PenFed Pathfinder Rewards Visa Signature Card Review

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If you’re looking for a travel points card with solid rewards rates, a terrific welcome bonus, and a 0% intro APR on balance transfers, the PenFed Pathfinder® Rewards Visa Signature® Card is worth considering. PenFed Credit Union members are required to apply. PenFed Honors Advantage members will be eligible to earn more travel rewards and have their annual fee waived. 

Review: Is PenFed’s Pathfinder Rewards Visa Signature Card the best option for you?

If you are a Pentagon Federal (PenFed) Credit Union member (anyone can join), the PenFed Pathfinder® Rewards Visa Signature® Card could be a great fit for your wallet. It offers excellent rewards rates for all travel categories, up to 4x points per $ spent, and a decent flat rate reward earning on all purchases. For a modest $95 annual fee, cardholders can get unique redemption options as well as a variety of purchase and travel benefits. This is waived for Honors Advantage members.

Cardholders who spend $3,000 within the first 90 days after account opening can earn 50,000 bonus point (up to $500 value). Other benefits include a $100 domestic ancillary travel statement credit for domestic flights, access the Visa Signature Luxury Hotel Collection, Priority Pass annual membership (worth $99), up to $100 in statement credit towards Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fees, and no foreign transaction fee. 

The card also offers a promo APR of 0% on balance transfers for 12 month, which can be used within the first 90 days following account opening. A 3% fee is charged for each transaction (then a 17.99% APR to balance transfers, 17.99% Variable on purchases APR). This balance transfer offerThis is the best option for those who want to consolidate. pay down debtYou won’t have to pay high interest rates. The 0% intro APR deal does not apply for new purchases. It is therefore not suitable for those who have to pay large purchases over multiple billing cycles. 

The PenFed Pathfinder® Rewards Visa Signature® Card is best suited for PenFed Honors Advantage Members since they’ll earn an additional 1 point per dollar spent on travel purchases (a total of 4x points on all travel categories). PenFed honors Advantage members don’t need to pay an annual subscription.

Non-members won’t be eligible to earn higher rewards and will still need the annual fee. If you are not eligible for PenFed Honors Advantage, you might consider another program. travel rewards credit card. 

We are focusing here on the benefits and perks that come along with each card. These cards are not worth the expense if you have to pay late fees or interest. It’s important that you pay your credit card balance in full each month. Also, make timely payments and only spend what is necessary.

How to earn rewards using the PenFed Pathfinder Visa Signature

The PenFed Pathfinder® Rewards Visa Signature® Card earns unlimited points in all categories with no spending caps. Cardholders earn:

• 4x points for all travel categories, including hotels and car rentals (PenFed honors Advantage members only). 
• 3x points for all travel categories (if Honors Advantage is not a member)
• 1.5x points for all other purchases

Your points will be credited at the end of each billing cycle in which they were earned. 

How to use the PenFed Pathfinder Visa Signature Rewards Reward Program

It’s important to note that PenFed Pathfinder® Rewards Visa Signature® Card doesn’t have airline and hotel transfer partners. Instead, you can redeem points on travel only through the PenFed Rewards catalog, which can be quite limiting — the same goes for shopping, donating to charity, gift cards, and other redemption options. You can still redeem rewards for credit to your PenFed account or card (if you have set up automatic redemptions).

Rewards points earned with the PenFed Pathfinder® Rewards Visa Signature® Card are redeemable as statement credits, gift cards (physical cards and e-gift cards), travel, shopping, experiences, charity, and at the Apple Store. 

Access the PenFed rewards catalogue via your PenFed Online account or app. Once you’re logged in, you’ll be able to view your balance and click “Redeem Rewards” to browse redemption options for travel, merchandise, gift cards, and more — you can also click “Set Up Auto Redemptions” to set up an automatic statement credit to your credit card or PenFed account (uses the available balance on the 25th of each month). 

PenFed Pathfinder features and benefits

$100 annual statement credit

The PenFed Pathfinder® Rewards Visa Signature® Card comes with up to $100 annual domestic air ancillary travel statement credit. You’ll get up to $100 annually back if you charge eligible purchases to your card (including baggage fees and flight change fees, inflight food & beverage purchases, airport lounge passes, pet kennel fee, and phone reservation fees).

Not eligible for domestic air ancillary credit: airline tickets, upgrades and mileage points purchases, transfer fees, gift cards, duty-free purchases, and award flights. Only certain US airlines (Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta, Frontier, Hawaiian Airlines, JetBlue, Southwest, and United) are eligible.

Global Entry or TSA preCheck statement credit

Charge your Global Entry ($100) or TSA PreCheck ($78) application fee to your PenFed Pathfinder® Rewards Visa Signature® Card, you’ll receive a statement credit for the amount, every four years. 

Annual Priority Pass airport lounge membership with complimentary Priority Pass

You’ll receive a complimentary Priority Pass airport lounge annual membership (a $99 value) with your PenFed Pathfinder® Rewards Visa Signature® Card. This is not like other cards. cards that come with Priority Pass, this membership doesn’t include free unlimited entry to lounges — you’ll be charged $32 per visit.

Baggage delay reimbursement

If your luggage is delayed by more than four hours, you may be eligible for a reimbursement of up to $100 per person for essential items for up three days (maximum $300). This benefit is available for you and your immediate family members whose tickets were purchased using your card. You must notify the benefits administrator within twenty days of your delayed luggage. 

Luggage reimbursement for lost bags

You can get reimbursed for lost checked or carry-on luggage (up to $3,000 per trip) that was taken or misdirected by the airline or another common carrier. This benefit is only available to those who have purchased a portion of their trip using their PenFed credit cards or through the rewards program. 

Roadside dispatch

PenFed Pathfinder® Rewards Visa Signature® Card cardholders receive access to pay-per-use roadside assistance for towing, tire change, jump start, lockout service, and more 24/7. 

Travel and emergency assistance

Access a hotline for travel and emergency assistance if things go wrong while you’re on vacation. This hotline can assist with medical and legal referrals as well as translation services and prescription assistance. While the service is completely free, you will be responsible for any third-party expenses.

Secure your assets

You’ll get protection on new purchases made with your PenFed Pathfinder® Rewards Visa Signature® Card (for the first 90 days from the date of purchase) that are damaged from fire, explosion, rain, theft, and more. You can get reimbursements, replacements, or repairs up to the full purchase price of an item (maximum $500 per claim and maximum $50,000 per cardholder). 

Travel accident insurance

You’ll receive up to $250,000 in coverage for accidental death or dismemberment (no extra cost) when you charge your entire travel fare to your PenFed Pathfinder® Rewards Visa Signature® Card. 

Trip delay reimbursement

If your trip is delayed by more than 12 hours, you’ll be eligible for $300 per purchased ticket (one claim per trip). This benefit is only available to PenFed cardholders who have purchased a portion of their trip through the rewards program. Your spouse and dependent children younger than 22 years are automatically covered. 

Visa Signature benefits

Cardholders can call the Visa Signature Concierge at 800 953-7392 for assistance with bookings, travel, entertainment tickets, restaurant reservations, and golf tee times. Other Visa Signature card benefitsInclude shopping, wine, food and entertainment discounts access to the Visa Signature Luxury Hotel Collection.

Fees and costs

The PenFed Pathfinder® Rewards Visa Signature® Card comes with a 0% balance transfers promo APR for 12 months made in the first 90 days after account opening, 3% fee applies to each transaction (then a 17.99% APR on balance transfers, 17.99% Variable APR on purchases APR). 

The card has an annual fee of $95 (which is waived for Honors Advantage members). There are also late payment fees of up to $28, returned payment fees of up to $25, and balance transfer fees of 3%. 

The card does not have a cash advance fee nor an over-the credit limit fee. The card is ideal for international travel as it doesn’t charge any fees. foreign transaction fee. 

PenFed Pathfinder rewards vs other PenFed credit card cards

PenFed Pathfinder rewards vs. other travel credit cards

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for PenFed Pathfinder Reward Card