Is the U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite Card worth it?

The break-even math

Subtract the $355 of printed statement credits from the $400 fee and $45 is left to earn back through rewards. At its top rate — 3x on travel, valuing U.S. Bank points at 1.00¢ — you'd need about $1,500 of travel spending a year just to break even.

The credits you'd need to use

• Annual travel/dining statement credit — $325/year (annual)
• Global Entry / TSA PreCheck application fee credit — $30/year (once every 4 years)

Credits with a monthly or quarterly cadence expire if unused — that's where most of the printed value quietly disappears.

The verdict

A close call. $1,500 of travel spending isn't a stretch for many households, so this card earns out for steady spenders in that category — and loses to a no-fee card for everyone below that line.

If the answer is no, downgrade — don't cancel

You do not have to choose between paying $400 and closing the account. U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite Card can normally be product-changed to two lower-fee cards in the U.S. Bank Altitude family — the cheapest is U.S. Bank Altitude Connect Visa Signature Card at no annual fee, saving $400 a year while the account, its age and its credit line stay on your report.

The catch on that one: No fee, still earns U.S. Bank points, without the Real-Time Mobile Rewards redemption bonus.

What does the U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite Card downgrade to? See all 2 options →

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