Info exchange: best providian/WaMu card currently available for new apps

This thread mentions that providian has taken over the "mypoints" credit card rewards program. In that thread, FW member EugeneV mentions that there are other better providian cards to apply for. In subsequent communications, EugeneV's indicated he's not sure what they might be. WaMu recently bought out providian so that they would have a CC division. They are in the process of "rebranding" their cards and incorporating them into their system. So any WaMu card, current or (foreseeable/near) future, will have a providian lineage.

Providian cards are of interest in part because they offer the benefit of free monthly credit scores. But they don't advertise multiple brands of card to the general public. The only offer one card and promo on their website...a Platinum Visa card with a 12 months 0% BT for transfers made with the application only, and with a supposed $15K maxmium credit line.

I've received two offers from them in the last couple of months, both under the WaMu brand. The first was 0% for purchases only until 7/2007. The other was purchases only until 1/2008, if a BT was done with the application. Neither of these offers is as attractive as the offer on the web site.

Questions:

-Are there other more attractive providian cards currently offered for application without an invitation (or with one, for that matter)?

-Has anyone received more than the $15K maximum advertised online with that application?

-Any other suggestions for getting a large credit line or tasty intro offer from WaMu/Providian?

TIA for your help.

You know, I believe Providian made their name doing "subprime" credit cards, I wouldn't be as surprised if they're still a bit behind with regards to really juicy BT offers, just because of lack of practice.

Heck, even their noteworthy partnerships (paypal and mypoints) are a bit low-rent compared to airlines, hotel chains, etc.

... okay, I'm done being snooty, I'll keep an eye out in my junk mail.

Big thanks to g10ny for taking the initiative on the quicksummary & for the TU information, and to littlestone for the mypoints link.

Any other offers FWF folks have found?

I second that.

markkundinger said: I believe Providian made their name doing "subprime" credit cards.

I have a 16k line that I got last year. Had applied directly from Providian's site

I think that at some point, and in some manner, we need to enlarge the discussion as to pinpoint the most important (and promising) subprime borrowers. I really think they deserve a separate discussion on this forum, regarding their money-milking potential, but also regarding the common pitfalls encountered when dealing with them (eg I can scan for you the T&C where it states they can charge 10% of the CLI, it's already anecdotal). Let's not forget that all these CC issuers envision in dealing with not-so economically disciplined people, therefore prone to greater chunks of "gifts to CC companies in all sorts of fees (eg: my conjecture about putting the habit of frequently seeking cash advance as a strategy to get good CLs from Providian).
Fro example, I found valuable pieces of information about HSBC CCs in the thread about the 2% Household CC. I have recently opened a 0% BT - 12 mos from HH, the story is long and not so pleasand, but the fact is that, even though I am angry at them, I will make some BT money out of ... Orchard (I was so mad when I found out that even though I applied for a Household, I ended up with an Orchard, so I needed to think of it that way ). No fee, 0% a year, no BT fees, transferable to checking accounts through BT.

So there is more about these cards, but the regular war has ended for some, and now it's time for guerrilla BT game

Yeah, pretty sure the Paypal Providian is discountinued...the website link is busted now.

http://www.paypalcreditcard.com/

I applied for it like on the last Day of April and I think that new application link has been broken all of May. Yet Paypal still lists it in the help section on their site w/ that broken link above. Anyways, I did get accepted for $5000(which matched my highest CL) online instantly. Think I may have been one of the last people to get it! Hopefully the free credit scores kick in soon


Anyways, Paypal came out with the new "Paypal Plus credit card" which is issued by GEMB instead.

I recently got the Platinum card offered on the website (applied directly, not in response to any mailing), and did not request any BT with the application. I received BT checks along with the card, with clear reference that their use would qualify for the 0% BT rate through 5/1/2007. So, this particular promo does not appear limited to only BTs initiated w/ application, despite verbiage to the contrary on the website.

Providian/WAMU lost the eBay and PayPal partnerships to GE Finance. That is, you can no longer apply for the WAMU versions of these cards.

All the unsolicited WAMU offers tend to be long term 0% for purchases only. While the 0% on BT's is short (3-6 months) and usually with a fee, but not all.

There have been reports of some folks getting between 15K and 30K with very high FICO scores and have 6 months reporting of similar lines. BT's not necessary for a 30K line.

Alcibiades said: Alykatt8 said: Providan cards have another perk besides the free credit report -- They also offer the BuySmart progamMyPoints card isnt eligible IIRC.

too bad..

just applied for one on their website n was denied. my TU score is around 730, pretty wierd. mayb because i opened 3 mbna lines last month.

marla64 said: Can someone please give the direct link to Buysmart? I can't seem to find it anywhere! Thanks!There is no link. Do you have possess a Providian CC now ?

You gotta call Providian CS and ask to enroll in it.

I did an AOR recently (I'll post details). One of the cards I applied for was a Wamu Visa. I received an offer from Wamu in the mail - 8.9% for BT, 0% for purchases until 1/2008 if you BT at least $100. I decided to use this card NOT for the BT, but for 1) getting a large credit line to keep my overall utilization lower and 2) as a way of deferring many expenses for 1.5+ years.

My strategy was to request a $25k BT with the application. I figured an analyst reviewing the application would see $25k at 8.9% and immediately approve it (that's over $2k in simple interest without even looking at compounding). My FAKOs are excellent. I was approved for a CL of $28k. I immediately cancelled the $25k BT request and made a $100 BT instead.

So the end result was a new card with a $28k CL and 0% for purchases until 1/2008. And it helps keep my overall utilization lower. Of course, I don't get points or 3%/5% back for restaurants, groceries, gas, etc.

Note this was a targeted offer - I'm not sure you can receive something like this by calling CS directly.

bwjgmail said: My strategy was to request a $25k BT with the application. I figured an analyst reviewing the application would see $25k at 8.9% and immediately approve it (that's over $2k in simple interest without even looking at compounding). My FAKOs are excellent. I was approved for a CL of $28k. I immediately canceled the $25k BT request and made a $100 BT instead.Congrats on the very successful strategy!

Would you please detail exactly how you went about getting the BT canceled?

After hearing stories of people with good credit getting rejected, I ended up applying for the pre-solicited offer I received on May 31 over the phone. (I was not given the option to transfer a balance, but then again I did not ask for one.) A transunion report was pulled on June 1. I called to check the status today, and was approved for $10K. I have no credit derogatories, 4 reporting lines over $50K, and scores in the mid-high 700s, and this is one of my smallest credit lines I've received. I would have liked to have followed your lead bwjgmail. Instead, I was told that there's no appeal for the initial credit limit by the frontline CSR (of course who knows whether that's right or not...)

Interestingly, my wife applied online on 5/31 also. Even though her credit was pulled that same day, her SS# is not in the "check the status" que at WaMu. She did the $100 BT needed to get her "until 2008" offer. It will be interesting to see what they do for her.

DaveHanson said: bwjgmail said: My strategy was to request a $25k BT with the application. I figured an analyst reviewing the application would see $25k at 8.9% and immediately approve it (that's over $2k in simple interest without even looking at compounding). My FAKOs are excellent. I was approved for a CL of $28k. I immediately canceled the $25k BT request and made a $100 BT instead.Congrats on the very successful strategy!

Would you please detail exactly how you went about getting the BT canceled?

During my AOR, I would call to check the status of all apps daily. When I called Wamu, I spoke with a CSR. I told them I wanted to cancel the BT. They explained I needed to call back the next day when the new account # would be in their system. I called back the next day, requested the cancellation, and they did it immediately. They told me I would lose the 0% on new purchases, but I had 90 days to make a BT of $100 and I would immediately become eligible for the 0% again. Very simple process.

markkundinger said: You know, I believe Providian made their name doing "subprime" credit cards, I wouldn't be as surprised if they're still a bit behind with regards to really juicy BT offers, just because of lack of practice.
Providian made their billions in the subprime market, by picking out individuals from their userbase who they could give CL+ w/out the risk of default. There was huge default in the past, but they've been getting better over the years in cutting liability. Their fees and penalties are quite high. Providian had a bit of a shady side, and I'm thankful that WAMU bought them to turn them "legit". It's yet to be seen if WAMU will be able to make them a powerful division within the company. Since WAMU is not experienced with the cc market (their previous cc program was through Citibank), I wish them good luck.

Another proof that we need to think differently when it comes to applying for a Providian card:

I just received the denial letter for the first application:
We regret, however, that we are unable to provide you with a credit account at this time for the following reason(s):
- Recent inquiry (note: it was an inq. from BofA, I opened a checking account for $50)
- Insufficient balance on revolving accounts

The second reason should raise a red flag for most of us. It also solves the enigma as to why the CSR couldn't tell me on the phone the reasons for denying the request for opening a credit line.

As a side note, there is also an interesting comment in the same letter:
We would like to emphasize that this does not mean that you do not have good credit or that another lender would not open a credit account for you.
Darn right, seven other lenders just did that!

I too was approved for $10K, will use a $100 BT check written to myself and pay the BT off instantly and use the $10K CL as a 18 month free financing for expenses related to a trip to Europe.

Note that this card has only 1% overseas charge, better than most other credit cards.

markkundinger said: I need to find the company issuing the Republican card, and then put both in my wallet and see if they annihilate each other.

Actually, you should get the Libertarian party card as well...and you can watch the Democratic and Republican cards gang up to build benefits for themselves and work to kill off the other cards.

-D

how long did it take you guys to get cards? it's been 3 weeks since I was approved and no card nor statement. wondering about this now...