topic NFCU Flagship vs PenFed duo in Credit Cards

NFCU Flagship vs PenFed duo

mediocrebadguy — Mon, 04 Sep 2023 15:26:30 GMT

Hi Everyone,

Seeking community advice regarding a switch I'm considering:

My strategy is pretty much simply cashback. The cards I keep in my wallet full time are the NFCU More Rewards Amex, PenFed Power Cash Visa, PenFed Pathfinder Visa, and Redstone Visa Signature. I have others that I temporarily rotate in when categories make sense (Langley, Abound, Affinity, Discover, etc).

Lately, I've been thinking about getting the NFCU Flagship and phasing out the two PenFed cards. The advantages are that I carry one less card, and the 2% on Flagship is the same as the 2% I receive with the Power Cash.

The biggest disadvantage, of course, is the annual fee. Also, I would go from 4 points (3.4% cashback equivalent) on Travel with the Pathfinder to 3% with the Flagship. However, the top thing I dislike about the Pathfinder is that redemption is only via gift card and not straight cashback. I'm thinking that when I factor in the potential cashback spend I'm losing on the giftcards, it may exceed the extra 0.4% I get with the Pathfinder plus the cost of the AF for the Flagship.

Thoughts? Feel free to make or break the case for me!

Re: NFCU Flagship vs PenFed duo

GZG — Mon, 04 Sep 2023 18:15:24 GMT

are you going to maintain advantage status with penfed if you make the switch?

I think flagship has a $50 redemption minimum for cash back

nfcu is cooler than penfed, if I was outside, I'd like to be seen using a nfcu card rather than a penfed card (I'm really digging for reasons here)

penfed has that $100 credit and priority pass membership? so if you have any of those types of charges, might as well use up the credit and use nfcu for everything else

@Mero_mero wrote:
For starters, PenFed's user interface on the web is garbage and antiquated, even though they claim it's just been updated.

plus their garbage 'apply with confidence copycat' prequalifier denying people approved for large amounts is just so bad imo

Re: NFCU Flagship vs PenFed duo

Mero_mero — Mon, 04 Sep 2023 17:59:07 GMT

For starters, PenFed's user interface on the web is garbage and antiquated, even though they claim it's just been updated. NFCU has Member Deals, similary to Capitol One, Rakuten, Delta, etc. It's a way to gain a few extra points on top of the 2x and 3x on travel. Also, I've never not had the NFCU Flagship give me credit for my Amazon Prime membership, if you use prime and want to justify the Flagship annual fee. I'd go Flagship and keep the Power Cash Visa open because being in the same boat as you, I get a lot more 0% or quality balance transfer offers on my Power Cash Visa and I've never had a single balance transfer offer with NFCU...which is weird since my mortgage, auto, and checking/savings are with them.

Like mentioned, the redemption rate is $50 for NFCU if that might be an issue.

Re: NFCU Flagship vs PenFed duo

Kforce — Mon, 04 Sep 2023 18:49:07 GMT

My personal view

Every card you have takes time to manage.
I figure a value of (Monthly Income * 0.0005) per card, each month
(~5 minutes time value)

The new card does not have extreme rewards gain except from simplicity.

If you are getting rid of two cards, a single card with small AF and
similar rewards could work. Depending on income, spend, etc.

If you are keeping and just sock drawer the older cards, less gain is had

by getting a new card. You still need to manage the old cards,

even if in the sock drawer.

I am having trouble seeing the gain unless you are closing other cards

Re: NFCU Flagship vs PenFed duo

TryItAgain — Wed, 06 Sep 2023 00:38:19 GMT

Nfcu is generally better in many ways. However, you can do a BT at any time, without an offer as it's always active at PenFed. 12mos on PowerCash & Pathfinder, 15mos on Gold. Nice to have a ready to go BT anytime it's needed (3%bt fee). That's why I keep both CU's cards.

If you never forsee a bt then makes choice easier. However if you might ever need a bt, I'd PC the Pathfinder if you don't like it into Gold for the 15mo BTs and no 95 annual fee like Path will have when you pull the 500 from checking. Do whatever with power cash.