IHG One Rewards Traveler vs U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve: Which Is Better In 2025?

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're fans of the U.S. Bank Altitude® Reserve Visa Infinite®.

‍

• It features a high earning rate on travel and, notably, on all mobile wallet purchases.
• Though it has an annual fee, the card includes valuable perks like a sizable annual travel credit and airport lounge access.
• If you use the full $325 annual travel credit, the $400 annual fee is effectively lowered to $75 (publisher-formulated estimate).

‍

Pros

‍

• High rewards rate on mobile wallet spending.
• Valuable travel benefits, including an annual travel credit and airport lounge access.
• Flexible point redemption options, including Real-Time Rewards.

‍

Cons

‍

• Carries a high annual fee that can be difficult to offset without maximizing the card’s benefits.
• Application is restricted to existing U.S. Bank customers, which is a significant barrier for many.
• Limited transfer partners compared to other premium travel cards, restricting redemption flexibility.

U.S. Bank Altitude® Reserve Visa Infinite® vs IHG One Rewards Traveler

‍

Categories

‍

Deciding which is better, the IHG One Rewards Traveler or U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve, ultimately depends on your personal travel frequency and spending habits.

‍

• IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card: This card is best suited for occasional IHG hotel guests and budget-conscious travelers who want to earn rewards without paying an annual fee.
• U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite Card: Aimed at frequent travelers and tech-savvy consumers, this card is ideal for those who often use mobile wallet payments and can take advantage of premium travel benefits.

‍

Redemption

‍

IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card: Points earned with this card are redeemed for stays across IHG's portfolio of hotels. This provides a straightforward way to turn your spending into free nights within their network.

‍

U.S. Bank Altitude® Reserve Visa Infinite® Card: This card offers more versatile redemption options, allowing points to be used for travel, cash back, gift cards, and merchandise. Points are most valuable when redeemed for travel booked through the U.S. Bank rewards portal.

‍

Travel Perks

‍

• IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card: This card’s travel ecosystem is focused on the IHG portfolio of hotels. It does not charge foreign transaction fees and offers a fourth reward night when you redeem points for a consecutive four-night stay. The card does not include a general travel portal or airport lounge access.
• U.S. Bank Altitude® Reserve Visa Infinite® Card: This card offers a comprehensive travel ecosystem. It provides access to the U.S. Bank rewards portal for flexible travel bookings and includes a complimentary Priority Pass Select membership for airport lounge access. The card charges no foreign transaction fees and provides an annual statement credit to help offset eligible travel costs.

‍

Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

‍

For a more personalized comparison, you can use a financial companion tool like Kudos to see how different cards stack up based on your actual spending.

‍

• Test drive a credit card: The platform’s Test Drive feature simulates your potential earnings with a new card by analyzing your real transaction history, giving you a clear picture of its value before you apply.
• Approval odds analysis: Get a detailed analysis of your approval chances for a new card based on your credit report.
• Welcome offer guarantee: If you find a better public welcome offer for a card you got through Kudos within three months, the platform will match it.
• Rewards and incentives: New users can earn a $20 reward after signing up and making an eligible purchase, and unlock an additional $100 in rewards by adding select cards to their Kudos Wallet.
• Smart wallet extension: A Chrome extension automatically selects the best card to use at checkout to maximize your rewards on every purchase.

Who Should Choose the IHG One Rewards Traveler?

‍

The IHG One Rewards Traveler card is best suited for budget-conscious travelers who occasionally stay at IHG properties and want to earn points without committing to an annual fee. It serves as an excellent entry point for those new to hotel loyalty programs, offering automatic Silver Elite status and a valuable fourth-night-free benefit on award stays. Ultimately, this entry-level hotel card is for anyone looking to dip their toes into the IHG One Rewards ecosystem and enjoy basic travel protections without a financial commitment.

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

‍

The U.S. Bank Altitude® Reserve Visa Infinite® card is primarily designed for frequent travelers who are also existing U.S. Bank customers. Its value shines for tech-savvy spenders who regularly use mobile wallets, as it offers an impressive 3x points on both travel and mobile wallet purchases. Those who can fully leverage the card's perks, such as the $325 annual travel credit and Priority Pass lounge access, will find the $400 annual fee justifiable.

Alternatives to Consider

‍

So the IHG One Rewards Traveler vs. U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve comparison didn't point to a clear winner for your wallet? If neither card is the right choice, there are several other excellent travel rewards 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

‍

• Review your credit score, as good to excellent credit is typically recommended for approval.
• Research issuer-specific requirements, such as needing an existing U.S. Bank relationship or being mindful of Chase’s application rules.
• Map out your spending to meet the welcome offer requirement naturally and avoid carrying a balance.

‍

Application Strategy

‍

• Use a tool like Kudos to find the best available welcome offer.
• Try different application methods if you don't see the top offer at first.
• Time your application before a large purchase to help meet spending requirements.

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 are the annual fees for the IHG One Rewards Traveler and U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve cards?

‍

The IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card has no annual fee. The U.S. Bank Altitude® Reserve Visa Infinite® Card has a $400 annual fee, though this is effectively lowered by annual statement credits for travel and dining.

‍

Which card is better for international travel?

‍

Both cards are strong contenders for international use as neither charges foreign transaction fees. Your choice may depend on whether you prefer the Altitude Reserve's flexible travel credits or the IHG Traveler card's benefits at IHG hotels and resorts worldwide.

‍

Can I transfer points between IHG One Rewards and U.S. Bank?

‍

No, the rewards programs are separate and points cannot be transferred between them. IHG One Rewards points are specific to IHG properties, while U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve points are redeemed through the U.S. Bank rewards portal.

‍