Jun 14, 2014, 11:24 am
Last edit by: MDtR-Chicago
This thread is for discussion of the PenFed Premium Travel Rewards Amex Card, described here: https://www.penfed.org/PenFed-Premium-Travel-Rewards-American-Express-Card/
No annual fee
Earn 5 points on airfare purchases
Earn 1 point on all other purchases
20,000 bonus points when you spend $2,500 within the first 3 months of opening the Card account
There are several similarly named PenFed cards. Please see the chart at the top of the
Master Thread: PenFed Family of Cards + Chip & PIN Questions to make sure you post in the correct thread!
No annual fee
Earn 5 points on airfare purchases
Earn 1 point on all other purchases
20,000 bonus points when you spend $2,500 within the first 3 months of opening the Card account
There are several similarly named PenFed cards. Please see the chart at the top of the
Master Thread: PenFed Family of Cards + Chip & PIN Questions to make sure you post in the correct thread!
PenFed Premium Travel Rewards AmEx [5x/3x/1x, $0 fee, 20K bonus]
Dec 28, 2015, 9:22 am
#301
Join Date: Dec 2015
Posts: 530
I am considering getting this card; it seems that it has the best cash back equivalent for airfare at 4.25%?
Most of the discussion here is on redeeming it for GCs, can it not be redeemed for airfare? And is there a minimum amount of points that one must have before redemption?
Most of my credit cards have dramatically reduced their benefits over the years. If this one is still giving 5 points per dollar spent on airfare, then even with any devaluation it seems to be a great deal.
Most of the discussion here is on redeeming it for GCs, can it not be redeemed for airfare? And is there a minimum amount of points that one must have before redemption?
Most of my credit cards have dramatically reduced their benefits over the years. If this one is still giving 5 points per dollar spent on airfare, then even with any devaluation it seems to be a great deal.
but this seems like the best no annual fee card.
Dec 29, 2015, 3:15 pm
#302
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 35
How is the Citi Prestige better for airfare? I can see the value for hotels, but for airfare it gives 3 points per dollar spent as opposed to 5 points per dollar spent for Penfed travel rewards. Also, since there is a $250 travel credit per year, this is $250 less spend getting 5 points per dollar with Penfed (and the $250 is not free since the annual fee on the card is $450).
Jan 7, 2016, 6:12 pm
#303
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 35
I called Penfed and asked a bunch of questions. Points expire in 5 years. One can only redeem rewards for travel, merchandise, and restaurants; there is no longer an option for a VISA gift card, as someone pointed out. So the value of the card depends on whether one can redeem it for travel at fair market value, since one has to use Penfed's travel agency.
For those of you that have the card, if you look up a flight on Kayak first and then call Penfed's agency, are you getting the same rate?
For those of you that have the card, if you look up a flight on Kayak first and then call Penfed's agency, are you getting the same rate?
Jan 9, 2016, 10:26 am
#304
Moderator: Chase Ultimate Rewards
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: SFO
Programs: UA 2P, MR LT Plat, IHG Plat, BW Dia, HH Au, Avis PC
Posts: 5,457
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/credi...er-thread.html
Jan 9, 2016, 11:52 am
#305
Join Date: Dec 2015
Posts: 530
How is the Citi Prestige better for airfare? I can see the value for hotels, but for airfare it gives 3 points per dollar spent as opposed to 5 points per dollar spent for Penfed travel rewards. Also, since there is a $250 travel credit per year, this is $250 less spend getting 5 points per dollar with Penfed (and the $250 is not free since the annual fee on the card is $450).
3*1.66=4.98 towards AA
also, 450-100 (apply at branch)-250 (can do refund trick) = $100 AF. You get PP, 4th stay at hotel, etc for $100 which is worth.
last but not least, you get to supercharge Citi Forward into a 8% card
Last edited by runb4fun; Jan 9, 2016 at 11:58 am
Nov 29, 2016, 10:14 pm
#306
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: DEN
Programs: AS MVP; UA Silver; HHonors Silver; HyattGP Platinum; Hertz PC
Posts: 113
I just booked a flight on F9. One way DCA-DEN. Worked out to 3.7%. Same price as Kayak and F9's site. And you don't have to call PenFed's travel agency...you can book directly on the PenFed rewards site. For no annual fee, I don't know of a card that gives that rate or better. (I have CSP...so if there is a way to get more than 3.7% - 4.25% back on flights...I am all ears.)