Updated 2020-12-28 By
Robert Flowers III
PNC offers two rewards currencies across their PNC Rewards programs: PNC Points and PNC Miles. The PNC Miles program offers the best value of 1 cent each when redeeming your miles towards travel and the PNC Points program offers the best value of 0.25 cents per point when redeeming for cash back. Both programs are outshined by the PNC Cash Rewards Card.
PNC Points Value Calculator
Use the PNC Points Value Calculator to calculate the average cash value of PNC Points based on the redemption options listed. You can enter any amount of PNC Points in the calculator.
Travel
PNC Points has the best redemption value of 0.25 cents per point when being redeeming for travel. That means every time you earn the base 4 points when you spend a dollar on this card, you will earn a 1% return when you apply your points towards travel which is pretty bad. There's lots of great great cards for travel and this isn't one of them.
Gift Cards
PNC Points can be redeemed for gift cards at a value of a little over 0.2 cents per point. A $5 gift card would cost you 2,270 PNC Points. At the base earning of 4 points per $1 spent, you'd have to spend $568 to earn that many PNC Points. You can run $568 across a flat rate 2% cash back card and earn $11.36 which is double the value.
Merchandise
PNC Points can be redeemed for merchandise through their PNC Points portal. The value of redeeming points will vary, but it will be a low value. For example, an iPad Pro costs 583,228 PNC Points which will require at least $145,807 in spend on the PNC Points Visa. You can run that same $145,807 through a 2% cash back card and earn $2,916 worth of cash back which could buy you a few iPad Pros.
PNC Miles Value Calculator
Use the PNC Miles Value Calculator to calculate the average cash value of PNC Miles based on the redemptions listed. You can enter any amount of miles in the calculator below.
Erase Travel Purchases
PNC Miles can be used to wipe travel purchases made on your PNC Premier Card. This is similar to the way Venture Miles work. You make travel purchases on the card and then use your miles to cover those charges made on the card. This can be extremely useful for charges that can't be covered by your other travel cards. For example, if you were to be billed for a toll or a bus ticket, you could apply your PNC Miles to that charge at a 1 cent for 1 mile rate. Redemptions start at 5,000 PNC Miles which is equal to $50.
PNC Rewards Center
PNC Miles can be used to book travel directly through the PNC Rewards Center. This includes flights, hotels, car rentals, cruises, vacations, and adventures. You can also piece together a whole package built around how you want to spend your vacation using PNC's dedicated travel specialists. These redemptions start at 5,000 PNC Miles for a value of $50.
Travel Gift Cards
PNC Miles can be used to redeem travel related gift cards. This includes airlines, hotel stays, and cruises. The value for travel gift cards vary, but redemptions average out around 0.75 cents each. Redemptions start at 3,350 miles. I recommend using your points for either travel purchases or through the rewards center. If you're looking to gift 'travel', you could possibly pay for the travel (or a portion of it) and then apply your PNC Miles so you can get the best value.
Cash Redemption
PNC Miles can be turned into cash at a low rate of 0.5 cents per point. This means the 2x points you're earning on this card would be worth 1 cent making it a 1% cash back card if you take this route. If you're looking for a cash back card, pick up a good 1.5% cash back card like the no annual fee Capital One Quicksilver. You can even earn 2% cash back with the Citi Double Cash Card which also has no annual fee.
