US Bank Really Wants You To Work To Spend Your Points!

I have been spending some time as of late with booking travel with the points I earned from the US Bank Altitude Reserve card. While there are a few things I do not like about the system, I do love getting a nice 1.5 cent per point value on my tickets. Even more, I like that I actually just booked an award that left my account now at under 100 points – hard to do when you need to spend all points for the first person on a reservation! 🙂

US Bank Really Wants You To Work To Spend Your Points

But, there is one thing I have realized the more I play with the US Bank system – they really want you to work to spend those points, especially on travel! Here is a quick look at how many screens you need to go through with the following issuers before you can book an airline ticket (counting the login screen):

• American Express Membership Rewards – 3 screens (starting at membershiprewards.com)
• Chase Ultimate Rewards – 4 screens (counting the screen that lets you select the Chase card to use)
• US Bank Altitude Rewards – 8 screens (counting one screen for your username and then another for your password)

Yep, 8 screens to get to the page to book an airline ticket with your rewards! I have to say, that is pretty nuts! I have tried taking links along the way to see if I could bookmark – nope! Here is a quick photo look at the process:

In fact, once you have selected to redeem for rewards, you will have 3 more screens to click “Travel” on before you get to the final booking page!

Seriously, it is a little much! Both Chase and Amex handle it far better and US Bank could take a few pointers from them!

Anyone have a shortcut to the final booking page? 🙂