PenFed Pathfinder and Amazon 5%

[Anonymous]

I've been in the garden since June. Brief history:

I'm a student making $35k.

Credit history:

June 2016: Cap1 QuickSilver (originally Journey, PC'ed)

March 2017: Discover IT (originally IT Chrome Secured, PC'ed)

July 2017: BoA Cash Rewards, Amex BCE, and Citi DC (originally Citi TY Preferred Student, PC'ed)

June 2018: Chase Freedom, Barclays UBER, USB Cash+

My current structure has been based primarily around my dining rewards (UBER, Cash+), 5% categories (IT, Freedom), and 2%/Great Warranty (Citi DC).

My new goals:

-Travel: Penfed Pathfinder

-Amazon 5%: Chase Amazon Card (for Q4, I am satisfied with my IT 5% Amazon)

1. I could easily get my $100 worth annually out of the Pathfinder card. The Pathfinder has $100 incidentals and TSA Precheck covered, WITH no annual fee. I don't travel that often, but when I do, it would be nice to avoid $25 baggage fees each way when I return to see family. I don't like the rewards structure of the card, but if I only use it for flights, I would be happy saving $25 each way. 

Does anyone:

-Feel strongly for or against this card?

-Know about how stingey the CU can be with applications and CLs?

My next flights are probably going to be either December, January, or March. When would be the earliest I should apply?

2. Chase Amazon 5%....Only concern is that I am relatively new to Chase's history. I can wait until after Q4 to apply for this card due to my IT.

Based on my recent summer App Spree, what should I plan? How should I space my Amazon and PenFed applications? Thanks, sorry for all the questions!

Edit: Just saw its a HP to join PenFed, but saw they can combine them for both joining the CU and opening a CC on the same day.

[SBR249]

I am a PenFed member but don't have the Pathfinder. I have the Platinum Rewards, but I can give some pros and cons about the CU and its cards. 

Pros:

- No annual fee on Pathfinder

- $100 incidentals and TSA pre-check

- PenFed is known to offer members SP "offers" for CLIs and new credit products, though the time it takes to get them varies by a lot

- PenFed can be generous with their CLs

Cons:

- PenFed can be sensitive to new accounts (the infamous "Egyptian" denial)

- PenFed can rub some people the wrong way, sometimes through bad customer interactions. I've personally never experienced this, but some people love PenFed, some hate it. 

- PenFed's rewards programs aren't that great. Pts are worth around 0.85¢ each and they expire. PenFed has also been known to devalue points without warning. Personally I'm not a fan

- AmEx may have limited acceptance therefore limit the utility of the card.

For me personally, the antipathy towards their rewards program and me not being a big traveler at the moment has held me back from getting this card even though I have a pretty good SP offer for it right now. But if you are going to be able to consistently get your $100 worth and can use the TSA global entry it may be a good fit for you regardless of rewards. 

Another thing to consider is whether or not you envision getting a better travel card any time soon like the CSR or AmEx Plat. Those cards would instantly make your PathFinder obsolete so if you are thinking about those in the immediate future, I'd caution against getting redundant cards.