Penfed Pathfinder Rewards American Express Card Review

The Penfed Pathfinder Rewards card by American Express offers up to four points for every dollar charged to the card. And it has no annual fee. But is it a travel rewards card worth carrying? Find out in our review.

PenFed Credit Union recently announced the new PenFed Pathfinder Rewards American Express Card. This no annual fee travel rewards credit card offers an attractive introductory APR offer and a nice rewards system. Here’s what you need to know.

Perks and Rewards

The PenFed Pathfinder card focuses heavily on travel-related rewards. You probably won’t want to use it for everyday purchases. But if you travel often, it could be a great option. Here’s what it offers:

• 3 points per $1 spent on all travel purchases
• 4 points per $1 spent on travel purchases for PenFed Honors Advantage Members
• 1.5 points per $1 spent on all other purchases
• 25,000 bonus points when you spend $2,500 within 3 months of opening an account
• 0% introductory APR on balance transfers for 12 months
• No annual fee
• $100 annual air travel credit to be used for baggage fees, lounge access, and onboard food and drinks
• $100 TSA Application fee credit when you use your card to pay the application fee

This makes the Pathfinder a great option for travel purchases, especially for a no-annual-fee credit card. With the bonus points, you could be well on your way towards paying for your next vacation within just the first three months of card ownership. And if you need to pay down an interest-bearing balance, this card’s balance transfer APR is an attractive offer.

PenFed Honors Advantage Membership

You’ll notice above that those who are PenFed Honors Advantage members get even more points per dollar on travel purchases. This is a 2% cash back program. You can qualify by maintaining a PenFed Access America Checking Account. You can also qualify automatically if you or your join applicant is active-duty, reserve, honorably discharged, or retired military.

If you’re not military, it could be worth your while to check out PenFed’s checking account. If it meets your needs, adding this to your Pathfinder card membership and then applying for the Honors Advantage program could be quite lucrative.

Additional Information

This card offers additional perks and benefits, including:

• Automatic enrollment in the Pathfinder Rewards Program
• Complimentary 24/7 concierge services
• Multiple ways to cash in rewards

The card has an 11.99% to 17.99% variable APR, depending on your creditworthiness at the time of your application. It charges a 5% or $5 minimum cash advance fee and a 17.99% penalty APR for 60-days-late payments.

Is It the Travel Card for You?

If you’re looking for a credit card to fund your travels but don’t want to pay a high annual fee, the PenFed Pathfinder card might be the right option for your wallet. It’s not the best option for everyday use, so check out grocery-specific or gas-specific credit cards for these uses. But for travel-related expenses, 3 to 4 points per $1 spent isn’t a bad deal at all. And with the current introductory bonus, it’s certainly an attractive offer.

Topics: Credit Cards