Many or all of the companies featured compensate us. Compensation and research may determine where and how companies appear. Learn more

PenFed Platinum Rewards Visa Signature® Card

PenFed Platinum Rewards Visa Signature® Card was ranked on Money.com as one of this year's top credit cards. Read more from nationally recognized credit card expert, Jason Steele or see if you qualify by clicking "Apply Now" below.
Best for
Earning rewards with low interest
Our Partner
See Rates & Fees | Terms Apply

PenFed Platinum Rewards Visa Signature® Credit Card

Intro Bonus
15,000 points after $1,500 spend during first 3 months of card open date
Annual Fee
$0
Credit Level
good to very good
From
The Expert
Jason Steele
Why Apply?
If you want to join one of the largest federal credit unions and receive a rewards card that's stronger than those from many of the big banks, then you can do so and pay very few fees too.
I Think You'll Love
Earning 5x points on gas and 3x points on supermarket purchases, and paying very few fees.
Pros
  • New Acquisition Bonus: 15,000 points after $1,500 spend during first 3 months of card open date
  • Earn 5x points for gas purchases at the pump and electric vehicle charging stations
  • Earn 3x points for supermarket purchases, restaurants/dining, and cable, satellite and other pay television/radio/streaming services
  • Earn 1x point on all other purchases
Cons
  • Intro balance transfer rate only applies to transfers completed by March 31, 2022 
  • Points are redeemed for merchandise, travel and gift cards, not cash back.
  • 1x point per dollar spent on most purchases. 
     
ABOUT THIS CARD

PenFed is the Pentagon Federal Credit Union, and it enjoys a strong following among former and current members of the armed forces. But since no military service is required, anyone can become a member and apply for this rewards card that offers 5x points for gas purchases at the pump and electric vehicle charging stations, and 3x points for supermarket purchases, restaurants/dining, and cable, satellite and other pay television/radio/streaming services. This makes it an ideal card for your everyday purchases, rather than travel and entertainment. Additional benefits include 12 months of 0% APR financing on balance transfers and 15,000 points after $1,500 spend during first 3 months of card open date. 

Reward points can be redeemed for gift cards, travel or merchandise, and this card also includes a complimentary 24/7 concierge service. But this card also stands out for having very few fees. There’s no annual fee, no cash advance fee and no foreign transaction fee imposed on purchases made outside of the United States. However, it does have a 3% balance transfer fee. This card also offers standard interest rates that are less than many other competing rewards cards, and even the cash advance rate and penalty interest rate is just 17.99%, far below that of most other cards. 

4 things informed consumers need to know:
  1. Get enough credit cards to keep the balance on each one below 30% of its limit.
  2. Pay on time, use cards sparingly and keep your accounts open.
  3. Don’t apply for too many cards at once. Do 1 today, again in 6 months, etc.
  4. More cards mean a wider variety of points and benefits.

Jason steele
The Expert
Jason Steele

Analysis is brought to you by nationally recognized credit card expert Jason Steele, who has appeared in publications such as:

Yahoo finance logo
Wapo logo
Usa today logo
Msn money logo

Details and conditions for each credit card offer are available on the online credit card application page. Our team makes reasonable efforts to ensure the information on our page is accurate, but this information is presented without warranty and some of the offers on this page may no longer be available through our site. You can click on the “Learn More” or “Apply Now” button for each credit card offer to continue to the issuer’s web site and review the terms and conditions on their site. Offers, details, and other information is subject to change, and the terms displayed may not be available to all consumers. ConsumersAdvocate has partnered with CardRatings for some of our credit card offerings. ConsumersAdvocate and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers.

Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.