(Update 5/17/23: They’ve lowered the redemption threshold on car rentals and lodgings to $15o now; previously it was $250/$500 respectively. Hat tip to dnet4)
U.S. Bank has added some called “Real-Time Mobile Rewards”. This new feature allows you to redeem points for 1.5¢ on travel purchases and there is no need to use the U.S. Bank travel portal.
How To Activate
This feature needs to be activated to be usable. You’ll want to do the following:
Login on usbank.com
Click “My Rewards”
Click “Redeem Rewards & Access Card Benefits”
Click “Card Benefits”
Click “Real-Time Mobile Rewards”
Click “Activate”
Select the categories you’d like to enable (you’ll want to select the travel categories only)
You might also get 500 points for enrolling in real-time mobile rewards.
How It Works
After you’ve made a qualifying purchase you’ll receive a text message asking if you want to redeem points for it. You then select redeem to use points to pay for the purchase instead of cash. On travel purchases points will be worth 1.5¢ each, all other purchases and points are worth 1¢ each so I’d recommend you only select travel categories to avoid only getting 1¢ per point. There is also a minimum amount for some categories to eligible:
Lodging transactions must be at least $500 $150
Car rental transactions must be at least $250 $150
What Triggers The 1.5¢ Per Point?
Please share what purchases worked and didn’t work to trigger the 1.5¢ per point redemption and we will add them here.
Our Verdict
Previously it’s been possible to get 1.5¢ in value when booking through the U.S. Bank travel portal, now that isn’t necessary. This gives you a lot of added flexibility and also means you can:
Price compare
Stack other discounts and savings
Go through a shopping portal
This should be available on the U.S. Bank Altitude & Visa FlexPerks earning cards.
Hat tip to Frequent Miler