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A no-annual-fee credit card that lets you earn more points on gas and groceries.
30-second take
- Get this card if you spend a lot on gas and groceries.
- Pick something else if you want a low intro APR on purchases.
- Apply with a good to excellent credit score of 670 or higher.
| Product Name | PenFed Platinum Rewards Visa Signature® Card |
|---|---|
| Card Type | Visa |
| Annual Fee | $0 |
| APR (Annual Percentage Rate) for Purchases | 11.99% to 17.99% variable |
| Introductory Purchase APR | N/A |
| Balance Transfer APR | 11.99% to 17.99% variable |
| Introductory Balance Transfer APR | 0% for the first 12 months (then 11.99% to 17.99% variable) |
| Balance Transfer Fee | 3% |
| Cash Advance Rate | 11.99% to 17.99% variable |
| Foreign Transaction Fee | None |
| Cash Advance Fee | None |
| Interest Free Period | Up to 25 days |
| Late Payment Fee | $25 |
| Returned Payment Fee | $25 |
| Additional Cardholder Fee | $0 |
| Minimum Age | 18 years of age |
|---|
| Welcome Offer | Earn a $100 bonus after spending $1,500 on purchases in the first 90 days from account opening. |
|---|---|
| Rewards | Earn 5x points on gas at the pump and 3x points on groceries. Earn 1x points on all other purchases. |
| Base Rewards | 1x points |
The basics
The PenFed Platinum Rewards Visa Signature® Card is a strong rewards card for earning points on gas and groceries. You can earn more points in multiple categories, and depending on what you redeem your points for — either travel, shopping or gift cards — you can get up to 5% back in value.
Rewards aren’t the only benefit, however: The card also comes with a low intro APR for balance transfers.
How much are PenFed points worth?
According to the PenFed website as of February 2019, one PenFed point is worth:
- 0.85 cents in gift cards.
- 0.85 to 0.90 cents toward air tickets.
- Up to 1.27 cents toward hotel bookings.
Based on point values at the time of writing.
The perks
Signup bonus.
Earn $100 in statement credit after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 90 days of card membership. It’s not the most generous bonus, but it’s relatively easy to get.
Earn points.
Earn 5x points on gas when you pay at the pump, 3x points at supermarkets and 1x points on all other purchases. Redeem points for gift cards, shopping or travel bookings.
Intro APR period on balance transfers.
Enjoy a 0% intro APR period on balance transfers for the first 12 months when you make the transfer before March 31, 2019. Keep in mind that you’ll still pay a 3% fee for transfers. You’ll also start being charged interest on purchases and balance transfers for any account balance that is unpaid each month. After the intro period, your APR reverts to a variable 11.99% to 17.99%.
You’ll also like …
$0 annual fee.
Pay no annual fee to earn rewards with the PenFed Platinum Rewards Visa Signature® Card.
No foreign transaction fee.
Use your card while traveling abroad without paying transaction fees on top of your purchase. Other cards charge a fee equal to 3% of your transaction or more.
No cash advance fee.
This is a rare rewards card that doesn’t charge a fee on cash advances. You might pay up to 5% on each cash advance with other cards.
Visa Signature® benefits.
Get complimentary breakfast, room upgrades and VIP status at properties within the Visa Signature Luxury Hotel Collection. Also enjoy complimentary Visa concierge service for tickets, booking or dining reservations and more.
Travel insurance and roadside assistance.
Use your card to pay for a car rental, and you’re protected against theft, damage and accidental death and dismemberment when traveling. Also get access to medical, legal and other emergency services way from home, including 24/7 access to roadside dispatch for emergency towing, battery changes or locksmith services.
What to watch out for
No intro APR for purchases.
The PenFed Platinum Rewards Visa Signature® Card doesn’t offer an intro APR period on purchases. From the start, you’ll get an 11.99% to 17.99% variable APR, depending on your creditworthiness.
Balance transfer limitations.
The 0% intro APR on balance transfers is valid only for transfers you make until March 31, 2019. The intro period ends after 12 months, and then you’ll pay a variable APR of 11.99% to 17.99% on any unpaid balances or new transfers. Balance transfers also come with a fee equal to 3% of each transaction.
Avoid late payments.
You’ll pay a fee of up to $25 on late payments. And if you don’t pay at least your monthly statement’s minimum, you may be stuck with a 17.99% variable penalty APR. Other cards apply penalty APRs of 30% for 12 months or more after a single late payment.
Compare similar rewards cards
What should I know before I apply?
To apply for the PenFed Platinum Rewards Visa Signature® Card, you must be:
- At least 18 years old.
- A US citizen or permanent resident of the US.
- A member of the PenFed Credit Union.
Am I eligible for PenFed membership?
- Pentagon Federal Credit Union welcomes as members:
- Active or retired members of the United States military.
- Employee or members of a PenFed-affiliated organization.
- Employees of the United States government.
- Relatives or housemates of someone who is eligible for membership.
- Those living or working at an eligible location.
Another way to join is by becoming a member of the Voices for America’s Troops or National Military Family Association with a one-time $17 donation.
Information you’ll need
To complete the application, you’ll provide information that includes:
- Your name and residential address.
- Your Social Security number and date of birth.
- Your email address and phone number.
- Financial information like your annual income and income source.
What credit score do I need?
Apply with a good to excellent credit score of 670 or higher for a better chance of approval.
Keep in mind that PenFed usually pulls your credit report from Equifax when determining approval.
What do customers say about the PenFed Platinum Rewards Visa Signature® Card?
Reviewers through the Better Business Bureau’s site complain of long wait times for customer support. The Pentagon Federal Credit Union earns an A+ from the BBB. At the time of writing, this BBB rating and 21 customer reviews result in 3.81 out of 5 stars for PenFed.
How to apply for the PenFed Platinum Rewards Visa Signature® Card?
- Go to the PenFed website.
- Select the PenFed Platinum Rewards Visa Signature® Card from the list and click Apply Now.
- Complete the form with the required information.
- Review your application and submit it.
How long will it take to get my PenFed Platinum Rewards Visa Signature® Card?
Because PenFed automates conditional approval online, you may hear a decision on your application within minutes. If there are issues with your application, it could take a few days to a few weeks to hear back.
On approval, you’ll get your card within 10 business days by mail.
I got the card. Now what?
Download the PenFed mobile app.
The free app allows you to pay your statements, set up autopay, request balance transfers and more from your phone or tablet.
Avoid interest.
After the close of each billing cycle, you have a grace period of at least 25 days to pay your balance. If you do, you won’t pay interest on your purchases.
Enroll in Visa Purchase Alerts.
Get real-time notification by email or text each time your card is used to make a purchase, helping you to stay on top of spending and potential fraud.
Get support.
Call PenFed’s customer service at 800-732-8268 or email info@hq.penfed.org.
Bottom line
The PenFed Platinum Rewards Visa Signature® Card is a decent rewards card that can help you earn points toward travel, shopping or gift card — especially for those who spend a lot on gas and groceries. You can also take advantage of a low intro APR on debt you transfer from other cards.
Before applying for a credit card, compare other rewards cards to find features and benefits that better line up with your spending habits.
Frequently asked questions
Images: PenFed.org
