topic Re: How is the PenFed Pathfinder annual $100 airline ancillaries benefit redeemed? in Credit Cards

How is the PenFed Pathfinder annual $100 airline ancillaries benefit redeemed?

galahad15 — Sun, 05 Feb 2023 07:01:42 GMT

Was just wondering: for those that have the PenFed Pathfinder card, could you please provide more info or details, on how the annual $100 airline ancillaries benefit is redeemed? Also on how to redeem the TSA Pre and Global Entry and complimetary lounge benefits?

(I used to have the former FNBO Travelite AMEX card, before FNBO discontinued it a year or so ago -- I believe the FNBO Travelite card had all of the same similar benefits as the PenFed Pathfinder, with the exception of the complimetary lounge benefit? However, I do remember that in the case of the Travelite card, they had a very specific way or method that you had to follow, to be able to redeem the benefits, and especially the $100 yearly ancillaries benefit. For example, iirc for the Travelite card, I seem to recall that the luggage details had to be handled as a separate transaction entirely from purchasing the airline ticket itself, otherwise FNBO would not or might not honor the ancillaries benefit, etc.? Sorry in advance if my memory is a little hazy on the Travelite specifics there, as it has been quite a while since I had last used it, before FNBO eliminated the card from its lineup.)

Re: How is the PenFed Pathfinder annual $100 airline ancillaries benefit redeemed?

RASULL12 — Sun, 05 Feb 2023 11:15:25 GMT

I used my card to renew my global entry and after the transaction posted there was a credit posted a few days later. It was all automatic for me. Not sure about the other benefits.

Re: How is the PenFed Pathfinder annual $100 airline ancillaries benefit redeemed?

coldfusion — Sun, 05 Feb 2023 13:27:07 GMT

IME if a CC has a Priority Pass benefit you're provided info on setting up an account directly with Priority Pass that will be associated with your credit card. I believe that the Pathfinder benefit only authorizes access. You would still have to pay a fee every time you want to access a lounge.

Re: How is the PenFed Pathfinder annual $100 airline ancillaries benefit redeemed?

CreditCuriosity — Sun, 05 Feb 2023 14:54:40 GMT

Used card last year for TSA Pre-Screen and credited automatically in a few days and for airline $100 I personally just used it on a $100 GC and credited within a week as well and that is per calendar year. You can do searches on DOC which method/airlines if you choose to use it that way for what airline etc.

Re: How is the PenFed Pathfinder annual $100 airline ancillaries benefit redeemed?

Anonymous — Mon, 06 Feb 2023 05:03:54 GMT

@CreditCuriosity wrote:
Used card last year for TSA Pre-Screen and credited automatically in a few days and for airline $100 I personally just used it on a $100 GC and credited within a week as well and that is per calendar year. You can do searches on DOC which method/airlines if you choose to use it that way for what airline etc.

@CreditCuriosity What airline did you buy a giftcard with? Wasn't able to use my benefit last year so it would be nice to get something usable.

Re: How is the PenFed Pathfinder annual $100 airline ancillaries benefit redeemed?

phantasm — Thu, 09 Feb 2023 19:48:26 GMT

@CreditCuriosity wrote:
Used card last year for TSA Pre-Screen and credited automatically in a few days and for airline $100 I personally just used it on a $100 GC and credited within a week as well and that is per calendar year. You can do searches on DOC which method/airlines if you choose to use it that way for what airline etc.

Edited: Checked out DOC and it appears that there are two known options: AA egiftcard and United TravelBank. Delta does not work.

Re: How is the PenFed Pathfinder annual $100 airline ancillaries benefit redeemed?

okurosetta — Sat, 11 Feb 2023 04:35:56 GMT

There's a pretty straight-forward PDF on PenFed's site that is pretty helpful.

Personally, I've only tried checked bags so far. I put a $30 United checked bag and $57 Spirit checked bag on Pathfinder in late January. The United bag was credited two days later, but still no credit on Spirit. The PDF above doesn't list Spirit but DoC does. We were going to pay regardless so it was worth a shot, oh well.

Re: How is the PenFed Pathfinder annual $100 airline ancillaries benefit redeemed?

Anonymous — Sat, 11 Feb 2023 04:51:14 GMT

@okurosetta wrote:
There's a pretty straight-forward PDF on PenFed's site that is pretty helpful.

Personally, I've only tried checked bags so far. I put a $30 United checked bag and $57 Spirit checked bag on Pathfinder in late January. The United bag was credited two days later, but still no credit on Spirit. The PDF above doesn't list Spirit but DoC does. We were going to pay regardless so it was worth a shot, oh well.

They refused to give me a credit for Spirit. Stating it wasn't within the T&Cs.

Re: How is the PenFed Pathfinder annual $100 airline ancillaries benefit redeemed?

okurosetta — Sun, 12 Feb 2023 14:02:07 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
They refused to give me a credit for Spirit. Stating it wasn't within the T&Cs.

Yeah, I knew I was likely not going to see a credit due to Spirit not being in the PDF linked, but since it was on DoC I gave it a shot. I submitted a link to our DPs in hopes that it gets updated.