Credit Card Programs - PenFed: You must notify us of out of state travel

Got the PenFed Platinum Rewards Visa recently. Traveled out of my home state and the card was declined. I figured it was because it was a new card, but two different agents told me today (after waiting on hold forever) that it's because I wasn't in my home state, and I needed to provide a week's notice of any travel if I wanted to use it. They emphasized that they have a lot of trouble with fraud. I emphasized that I travel worldwide on short notice and can't be bothered to call everytime I go from DC to Virginia.

Sock drawer for this card as soon as I get the sign up bonus :rolleyes:

Got the PenFed Platinum Rewards Visa recently. Traveled out of my home state and the card was declined. I figured it was because it was a new card, but two different agents told me today (after waiting on hold forever) that it's because I wasn't in my home state, and I needed to provide a week's notice of any travel if I wanted to use it. They emphasized that they have a lot of trouble with fraud. I emphasized that I travel worldwide on short notice and can't be bothered to call everytime I go from DC to Virginia.

Sock drawer for this card as soon as I get the sign up bonus :rolleyes:

I've used my Penfed cards in dozens of states and 20 countries. I usually call regarding overseas travel but have never had an issue with out of state travel, even just a few days ago. Perhaps it is because your account is so new?

You also have the ability to notify them online of upcoming travel.

5x points for airline tickets and no international transaction fee has keep this as my main card. They are also running a promo next couple of months of 5k points with 2,500 spend per month.

I thought it might be because it was a new card, but both agents that I spoke with said that it was not - they were just very aggressive about preventing fraud.

I can't be bothered with this - I prefer to find ways to streamline my travel, not add another thing to my "to do" list. Especially if getting denied because I didn't give a week's notice of interstate travel means that I have to spend 10 minutes waiting on hold to talk to someone who is going to take another 10+ minutes to resolve the issue. I would have appreciated a proactive courtesy phone call upon the first denial.

In any event, American Express says right on its web site that you should not/not call to tell them about international travel. ^

They emphasized that they have a lot of trouble with fraud.

A lot of new cards, especially those issued by smaller banks and credit unions, tend to place these restrictions until their systems starts seeing a pattern.

Citibank, Chase, and BofA, their systems already know that I could be in LA one day, Dallas the next day, be in Tokyo the next day and in Taipei the day after. They practically don't even bother with blocking my card or me sending out "did you have a charge in a restaurant in Tokyo?" notices.

Anyone know if this applies to Penfed Cash Rewards too?

Anyone know if this applies to Penfed Cash Rewards too?

It does not apply to any Penfed card universally. If it did, I wouldn't have been able to use my two Penfed cards in the manner I have over the years.

I, too, had this issue.

Once w/Randolph Brooks visa debit. It's bad when you are rejected at a gas pump during peak gas-n-run times. Reason: I travelled out of state.

But, the worst, is Discover (we pay it off every month). Daughter is authorized user for gas usage. If I'm out of town from her zip code on file (so she doesn't have the rejections), I get disapproved all the time, despite the many calls I have made to rectify.

Chase, BOA, Amex...never an issue! :)