The annual fee on my US Bank Altitude Reserve has come and it is time to see if one of the best travel credit cards sticks around for year 2. This has been m go to card over the last year and is a solid Chase Sapphire Reserve replacement, but even with that in mind, did I cancel this travel credit card?
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35 comments
Hell yeah!
I applied for this and got denied. I called and they said too many recently opened accounts in the last 12 months. I'll try again next year!
Plot twist!
20 – 25K definitely..
Did you have to use IVF for baby #2?
So the aspire is more of a keeper? Would you shift more spend to aspire in lieu of AR? I don’t see anymore value in CSR that I can get for some other cards. Now, is the AR or Amex premium cRd better for travel insurance? I don’t include Citi because they cancelled that insurance. I’m thinking of Citi TY and Amex setups until I get BOA platinum honors in later years.
I was in suspense until the end thinking that you actually might finally be canceling the AR! Glad to see otherwise. The math made sense. You're the only Youtuber that I subscribe to that actively talks about this card. Unique content should also be a plus in you keeping the card another year! Cheers 🥂
It looks like they just added a 5X category for hotels and rental cars on the AR. Can you make a video on this? It might also make the card even better!
As long as they give 4.5% back at Costco, this is the card I'm gonna like.
1 million points!!!
1 million points!!!
Excellent analysis in your usual style. Thank you!
I think of you as “Waller’s Wallet Master of the US Bank Altitude Reserve”! Thank god it stays!!!
You did 50% BETTER THAN AS but he didn’t spend that much like u!
Perhaps u could have asked for 20K next year!
Does BofA offer retention points?
I'd asked for 50k then negotiated down…
I would have asked for 20,000 points expecting to settle for 10,000. You did awesome nonetheless.
Cutting back on travel to Japan this spring, makes the Amex Platinum instantly lose value during turbulent times. I'm hoping that by the Fall things will be back to normal, and 2020 is just an off year. I can definitely understand running the numbers, and would have asked for 15K in points too. I'm looking forward to September, and ditching my Bonvoy Brilliant.
20,000 points!
Wow! I'm glad you kept the card as I just got the AR also and like hearing data points! And that retention offer was SWEET! Same as what I would have asked for!!! (But now that I know … maybe I'll ask for 20k!)
Does UA has trip cancellation/ interruption a d delay like CSP/ CSR
Thoughts on BofA Asiana Credit card?
If you fly Asiana or *A partners for 30k miles in two years, and spend $2500/year on groceries and/or gas, you get *A Gold for US Lounge Access.
What did ya do with all those points you accumulated from the AR?
So in you're video where you talked about the AR failing you…I got to wondering something. The card has a hard AF of $400.00. I notice that your main complaint with the AR was 2-fold. 1. A sort of "marked up to show value" on the issuer's points… and 2. A seeming inability by USB to help you with this arbitrary de-valuation once you caught it and pointed it out. I too would be upset about exactly the same thing.. (doubling the price of an item the night before, and then having a BOGO sale the next day on the same item…). What concerns me about this whole saga is the following.
1. This pattern and practice has already been shown to be employed by USB for this card and that you have experienced it firsthand.
2. You had to ask TWICE for a retention offer.
3. They COULDN'T help you with your original problem of the devalued points issue that you legitimately complained about.
4. Apparently, through some "voodoo" authority that this one CSR had, (that did not exist when you complained) you were able to now tell them how many points it would take to retain you and POOF it happened.
5. It apparently was NEVER an option for them to waive or discount your HARD CASH Annual Fee of $400.00
It seems to me that USB is perfectly willing to play fast and loose with the points currency that THEY issue in order to salve over irritations that a client such as yourself pointed out, but when it comes to hard cash on the AF…well that's just not an option. I'm just asking the question…. don't you think they're just going to do this again to you if you repeat the same booking procedure you tried before that brought this whole issue to light? Is the 15k points really worth it in the long run if they just keep playing that same old tired game every time you try to book? Honestly, I think AMEX does the same things and Jake Broe pointed this out on one of his video's when he compared AMEX redemption to Chase redemption…. I wish you the best with the USB AR… Just wanted to mention these things…Just my 2 cents…
One of my favorite videos Dustin. Because we found out you and your wife are expecting a little one. That is truly a blessing. Here's to a healthy and happy baby! 🍾🥂🎉
Seems like you left money on the table, but still a winner. I’m sticking to my chase setup for now
At first, this looked like a really good alternative to the CSR, but running it still shows the Chase coming out on top. Much thanks.
One question, when I use real point mobile for 1.5 c, can I use that for the Expedia purchase?
Hi Justin, did you have to open a checkings account in order to apply for this card ? Also, how long did you have to keep that checkings opened for a period of time ?
Dustin- “Since we will still be traveling”
2020- you sure about that?
I would of asked for 25,000 big ones.
If I use the altitude Reserve at a grocery store using Apple Pay via my phone, do I get 3x?
Do another update on this card. Looks like it's been an year. Wonder if you used it at all
Man I got denied and had some rude CS for reconsideration hang up with me aftrr I said thank you for your time..
Do you still have your Altitude Reserve? Since it has discontinued new members, its customer service has really gone downhill. Did you chop or keep it again?!