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..