Power Cash Rewards Visa Signature® Card* vs. Citi® Double Cash Card
Assuming a cardholder qualifies for the PenFed Honors Advantage status and thus the full unlimited 2% cash-back reward, a comparable choice may be the Citi® Double Cash Card, which earns 2% cash back on all purchases—1% when purchases are made and another 1% when they’re paid off. The Double Cash also offers an 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 18 months. After that, the standard variable APR will be 15.49% – 25.49%, based on creditworthiness. There is also an intro balance transfer fee of either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater, completed within the first 4 months of account opening. After that, the fee will be 5% of each transfer (minimum $5)—6 months longer than the 12-month period offered on the PenFed Power Cash Rewards card.
The main advantage the PenFed Power Cash Rewards offers over the Citi Double Cash is a lack of foreign transaction fees, so the choice between these two cards comes down to plans for international use or the desire for a longer balance transfer period.
Power Cash Rewards Visa Signature® Card* vs. PenFed Pathfinder® Rewards Visa Signature® Card*
For PenFed cardholders seeking a flexible rewards card instead of plain cash back, the PenFed Pathfinder offers a travel rewards card that earns 4 points per dollar on all travel categories for PenFed Honors Advantage Members, 3 points per dollar on all travel categories and 1.5 points on all other purchases. The card charges a $95 *Waived for existing Honors Advantage Members.
Like the Power Cash Rewards card, the Pathfinder Rewards card offers a 0% introductory rate for 12 months on balance transfers, followed by a non-variable APR rate of 17.99%. Balance transfers incur a 3% fee per transaction. 15.99% – 17.99% variable APR applies for purchases. The Pathfinder Rewards also offers a welcome bonus: Earn 50,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 in the first 90 days. With completely different earning structures, the choice between the two comes down to spending habits.
Power Cash Rewards Visa Signature® Card* vs. Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card
Few cards offering an unlimited 2% cash-back on spending offer meaningful extras and perks, but the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card offers cell phone protection. Like the Power Cash Rewards, the Active Cash also comes with a low introductory APR, but unlike the Power Cash Rewards card, the Active Cash offers a 0% intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers, then a 17.24%, 22.24%, or 27.24% variable APR applies. Balance transfers made within 120 days qualify for the intro rate and fee of 3% then a fee of up to 5%, with a minimum of $5 applies.
Welcome bonuses aren’t widely offered on many no-annual fee unlimited 2% cash-back cards, but like the Power Cash Rewards, the Active Cash also offers a welcome bonus: $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $1,000 in purchases in the first 3 months. However, the Active Cash also charges a foreign transaction fee of 3%. For those who want to use their card internationally, the Power Cash Rewards is likely a smarter choice than the Active Cash.
