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Citi Strata Elite Card vs U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite

Both are travel travel cards. The Citi Strata Elite Card comes from Citi at $595/yr; the U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite from U.S. Bank at $400/yr. Below: side-by-side specs, an opinionated verdict, and the FAQs people actually ask before applying.

Bottom line

For most people the Citi Strata Elite Card is the stronger pick today — the sign-up bonus is meaningfully larger ($690 more in estimated value) than the U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite's. Get the Citi Strata Elite Card first; revisit the U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite after you've earned that bonus.

FeatureCiti Strata Elite CardU.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite
Annual fee$595$400
Sign-up bonus80,000 points50,000 points
Bonus value (est.)$1,440$750
Min spend to unlock bonus$6,000 in 3 mo$4,500 in 3 mo
IssuerCitiU.S. Bank
Card categorytraveltravel
Best earning category (Hotels_citi)12x1x
Transfer partnersciti-tyNone
Headline benefits
  • 12x on Citi hotels
  • $300 hotel + $200 Splurge + $200 Blacklane
  • 4 Admirals Club passes
  • Citi TY transfer to 16 partners
  • $325 annual travel credit
  • 5x mobile wallet travel + dining
  • 8 Priority Pass visits/year
  • 12 Gogo in-flight passes
Read the full review
Citi Strata Elite Card
$595/yr · 80,000 points
Read the full review
U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite
$400/yr · 50,000 points

Editorial take: Citi Strata Elite Card

Citi's premium answer to Amex Platinum + Sapphire Reserve. The 12x on Citi-booked hotels is the best earning rate in the category; the $200 Blacklane and 4 Admirals Club passes are differentiated perks. $595 fee penciled out if you'll actually use the hotel + Splurge credits.

Editorial take: U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite

The hidden-gem premium card for mobile-wallet users — 5x on travel + dining via Apple Pay or Google Pay is the strongest single earning multiplier available. The $325 travel credit applies broadly (almost anything coded as travel or dining). Worth the $400 fee for anyone who taps to pay.

Common questions

Which card has the bigger sign-up bonus, Citi Strata Elite Card or U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite?
The Citi Strata Elite Card has the bigger bonus — 80,000 points, worth roughly $1,440, versus 50,000 points (~$750) on the U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite.
Is the Citi Strata Elite Card's $595 annual fee worth it compared to the U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite?
Premium cards like the Citi Strata Elite Card ($595/yr) earn their fee through credits — travel, dining, lounge access, statement reimbursements. If you'd actively use $595+ of those credits, the math works. The U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite at $400/yr trades some perks for a lower commitment.
Can I have both the Citi Strata Elite Card and U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite?
Yes, since they're from different issuers (Citi and U.S. Bank) the application rules don't conflict. Many points enthusiasts hold both — they pair well when one earns flexible bank points and the other earns a different currency.
Should I get the Citi Strata Elite Card or the U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite first?
Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. Citi Strata Elite Card: $6,000 spend in 3 months. U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite: $4,500 in 3 months. Pick the easier minimum spend if you're new to points; pick the larger bonus if you have planned big purchases coming up.

Card details on this page reflect the most recent data we've verified against the issuer's own site. Sign-up bonuses and fees can change at any time — confirm the current offer on the issuer's page before applying.