Amex Business Gold vs U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve: Which Is Better In 2026?

U.S. Bank Altitude® Reserve Visa Infinite® Breakdown

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Why We Like It

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Here’s a closer look at why the U.S. Bank Altitude® Reserve Visa Infinite® stands out to us.

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• It offers valuable perks for frequent travelers, including airport lounge access and credits for expedited security screening.
• The card is especially rewarding for those who frequently use mobile wallet payments for their purchases.
• Cardholders can enjoy a generous annual travel credit and flexible ways to redeem their rewards.

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Pros

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• Features a generous annual travel credit, complimentary airport lounge access, and a statement credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck.
• Earns bonus rewards on mobile wallet spending and allows for flexible point redemption with the Real-Time Rewards feature.

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Cons

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• Carries a high annual fee that may not be suitable for all travelers.
• Requires an existing U.S. Bank relationship to apply, which can be a barrier for some.
• Offers limited transfer partners compared to other premium travel cards, restricting redemption flexibility.

U.S. Bank Altitude® Reserve Visa Infinite® vs American Express® Business Gold Card

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Categories

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Deciding which is better, Amex Business Gold or U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve, comes down to whether your spending is primarily for business operations or personal travel and everyday purchases.

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• American Express® Business Gold Card - This card is designed as a versatile tool for business owners, particularly those with variable expenses across multiple common business categories.
• U.S. Bank Altitude® Reserve Visa Infinite® Card - This card is best suited for frequent travelers and tech-savvy individuals who regularly use mobile wallet payments for their purchases.

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Redemption

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American Express® Business Gold Card: Points provide flexibility by allowing redemptions for travel and gift cards, or by transferring them to various airline and hotel partners. This versatility helps businesses tailor rewards to their specific operational and travel needs.

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U.S. Bank Altitude® Reserve Visa Infinite® Card: Rewards are redeemed at a high value for travel booked through the bank's portal or for real-time credits against purchases. This makes it simple for cardholders to apply points directly toward travel or everyday spending.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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To eliminate the guesswork, a financial companion like Kudos allows you to compare thousands of credit cards and find the best match for your spending habits.

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• Test drive a credit card: Simulate your potential earnings with a new card using your actual spending data—without impacting your credit score.
• Approval odds analysis: Receive a detailed analysis of your chances of being approved for a card before you apply.
• Welcome offer guarantee: If you find a better welcome offer for a card you get through Kudos within three months, the platform will match it.
• Kudos Kickstart+ rewards: Unlock $100 in rewards by adding select approved cards to your Kudos Wallet.
• Maximize rewards: The platform helps you track spending, monitor your credit score, and can autofill the best card at checkout to earn the most rewards on your purchases.

Who Should Choose the American Express® Business Gold Card?

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The American Express® Business Gold Card is a premium business credit card designed for growing companies with variable expenses and significant annual spending. It's particularly well-suited for businesses that can maximize the flexible 4X Membership Rewards® points in their top two spending categories each billing cycle, such as U.S. advertising or U.S. shipping. Entrepreneurs who value flexible rewards and premium travel protections will find this card's features highly beneficial (Terms Apply).

Who Should Choose the U.S. Bank Altitude® Reserve Visa Infinite®?

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The U.S. Bank Altitude® Reserve Visa Infinite® card is tailor-made for the tech-savvy frequent traveler who is already an established U.S. Bank customer. This user can maximize value by leveraging the 3x points on mobile wallet purchases and offsetting the $400 annual fee with the card's generous $325 annual travel credit. Since eligibility requires an existing relationship with the bank, it's an excellent premium option for current customers looking to upgrade their travel rewards game without needing a wide array of airline transfer partners.

Alternatives to Consider

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If our Amex Business Gold vs U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve comparison has you feeling like neither card is the right fit, don't worry. There are several other excellent travel and business cards that might better suit your spending habits and redemption goals.

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_{Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.}

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Tips for Application Success

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Before You Apply

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• Check your credit score to ensure it meets the typical requirements for premium cards.
• Review issuer requirements, as some cards require an existing banking relationship to apply.
• Understand eligibility rules, such as Amex's once-per-lifetime bonus rule for welcome offers.

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Application Strategy

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• Try different application channels if you are searching for a specific welcome offer.
• Prepare your business details when applying for a business card to ensure a smooth process.
• Time your application before a large planned purchase to help meet spending requirements for a welcome offer.

Our Methodology

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We evaluate nearly 3,000 credit cards across the U.S. market — far more than the ~150 cards commonly featured on sites that focus only on products tied to affiliate commissions. Our goal is to provide a comprehensive, unbiased view of the credit card landscape so you can make confident, data-driven decisions.

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Our editorial team combines deep industry experience with rigorous verification standards. While our experts surface the most relevant recommendations in our guides, you can also explore the full dataset yourself through our card explorer tool, which includes thousands of cards — more than 95% of which do not provide us with commissions.

Frequently Asked Questions

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What are the annual fees for the American Express® Business Gold Card and U.S. Bank Altitude® Reserve Visa Infinite® Card?

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The American Express® Business Gold Card has a $375 annual fee (Terms apply). The U.S. Bank Altitude® Reserve Visa Infinite® Card carries a $400 annual fee.

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Which card is better for earning rewards on everyday business spending?

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The American Express® Business Gold Card is generally better for business spending, as it offers bonus points in several common business categories. The U.S. Bank Altitude® Reserve Visa Infinite® Card focuses more on travel and mobile wallet purchases.

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Can I transfer points from these cards to airline and hotel partners?

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Yes, the American Express® Business Gold Card allows you to transfer points to a wide range of airline and hotel loyalty programs. The U.S. Bank Altitude® Reserve Visa Infinite® Card also has transfer partners, though its list is less extensive than Amex's.

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