American Express Gold Card
American Express
4.7 / 5
- Welcome
- 100,000 points
- Annual fee
- $325
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PenFed Credit Union · pathfinder
PenFed Pathfinder Rewards Visa Signature Card
3.8 / 5
PenFed points · Personal card
A $100 airline credit and a $120 Global Entry credit beat the $95 fee. PenFed stopped waiving that fee for military members and checking customers on September 28, 2026. PenFed points are worth $0.0085 to $0.01 each with no transfer partners, and the Priority Pass membership still charges $35 per lounge visit.
At a glance
- Welcome bonus
- 50,000 points
- Spend $3,000 in 3 months
- Annual fee
- $95
- Year-one and ongoing
- Purchase APR
- 17.99%
- No intro APR
- FX fee
- None
- BT intro: 0% for 12 months
Editorial
Our take
A $100 airline credit and a $120 Global Entry credit beat the $95 fee. PenFed stopped waiving that fee for military members and checking customers on September 28, 2026. PenFed points are worth $0.0085 to $0.01 each with no transfer partners, and the Priority Pass membership still charges $35 per lounge visit.
Verdict
Pros & cons
Pros
- $100 annual airline incidental credit plus a $120 Global Entry credit more than covers the $95 fee
- No foreign transaction fee and 0% intro APR for 12 months on balance transfers
- Base rate of 1.5X on everything, rising to 4X travel and 3X dining with Honors Advantage
Cons
- The $95 annual fee can no longer be waived, a change PenFed made on September 28, 2026
- The Priority Pass membership only waives the $99 membership fee. Each lounge visit still costs $35 per person
- Points are fixed-value at $0.0085 to $0.01 with no airline or hotel transfer partners, and expire five years after they are awarded
- PenFed membership is required, and the 4X and 3X rates need a PenFed checking relationship or military service
Earnings
Earn rates
| Category | Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| All travel | 3x points | 4X for Honors Advantage members. Qualifying travel is defined by merchant category code and covers airlines, hotels, car rental, rail, taxi and ride-share, cruise lines, tolls, campgrounds and tourist attractions. |
| Dining | 2x points | 3X for Honors Advantage members. Covers MCC 5812 restaurants and 5814 fast food. |
| All other purchases | 1.5x points | Travel or dining purchases at merchants that do not code correctly also earn 1.5X. |
Benefits
Key benefits
$100 airline incidental credit
Up to $100 per calendar year in statement credits for baggage fees, seat upgrades, on-board food, wi-fi and lounge fees charged at Alaska, American, Delta, Frontier, Hawaiian, JetBlue, Southwest or United.
$120 Global Entry or $85 TSA PreCheck credit
One statement credit of up to $120 per account every four years when the application fee is charged to the card.
Priority Pass Select membership
A complimentary 12-month Priority Pass Select membership covering the $99 membership fee, but visits are charged at $35 per person including guests.
Honors Advantage boost
Military members, and members who are primary owner on both the card and a qualifying PenFed checking account, earn 4X travel and 3X dining. The $95 annual fee is no longer waived for these members as of September 28, 2026.
No foreign transaction fee
The summary of terms lists the foreign transaction fee as None.
Fit
Who this is best for
- Military members and PenFed checking customers who get the 4X travel rate
- Travelers who reliably spend $100 a year on airline baggage or seat fees
- People who want a no-foreign-transaction-fee travel card from a credit union
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
What is the PenFed Pathfinder Rewards welcome bonus?
Accounts that are issued and approved will receive 50,000 bonus points upon spending $3,000 in purchase transactions within 90 days of account opening. Each account is eligible for 1 bonus at account opening.
Does the PenFed Pathfinder Rewards charge an annual fee?
Yes. The annual fee is $95 every year.
Does the PenFed Pathfinder Rewards have a foreign transaction fee?
No. The PenFed Pathfinder Rewards charges no foreign transaction fee, so it works well for international purchases.
What APR does the PenFed Pathfinder Rewards charge?
The purchase APR is 17.99% variable.
Who is the PenFed Pathfinder Rewards best for?
Military members and PenFed checking customers who get the 4X travel rate. Travelers who reliably spend $100 a year on airline baggage or seat fees. People who want a no-foreign-transaction-fee travel card from a credit union.
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Apply
PenFed Pathfinder Rewards Visa Signature Card
Spend $3,000 in 3 months
Rates accurate as of October 6, 2026. Issuer terms.