topic Re: Changes to PenFed Amex in Credit Cards

Changes to PenFed Amex

CreditUp26 — Sat, 02 Nov 2019 15:08:09 GMT

PenFed's website is no longer accepting applications for the Pathfinder Amex card, saying changes are coming and you can apply again in 2020. No AF card with $100 travel incidental credit a year, pays for global entry and OK rewards, so hoping they aren't making too many changes like taking away the $100 incidental credit. Data points on what the changes might be would be great.

Re: Changes to PenFed Amex

CreditCuriosity — Sat, 02 Nov 2019 15:27:46 GMT

yikes a nerf might be incoming as good card for no AF! I speculate something will be nerfed. Interesting thing is no amex logo on card......

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

Re: Changes to PenFed Amex

Anonymous — Sat, 02 Nov 2019 15:26:04 GMT

I haven't seen the changes posted anywhere (here or other sources) yet.

Re: Changes to PenFed Amex

imaximous — Sat, 02 Nov 2019 15:28:38 GMT

"Exciting changes are coming..."

This isn't surprising, though. I got the SUB, GE credit, and for 2 years, I've got the $100 credit by purchasing gift cards on MPX.

Initially, I got the card because I thought it had a decent points system, but then I realized that the points weren't worth as much. That's definitely my fault for not researching more. Card went to SD and only use it for the credits, and may consider a BT if needed.

Re: Changes to PenFed Amex

CreditUp26 — Sat, 02 Nov 2019 15:28:59 GMT

Noticed the Amex logo missing, am extremely nervous, the only reason I got this card was 1) the $100 travel credit and 2) It's an Amex

Re: Changes to PenFed Amex

Anonymous — Sat, 02 Nov 2019 17:28:04 GMT

@CreditUp26 wrote:
Noticed the Amex logo missing, am extremely nervous, the only reason I got this card was 1) the $100 travel credit and 2) It's an Amex

What's the advantage for 2)?

Re: Changes to PenFed Amex

VanderSnoot — Sat, 02 Nov 2019 17:37:07 GMT

@imaximous wrote:
Initially, I got the card because I thought it had a decent points system, but then I realized that the points weren't worth as much. That's definitely my fault for not researching more. Card went to SD and only use it for the credits, and may consider a BT if needed.

That was exactly my issue with it. Hopefully they're changing the redemption to make it more attractive.

Re: Changes to PenFed Amex

Anonymous — Sat, 02 Nov 2019 17:56:03 GMT

@CreditCuriosity wrote:
yikes a nerf might be incoming as good card for no AF! I speculate something will be nerfed. Interesting thing is no amex logo on card......

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

Looks like they will be switching from Amex to Visa for the Pathfinder. The starting number 4 on the new card is Visa network and the spacing of the number is not Amex.

Also the name change. It use to be call The PenFed Pathfinder American Express Card. Now it is just PenFed Pathfinder Rewards Card.

Re: Changes to PenFed Amex

Anonymous — Sat, 02 Nov 2019 19:07:04 GMT

I actually called them a few days ago (10/30)... to see if I have an offer for SP CLI for my Power Cash. There was none but the representative told me about the first Pathfinder Rewards will be gone by the 2nd of November. Applied on the 1st since a good card will be gone... pretty much I panicked and got out of the garden sooner than expected.

Re: Changes to PenFed Amex

hawkins — Sat, 02 Nov 2019 19:13:18 GMT

Interesting. I have this card and dont use it all that much but will not mind if it goes to visa. What I do mind is if they start to eliminate benefits and or devalue the points even further. The points are already not a good value right now. If they devalue them any further they wont be worth the cost that it takes to make the card. time will tell. I also wonder how that will affect existing card holders.

Re: Changes to PenFed Amex

Jetboy — Sat, 02 Nov 2019 20:04:47 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
@CreditCuriosity wrote:
https://www.penfed.org/credit-cards/pathfinder-rewards
Looks like they will be switching from Amex to Visa for the Pathfinder. The starting number 4 on the new card is Visa network and the spacing of the number is not Amex.

Also the name change. It use to be call The PenFed Pathfinder American Express Card. Now it is just PenFed Pathfinder Rewards Card.

Good observation. The image in the link also has the contactless logo on the card.

Re: Changes to PenFed Amex

CreditCuriosity — Sat, 02 Nov 2019 19:46:14 GMT

The current card if used for the 100 annual travel credit costs the money each year since it is a no AF card I see that going bye-bye as that alone if used gets you $100 for a no AF card.. Keep the TSA/GE credit unknown. Other changes to be seen, but don't see them charging an AF, but could be wrong as well. Certainly appears they are going to the Visa network which will work better for out of country travel. Be interesting to see if current card holders will be forced PC, etc. PenFed doesn't do PC on request either

Re: Changes to PenFed Amex

MachoHombre — Thu, 07 Nov 2019 05:46:54 GMT

@CreditCuriosity wrote:
The current card if used for the 100 annual travel credit costs the money each year since it is a no AF card I see that going bye-bye as that alone if used gets you $100 for a no AF card.. Keep the TSA/GE credit unknown. Other changes to be seen, but don't see them charging an AF, but could be wrong as well. Certainly appears they are going to the Visa network which will work better for out of country travel. Be interesting to see if current card holders will be forced PC, etc. PenFed doesn't do PC on request either

Good thoughts and they parralel mine. The points value on this card are low (about $0.007ea) but the 100dollar travel credit and other perks make this a favorite card of mine.

I have a fear perks of some type will go away, perhaps the travel credits.

**bleep**, on the (seemingly) change to VISA, very sorry to see that, I much prefer the AMEX network.

It'll be interesting to see what's coming, and if existing cardholders get grandfathered in to existing goodness.

Hoping the best, I really like this card.

Re: Changes to PenFed Amex

Anonymous — Thu, 07 Nov 2019 14:26:58 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
@CreditUp26 wrote:
Noticed the Amex logo missing, am extremely nervous, the only reason I got this card was 1) the $100 travel credit and 2) It's an Amex
What's the advantage for 2)?

I'm blacklisted with Amex, and this card comes in very handy for Amex event ticket presales. Otherwise, the branding doesn't mean much to me.

I did realize that my last travel redemption only yielded what equated to 2.6% cash back, so my new Citi Costco Visa beats that at 3%

However, my EZ-Pass replenishments don't code as travel on the Costco card and fall into the everything else 1% bucket, so those are back on the Pathfinder Amex where they code for 4x points (which even if I only end up with a redemption equivalent to 2.6% cash back is a win.) I generally spend a few hundred/month on tolls.

Re: Changes to PenFed Amex

MachoHombre — Mon, 25 Nov 2019 17:12:24 GMT

What little info on the new card hints of the $100 incidental airline (travel) credit going away. We'll have to wait and see to find our for sure.

I wanted to see if I had used any of my 2019 travel credit and dont' believe doing so is possible on the website. I'm pretty certain I haven't used any, so plan to swipe for incidental airline spend in the coming weeks.

**I assume existing card holders will be migrated the new card and not grandfathered in to the existing card.

Re: Changes to PenFed Amex

CBartowski — Tue, 26 Nov 2019 03:53:22 GMT

Sounds like a good time to make sure I get my next round of $100...anyone remember what GCs trigger? If any still do?

Re: Changes to PenFed Amex

Anonymous — Fri, 29 Nov 2019 06:01:14 GMT

@imaximous wrote:
"Exciting changes are coming..."

This isn't surprising, though. I got the SUB, GE credit, and for 2 years, I've got the $100 credit by purchasing gift cards on MPX.

Initially, I got the card because I thought it had a decent points system, but then I realized that the points weren't worth as much. That's definitely my fault for not researching more. Card went to SD and only use it for the credits, and may consider a BT if needed.

Did you buy travel gift cards or any store?

Re: Changes to PenFed Amex

CBartowski — Sat, 30 Nov 2019 04:15:08 GMT

So I was reading what they posted and there may be some hints there as to what's coming:

"Whether it’s a once in a lifetime getaway, or your daily commute, you deserve to earn more." -- Could indicate a travel and gas combo card, similar to Citi Premier

"Also earn reward points on everyday purchases not related to travel." -- Hoping this is better than just a 1pt/dollar

However, no matter what they lauch, they really need to fix their point redemtions! Its gotten to like .00000045c/pt.

Re: Changes to PenFed Amex

CreditCuriosity — Sat, 30 Nov 2019 05:27:21 GMT

For a no AF CC i expect the 100 travel credit to go away especially going to visa.. Biggest change I personally could guess. Time will tell

Re: Changes to PenFed Amex

Anonymous — Sun, 01 Dec 2019 02:22:10 GMT

This is terrible. I got this card a few months ago. I had to spend more than the sign up requirement to even get a $250 gift card. I was able to redeem the $100 credit for taxes on award flights but if the credit is going than I feel like I should have gotten another card instead.