Chase Freedom Unlimited vs U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite
Head-to-head comparison of every feature, fee, and perk
At a Glance
Annual Fee
No annual fee
vs
$400
Base Rewards
1.5%
vs
1x
Sign-Up Bonus
$200
vs
$750
Editor Score
8/10
vs
8/10
Detailed Comparison
| Category wins | 4/6 | 2/6 |
| Fees & APR | ||
| Annual Fee | No annual fee★ Lowest | $400✗ Highest |
| Purchase APR | 20.49% – 29.24% | 22.24% – 29.24% |
| Intro APR (Purchases) | 0% · 15 mo | |
| Intro APR (Balance Transfer) | 0% · 15 mo | |
| Foreign Txn Fee | 3%✗ Highest | None★ Lowest |
| Balance Transfer Fee | 3% | 3% |
| Rewards | ||
| Rewards Type | Cashback | Points |
| Base Rewards Rate | 1.5%★ Highest | 1x✗ Lowest |
| Bonus Categories | 5% Travel (Chase) · 3% Dining · 3% Drugstores | 5x Travel (booked via Altitude) · 5x Dining · 3x Travel purchases |
| Sign-Up Bonus | $200 value✗ Lowest | $750 value★ Highest |
| Eligibility | ||
| Credit Score | Good (670-749) | Excellent (750+) |
| Network | Visa | Visa |
| At a Glance | ||
| Best For | Everyday spending with no annual fee | Mobile payment users wanting premium travel perks |
| Ratings | ||
| User Rating | 4.6 / 5★ Highest | 4.3 / 5✗ Lowest |
| Editor Score | 8 / 10★ Highest | 8 / 10 |
| Apply Now | Apply | Apply |
| Full Review | View details → | View details → |
| Pros & Cons | ||
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Our verdict: Too close to call
The Chase Freedom Unlimited (no annual fee) and the U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite ($400/year) compete on different axes. The Chase Freedom Unlimited's strongest category is 5% on Travel (Chase), while the U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite leads with 5x on Travel (booked via Altitude). The U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite costs $400 more per year, so you need at least $400 in incremental rewards to justify it over the Chase Freedom Unlimited. At typical spend levels this breaks even somewhere between $12,000 and $24,000 in bonus-category purchases annually. Our model scores these cards effectively even (3-2). Pick the Chase Freedom Unlimited if you spend heavily on travel (chase); pick the U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite if you spend heavily on travel (booked via altitude).
Too close to call — pick based on your primary spending category
Dimension-by-dimension
| Dimension | Chase Freedom Unlimited | U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Fee | no annual fee | $400/year |
| Base Reward Rate | 1.5% on everything | 1x on everything |
| Top Bonus Category | 5% on Travel (Chase) | 5x on Travel (booked via Altitude) |
| Sign-Up Bonus | $200 after spending $500 in 3 months | 50,000 points after spending $4,500 in 3 months |
| Foreign Transaction Fee | 3% | 0% (none) |
| Credit Score Required | good | excellent |
Green checkmark indicates the card that leans stronger on that dimension. Our scoring model evaluates these quantitatively — your specific needs may shift the answer.
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Common Questions
Which is better: Chase Freedom Unlimited or U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite?
It depends on your spending habits. The Chase Freedom Unlimited has no annual fee and earns 1.5% base rewards. The U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite has a $400 annual fee and earns 1x base rewards. Compare their bonus categories above to see which aligns better with your spending.
What is the annual fee difference between Chase Freedom Unlimited and U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite?
The Chase Freedom Unlimited has no annual fee while the U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite has a $400 annual fee. The U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite costs $400 more per year, so it needs to deliver that much extra value in rewards and perks to justify the difference.
Can I have both the Chase Freedom Unlimited and U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite?
Yes, since these cards are from different issuers (Chase and U.S. Bank), you can hold both. Many people pair cards from different banks to maximize bonus category coverage across all their spending.