Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority 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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Here’s a breakdown of why we like the U.S. Bank Altitude® Reserve Visa Infinite®.

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• It offers a high rewards rate on both travel and mobile wallet purchases.
• While the card has an annual fee, it doesn't charge foreign transaction fees, making it a solid choice for international travel.
• The card's substantial annual travel credit significantly offsets the annual fee, bringing your effective cost down to just $75 if you use the full credit (publisher-formulated estimate).

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Pros

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• Includes a complimentary Priority Pass™ Select membership, which grants access to airport lounges.
• Offers a statement credit to cover the application fee for either Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®.
• Features flexible redemption options like Real-Time Rewards, allowing you to instantly use points to cover recent purchases.

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Cons

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• It has a high annual fee, which may be difficult for infrequent travelers to justify.
• Applicants must have an existing relationship with U.S. Bank to be eligible for the card.
• Compared to other premium travel cards, it has limited transfer partners, which restricts point redemption flexibility.

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

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Categories

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When considering premium travel cards, the question of which is better, Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority or U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve, often comes down to brand loyalty versus spending flexibility.

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• Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card: This card is ideal for frequent Southwest flyers and families who can take full advantage of the airline's network and flexible policies, especially those pursuing the Companion Pass®.
• U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite Card: This card is tailored for frequent travelers who are also tech-savvy, offering strong rewards on mobile wallet purchases and flexible redemption options.

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Redemption

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Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card: Points are redeemed directly within the Southwest Rapid Rewards program, primarily for flights, but also for other travel-related purchases like hotels and car rentals. This makes it a straightforward system for travelers loyal to the airline.

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U.S. Bank Altitude® Reserve Visa Infinite® Card: This card provides more flexible redemption options, allowing points to be used for travel, cash back, gift cards, and merchandise. Points hold a higher value when redeemed for travel booked through the bank's rewards portal.

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Travel Perks

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• Travel Portal: The U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve offers a proprietary rewards portal where points are worth more when used for travel redemptions. The Southwest Priority card's ecosystem is the Southwest Airlines website and app, where points are redeemed directly for flights and other travel.
• Lounge Access: Cardholders get a complimentary Priority Pass Select membership with the Altitude Reserve, providing access to a global network of lounges. The Southwest Priority card does not offer any lounge access benefits.
• Foreign Transaction Fees: Both cards are excellent choices for international travel, as neither charges foreign transaction fees.
• Travel Credits & Perks: The Altitude Reserve provides an annual credit for travel and dining, plus a statement credit for a TSA PreCheck or Global Entry application fee. The Southwest Priority card offers an annual Southwest travel credit, upgraded boardings, and helps you qualify for the valuable Companion Pass®.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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For those looking to make a data-driven decision, Kudos offers a comprehensive platform that evaluates nearly 3,000 credit cards, providing personalized recommendations and side-by-side comparisons.

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• Simulate potential earnings from any credit card using your actual spending data—before you apply—with the 'Test Drive' feature. This provides annual rewards projections and net value calculations without a hard credit pull.
• Receive a detailed analysis of your approval odds for a card based on your credit report.
• Benefit from a welcome offer guarantee, where Kudos will match a better public offer if you find one within three months of approval.
• Unlock extra rewards like the $100 Kudos Kickstart+ for adding eligible cards to your wallet or earn Kudos Boost rewards when shopping at partner stores.
• Manage all your cards in one place, tracking spending, monitoring your credit score, and staying on top of card perks.

Who Should Choose the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority?

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The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card is tailor-made for loyalists who frequently fly with the airline and can maximize its travel credits and perks. It’s particularly valuable for travelers aiming to fast-track their way to A-List status or the coveted Companion Pass® through credit card spending. This card also suits families and domestic travelers who primarily fly routes on Southwest's extensive network, including occasional trips to Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central America.

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

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The U.S. Bank Altitude® Reserve Visa Infinite® is an excellent choice for existing U.S. Bank customers who travel frequently and can maximize the card's premium benefits. It particularly suits tech-savvy spenders who regularly use mobile wallets, as it offers a high rewards rate on these types of purchases. As detailed in this Altitude Reserve review, these cardholders can easily offset the annual fee by taking advantage of the generous annual travel credit and flexible redemption options.

Alternatives to Consider

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If our Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority vs. U.S. Bank Altitude® Reserve Visa Infinite® card comparison has left you feeling that neither is the right choice, other excellent options are available. Let's look at a few alternatives that might better suit your spending and travel style.

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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 a good to excellent credit history for approval.
• Review issuer-specific rules - Some cards, like the U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve, require an existing banking relationship to apply.
• Have a spending plan - Be sure you can comfortably meet any minimum spending requirements for a welcome offer.

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Application Strategy

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• Time your application wisely - Align it with a large planned purchase to help meet spending requirements naturally.
• Don’t settle for a lesser offer - Some application processes allow you to see and decline an offer without impacting your credit.
• Consider your long-term goals - A card like the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card is most valuable when aiming for specific perks like the Companion Pass®.

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 earning rewards on travel?

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The U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve offers a higher rewards rate on travel booked through its portal, while the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority card is tailored specifically for earning points on Southwest Airlines purchases. Your choice depends on whether you prefer booking flexibility or are loyal to Southwest.

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Can I use the points from these cards for anything other than travel?

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Yes, both cards offer redemption options beyond travel. U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve points can be redeemed for cash back or merchandise, and Southwest Rapid Rewards points can be used for gift cards and other experiences.

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Do both cards offer airport lounge access?

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The U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve provides a complimentary Priority Pass Select membership, offering access to over 1,300 airport lounges worldwide. The Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority card does not offer lounge access but provides other travel perks like upgraded boardings.

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