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PenFed Pathfinder Rewards 50K Points ⓘ Affiliate 50K points after $3K spend in 90 days$95 Annual Fee Click here to learn how to apply This is an affiliate offer. Frequent Miler may earn a commission if you are approved for this offer Information about this card has been collected independently by Frequent Miler. The issuer did not provide the details, nor is it responsible for their accuracy. FM Mini Review: Meh. Points are only worth about 0.85 cents each. I recommended this card when it used to be fee-free, but not for $95 per year. Earning rate: 4X Travel for PenFed Honors Advantage Members ✦ 3X travel otherwise ✦ 1.5X everywhere else. Advantage membership is available to anyone who opens an Access America Checking account, or to military members. Card Info: Visa Signature issued by PenFed. This card has no foreign currency conversion fees. Noteworthy perks: $100 Domestic Airline Fee Credit ✦ $120 Global Entry credit ✦ Priority Pass Membership ($32 per visit) |
As a former military member, I keep the card with no annual fee and use it primarily for the $100 travel credit. Pays for a few glasses of wine!
It’s easy to avoid the annual fee with the small minimum balance parked in the checking account, or by being a current or former U.S. military member:
“Military service is not required for PenFed Honors Advantage qualification. You may also qualify with a checking account (either an existing one, or open a new one… Members with a Free Checking account must also 1) maintain a minimum $500 daily balance OR 2) set up monthly direct deposits of $500 or more in order to maintain Honors Advantage Eligibility.”
Sucks that the points are only worth 85/100ths of a cent each, but there are usually some retail gift cards on sale that bring the cpp value to about 95/100ths of a cent.
Sucks also that the airline credit only applies to those U.S. airlines. Otherwise a very useful travel card.
Parking $500 in an eligible checking account waives the annual fee on the card. Even valuing the $100 incidental credit at $50 and any other benefits/earnings at $0, parking the $500 in a checking account is 10% yearly interest. Not amazing, but still useful for someone who wants a base no-AF travel card (or just wants to maximize the credit every year.)