Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus vs U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve: Which Is Better In 2025?

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

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Why We Like It

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This card has several standout features that make it a strong contender for frequent travelers.

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• It offers a high rewards rate on both travel and mobile wallet purchases, making it easy to accumulate points on everyday spending.
• Despite its annual fee, the card provides valuable travel perks like a substantial annual travel credit and airport lounge access via a Priority Pass Select membership.
• If you fully utilize the $325 annual travel credit, your effective annual fee drops to just $75 (publisher-formulated estimate).

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Pros

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• High rewards rate on mobile wallet purchases is a standout feature that rewards everyday spending.
• Valuable travel perks like an annual travel credit and airport lounge access help offset the card's annual fee.
• Flexible point redemption through the Real-Time Rewards feature allows you to use your points for travel and other purchases instantly.

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Cons

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• The card has a high annual fee, which can be difficult to justify for those who do not travel frequently or maximize the card’s benefits.
• Reward points cannot be transferred directly to airline or hotel loyalty programs, limiting redemption flexibility for travelers who prefer using partner programs.
• Applicants are required to have an existing relationship with U.S. Bank, which is a significant barrier for those who are not current customers.

U.S. Bank Altitude® Reserve Visa Infinite® vs Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus

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Categories

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Deciding which is better, the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus or the U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve, comes down to your personal travel style and spending habits. Each card is designed for a different type of traveler, offering distinct benefits and reward structures.

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• Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card - This card is best for occasional Southwest flyers and brand loyalists who want to earn points toward flights and the coveted Companion Pass. It's a strong choice for budget-conscious travelers and those new to travel rewards.
• U.S. Bank Altitude® Reserve Visa Infinite® Card - As a premium travel card, this option is tailored for frequent travelers and existing U.S. Bank customers. It particularly benefits tech-savvy users who make a lot of mobile wallet purchases.

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Redemption

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Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card: Points are primarily redeemed for Southwest flights, but can also be used for other travel-related purchases like hotels and rental cars. Redemptions also help you qualify for the valuable Companion Pass.

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U.S. Bank Altitude® Reserve Visa Infinite® Card: This card offers flexible redemption, allowing you to use points for travel booked through the U.S. Bank portal or get real-time rewards via text message. Points can also be redeemed for statement credits, merchandise, and gift cards.

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Travel Perks

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• Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card: The travel ecosystem for this card is built entirely around Southwest Airlines. While you can book other travel through its portal, the value is maximized when redeeming for Southwest flights. It's important to note that this card does charge foreign transaction fees, and it does not offer any airport lounge access.
• U.S. Bank Altitude® Reserve Visa Infinite® Card: This card provides a more premium and flexible travel experience. It comes with a complimentary Priority Pass Select membership, granting you access to over 1,300 airport lounges worldwide. There are no foreign transaction fees, making it a great companion for international trips. Its travel portal allows for booking a wide range of travel, including flights, hotels, and car rentals.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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To make a data-backed decision, you can use a tool like Kudos, which evaluates nearly 3,000 credit cards to help you find the best fit for your spending.

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• Test Drive Feature: Simulate potential earnings from different credit cards using your real transaction data before you apply, giving you a clear picture of a card’s value based on your spending habits.
• $100 Kudos Kickstart+: Earn $100 in rewards by adding select approved cards to your Kudos Wallet.
• Welcome Offer Guarantee: If you find a better welcome offer within three months of approval, Kudos will match it.
• Detailed Approval Odds: Get a comprehensive analysis of your approval odds for different cards based on your credit report.
• Personalized Recommendations: The platform analyzes your spending history to provide personalized card matches that maximize your rewards.

Who Should Choose the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus?

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The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card is an excellent choice for occasional Southwest flyers who want to earn rewards without committing to a high annual fee. It's particularly well-suited for budget-conscious travelers and those new to travel rewards, offering a straightforward way to accumulate points on everyday spending. Additionally, it's a strategic tool for Southwest loyalists aiming to earn the highly coveted Companion Pass, as all points earned count toward qualification.

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 an excellent choice for existing U.S. Bank customers who travel frequently and can maximize the card's premium travel perks. It particularly suits tech-savvy spenders who regularly use mobile wallets like Apple Pay or Google Pay, as they'll earn a high rewards rate on those purchases. Ultimately, this card is designed for individuals whose spending habits in travel and mobile payments are significant enough to offset the $400 annual fee, as detailed in a full card review.

Alternatives to Consider

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If our Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus vs U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve comparison has you thinking that neither card is the right choice, you're in the right place. Let's explore a few other excellent travel cards that might be a better match for your wallet and travel 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.}

Tips for Application Success

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Before You Apply

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• Check your credit score. Most premium cards require good to excellent credit for approval.
• Review issuer requirements. Some cards require an existing banking relationship before you can apply.
• Plan your spending. Ensure you can meet the welcome offer's spending requirement with your normal purchases.

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Application Strategy

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• Time your application. Apply before a planned large purchase to help meet the spending requirement.
• Know the issuer's rules. Some issuers have unique rules, like Chase's 5/24 policy or U.S. Bank's relationship requirement.
• Be patient with offers. You can often decline a lower offer and try again later without impacting your credit score.

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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Which card is better for booking flights on airlines other than Southwest?

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The U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve is more flexible for booking flights on various airlines, as its points can be redeemed for travel through the U.S. Bank travel portal. The Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus card's points are primarily used for booking flights directly with Southwest Airlines.

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Can I transfer points between my Southwest and U.S. Bank accounts?

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No, you cannot transfer points between these two cards. Southwest Rapid Rewards points and U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve points belong to separate loyalty programs and cannot be combined or transferred.

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Do the rewards earned on these cards expire?

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Southwest Rapid Rewards points do not expire. U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve points also do not expire as long as your account remains open and in good standing.

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