U.S. Bank Altitude Go vs. Capital One Savor: Savor May Be Slightly Sweeter
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The U.S. Bank Altitude® Go Visa Signature® Card and the Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card are both great cards for foodies, with each boasting an outstanding 4X back on dining purchases.
Though you’ll pay a $95 fee to carry the Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card, the heightened rewards you’ll earn in popular spending categories like grocery stores, entertainment and streaming services could outweigh the fee for most.
The U.S. Bank Altitude® Go Visa Signature® Card does not charge an annual fee, but in turn, the card is not as rewarding on grocery store purchases — a large chunk of household spending for many. Plus, it doesn’t earn as much cash back on entertainment charges and streaming services, though it does offer an annual streaming credit that helps offset the lower rewards.
Still, the U.S. Bank Altitude® Go Visa Signature® Card is a better choice if you’re looking to take advantage of a 0% APR intro period, or you’re just plain fee-averse.
Here's how to decide which is right for you.
on US Bank's website
Earn a one-time $300 cash bonus once you spend $3,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening.
Earn 20,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 in eligible purchases within the first 90 days of account opening.
4% on dining, entertainment and streaming services.
3% at grocery stores.
1% on other spending.
4 points per $1 spent on dining.
2 points per $1 at grocery stores, gas stations, EV charging stations and on eligible streaming services.
1 point per $1 on all other spending.
The ongoing APR is 19.99%, 26.24% or 29.99%, Variable APR.
0% intro APR for 12 billing cycles on purchases and balance transfers, and then the ongoing APR of 18.24%-29.24% Variable APR.
3%.
Either 3% of the amount of each transfer or $5 minimum, whichever is greater.
None.
None.
None.
$15.
At a glance
The main value proposition for both cards is a huge rewards rate on dining. The Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card earns straight-up cash back. The U.S. Bank Altitude® Go Visa Signature® Card earns points that can be redeemed for, among other things, cash back at a value of a penny each. So either way, the 4X rate on dining is the same.
But there are differences in annual fees and other details, all of which may play into your decision.
Why the Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card is better for most
To put it simply, the Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card excels in more places, not just at restaurants. And those richer rewards can, for many, outweigh the card's annual fee.
Grocery stores
Yes, both cards earn generous 4X rewards on dining. But the Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card is also quite appetizing for those who cook meals at home, thanks to its 3X rewards rate at grocery stores.
By comparison, the U.S. Bank Altitude® Go Visa Signature® Card, earns on 2X back at grocery stores. That may not sound like much of difference, but it can add up over time.
Entertainment and streaming
If you enjoy frequent nights out on the town, the Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card has the edge. It earns a stellar 4% cash back on entertainment, including ticket purchases made at:
Movie theaters.
Professional and semi-professional live sporting events.
Theatrical events.
Amusement parks and tourist attractions.
Aquariums and zoos.
Dance halls.
Record stores.
Pool halls.
Bowling alleys.
Exclusions apply, including golf courses and collegiate sporting events. But the point is that the U.S. Bank Altitude® Go Visa Signature® Card doesn't feature "entertainment purchases" as a bonus rewards category, so you'll earn only 1X back with it on these kinds of transactions.
The Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card also earns 4X rewards on eligible music and video streaming services like Netflix, Disney+ and Hulu. Note that services like Prime Video, AT&T TV and Verizon FIOS On Demand are not eligible.
The U.S. Bank Altitude® Go Visa Signature® Card earns only 2X back on eligible streaming (although it does offer an annual streaming credit, unlike the Savor).
How the rewards add up
According to 2019 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average American household spends the following each year:
$4,643 on groceries.
$3,526 on dining out.
$3,050 on entertainment.
$2,094 on gas.
Additionally, J.D. Power shows the average American household spends $47 per month on streaming services as of December 2020, for a total of $564 per year.
Let’s take a look at how these cards stack up in rewards for popular spending categories, based on those averages:
Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card | U.S. Bank Altitude® Go Visa Signature® Card | |
|---|---|---|
Rewards from grocery stores | $139 | $93 |
Rewards from restaurants | $141 | $141 |
Rewards from entertainment | $122 | $31 |
Rewards from gas | $21 | $42 |
Rewards from streaming services | $23 | $11 |
Streaming credit | $0 | $15 |
Annual fee | $95 | $0 |
1-year value | $351 | $333 |
Where the U.S. Bank Altitude® Go Visa Signature® Card shines
There's no annual fee
This is a stark difference between these products: You can either earn 4X back on dining while paying nothing to hold the card, or 4X back on dining for a $95 annual fee.
If you don’t spend much on entertainment or grocery store purchases, the rewards from the Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card may not outweigh its annual fee.
In the first year, that can be less of an issue, because the Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card offers a bonus that's $100 richer (though the spending requirement to get it is also higher).
You'll get a 0% intro APR period
If you’re looking to finance a big purchase, the U.S. Bank Altitude® Go Visa Signature® Card also has the edge. You’ll get a low introductory APR on purchases and balance transfers: 0% intro APR for 12 billing cycles on purchases and balance transfers, and then the ongoing APR of 18.24%-29.24% Variable APR.
The Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card has no such intro APR offer.
Bonus earnings for your commute, plus streaming credit
If you have a long commute or you’re taking road trips, the U.S. Bank Altitude® Go Visa Signature® Card revs ahead. You’ll earn 2X rewards at gas stations and EV charging stations.
And though it earns 2X on streaming services (compared to 4X on the Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card), the U.S. Bank Altitude® Go Visa Signature® Card offers a $15 annual credit for such purchases, which can be useful.
Information related to the Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card has been collected by NerdWallet and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this card.
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