[Delayed Launch] PenFed Pathfinder Rewards Changes (Visa Instead of American Express), $100 Credit & No Annual Fee To Remain

Update 5/14/20: PenFed is officially delaying the re-launch of the Pathfinder Rewards card (ht Rocky_NNC):

Recently, you opted in to receive insider access on details about the PenFed Pathfinder® Rewards Visa Signature® card.

We want to acknowledge and thank you for your interest. However, in consideration of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and the resulting economic unrest – especially in the travel and entertainment industry, we decided to delay the re-launch of the PenFed Pathfinder credit card to focus our immediate efforts on our 2 million members during this difficult time.

We appreciate your understanding and will provide an update when virus health risks minimize and markets stabilize.

Update 5/2/20: The page for this card has been completely removed now, so I guess it’s not going to be accepting applicants anytime soon.

Update 3/6/20: PenFed has sent out an email to some members with an early access link for this card. Hat tip to reader David

Original Post:

Late last year the PenFed Pathfinder Rewards American Express card stopped accepting new applicants and it was announced that the card would be getting a refresh. Existing cardholders have now been informed of these changes and they are as follows:

  • Card will run on the Visa payment network (previously American Express)
  • Card will receive Visa Signature benefits
  • Access to lounges worldwide for a $32 fee per visit
  • Support for Samsung Pay/Google Pay to be added
  • All other features and benefits will remain the same (including no annual fee and the $100 credit)

I think the only thing most readers will care about is that the no annual fee and $100 credit will remain.

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John Doe
John Doe (@guest_1265105)
October 11, 2021 09:39

AA eGC still works.

Bought $100 AA eGC on 10/3/21, $100 credit received on 10/7/21.

John Doe
John Doe (@guest_1244037)
August 25, 2021 09:49

I think this has been live for a few weeks or months now,  Chuck  William Charles

https://www.penfed.org/credit-cards/pathfinder-rewards

It has an AF now.

Oliver
Oliver (@guest_1141670)
February 8, 2021 10:37

American Airlines GC $100 still works.
Purchased 1/28 (posted 1/31) and the $100 credit posted on 2/7.

Rob
Rob (@guest_1141730)
February 8, 2021 12:44

I can also confirm that AA gift card works for 2021. Purchased 1/31/21 (posted 2/2/21) and the $100 credit posted 2/7/21.

Rob
Rob (@guest_1141732)
February 8, 2021 12:46

The transaction date for the credit says it was 2/4/21.

Jay
Jay (@guest_1124943)
January 10, 2021 08:37

Does the Airline credit work for United travel bank?

Simon
Simon (@guest_1117908)
December 28, 2020 10:42

Can confirm that the American Airlines $50 gift card works on the Visa card for travel credit. Purchased on 12/21 on the website (https://giftcards.aa.com/order.jsp?giftcard=Virtual), purchase posted on 12/23, credit posted 12/27, posted credit visible on the website 12/28.

Jay
Jay (@guest_1113936)
December 19, 2020 14:09

Was just going to post that the Pathfinder is back. That $95 AF though…yeesh. Does anybody know if that waiver is indefinite or just for the first year? The terms are kind of vague so it could go either way. The entire reason I kept my Penfed account open after their last bank bonus was so that I could app for the Pathfinder.

George
George (@guest_1114135)
December 20, 2020 10:40

Well this is a breaking story. I wonder if existing cardmembers will get billed. I would think not until they send out a new cardmember agreement. Better use up those credits early 2021!

TVS
TVS (@guest_1125617)
January 11, 2021 19:05

I did check with PenFed and they did state that old members T&Cs are the same so there shouldn’t be an annual fee charged for converted card holders. Will need to keep an eye to see if this change in future

anonymous
anonymous (@guest_1113899)
December 19, 2020 12:11

The Pathfinder is now back…with a $95 annual fee.
https://www.penfed.org/credit-cards

Edit: Annual fee waived for Honors Advantage members.

anonymous
anonymous (@guest_1113922)
December 19, 2020 13:39

Edit: Annual fee waived for Honors Advantage members.

Timothy Williams
Timothy Williams (@guest_1113930)
December 19, 2020 14:00

I’ve been waiting for this to return… applied and approved after reading your post… thanks for the heads up…. PS I’m a honors advantage member, so annual fee and $100 travel credit… no brainier…

Svy
Svy (@guest_1113934)
December 19, 2020 14:07

Same for me, except for the no brainier part. 😉 P2 received conditional approval; when investigating further, I found an error notation indicating that P2’s share account is “negative,” which is not accurate. The error appears to be related to that “missing signature card” error that PenFed keeps having for those that opened for checking account bonus. I guess we will be sending in yet another signature card….

Katie
Katie (@guest_1107843)
December 12, 2020 10:22

American Airlines $50 gift card worked for me on the Visa version. Purchase on 12/7, credit posted 12/9 . Southwest $10 did not trigger the credit.

George
George (@guest_1107859)
December 12, 2020 11:22

Great work! Thank you!

Six4One
Six4One (@guest_1072110)
October 13, 2020 02:02

I hope they launch this card eventually. I am highly interested in it!

SA
SA (@guest_1063150)
September 26, 2020 17:00

Any latest DP on whats working for the $100 credit? Especially interested in SW DPs if any.

Matt
Matt (@guest_1114029)
December 19, 2020 21:17
  SA

United TravelBank and AA E-gift cards appear to work