PNC Points Visa Credit Card Review

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The PNC Points® Visa® Credit Card
earns 4x points on all purchases and offers a welcome bonus and intro APR with no annual fee. However, PNC points are worth much less than most other credit card rewards, and redemption options can be restrictive. Most folks will do better with a different no-annual-fee card.

Review: Is the PNC Points Visa the best credit card for you?

If you’re tired of navigating category restrictions when earning rewards, applying for a points card with a straightforward earning structure, like the PNC Points® Visa®, could be worth considering. 

The card has a welcome bonus offer of 50,000 bonus points after spending $750 in the first 3 billing cycles following account opening. For no annual fee, it earns a simple 4x points on all eligible purchases with no caps. That sounds very generous, but PNC points are worth less than a cent each (around 0.22 cents, on average), so you’re effectively earning less than 1 cent per dollar spent on the card — a poor return, considering some no-annual-fee cards earn much more. 

On the upside, the PNC Points® Visa® has a 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 12 billing cycles from account opening (first balance transfer must take place 90 days from account opening) (then a 16.74% – 28.74% variable APR) — making it a good option for folks paying down debt or wanting to pay off larger expenses over multiple billing cycles. 

The card has decent benefits, with the most notable being cell phone protection. Cardholders also get perks like purchase security, travel accident insurance, and roadside dispatch. But if you’re looking for more substantial benefits, you might want to consider a rewards credit card with an annual fee instead.

You can only redeem points through the PNC Rewards Center. Although PNC has a large selection of redemption options, cardholders can’t redeem points for statement credits, direct deposits, or airline and hotel transfer partners. 

If you’re looking for more flexibility in redeeming rewards with no annual fee, you should consider a cash rewards card like the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card. It also has a simple earning structure — you’ll earn an unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases — and has a welcome offer of a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $1,000 in purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. Cardholders can redeem cash rewards to cover purchases, as statement credits (including Wells Fargo mortgages or loans), at Wells Fargo ATMs, and on gift cards or travel. 

Alternately, if you’re not opposed to keeping track of bonus categories, the no-annual-fee Chase Freedom Flex℠ earns up to 5x points (5% cash back) in multiple spending categories. With a welcome bonus offer of $200 after spending $500 on purchases in the first three months from account opening and plenty of easy ways to redeem points, it’s a popular choice for those looking for a card that earns flexible points.

We’re focused here on the rewards and perks that come with each card. These cards won’t be worth it if you’re paying interest or late fees. When using a credit card, it’s important to pay your balance in full each month, make payments on time, and only spend what you can afford to pay.

How to earn rewards with the PNC Points Card

The PNC Points® Visa® earns unlimited 4x points on all qualifying purchases. Purchases such as payments from existing credit card balances, balance transfers, cash advances, and ATM transactions are not qualifying purchases. You’ll usually receive points within 10 business days of a purchase, but it may take up to 90 days. 

With the PNC Points® Visa®, you’ll be automatically enrolled in the PNC Points Program, which gets you a bonus of up to 75% of all base points earned depending on your banking relationship and amounts on deposit with PNC. 

How to use points from the PNC Points Visa 

The PNC Points® Visa® lets you redeem points for thousands of options from the PNC Points catalog including cash, gift cards, electronics, merchandise, and travel. You can access your PNC points Account on the Rewards Center Page in online banking, or call 855-762-7937. 

Keep in mind, that points expire after 48 months. So if you’re saving up points over a long period of time for a big purchase, make sure to keep track of how long you’ve been holding on to them. 

PNC Points Visa Card benefits and features

Introductory 0% APR

New PNC Points® Visa® receive a 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 12 billing cycles from account opening (first balance transfer must take place 90 days from account opening) (then a 16.74% – 28.74% variable APR). This can save you on interest if you’re consolidating debt from other credit cards or looking to pay off large purchases over time. However, there are other rewards-earning cards with longer intro APR offers, so if that’s one of your primary goals in opening a new credit card, be sure to compare all your options.

Purchase security

You can receive coverage on items stolen or damaged (with restrictions) you purchased with your PNC Points® Visa® within the first 90 days from the date of purchase (up to $500 per claim). 

Cell phone protection

When you pay your wireless bill with the PNC Points® Visa®, you can receive supplemental coverage in the case of theft, damage, or involuntarily parting of your cell phone (up to $800 per claim and $1,600 per 12-month period), but only if you don’t already have another insurance policy. If you do have another insurance policy, this benefit will reimburse you for the deductible portion of your cell phone insurance. 

Travel and emergency assistance services

If there’s an emergency while you’re away from home, you can contact the Benefit Administrator (call 800-992-6029) to be connected with the appropriate local emergency and assistance resources available 24/7. Keep in mind that you’re still financially responsible for any actual goods or services provided. 

Travel accident insurance

You can receive coverage if loss or bodily injury occurs while on a covered trip up to a year after the date of the accident. 

Roadside dispatch

You’ll get access to the pay-per-use roadside assistance program, which includes 24/7 services like standard towing, tire changes, jump starts, and standard winching. If you need roadside assistance just call 800-847-2869. 

NortonLifeLock

The ID Navigator Powered by NortonLifeLock helps prevent identity theft with access to tools, as well as keeping you informed of any potential threats. 

PNC Easy Lock

You can lock any lost or stolen PNC card in real-time to prevent unauthorized purchases, cash advances, or withdrawals. If your card is found, you can unlock it. 

Fees and costs

The PNC Points® Visa® charges foreign transaction fees (3%), so it’s not a good card for traveling abroad. As with most other cards, it also charges a balance transfer, cash advance, late payment, and returned payment fees. 

PNC Points Visa vs other PNC credit cards

*With the PNC Cash Rewards® Visa® Credit Card, on up to $8,000 in combined purchases in these categories per year, then 1% back

PNC points Visa Credit Card vs other no-annual-fee rewards cards

PNC Points Credit Card frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Tessa Campbell

Personal Finance Reviews Fellow