The U.S. Bank Altitude Go Secured Visa Card is a truly exceptional tool for your credit-building journey. It’s designed to help you not only rebuild a strong credit history but also to earn valuable rewards along the way, which is a rare and encouraging feature for a credit-builder card.
If you have had credit challenges in the past and are ready to write a new financial chapter, this card offers a fantastic opportunity. It provides a secure and reliable path to a better credit score while rewarding you for the everyday spending you’re already doing. With a $0 annual fee and a clear path to an unsecured card, this is a positive and empowering way to begin your comeback story.
U.S. Bank Altitude Go Secured Key Features for a Successful Comeback
- Earn on Everyday Spending: You earn 4 points per dollar on dining and 2 points per dollar on groceries and gas. These are often essential expenses, and this card gives you a significant return on them.
- Rewards as a Budgeting Tool: The points you earn can be redeemed for cash back as a statement credit. This is a fantastic way to help pay down your balance. For example, if you earn $10 in rewards in a month, that’s $10 less you have to pay out of your pocket, making it easier to pay your bill in full and on time.
- A Positive Feedback Loop: Seeing your rewards balance grow each month is a tangible and positive reinforcement of your good spending habits. It makes the process of rebuilding credit feel rewarding instead of like a chore.
- A Secure Path to Approval: Because this is a secured card, your approval is based on your ability to provide a refundable security deposit (from $300 to $5,000), not on your past credit score. This gives you a clear and reliable way to get an open line of credit when you need it most.
- Building Your History with All Three Bureaus: Your on-time payments are reported to all three major credit bureaus—Experian®, Equifax®, and TransUnion®. This is the most critical part of rebuilding your score, as it shows new lenders that you are a reliable borrower.
- The Ultimate Goal: Graduation: This is the light at the end of the tunnel. After about 12 months of responsible use, U.S. Bank may review your account and graduate you to an unsecured credit card. This is a huge milestone in your rebuilding journey. It means you’ve successfully proven your creditworthiness, and you get your full security deposit back.
- A $0 Annual Fee: When you’re rebuilding, you want to avoid unnecessary costs. This card has no annual fee, which is a huge benefit that helps you focus your resources on paying your bills.
Who Is This Rebuilding Tool For?
This card is a perfect choice for a U.S. resident who:
- Has a poor or limited credit history and is committed to rebuilding.
- Has a stable financial situation that allows them to provide a refundable security deposit of at least $300.
- Wants the motivation of earning excellent rewards while they work on their credit.
- Is at least 18 years old and has a valid Social Security Number.
How to Start Your Comeback Story with U.S. Bank Altitude Go Secured
- Visit the U.S. Bank Website: The first step is to go online and fill out the secure application.
- Provide Your Information: The application will ask for your personal and financial details.
- Fund Your Deposit: If you are approved, you will need to provide your security deposit. Think of this not as a fee, but as an investment in your own future.
- Begin Your New Chapter: Once your card arrives, you can activate it. The best strategy is to use it for a few small, regular purchases and to set up automatic payments to pay the full balance on time every month.
A Rebuilder’s Frequently Asked Questions
- I have a very low credit score. Can I still be approved for this card?
Yes, that is exactly who this card is designed for. Because it is a secured card, your credit score is not the primary factor for approval. Your ability to provide the security deposit is the most important part, which makes it very likely you will be approved. - How long will it take to see my credit score improve?
Rebuilding credit is a process that requires patience and consistency. You may start to see positive changes in your score after a few months of on-time payments being reported. However, you should plan on using the card responsibly for at least 6 to 12 months to see a significant and lasting improvement. - Is it better to get a card with no rewards to avoid the temptation to spend?
This is a personal decision. For some, a no-frills card is better. However, the Altitude Go Secured card rewards you for essential spending like groceries and gas. For many rebuilders, getting a 2-4% discount on these necessary purchases in the form of cash back can actually help their budget. - What if I am not offered graduation after a year?
Don’t be discouraged. It may just mean you need a little more time to build a longer track record of positive history. Continue to use the secured card responsibly. Every on-time payment you make is another positive mark on your credit report and another step forward on your comeback journey.
