new-altitude-cards/
Personally, as long as the mobile wallet category is always there with the Altitude Reserve I'm going to find it really hard to justify getting any other card with Socks Bank even if they do increase the AF on the card itself. I guess we'll see soon enough 🤷♂️
I read that somewhere last night! .. They are also dpopping some of the Flex Perks cards from new app's.
@simplynoir wrote:
@imaximous wrote:I was reading that on DoC too, and I was almost getting excited about the extra points. Then I realized I never book prepaid hotels or car rentals and the fine print says that those bookings through their travel portal do not fall under the travel category. So, does that mean that if you were planning to use points to offset the purchases, RTR wouldn't be triggered because they won't code as travel and you're not booking directly with a hotel or car rental agency? Plus, you can always use a shopping portal for extra points, take advantage of loyalty discounts, etc. I really don't see much or any use for it, TBH.
I do want to see how they restructure their rewards program with the new Altitude cards, and maybe they'll add more benefits to the AR.
At the minimum I expect the AR to finally get an increase in the annual fee because of this "added perk" they did. They can give it the AMEX Platinum treatment and I'll still pay for it as long as the mobile wallet category is there. For me like you I don't see the point of the new rewards category when cashback portals offer more but I'm willing to bet it's to get those customers who rather go through one website to get everything for their travel needs
For the AR itself I don't see how they can add more benefits that are beneficial and at the same time add cards that compliment the AR. What I would like to see is getting the Cash+ cashback convert to points to be added to the AR point pool like Citi did with the DC or Chase's Freedom card. If they have to release a new card in the Altitude family that is a copy of Cash+ except it's a point earner I would consider that for sure
The card is valuable regardless at only $75 net without considering the wifi passes. So I can see an increase even without the 5x bonus.
There are a couple of things they could improve: offer unlimited Priority Pass instead of limited passes; and offer benefits for AUs as well. Right now, you pay $75 for AUs simply for the right to have the card but get no benefits. At least, other premium cards will extend some benefits to AUs like PP or something. I can simply add my card to someone else's mobile wallet and avoid paying the fee altogether.
They could also try to get a partnership similar to what other cards have with Uber, Lyft, food delivery, etc. IDK what exactly, but something.
I think that if their goal is to compete with other rewards programs, they need to build a good network of benefits to make people jump ship from more established programs. As it stands, the AR is still the card to hold in addition to others instead of being the anchor like what a CSR or AmEx Plat are, if that makes any sense.
@simplynoir wrote:
What I would like to see is getting the Cash+ cashback convert to points to be added to the AR point pool like Citi did with the DC or Chase's Freedom card.
This ^^^ would be huge, but it seems too good to actually happen.
I really like the AR and the math is currently working out for me even with spend that's modest compared to many, but if the AF goes up I'll have to get out the calculator again.
I will say that if they raise the annual fee and add stuff like uber/doordash/etc. credits that will be bad for me. I understand that I'm at the absolute very edge of their target demographic, though, and I know they wouldn't miss me.
I hope they don't copy Amex and Chase by adding credits to food and car delivery services and bump up the annual fee. I just got rid of my CSR card since I don't use new the benifits
Good info. The hotel and car booking is interesting though I'm not sure how often I would use it.
The additional two cards could be nice, depending how they get differentiated.
It be nice if they add cash and points for RTR. Then I wouldn't mind an annual fee increase. That be a dream come true.