PenFed Pathfinder: Apply Smart & Score Big Travel Points

Earn points for travel and more

The PenFed Pathfinder Rewards Visa offers a tiered points system. PenFed Honors Advantage members earn generous 4x points on all travel purchases. Even without membership, you’ll still earn a solid 3x points on travel spending.

All other purchases earn 1.5x points. Plus, you can redeem your points for travel with a total value of up to $799.

This card lets you earn points on all your purchases, with a travel focus and bonus rewards. Here’s a breakdown of the card’s other key features.

The PenFed Pathfinder Rewards Visa goes beyond points with valuable travel benefits. 

You’ll receive a $100 statement credit towards domestic airline fees, up to $85 credit for either Global Entry or TSA PreCheck, and a complimentary Priority Pass Select membership for airport lounge access.

The card offers peace of mind with travel insurance benefits like cell phone protection, auto rental collision damage waiver, and trip delay coverage. 

Security features include 24/7 fraud monitoring, alerts for potential fraud, $0 fraud liability, and card lock for lost or stolen cards.

Manage your account with ease using the PenFed Mobile App, set up Autopay to avoid late fees, utilize digital wallet compatibility, and access 24/7 digital service.

Eligibility criteria

To be eligible for the PenFed Pathfinder Rewards Visa, you’ll need to meet the following criteria:

• Be at least 18 years old.
• Have a valid Social Security number or Individual Taxpayer Identification number.
• Maintain a physical U.S. address (no P.O. boxes).
• Demonstrate sufficient income to cover monthly minimum payments.
• Possess good credit or better.

How to maximize your rewards

The key to getting the most out of your PenFed Pathfinder Rewards Visa lies in becoming a PenFed Honors Advantage member. This membership unlocks significant benefits:

• Boosted rewards: earn a substantial 4x points on all travel purchases instead of the standard 3x points.
• Waived annual fee: enjoy fee-free membership, saving you $95 annually.

There are two paths to becoming an Honors Advantage member:

1. Military service affiliation: be an active military service member, a member of the Reserves or National Guard, an honorably discharged veteran, or retired military personnel.
2. PenFed account ownership: be the primary owner of both a PenFed credit card and checking account (excluding PenCheck Limited accounts), or open a new qualifying checking account like Access America Checking or Free Checking.

Applying for the PenFed Pathfinder Rewards Visa

PenFed offers a streamlined application process with a pre-qualification option to check your eligibility without impacting your credit score. Here’s a breakdown of the steps involved:

Pre-qualification

• Visit the PenFed Pathfinder Rewards Visa application page.
• You’ll see options for both existing members and non-members.
  • Existing members can sign in for a faster application with pre-filled information.
  • Non-members can pre-qualify by entering basic details like name, social security number, date of birth, and contact information.
• Select “Show Me My Offer” to undergo a pre-qualification check. This will not affect your credit score.

Full application

• If pre-qualified and interested, proceed with the full application.
• You’ll be asked to provide further details like address, employment status, annual income, and military status (if applicable).
• Review and agree to the terms before applying.
• Upon submission, PenFed will perform a credit check to determine your final approval status. This credit check may impact your credit score.

Earn points and redeem simply

The PenFed Pathfinder Rewards Visa lets you redeem points for what you truly want. 

Choose from gift cards (including same-day digital options) from over 300 top brands, travel experiences, or a vast selection of merchandise, such as electronics, children’s items, sporting goods, fashion, and much more. 

Explore additional options like e-gift cards, unique adventures, and charitable giving. 

Redeeming is easy — simply browse the online reward catalog and pick your perfect reward.

Considering a no-annual-fee travel card? 

The Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card offers rewards on travel purchases and redemptions for flights, hotels, and more. It might be a good alternative to explore.

Written by

Ellen Queiroz (Redatora)