Capital One Quicksilver Secured vs U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve: Which Is Better In 2026?

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

‍

[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "2350", "isExpanded": "false", "bestForCategoryId": "15", "bestForText": "Frequent Travelers", "headerHint": "Cash Back at Altitude Reward Center"} ]]

‍

Why We Like It

‍

This section breaks down why we like the U.S. Bank Altitude® Reserve Visa Infinite®.

‍

• The U.S. Bank Altitude® Reserve Visa Infinite® card offers strong rewards on mobile wallet purchases, making it a great choice for tech-savvy spenders.
• It comes with valuable travel credits and flexible redemption options, making it a great companion for frequent travelers.

‍

‍

Pros

‍

• Offers generous rewards on travel and mobile wallet purchases.
• Includes valuable annual travel credits and complimentary airport lounge access.
• Provides flexible point redemption options, such as real-time rewards for travel.

‍

Cons

‍

• Carries a substantial annual fee that may be difficult to justify for infrequent travelers.
• Points lack the flexibility of some competing cards as they cannot be transferred directly to airline or hotel loyalty programs.
• Applicants are required to have an existing relationship with U.S. Bank to be eligible for the card.

U.S. Bank Altitude® Reserve Visa Infinite® vs Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards

‍

Categories

‍

Deciding which is better, the Capital One Quicksilver Secured or U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve, comes down to your personal financial goals and spending habits. These two cards serve very different purposes, catering to opposite ends of the credit spectrum.

‍

• Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card - This card is best for individuals who are looking to build or rebuild their credit history while also earning cash back rewards on purchases.
• U.S. Bank Altitude® Reserve Visa Infinite® Card - This premium card is designed for frequent travelers and those who regularly use mobile wallet payments to maximize their travel rewards.

‍

Redemption

‍

Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card: Rewards are earned as straightforward cash back, which can be redeemed as a statement credit or a check.

‍

U.S. Bank Altitude® Reserve Visa Infinite® Card: Points can be redeemed for travel, merchandise, gift cards, and cash back, with the highest value typically found when using them for travel booked through the bank's rewards center.

‍

Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

‍

To find the best card for your wallet, you can use a tool like Kudos to compare nearly 3,000 credit cards based on your unique spending habits.

‍

• Test drive a credit card: Before you apply, you can see personalized calculations of your potential earnings based on your actual spending data. This feature shows you an annual rewards projection and a net value calculation that subtracts any annual fees.
• Personalized recommendations: By securely connecting your bank accounts, Kudos analyzes your real transaction history to suggest the best cards for you.
• Rewards and incentives: Members can get a $100 Kudos Kickstart+ reward, a welcome offer guarantee, and earn extra rewards on top of their credit card points when shopping at certain stores.
• All-in-one management: Track your sign-up bonus progress, monitor your credit score, and manage all your cards from a single platform.

Who Should Choose the Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards?

‍

The Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card is an excellent choice for individuals looking to build or rebuild their credit history. It's particularly well-suited for those who are disciplined enough to pay their balance in full each month to avoid high interest charges but still want to earn rewards on their everyday spending. This cardholder is essentially looking for a low-cost way to establish a positive payment history, thanks to the $0 annual fee, while benefiting from a straightforward 1.5% cash back on all purchases.

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

‍

The U.S. Bank Altitude® Reserve Visa Infinite® is tailor-made for frequent travelers who are also existing U.S. Bank customers. Its value shines for tech-savvy individuals who regularly use mobile wallets like Apple Pay or Google Pay, as the card offers a high rewards rate on these types of purchases. Additionally, cardholders who appreciate flexible redemption options will benefit from the Real-Time Rewards feature, which allows for instant point redemptions on recent purchases.

Alternatives to Consider

‍

Given the wide gap in the Capital One Quicksilver Secured vs U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve comparison, it's possible that neither card is quite right for you. If the credit-building focus of the Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card or the premium travel perks of the U.S. Bank Altitude® Reserve Visa Infinite® Card don't align with your goals, there are plenty of other excellent cards to consider.

‍

[[ COMPARE_CARD * {"ids": ["509", "118"], "bestCategoryIds":["17", "18", "19"], "bestForTexts":["Exceptional Value", "Generous Travel Rewards"]} ]]

‍

_{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.}

‍

Tips for Application Success

‍

Before You Apply

‍

• Check your credit score - Most premium cards require good to excellent credit for approval.
• Review issuer requirements - Some cards require an existing bank relationship or have other unique eligibility rules.
• Look for preapproval tools - Many issuers let you check your eligibility with a soft inquiry that won't affect your credit score.

‍

Application Strategy

‍

• Time your application strategically - Apply before a large planned purchase to help meet any minimum spending requirements naturally.
• Know the issuer's rules - Some issuers have application velocity limits or require an existing banking relationship for approval.
• Plan your spending in advance - Ensure you can meet any spending requirements through your normal purchasing habits.

Our Methodology

‍

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.

‍

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

‍

What credit score do I need for the Capital One Quicksilver Secured and U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve cards?

‍

The Capital One Quicksilver Secured Rewards Credit Card is designed for those with fair or limited credit. The U.S. Bank Altitude® Reserve Visa Infinite® Card, however, typically requires an excellent credit score for approval.

‍

Do these cards have annual fees?

‍

The Quicksilver Secured has no annual fee, though it requires a refundable security deposit to open the account. Conversely, the Altitude Reserve carries a substantial annual fee, which covers its premium travel perks.

‍

Who are these cards best for?

‍

The Quicksilver Secured is an excellent choice for individuals building or rebuilding their credit history who also want to earn cash back. The Altitude Reserve is tailored for frequent travelers with established, excellent credit who can take full advantage of its travel credits and rewards.

‍

‍