I got the USBAR two years ago. loved it and used it for everything. with the nerf, I’m not interested in keeping it. my renewal is coming up and I’m wondering if I should close it or switch to the altitude connect.
i am planning a couple trips and I usually use Amex daily, but as I’ve been booking hotels and other things overseas, Amex isn’t often accepted. would the altitude connect be a good option here for general spend outside the country?
my only other no ftf visa is the Prime Visa. so for simplicity I could probably just use that and close the US Bank account, but I wanted to see if anybody has good experience actually using the altitude connect outside the US.
USBAR to Altitude Connect or just close the card?
byu/Alternative_Lead_442 inCreditCards
Posted by Alternative_Lead_442
6 Comments
I’m in the same boat. Annual fee posts soon so am using up points with RTR and will try to PC. Trying to debate between the Altitude Connect or the Cash+.
The Altitude Connect isn’t really a daily use card. You *could* use it for general spending and it would be fine, but there are better catch-all cards. No issues with booking overseas hotels though, it works fine and earns category multipliers. There are other nice benefits not on many other cards, like Priority Pass restaurants and free global eSIMs (5GB every 15 days). Since there’s no AF and you already have a credit line open, might as well PC and give it a try. If you don’t like managing the account and want other cards instead, you can always close it later.
The USBAC is a solid travel card IMO. 4X general travel, Visa signature so it’s widely accepted, and it comes with underrated perks like PP restaurants / experiences, SmartDelay, GigSky benefits, and travel protections. The card offers a lot for $0AF. Since the card doesn’t cost you anything I say give it a try.
I downgraded to Altitude Connect and I’m glad I did. I think it’s easily the best travel card for no annual fee. It has great benefits you won’t find in cards that cost $95 such as 4 priority pass lounge visits, flight delay benefits that include free lounge visits, and a free eSim. It’s also hard to beat 4% on travel and gas.
I’ve had difficult PCing to the Altitude Connect. They’ve rejected it the 2 times I’ve called so far.
I PC to the Altitude Connect just so I could preserve the additional Priority Pass membership to access the Chase Sapphire Lounge, but I’m not putting any spend on it. There are also other unique travel perks on the AC like GigSky (5GB every 15-days) and SmartDelay, unheard of for a $0 AF card.