[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.
    William Charles
  • On May 14, 2020, 14:54
Tags: penfedpenfed pathfinder

View Comments (181)

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

  • 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.

    • 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!

      • 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

    • 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...

      • 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....

  • 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.

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