Key Points

• U.S. Bank has launched its first-ever transfer partners for the Altitude Reserve card, adding Flying Blue, Accor, Qantas, and Ethiopian Airlines ShebaMiles.
• Cardholders can now move points to airline and hotel loyalty programs instead of redeeming at a fixed 1 cent per point, potentially unlocking significantly more value.
• The Altitude Reserve is closed to new applicants, so current cardholders should explore these partners now while watching for signs the program expands further.

Introduction

U.S. Bank just did something it has never done before. The bank added airline and hotel transfer partners to the U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite Card, giving existing cardholders a new way to stretch their points beyond the standard 1 cent per point redemption rate. If you have held onto this card through its recent devaluations, this is the update you've been waiting for. Here's what changed, why it matters, and what to do next if you're sitting on a stash of Altitude Reserve points.

What Happened

U.S. Bank officially added airline and hotel transfer partners to the U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite Card for the first time, a move first reported by Frequent Miler. The bank had promised transfer partners were "coming soon" since the card underwent major benefit changes in 2024 and 2025, including restricting the annual travel credit to purchases made through the bank's own Travel Center and cutting redemption value from 1.5 cents to 1 cent per point.

The card now has four transfer partners:

• Air France-KLM Flying Blue at a 1:1 ratio
• Accor Live Limitless at a 2:1 ratio
• Qantas Frequent Flyer at a 1:1 ratio
• Ethiopian Airlines ShebaMiles at a 1:1 ratio

Flying Blue, Qantas, and Accor are familiar names if you've transferred points before. ShebaMiles is the surprise here. It's an unusual addition that most points enthusiasts have never had access to through a US card. You can confirm current transfer ratios and terms directly on U.S. Bank's Altitude Reserve program page before initiating any transfer.

Why This Matters for Altitude Reserve Cardholders

For years, Altitude Reserve points were only good for fixed-value redemptions through the bank's portal. That changed the math on the card entirely once the redemption rate dropped to 1 cent per point. Transfer partners change that equation again, because they give cardholders the ability to potentially get more value from their points by transferring to loyalty programs instead of taking the fixed-value option.

If you have been sitting on Altitude Reserve points since the 2024 and 2025 changes, this is the reason to finally put them to use. Flying Blue in particular has some well-known sweet spots, including short-haul Delta flights within the US for as few as 5,000 miles each way.

There's also a notable name missing from the list. U.S. Bank issues the Korean Air SkyPass cards, yet SkyPass isn't part of this initial rollout, which is notable given how uncommon it is as a transfer partner and that Korean Air left the Chase Ultimate Rewards program back in 2018.

What You Should Do Now

If you still have the Altitude Reserve, log into your account and check your points balance before deciding on a redemption strategy. A few practical steps:

• Compare the value of transferring to Flying Blue, Accor, Qantas, or ShebaMiles against the 1 cent fixed redemption rate for any upcoming trip you're planning.
• Research Flying Blue's short-haul Delta sweet spots if you have domestic travel coming up, since those redemptions can beat cash value significantly.
• Watch for further announcements, since it's unclear whether this is simply fulfilling a long-standing promise to existing cardholders or the start of a broader transferable rewards strategy at the bank.

One important caveat: the Altitude Reserve isn't currently open to new applicants and hasn't been for some time. If you don't already have the card, you can't apply for it to access these new partners. For readers who want into the U.S. Bank ecosystem now, the U.S. Bank Altitude Connect Visa Signature Card is still accepting new applicants and earns 4 points per dollar on travel and gas. If dining is more your speed, the U.S. Bank Altitude Go Visa Signature Card earns 4 points per dollar on dining, takeout, and delivery. Neither card carries transfer partners yet, but both put you in position if U.S. Bank does expand the program further.

FAQ

Can I still apply for the U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve card?
No. The card is closed to new applicants, so these transfer partners are only useful to people who already hold the card.

Will U.S. Bank add more transfer partners in the future?
There's no confirmation either way. U.S. Bank hasn't said whether Korean Air SkyPass or other programs will join the lineup, but the move suggests the bank may be building out a broader transferable rewards strategy.

Are U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve points still worth 1 cent each?
Yes, the fixed-value redemption rate through the bank's Travel Center remains 1 cent per point. Transfer partners now give you an alternative when that rate doesn't get you the best value.

Conclusion

U.S. Bank finally delivered on a promise years in the making, and Altitude Reserve cardholders now have a real reason to hold onto their points instead of settling for fixed-value redemptions. Whether this is a one-off benefit for a legacy card or the start of something bigger for U.S. Bank remains to be seen. If you have an Altitude Reserve card, check out our U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve 75,000 point bonus breakdown for more on the card's history, and see our guide to the best U.S. Bank credit cards if you're looking for a card that's actually open to new applicants today. This article contains affiliate links. If you apply through our links, we may earn a commission at no cost to you, which helps us continue sharing points and miles strategies with the community.