The PenFed AMEX is a JOKE….Stay away from it. I had it and cancelled it after a year! I spent about $30,000 in the first 6 months and they never sent me the promised 2 Priority Access Passes, even after I called their customer service and asked numerous times. I was never late on a payment and ALWAYS paid my balance in full Theyalso denied my charges on a military base at a gas station for a charge of less than $5 because it was out of the area that I lived. When I called them, they stated that I needed to call them when I travel. I pointed out that I am active duty military and cannot notify them every time that I travel and tell them where I go. They insisted that I needed to tell them when I travel so I cancelled the card. It is by far the worst card I have ever carried and their customer service is atricious…..Stay away from it….Or GOOD LUCK!
jonathon
As has already been pointed out, you have to carry several cards (and remember which benefits are peculiar to each card) to get the combined benefit of the Amex Platinum. But what no one has mentioned is that 2 passes per year (from PenFed) is nonsense to any frequent traveler. I use airline clubs at least 25 times per year, and with Amex Platinum I never have to pay for anything. Also, I have provided 3 family members with their own Platinum cards, each with all the benefits of my card, for an extra $175 total. That means my loved ones get unlimited access to airport lounges worldwide, concierge, medical evacuation, etc. which gives me great peace of mind. Finally, as to points value, Amex participates with some airlines in promotions that increase mileage transfers by 50% and even offer qualifying mileage for elite status. As far as I am concerned, the Amex Platinum card is worth every penny….
Todd
I love the PenFed Amex, but you have to use it strategically. I love that it has no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees (one of the few cards that has both of these benefits) so it’s my #1 card when I travel, and I travel a lot. I also use it for all airline tickets as it earns 5 points per dollar spent for those purchases. Plus they run a lot of bonuses such as the current offer of 5 points per dollar spent at all dining and hotels, so I’ve been using it for that as well. Never had an issue with their customer service. The key is that you need to redeem your points for air travel only for the best point redemption rate. Do not exchange points for hotels, car rental or merchandise as it’s not worth it in my opinion. I’ve had the card less than a year and have redeemed my points for 5 airline tickets valued over $2000 total. That’s not a bad deal in my mind!
Docroger2010
I have had the PENFED Amex card for a year and accused a 100,000 miles on it. The first time I tried to purchase a reward ticket it showed me the ticket was available. However, the website would never complete the transaction. I had to call customer service for over one month and they kept saying they will send it to the research department from whom I never heard. Eventually, they said the flight was not available despite it showing on their website. I was charged eventually for a flight I did not want. I tried to contact customer service at the rewards company which is a third-party company but they were outright nasty and unhelpful. Subsequently, I called the main customer service line and they said they will try to help me and said I should not have to go through one month of trying to get a ticket. They called me back after a week saying they can’t do anything about it and I was stuck with the unwanted light. They said they’re working on their website. Overall it has been an atrocious and horrible experience. I would use up my miles and cancel my card as soon as possible. They should be ashamed of themselves. Do not get this card.
Haute Tubber
Be warned! 1) You must book airfares through PenFed’s online travel service which does NOT include the airlines that you may be used to saving money with, like SouthWest, Jet Blue, VirginAmerica, etc. 2) You can not redeem your points until you have saved up 25% of the number needed for particular flight 3) When I tried to book through the PenFed service (as they require), they charged me MORE than booking directly through the airline, so you don’t save 5% 4) You don’t get your points at time of purchase, you have to wait till ‘the end of the month’.
