Finding the right rewards credit card can feel like a tough task. This PenFed Pathfinder® Rewards Visa Signature® Card review will help you understand how the card works to determine if it’s right for you.
PenFed Pathfinder® Rewards Visa Signature® Card Highlights
- $95 annual fee unless you’re an Honors Advantage Member
- 0% APR only on balance transfers for 12 months
- Pays 3x to 4x per dollar on travel purchases
- Pays 1.5x per dollar on all other purchases
- Offers many travel benefits
- You cannot redeem rewards for cash
PenFed Pathfinder® Rewards Visa Signature® Card: Main Benefits & Perks
Anyone can become a PenFed Credit Union member, and the PenFed Pathfinder® Rewards Visa Signature® Card has many benefits you could enjoy, including the following.
0% Intro APR
All new cardholders can take advantage of a 0% balance transfer APR for 12 months. While there is a 3% balance transfer fee of the amount transferred, if you pay the balance off within 12 months, you won’t pay interest.
Pays Cash Back
Cardholders can earn cashback on purchases made with the PenFed Pathfinder® Rewards Visa Signature® Card.
If you’re a PenFed Honors Advantage member, you can earn 4x points on travel purchases, and all other cardholders earn 3x points. All cardholders also earn 1.5 points on all other purchases.
- Keep Reading: Best Cash Back Credit Cards
50,000 Point Bonus
The PenFed Pathfinder® Rewards Visa Signature® Card pays a 50,000 point bonus to new cardholders if you spend $3,000 in the first 90 days you have the card.
No Annual fee for PenFed Honors Advantage Members
If you’re a PenFed Honors Advantage member there is no annual fee. You can be an Honors Advantage member if you’re in the military or have a PenFed checking account. If not, the annual fee is $95 per year.
- Keep Reading: Are Annual Fee Credit Cards Worth It?
Travel Benefits
All PenFed Pathfinder® Rewards Visa Signature® Card customers can access a $100 annual domestic flight statement credit, $100 Global Entry or $85 TSA Precheck® statement credit, and a free Priority Pass Airport Lounge Annual Membership.
- Keep Reading: Best Travel Rewards Credit Cards
Discounts
Your PenFed membership provides access to exclusive discounts on financial products and loans at PenFed. It also provides access to exclusive deals and promo codes to partner retailers, restaurants, and entertainment venues.
Complimentary Concierge Services
All PenFed Pathfinder® Rewards Visa Signature® Card customers can access complimentary concierge services. The service is available 24/7 and can help with travel, dining, and entertainment questions and reservations.
PenFed Pathfinder® Rewards Visa Signature® Card: Main Drawbacks
Like all credit cards, the PenFed Pathfinder® Rewards Visa Signature® Card has some drawbacks.
Promotional APR is on Balance Transfers Only
The PenFed Pathfinder® Rewards Visa Signature® Card doesn’t offer a promotional APR on purchases. You’ll need to look at your alternatives if you were hoping to get it to make a large purchase without interest.
Has an Annual Fee
You will pay a $95 annual fee unless you are an Honors Advantage member. Determining how much you’d earn in rewards is important to ensure the $95 fee is worth it.
No Cash Rewards Option
Many rewards credit cards allow the option to redeem your points for cash, but the PenFed Pathfinder® Rewards Visa Signature® Card doesn’t offer that option. You may only redeem your rewards for gift cards, travel, experiences, Apple Store pay, or charitable contributions.
Who is the PenFed Pathfinder® Rewards Visa Signature® Card Best For?
The PenFed Pathfinder® Rewards Visa Signature® Card works best for existing PenFed members with a PenFed checking account. You automatically become an Honors Advantage member, which means you won’t pay an annual fee and earn higher rewards on travel.
Best Alternatives to PenFed Pathfinder® Rewards Visa Signature® Card
If the PenFed Pathfinder® Rewards Visa Signature® Card review makes this PenFed card not seem ideal for you, here are some alternatives.
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Like the PenFed Pathfinder card, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® card charges a $95 annual fee. However, it pays 5x points on travel booked through Chase, 2x on other travel purchases, 3x on dining, grocery, and streaming services, and 1x points on everything else.
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® card also offers a great welcome bonus of 60,000 points. You must spend $4,000 in three months to get it.
Citi Premier® Card
The Citi Premier® card charges a $95 annual fee but pays a flat 3x points on travel, dining, grocery, and gas purchases. You can earn 1x points on everything else. The Citi Premier® card pays 60,000 bonus points. To earn it, you must spend $4,000 in the first three months, which is equal to a $600 gift card at thankyou.com.
Bank of America® Travel Rewards Card
The Bank of America® Travel Rewards card doesn’t have an annual fee, and you earn 1.5 points on all purchases, with no limit. Bank of America offers a 0% APR for 15 months.
You can use it on purchases, balance transfers, and a 25,000-point bonus if you spend $1,000 in the first 90 days.
- Keep Reading: Best Bank of America® Credit Cards
Frequently Asked Questions
PenFed Pathfinder® Rewards Visa Signature® Card has many benefits. Here are some common questions we hear about it.
Is the PenFed Pathfinder® Rewards Visa Signature® Card a Good First-Time Credit Card?
If you travel often and have great credit, the PenFed Pathfinder® Rewards Visa Signature® Card can be a good first-time credit card. However, if you’re still building credit or don’t travel often, you may be better off with other alternatives, like the Discover it® credit card.
Does the PenFed Pathfinder® Rewards Visa Signature® Card Have a Cash Back or Rewards Program?
Yes, you can earn rewards with the PenFed Pathfinder® Rewards Visa Signature® Card, especially if you like to travel.
The card pays the highest reward (3x points for travel) plus 1.5x points on all other purchases. You can earn 4x points on travel purchases if you’re an Honors Advantage member.
Does the PenFed Pathfinder® Rewards Visa Signature® Card Have an Intro Apr Offer on Balance Transfers?
Yes, the PenFed Pathfinder® Rewards Visa Signature® Card has a 0% APR. However, it is only on balance transfers for 12 months. But they charge a 3% balance transfer fee, so be sure it makes sense to transfer the balance.
Does the PenFed Pathfinder® Rewards Visa Signature® Card Card Do a Hard Pull?
Yes, PenFed does a hard credit pull to see if you qualify for the credit card. The inquiry will drop your credit score a few points, but you can get it back up with proper credit card usage.
How Do I Get the PenFed Pathfinder® Rewards Visa Signature® Card Card Sign-up Bonus?
To earn the PenFed Pathfinder® Rewards Visa Signature® Card sign-up bonus, you must spend $3,000 on your PenFed credit card within 90 days of approval.
Does the PenFed Pathfinder® Rewards Visa Signature® Card Have Pre-Approval?
Yes, you can see if you are pre-qualified for the PenFed card. There is no risk to your credit score.
If you’re approved and want to accept the card, you must become a PenFed member, which means that you must open a PenFed savings account with at least a $5 opening deposit.
Can I Use the PenFed Pathfinder® Rewards Visa Signature® Card Anywhere?
You can use the PenFed Pathfinder® Rewards Visa Signature® Card anywhere Visa is accepted, which means thousands of retailers and restaurants.
Can I Withdraw Cash From the PenFed Pathfinder® Rewards Visa Signature® Card?
You can get cash advances with the PenFed Pathfinder® Rewards Visa Signature® Card; however, any cash advances do not count towards rewards, including the sign-up bonus purchase requirement.
Is the PenFed Pathfinder® Rewards Visa Signature® Card Best for You?
If you love to travel and are a PenFed member, the PenFed Pathfinder® Rewards Visa Signature® Card makes sense. It’s a great card with no annual fee if you are an Honors Advantage Member.
However, if you don’t want to bother with joining a credit union or don’t travel often, there are many other reward credit card options to consider.
