Which card earns more rewards, the U.S. Bank Altitude Connect Visa Signature Card or U.S. Bank Smartly Visa Signature Card?

The U.S. Bank Altitude Connect Visa Signature Card has a higher base earn rate (1X vs 0X), but both cards have different bonus categories where they excel.

What benefits does the U.S. Bank Altitude Connect Visa Signature Card have that the U.S. Bank Smartly Visa Signature Card doesn't?

The U.S. Bank Altitude Connect Visa Signature Card offers lounge access. The U.S. Bank Smartly Visa Signature Card focuses more on earn rates than premium perks.

Should I get the U.S. Bank Altitude Connect Visa Signature Card or the U.S. Bank Smartly Visa Signature Card?

Both cards have the same $0/yr fee. Choose based on which bonus categories match your spending — check the earn rate comparison above.

U.S. Bank Altitude Connect Visa Signature Card vs U.S. Bank Smartly Visa Signature Card

Both cards cost $0/yr. The U.S. Bank Altitude Connect Visa Signature Card leads on car rentals; the U.S. Bank Smartly Visa Signature Card on everyday spending.

Card data as of September 27, 2026.

U.S. Bank Altitude Connect Visa Signature Card

U.S. Bank

U.S. Bank Smartly Visa Signature Card

U.S. Bank

Fees & Welcome Offer

Annual Fee

Welcome Bonus

20,000 points

$200 cash back

Earn Rates

Category	U.S. Bank Altitude Connect Visa Signature Card	U.S. Bank Smartly Visa Signature Card
Gas Stations	4X	1X
Travel

Category-by-Category Winner

The U.S. Bank Altitude Connect Visa Signature Card wins in 4 of 4 categories. The U.S. Bank Smartly Visa Signature Card leads in 0. 3 more categories depend on booking channel or caps.

Car Rentals

Depends: via the Altitude Rewards Center

U.S. Bank Altitude Connect Visa Signature Card earns 5X when conditions are met; U.S. Bank Smartly Visa Signature Card earns 1X (1X without restrictions)

Hotels

Depends: via the Altitude Rewards Center

U.S. Bank Altitude Connect Visa Signature Card earns 5X when conditions are met; U.S. Bank Smartly Visa Signature Card earns 1X (1X without restrictions)

Travel

U.S. Bank Altitude Connect Visa Signature Card earns 4X vs 1X

Gas Stations

Depends: up to $1,000/quarter

U.S. Bank Altitude Connect Visa Signature Card earns 4X when conditions are met; U.S. Bank Smartly Visa Signature Card earns 1X (1X without restrictions)

Dining

U.S. Bank Altitude Connect Visa Signature Card earns 2X vs 1X

Streaming

U.S. Bank Altitude Connect Visa Signature Card earns 2X vs 1X

Grocery Stores

The Bottom Line

Both scenarios favor the U.S. Bank Altitude Connect Visa Signature Card on net value (rewards, usable credits, fees, and welcome offer).

Frequently Asked Questions

Which card earns more rewards, the U.S. Bank Altitude Connect Visa Signature Card or U.S. Bank Smartly Visa Signature Card?: The U.S. Bank Altitude Connect Visa Signature Card has a higher base earn rate (1X vs 0X), but both cards have different bonus categories where they excel.
What benefits does the U.S. Bank Altitude Connect Visa Signature Card have that the U.S. Bank Smartly Visa Signature Card doesn't?: The U.S. Bank Altitude Connect Visa Signature Card offers lounge access. The U.S. Bank Smartly Visa Signature Card focuses more on earn rates than premium perks.
Should I get the U.S. Bank Altitude Connect Visa Signature Card or the U.S. Bank Smartly Visa Signature Card?: Both cards have the same $0/yr fee. Choose based on which bonus categories match your spending — check the earn rate comparison above.

Explore More

U.S. Bank Altitude Connect Visa Signature Card — Full Review All U.S. Bank Cards

U.S. Bank Smartly Visa Signature Card — Full Review All U.S. Bank Cards

Browse all comparisons →Browse all card categories →

Official issuer pages: U.S. Bank cards

Pros & Cons

Pros

+5X points on prepaid hotels/cars via U.S. Bank Travel Center
+4X points on travel and gas (up to $1,000/quarter on gas)
+2X points on dining, streaming, and groceries
+No annual fee
+No foreign transaction fees

+Up to 4% cash back on all purchases with full U.S. Bank relationship
+No annual fee even at highest earning tier
+$250 welcome bonus after $1,000 spend in 120 days
+Visa Signature benefits including extended warranty, purchase protection, and rental car CDW
+Simple flat-rate structure eliminates category tracking

Cons

−5X rate requires booking through U.S. Bank portal
−$1,000 quarterly cap on 4X gas rewards
−Grocery/gas bonus excludes big-box stores and warehouse clubs
−Points expire after 12 months of no activity

−Requires U.S. Bank Smartly Checking + Savings accounts to earn maximum 4% rate
−Base 2% rate without relationship bonuses is below best flat-rate competitors
−Smartly Earning Bonus capped at $10,000 in purchases per billing cycle (spend above earns the 2% base)
−3% foreign transaction fee limits international utility
−Must maintain multiple U.S. Bank accounts to maximize value

Year One vs Ongoing Value

Modeled net value (bonus categories at unconditional rates, caps applied). Spend mix: dining 15%, groceries 15%, gas 10%, travel 10%, everything else 50%. Statement credits use the same recurring usable estimates as each card's detail page; first-year-only credits count in year one only. Welcome offers valued at each card's program rate shown on this page.